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Emergency
The emergency service at CARE is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help with your pet’s urgent needs. Emergencies can range from life-threatening injuries to simple illnesses that just can’t wait until your primary veterinary office opens.
Your emergency visit begins with an assessment of the illness/injury and whether urgent treatment is needed. For some pets with less serious illnesses, this may mean waiting while our doctors attend to an animal with more immediate needs.
Wait times are extremely variable. Cases are seen in order of severity, with the most critical patients prioritized.
Whenever possible, our goal is to stabilize your pet for management by your regular veterinarian or a specialist.
Conditions We Treat
The emergency department can assess and treat any urgent healthcare needs. Some of the more common emergencies we treat include:
- Gastrointestinal disease, including vomiting, diarrhea and pancreatitis
- Gastrointestinal foreign body obstruction and splenectomy
- Toxin or foreign body ingestion
- Cardiovascular disease, including heart failure
- Neurological disease, including seizures and limb paralysis
- Trauma, including being hit by a car or injured in a dog fight
- Surgical emergency, including pyometra, Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV)
- Urinary blockage/inability to urinate
- Eye trauma
- Allergic reaction
- Heatstroke
If your pet is admitted for hospitalization at CARE, please review our Admissions Guide to help answer questions about your pet’s stay.
To the pet owners, I want to say this: We carry your animals in our hearts long after their ER visits are over. Whether it’s a tiny kitten or a senior dog, every patient leaves an impression. In a teaching hospital like CARE, those patients don’t just impact our hearts—they become part of another technician’s growth, a learning moment that shapes their future care. We remember them. We grow because of them. And we are honored to be part of their story, even in the hardest moments.
Diagnostics We Use/Services We Provide
At CARE we have a full suite of in-house diagnostics to allow for rapid diagnosis of your pet’s condition. Some of our diagnostics include:
- Radiology (X-ray)
- Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS)
- Blood and urine tests, including
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Chemistry including electrolytes
- Coagulation tests
- Cortisol
- Blood gas analysis
- Urinalysis
- Lactate
- Blood typing
Further diagnostics can include:
- Full abdominal ultrasound
- Echocardiogram (ECG)
Computerized Tomography (CT scan) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) are available to patients who are transferred to one of our specialty services.
contact us or call (704) 457-2300.
Emergency FAQ
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How long will I need to wait?
All patients are triaged quickly to evaluate the severity of their illness. Wait times are variable depending on the current caseload and the severity of your pet’s illness. Our goal is to see your pet as quickly as possible and our staff will give you an estimated wait time when you arrive.
How much will it cost?
All patients will receive an initial exam and, if you approve, initial diagnostics. Our triage nurse will go over these costs with you at the time your pet is triaged. The doctor will discuss the costs of other recommended diagnostics and treatments with you.
Will my pet need to be hospitalized?
If we feel your pet is stable enough to be treated at home or can be followed up with your regular veterinarian, we can provide initial treatments and discharge your pet. In some cases, we do recommend your pet stay with us for continued treatment and monitoring, and possibly for transfer to one of our specialty veterinarians for evaluation and treatment. Your doctor will discuss these options with you.
We weren’t planning on this expense and don’t have any money. How can we pay for this?
Emergencies are, by definition, unplanned, and we understand and sympathize with your stress. If you do not have the resources to pay for your visit today without help, there are third-party financing options you can consider. Here are three for your consideration: All Pet Card, CareCredit® and Scratchpay.
Triage Priority Levels: 1, 2, 3
Caring for the Most Critical Patients First
Triage Level 1: Emergency
Pets will be triaged on arrival*:
- Birthing difficulties
- Bleeding (excessive)
- Bloat (GDV)/swollen abdomen
- Blocked cat/unable to urinate
- Breathing difficulty/choking
- Cesarian section
- Collapse
- Eye trauma
- Heatstroke
- Hit by a car
- Seizures (active)
- Severe allergic reactions
- Snake bite
- Shock
- Toxic ingestion
- Trauma
*Partial list – please discuss your pet’s situation with our team.
Triage Level 2: Urgent
Wait times may apply based on the amount of Level 1 cases:
- Bowel obstruction/constipation
- Broken bone
- Coughing
- Diarrhea
- Hind limb paralysis
- Hives/facial swelling
- Laceration
- Pain/restlessness
- Vomiting/retching
Triage Level 3: Important
Wait times may be prolonged based on the amount of Level 1 and Level 2 cases:
- Abscess
- Anorexia/not eating
- Blood in urine
- Chronic diseases
- Ear infection
- Eye irritation
- Generalized pain/restless
- Lameness
- Minor wounds
- Skin conditions
Please advise the front desk if the condition of your pet significantly changes while you are waiting.
What We Ask of You
We know you are waiting and ask that you approach our healthcare providers with the same kindness and respect that you treat your family and friends. Your support is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for allowing us the privilege of caring for your precious pet.
What to Expect During an Emergency Visit
We understand how stressful it can be when your pet is having an emergency. We hope to ease that stress by helping you know what to expect during your visit.
- Our goal is for your pet to be evaluated by a member of our technical staff within an hour of your arrival (usually much sooner). Pets with critical conditions, such as blocked airways or impaired circulation, are treated first, similar to a human ER. This means that while a pet with a less severe issue, like a limp, may need to wait, those with life-threatening conditions will be seen immediately. While a critical pet “jumping the line” can feel frustrating, if your pet was critically ill, you would be grateful for other owners who allowed you to go first. For questions about how cases are triaged, see our Triage Priority Levels: 1, 2, 3 chart.
- The exam fee is $159 and most pets will need diagnostic testing to assess what treatment is needed and medications to help them get better. In general, patients need at least $800-900 worth of care. However, more serious illness can be significantly more. Your care team will discuss options for treatment and estimated costs to help you make the best decisions for your pet.
- Advanced diagnostics and procedures, for example, ultrasounds and some surgeries, may not be available on the same day. If necessary, your care team will make sure that you know when to expect those treatments and what is involved so that you have confidence in the high quality of care your pet is receiving.
- If your pet needs to be admitted to the hospital, your care team will review medical consent forms and the process for leaving a deposit on the estimated costs before you leave. Learn more about what to expect when your pet is hospitalized at CARE.
Our Emergency Doctors
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- Emergency
Vet Tech Profiles
Hayley Townsend
Emergency
Job responsibilities
As a member of the management team, Hayley’s primary role is to ensure that each day runs as smoothly as possible while prioritizing the highest standard of care for her patients. She has a 360-degree view of the hospital—from the number of cases in the ER, to the full ICU caseload and everything that is happening across the specialty departments.
Vet Tech education
Hayley began working in a small general veterinary practice during her senior year in high school with plans to pursue veterinary school. She moved to an emergency vet hospital and enrolled in the RVT program at Gaston College. Although Hayley had to put her education on hold, she continued working in vet hospitals for the next five years and joined the CARE team in 2017.
Hometown
Hayley hails from Granite Falls, North Carolina—a two-stoplight town tucked at the foot of the Appalachians.
Best part of her job
Overall, Hayley says her favorite part is simply working with animals. But, day-to-day, what she loves most is the chaos of emergency medicine. “We never know what’s going to walk through the door,” she says. “There’s a rush that comes with that unpredictability. But I’ve also learned, thanks to my coworkers, to slow down and appreciate the rhythm of ICU life. The case follow-through. Watching a patient come in during a true crisis and leave, happy and healthy, is a kind of reward that’s hard to put into words. And even when the outcome isn’t what we hoped for, I find meaning in being there for the hard moments too. I take pride in being a shoulder for an owner to lean on, or the calm voice helping them make some of the most difficult decisions of their lives.”
Hayley’s pets
Hayley has two dogs – a Pitbull named Turbo Diesel and a Belgian Malinois named Sage Marie. She also has two quarter horses named Arlo and Biscuit. And she has a barn cat named Fred Weasley.
Originally posted as part of CARE’s celebration of National Veterinary Technician Week (Oct. 12-18, 2025).
CSR Profiles
Janae Clark
CSR – ER Lead
Started
March 2022
Favorite part of the job
“Being able to help a client when they’re stressed or scared by providing good customer service when they come in for emergency situations.”
What she wishes people knew about the job
“It can be more involved than people realize being the go-between with clients and doctors/techs.”
Her furry family
Two shorthair cats: a black one named Santana (3), and a grey tabby named Sage (2).
What people might be surprised to learn
Besides karaoke (she rarely sings a song twice), Janae loves to read. “I am currently reading about 20 books at the same time. I normally read one chapter at a time out of each book until I’m finished or until one really captures me, and then I’ll binge that one book until it’s over.”
This is one of the spotlights on some of CARE’s Client Services Representatives.
Cailey Burdette
CSR – Daytime Lead
Started
2021
Favorite part of the job
“Definitely getting to know the clients and their pets. It can be very stressful to bring your pet to a specialty & emergency hospital. Being able to provide a space to help them feel comfortable and confident in knowing their pet is receiving great care is very rewarding.”
Something she wishes people knew about the job
“Every day, there is something new happening, and you have to learn quickly how to adapt. Being one of the first to speak with a client about their pet who is having a true emergency, it can be hard to not carry those things with me every day. There is a lot of emotional resilience happening in the background to keep me going when working.”
Her furry family
A cat named Winston, who mostly goes by “Shrimp.” “He is a 2.5-year-old big fluff ball who loves to be held like a baby. I have had him since he was 3-months-old.”
What people might be surprised to know
“I love learning about technology! About a year ago, I built a computer from scratch. It was very challenging, but being able to see something I built work just like a store-bought computer is so awesome.”
This is one of the spotlights on some of CARE’s Client Services Representatives.
Nilson Rodriguez
CSR
Started
April 2021
Favorite part of the job
“Working easily and diligently with my co-workers.”
Something he wishes people knew about the job
“I do really want clients to know that we are 100% wanting to help them and their pets out the best we can. I always tell them to call us with any question or request they have, while we don’t have a lot of power medical or administration wise, we do an excellent job connecting them with the people that do and see ourselves as their representatives in the hospital.”
His furry family
“I live with a 6-year-old dark sable German Shepherd named Virgil who is very energetic, friendly, and quite goofy.”
What people might be surprised to know
“When I was a kid, I traveled to Central America once a year from ages 6 to 12 (I’m from Honduras), and at some point in my life, I plan on traveling around the world as I’m interested in foreign indigenous cultures!”
This is one of the spotlights on some of CARE’s Client Services Representatives.
Videos
Our experienced veterinarians and highly-trained nursing staff are on-site 24/7, providing immediate attention and continuous monitoring to ensure your pet’s physical and emotional well-being at any hour.
CARE at Night
Recent Emergency Blog Posts
You’ve brought your dog or cat to the emergency room, often without knowing what’s wrong. Your pet has gone back to be examined, and while the doctors and technicians work out of sight, questions run around your brain. What goes on during that first hour in a...
“Bloat” doesn’t sound too bad, right? We’ve all been stuffed after a big meal, crampy and uncomfortable, until we digest food and return to normal. But bloat in dogs – or gastric dilatation and volvulus (GDV), to use the clinical term – develops quickly and turns...
If visits to the emergency room are stressful for humans, imagine how pets feel. They’re rushed to unfamiliar doctors in frightening situations. Yet there are ways to make a less stressful ER visit for pets before, during and (if they’re admitted to CARE) after the...
Most job titles at a specialty hospital tell you what doctors do. A cardiologist works with hearts. An ophthalmologist specializes in the eyes. An oncologist treats cancer. However, CARE is also the only animal hospital in the Charlotte region that not only employs a...
When you realize your pet may have eaten something toxic, it’s easy to get flustered. Does he need a trip to the emergency room? What can you do at home to help him? What will a doctor who sees him want to know? Some of the answers are simple, some complicated....
What does a one-ounce box of raisins represent? A quick snack for a diet-conscious muncher. A healthy addition to a first-grader’s lunchbox. A trip to the emergency room for canines. That’s the danger with grape and raisin toxicity in dogs. Grapes, raisins and certain...
Stories
As part of CARE Charlotte’s 8th anniversary celebration, we are sharing some heartwarming stories about our patients. Our latest feature is Wendy Nofsinger, a Frenchie who went through incredible trauma and lived to tell the tale (tail? wink).
In early March of 2023, Wendy’s entire right side was run over by a truck. She was rushed to the closest emergency pet clinic, where vets determined that her liver was bleeding profusely, her diaphragm was ruptured, and seventy percent of her intestines were pushed into her chest cavity. She was losing blood at an alarming rate, and she could not breathe well enough on her own to sustain life.
Given the severity of the situation, the staff at that clinic transferred the little dog by pet ambulance to CARE. Her family quickly agreed to surgery, although Wendy’s chance of survival was alarmingly slim.
What followed was an utterly amazing feat. A highly skilled team of 10 techs and four doctors worked together to save Wendy. They auto-transfused the blood from her liver, just barely keeping up with her blood loss. They performed manual ventilation because the automatic ventilator could not do the job well enough. And in just over two hours, this highly skilled, synergistic team repaired several liver lacerations, put all Wendy’s intestines back where they belonged, and closed the hole in her diaphragm.
Miraculously, Wendy survived the surgery and recovered remarkably quickly. “She’s very agile,” her owner, Sara, says barely two months after the accident. “She races and jumps and goes on long walks. My neighbors are astounded when they see her, because a lot of them saw her the way she was right after surgery, and they can’t believe that this dog looks as amazing as she does.”
When recounting that fateful day, Sara says, “Having a well oiled machine like CARE, where every person is an expert in what they do, is the reason my dog is alive and thriving.”
CARE Charlotte is celebrating its 7th anniversary by sharing seven stories of thriving patients.
Today’s thriver: Indy, who almost died from anaphylaxis. Dr. Jill Pascarella works in the ER and cares for pets at their most challenging moment.
On Dec. 29, 2020, Indy skipped dinner, says Anthony Morris. This wasn’t unusual since Indy has IBD, managed with a prescription diet. He later threw up before going to bed. Again, not too alarming since pets occasionally may throw up.
The following day, Anthony found Indy cold and not moving. He couldn’t tell if Indy had been outside or not. They headed directly to CARE. Anthony knew they were in good hands there since Indy had previously been in CARE for a GI surgery earlier in the year.
“This was a true emergency! He was in anaphylactic shock, and we were told that he was just minutes away from death,” says Anthony. “Honestly, we weren’t expecting him to come out of CARE alive. The fact that he did and is still in good health is a miracle, in our opinion.”
Dr. Jill Pascarella was on duty that day. Indy was hospitalized and treated for anaphylaxis. “He made a remarkable recovery while hospitalized,” she said.
Anthony says the playful, affectionate Indy soon returned to taking LONG walks and lounging around the house.
The Morris family wants people to know CARE is the best place to trust with their pet’s health. The talented, skilled professionals have a great way of explaining medical issues that might be complicated or confusing, Anthony says. “They break it down into easy-to-understand terms. They are also very realistic about expectations and what exactly is needed for treatment.”