Due to high case volume, wait times are extremely variable and may be extended, especially for less critical patients. Cases will be seen in the order of severity, with the most critical being prioritized. See below for Triage Priority Levels.
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 veterinary office opens. Our staff is trained in emergency assessment, diagnosis and treatment so that your pet can feel better as soon as possible.
The emergency visit begins with an assessment of the severity of the illness and whether urgent treatment is needed. For some pets with less serious illnesses, this might mean waiting while our doctors attend to an animal with more immediate needs. Your stay with us also can vary depending on what tests need to be performed and whether the pet needs to remain in our hospital.
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
- Collapse
- Eye trauma
- Heatstroke
- Hit by 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
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.
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
- Collapse
- Eye trauma
- Heatstroke
- Hit by 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
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.
Hospital Admit Guide
If your pet is admitted for hospitalization at CARE, please review our Hospital Admit Guide to help answer questions about your pet’s stay.
Our Emergency Doctors
Vet Tech Profiles
Nigel Green
Shift Lead for Emergency and Intensive Care Unit
Job responsibilities
Triages patients and floats as help between ER and ICU. Ensures the doctors have all they need. Helps with procedures such as sedation. Conducts monthly check-ins with teammates and holds monthly team meetings. Oversees the flow of patients. Troubleshoots IT.
Vet Tech education
Most of his vet tech skills came from on-the-job training. “I started with a veterinary general practitioner who took me under her wing 12 years ago. I then branched into emergency medicine.”
Bio info
He’s originally from Connecticut and moved to Charlotte at the end of 2019. He and his husband have two human children and two dog children.
What appeals to him about ER/ICU work?
The factor of the unknown, and it’s never the same day twice. “It could be the craziest day of your career, or it could be a calm one. I wanted to be challenged and to avoid going on auto-pilot.”
The first pet that I had on my own
Astro, a pit bull who was brought in by animal control and had been hit by a car. I fell in love with this dog and knew he was the one I wanted to fight for. He’s become a model (often seen in CARE photos) and is a regular blood donor.”
What’s your favorite thing to do when you’re not at work?
Traveling to countries and experiencing different people, cultures, and food. His two favorite places so far are Sydney, Australia (“a bucket-list trip”) and visiting Vietnam. “They have such a rich sense of history and are genuine and friendly to anyone who visits. Also, great food.”
Originally posted as part of CARE’s celebration of National Veterinary Technician Week (Oct. 16-22, 2022).
Stories
Indy and his life-threatening emergency
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.”
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