What to do in a pet emergency in Portland
If what you are seeing is on the red list, do not wait for us. Go to the emergency hospital, and call them from the car.
Which signs mean go now?
Any one of these is enough. You do not need to be sure.
Dogs
- Trouble breathing, or gums that look pale, white or blue
- Collapse, or a seizure that lasts more than a few minutes
- A swollen belly with retching and nothing coming up
- Hit by a car, even if they seem fine
- Ate rat bait, antifreeze, xylitol gum, grapes or a lot of chocolate
- Bleeding that will not stop
Cats
- Trouble breathing, or breathing with the mouth open
- A male cat straining in the litter box with little or no urine
- Chewed or licked any part of a lily, even the pollen
- Collapse, or a seizure that lasts more than a few minutes
- A fall from a window or balcony, even if they seem fine
- Licked antifreeze or ate rat bait
This list is general guidance and cannot examine your pet. If something frightens you and it is not here, treat it as an emergency.
What should I do on the way?
Call ahead
Call DoveLewis at (503) 228-7281 from the car. The team gets ready for you and can tell you what to do on the way.
Bring the evidence
If your pet ate something, bring the package, the plant or a photo of it. For a mushroom, a photo of the cap and the stem helps.
Do not make your pet vomit
Unless a veterinarian or poison control tells you to. With some poisons and some pets, vomiting causes more harm.
Keep your pet still and warm
Carry a cat in a carrier or a box with a towel. Keep a dog on a leash, or carry an injured dog on a blanket held like a stretcher.
Protect your hands
A pet in pain may bite, including a gentle one. Move slowly, and wrap a cat or a small dog in a towel before you lift.
Is it poison?
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center answers day and night. A consultation fee may apply. They give you a case number, and the emergency veterinarian can call them with it.
Have this ready when you call
- What your pet ate, drank or licked
- How much, as close as you can guess
- When it happened
- Your pet's weight
- Any signs you have seen so far
What if it happens while Fernhollow is open?
Call us at (503) 555-0146. A technician answers, asks a few questions, and tells you whether to come to us or go straight to the emergency hospital. We would rather take ten of those calls than miss one.
For problems on the yellow list, we keep same day visits open every weekday and Saturday morning.
What happens after the emergency visit?
Ask the emergency hospital to send us the record. We read it the next business day, call you, and book any recheck here.
Many emergencies are seasonal in this city. The Portland hazards guide shows which months to watch.
Pet emergencies in Portland, answered
Where is the nearest 24 hour emergency vet to Sellwood?
DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital is at 1945 NW Pettygrove Street in Northwest Portland and is open 24 hours every day. The number is (503) 228-7281.
Should I call Fernhollow or go straight to the emergency hospital?
During our hours, call us if you are unsure. We will tell you whether to come here or go straight there. If your pet is on the red list, go, and call from the car.
Is there a number for pet poison questions?
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center answers day and night at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply. Keep the case number they give you and share it with the veterinarian.
What does an emergency visit cost?
Emergency hospitals set their own fees, and they are higher than a daytime clinic visit. Ask for an estimate when you arrive. They will give you one.
What happens after the emergency visit?
Ask the emergency hospital to send us the record. We read it the next business day, call you, and book any recheck here.
Not an emergency?
If it can wait for an appointment, tell us who is coming and why. The front desk calls back within two business hours.
Monday to Friday 7:30 AM to 6 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 2 PM. After hours, call DoveLewis at (503) 228-7281.