FAQ

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions – New Changes at Adobe!

 

What happens if I walk in with a sick pet?

Every pet who presents to Adobe as a walk in will be evaluated by a technician. The technician will evaluate your pet and determine if the situation constitutes an emergency or not.

  • If your pet is experiencing a true emergency, we will very likely see you right away. Please see link for Examples of Pet Emergencies
  • Pets with serious conditions that need treatment in the next 12 hrs but do not have immediate life threatening emergencies are seen in the order they arrive. Wait times will likely remain 2-4 hrs since we cannot predict what other cases will come in at the same time as your pet. Emergency cases will take priority even if they arrive after your pet.
  • In the event we need to suspend taking in new emergencies due to staffing or the numbers of patients already in the hospital, we will communicate that to you as soon as possible.

Please note the following conditions and creatures will no longer be treated on a walk in basis:

  • Ear infections
  • Most acute diarrhea
  • Most weight bearing lameness
  • Lumps and bumps that have been present for several weeks
  • Chronic medical conditions –  stable skin or digestive issues that have been present for several weeks.
  • Wellness/preventative care/health certificates
  • Reptiles, birds (including chickens) and farm animals except for humane euthanasia.

 

What is a pet medical emergency?

A medical emergency is when a pet has an illness or injury that could result in death or serious impairment if the pet does not receive medical care in the next few hours.

Examples: Please note this list doesn’t contain every possible emergency situation a pet could encounter.

  • Major injury – hit by a car, bitten by another animal
  • Ate something toxic – xylitol gum, rat or snail bait, medication overdose
  • Unable to urinate
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Collapse
  • Suddenly unable to walk or use a limb or limbs
  • Eye injuries
  • Allergic reaction – swollen face
  • Ate a sock or other object that is too large to pass through the GI tract
  • Not eating for several days
  • Profuse vomiting/diarrhea
  • Trying to vomit and being unable to
  • Rattlesnake bite
  • A rabbit or guinea pig that hasn’t eaten in 12-24 hrs
  • Multiple or prolonged seizures

If you are not sure if your pet is experiencing a medical emergency please Live Chat with an Adobe Staff Member or call 650-948-9661 to speak to a technician.

 

What are my options if my pet is sick or uncomfortable, but is not a true medical emergency?

If your pet is not feeling well, we recommend that you Live Chat with an Adobe Staff Member Or call 650-948-9661 and speak with a technician to discuss your options.

If you decide to walk in: All pets who present for urgent care will be evaluated by a technician. If your pet is stable or has one of the above issues, we will provide you with the following options as are appropriate to your pet’s situation:

  1. A scheduled in person appointment if available
  2. A video visit with one of our telemedicine doctors
  3. Interventions to try at home to make your pet more comfortable
  4. Names of other veterinary emergency care facilities**.

**We recommend that you call emergency care veterinary hospitals before you go. Other hospitals in the Bay Area have adopted similar policies or may have very long wait times for stable patients.

If you are not sure if your pet is experiencing a medical emergency please Live Chat with an Adobe Staff Member or call 650-948-9661.

We please check back regularly for updates on our services. Thank you for your patience and understanding on these new changes.