Emergency care

Sick or injured pet out of office hours?

Always be careful when handling sick or injured animals, even if they are your own. Animals in pain may bite! Further advice on handling and other aspects of first aid are available in this downloadable leaflet (Basic First Aid).

All veterinary surgeons, whether working for a charity or in private practice, have to make arrangements for emergencies to be treated out of hours.

Is the animal yours?

Clients registered with or eligible for treatment at a Blue Cross hospital should telephone either the Victoria hospital, which supplies out-of-hours treatment for all Blue Cross London hospitals, or our Grimsby hospital.

If the animal is your own, phone your usual vet if you have one, or contact any local practice of your choice. Always phone first. Most vets are not at their premises 24 hours a day, and many make arrangements for emergency treatment to be provided elsewhere. Be prepared to listen to a telephone answering machine, and take down another number.

Is it a stray or wild animal, or with an unknown owner?

If the animal is not yours, or is a wild animal, then you can still contact a veterinary surgeon. They are obliged by their professional body to provide emergency first aid and pain relief for any species that they normally treat. In some areas, they may redirect you to a charity. 

If you are not sure whether it is an emergency or not, you may need to phone a vet for advice. You can also gain some information by viewing our All About Pets website, or by consulting websites such as Vet Help Direct or Veterinary Partner.