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  • What is an Emergency?
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Mash Vets
Home
About
  • About Us
  • Our Team
Our Services
  • 24/7 ER & Critical Care
  • Internal Medicine
  • Surgery
  • Neurology
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Dentistry
  • Dermatology
  • Nutrition
  • Oncology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Veterinary Social Work
  • Stone Management
For Vets
  • Referring Portal
  • Lunch & Learn
Pet Owners
  • What is an Emergency?
  • Client Resources
  • Payment Options
Our Facilities
  • MASH Main Hospital
  • MASH Outpatient Facility
More
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
  • Our Services
    • 24/7 ER & Critical Care
    • Internal Medicine
    • Surgery
    • Neurology
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Dentistry
    • Dermatology
    • Nutrition
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Veterinary Social Work
    • Stone Management
  • For Vets
    • Referring Portal
    • Lunch & Learn
  • Pet Owners
    • What is an Emergency?
    • Client Resources
    • Payment Options
  • Our Facilities
    • MASH Main Hospital
    • MASH Outpatient Facility
  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Team
  • Our Services
    • 24/7 ER & Critical Care
    • Internal Medicine
    • Surgery
    • Neurology
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Dentistry
    • Dermatology
    • Nutrition
    • Oncology
    • Ophthalmology
    • Veterinary Social Work
    • Stone Management
  • For Vets
    • Referring Portal
    • Lunch & Learn
  • Pet Owners
    • What is an Emergency?
    • Client Resources
    • Payment Options
  • Our Facilities
    • MASH Main Hospital
    • MASH Outpatient Facility

What is an Emergency?

Emergency situations involving your pet can be a very stressful time for both you and your pet. We apologize if you have to wait. This information should help you understand what is happening and how we handle emergency situations.

Contact Us

If You Think You Are Having an Emergency, Bring Your Pet In!

If you feel your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, please bring your pet to the closest 24/7 emergency hospital. Your pet should be brought in immediately if they are experiencing major bleeding, breathing problems, consistent seizures, are unresponsive or limp, had severe trauma (dropped, kicked, crushed, or run over), or collapsed. Other situations needing immediate attention include blood in the urine or straining of a male cat or dog, a bloated abdomen, a snake bite, fluid in the lungs or around the heart, and unproductive retching. 

What Triage is in Emergency and How it Helps

Here at MASH, we use a triage system to quickly determine which pets need immediate attention, especially when times are busy. This system is color-coded to easily show what is prioritized. Lower urgency may mean wait times to be seen will be longer. We may ask questions about your pet's symptoms and injuries or illness to determine the level of urgency. 

 Immediate stabilization is required for best chance of survival.

  • Collapse
  • Blood in urine or straining of a male dog/cat
  • Major bleeding
  • Breathing problems
  • Non-responsive/limp
  • Actively seizing
  • Severe Trauma
    • Dropped
    • Kicked
    • Crushed
    • Run Over
  • Bloated abdomen
  • Snakebite
  • Unproductive retching
  • Fluid in the lungs/around the heart


Patient is currently stable but serious nature requires further evaluation.

  • Trouble during active labor
  • Cluster seizures (three or more seizures in a 24-hour period)
  • Diarrhea paired with appetite loss and vomiting
  • Toxin ingestion
  • Diabetic not doing well/lethargic
  • Open fracture (can see the bone)
  • Euthanasia
  • Acutely non-ambulatory


Urgent but does not require immediate attention. Wait times may be extended. 

  • Trouble during active labor.
  • Vomiting (less than two times in a 24-hour period)
  • Straining to defecate
  • Blood in urine or straining of a female dog/cat
  • Small laceration/wound
  • Altered mentation
  • Non-productive cough with no breathing pattern changes


Injury or illness is not life-threatening. May be accommodated by being scheduled.

  • Itching
  • Chronic lameness
  • Dermatologic issues
  • A single seizure with full recovery
  • Hair loss
  • Chronic weight loss


Toxin Ingestion or Exposure

If you think your pet has ingested poison or eaten something toxic contact the ASPCA pet poison hotline at (888) 426-4435. They will ask questions to identify the risk factor and may have you seek veterinary care for your pet. Please call to inform us if you are on your way and provide your case number. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has good resources for any animal poison-related emergency.

Evaluation and Visiting the Hospital

We know everything can feel like an emergency when our pets are in distress or pain. It is important to keep in mind that we want the best for your pet too. We will need to examine your pet to determine the level of urgency so we can provide the best care that they need.

Wait times for non-critical patients may vary. This is why we ask for patience as we care for and triage your furry friends. Wait times are usually increased by cases that would benefit more from being seen by a primary veterinarian rather than the emergency room.

Please call to let us know why you are coming in, so we can prepare to care for your pet when you arrive.

We're here to support you and your pet. For questions or emergencies, please contact us.

MASH Main Hospital

6565 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90038

(855) 350-7387

Open 24 hrs


MASH Outpatient Facility

6611 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90038

(855) 350-7387


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