Urgent Care for Pets in Lake Forest, CA

Providing professional care when it's needed most.

Providing Comprehensive Pet Urgent Care

Whether you’re a dedicated pet parent or a first-time pet owner, knowing where to turn for urgent pet care is crucial. Our mission is to ensure your pet receives the prompt pet check urgent care while offering you peace of mind.

Understanding the distinction between urgent care and pet emergency situations is vital for your pet’s well-being.

At Bliss Animal Hospital we treat non-life-threatening conditions that require immediate attention without the severity of an emergency vet visit. Our facility is equipped to stabilize the vital signs of pets experiencing life-threatening emergencies before transferring them to a specialized emergency pet hospital if necessary. If you are facing an emergency, please contact us by phone before heading to our office.

The symptoms and behaviors of conditions that require urgent care often overlap with those that require emergency vet visits. We don’t expect you as the pet parent to be able to distinguish which is which, as our team of doctors will help interpret your pet’s behaviors to determine if an emergency hospital is more appropriate.

Urgent Care: These are non-life-threatening conditions that require prompt attention but do not typically require immediate emergency intervention. Examples include mild injuries, infections, and discomfort that need timely treatment to prevent escalation.

Emergency Care: These are critical situations requiring immediate veterinary attention to stabilize the pet's condition and prevent severe complications or loss of life. Examples include severe injuries, life-threatening conditions, and sudden critical illnesses.

Emergency Vet vs. Urgent care: Understand the differences

Urgent Care	Emergency Care
Vomiting and/or diarrhea	Collapse or loss of consciousness
Lacerations and other surface wounds	Paralysis
Eye redness/irritation	Seizures
Lameness	Choking, cannot breathe
Poisoning (if acute, it may need emergency care)	Excessive bleeding
Allergic reactions	Fractures, broken bones
Ear infections	Penetrating wounds
Urinary tract infections	Foreign Body or toxin ingestion
Respiratory infections	Heatstroke
Skin allergies and infections	Serious Trauma or accident (e.g., hit by a car)
Coughing and sneezing	Stopped breathing
Dehydration	Cardiac arrest
Fever	Distressed pet in labor
Not drinking or eating	Amputation
Toxin ingestion (may need emergency care)	Pneumonia
Upper respiratory infections	Kidney failure
Abscesses	Overnight hospitalization
Back pain	Major wounds and lacerations
Mild lameness or limping	Uncontrollable bleeding
Surface wounds and lacerations	Multiple seizures

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(949) 354-5201

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Commons conditions treated at Pet Urgent Care

A white line drawing of a cat's face with a syringe and medicine bottle on a blue background. The cat has whiskers and ears, and the syringe appears to be injecting or drawing liquid from the medicine bottle with a cross on it, resembling a typical scene at the vet.

Allergic Reactions

A dark blue circular icon with three white, stylized bacteria-like shapes inside. The bacteria are depicted with small protrusions around their edges. Two thin white concentric circles surround the bacteria, emphasizing the contained area—an ideal symbol for a veterinarian.

Ear Infections

An icon depicting a stylized funnel with a gear in the middle, symbolizing a conversion or optimization process, with two small pill-like shapes on either side. The icon is drawn in white on a blue background, reminiscent of how a veterinarian might streamline their workflow for efficiency.

Urinary Tract Infections

A simple white line drawing of human lungs and trachea on a dark blue background. The drawing, ideal for veterinarians, includes bronchial branches inside the lungs, illustrating the basic anatomy of the respiratory system.

Respiratory Infections

A white line drawing on a blue background depicting a cross-section of skin with hair follicles and sebaceous glands, visualizing the structure of human skin, just as a veterinarian might study to understand animal dermatology.

Skin Allergies & Infections

A white outline of a human colon on a blue background with a lightning bolt icon in the center, indicating discomfort or pain in the digestive tract—reminiscent of illustrations often seen at a veterinarian's office.

Vomiting and/or Diarrhea

Icon of a hand with an open palm facing up, positioned below a medical cross symbol featuring a bandage design at its center. This striking image, perfect for any veterinarian practice, is set against a dark blue background with the icon in crisp white.

Lacerations & Other Surface Wounds

A white eye icon with a detailed iris and pupil, outlined in white against a blue background. The eye, symbolizing vigilant care akin to that of a veterinarian, appears open and looking forward.

Eye Redness/Irritation

A white paw print with a heart shape in the center is depicted against a solid blue background. The design is simple and represents compassion or love for animals, often associated with the care provided by a dedicated veterinarian.

Lameness

Icon depicting a medicine bottle with a cross and a pill blister pack next to a warning sign indicating possible medication caution. The background is blue, and the icon is white—ideal for veterinarian alerts.

Acute Poisoning

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does pet insurance cover urgent care?

Many pet insurance policies cover urgent care services, but coverage may vary depending on your specific plan. It’s essential to review your policy or contact your insurance provider to determine coverage for urgent care visits at Bliss Animal Hospital.

Pet insurance can be a valuable resource for managing unexpected veterinary expenses, including urgent care services. However, it’s crucial to understand the terms and limitations of your policy to ensure your pet receives the necessary care without financial strain.

At Bliss Animal Hospital, we strive to provide high-quality urgent care services for pets, and our knowledgeable staff can assist you in navigating your pet insurance coverage to maximize benefits.

How do I know when to take a dog to immediate care?

Understanding when to seek immediate care for your dog is crucial for their well-being. While some signs of distress may be subtle, others are more evident and indicate the need for immediate attention.

Signs that may indicate the need for urgent or emergency care include:

Difficulty breathing: Rapid or labored breathing, wheezing, or gasping for air could indicate respiratory distress, which requires immediate evaluation by a veterinarian.
Severe injury or trauma: Visible wounds, bleeding, or signs of significant pain or distress following an injury necessitate prompt medical attention to assess and treat the extent of the damage.
Ingestion of toxic substances: If your dog has ingested a toxic substance, such as chocolate, household chemicals, or medications, immediate intervention is necessary to prevent poisoning and mitigate potential complications.
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea: Frequent vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, requiring urgent medical intervention to stabilize your dog’s condition.
Difficulty urinating: Straining to urinate or the presence of blood in the urine may indicate a urinary obstruction or infection, both of which require prompt veterinary assessment and treatment.
Sudden collapse or loss of consciousness: If your dog experiences sudden collapse, weakness, or loss of consciousness, it could be indicative of a serious underlying condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Our facility is equipped to stabilize the vital signs of pets experiencing life-threatening emergencies before transferring them to a specialized emergency pet hospital if necessary. If you are facing an emergency, please contact us by phone before heading to our office.

How do I know when to take a cat to immediate care?

Cats can be masters of hiding discomfort, making it challenging to recognize when they need immediate care. While cats may exhibit similar signs of distress as dogs, their behavior and symptoms may differ.

Signs that may warrant a visit to urgent or emergency care facility include:

Labored breathing: Rapid or shallow breathing, open-mouth breathing, or wheezing may indicate respiratory distress, which requires immediate veterinary evaluation and intervention.
Unexplained lethargy or weakness: Cats are typically active animals, so any sudden or prolonged lethargy or weakness should be promptly addressed by a veterinarian to rule out underlying health issues.
Ingestion of foreign objects: Cats are curious creatures and may ingest foreign objects that can become lodged in their digestive tract, causing obstruction or other complications that require urgent medical attention.
Sudden refusal to eat or drink: A sudden loss of appetite or refusal to drink water may signal an underlying health problem, such as gastrointestinal issues, dental problems, or systemic illness, which warrants veterinary evaluation.
Persistent vomiting or diarrhea: Chronic vomiting or diarrhea can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and nutritional deficiencies, necessitating urgent veterinary care to identify and address the underlying cause.
Difficulty urinating: Straining to urinate, frequent trips to the litter box, or the presence of blood in the urine may indicate a urinary tract infection, obstruction, or other urinary issues requiring immediate veterinary attention.

Our facility is equipped to stabilize the vital signs of pets experiencing life-threatening emergencies before transferring them to a specialized emergency pet hospital if necessary. If you are facing an emergency, please contact us by phone before heading to our office.

Can I walk in for urgent care services, or do I need an appointment?

While we strive to accommodate walk-in appointments for pet urgent care services, we highly recommend calling ahead to schedule an appointment. This allows us to better manage our resources and ensure prompt attention to your pet’s needs.

At Bliss Animal Hospital, we understand that pet emergencies can occur unexpectedly, and we strive to provide timely care to every pet in need. By scheduling an appointment, you can help us streamline the process and ensure that your pet receives the care they require without unnecessary delays.

However, if your pet’s condition is critical or life-threatening, please do not hesitate to visit our urgent care facility immediately for immediate evaluation and treatment.

What should I do if my pet's condition worsens after hours?

If your pet’s condition worsens outside of Bliss Animal Hospital’s regular business hours, seek pet emergency pet hospital immediately.

In case of after-hours emergencies, we recommend contacting: Rise Pet Health | Specialty Veterinary Care

Phone: (949) 787-7473
Address: 24721 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA 92653

How can pet owners promote healthy pets and reduce the need for urgent care visits?

As responsible pet owners, there are several proactive steps you can take to promote the health and well-being of your pets and minimize the need for urgent care visits:

Schedule regular wellness exams with your veterinarian to monitor your pet’s overall health and detect any potential issues early.
Maintain a balanced diet and appropriate exercise regimen tailored to your pet’s age, breed, and lifestyle.
Keep your pet up-to-date on vaccinations and preventative medications to protect against common diseases and parasites.
Practice good grooming and hygiene habits, including regular brushing, bathing, and dental care, to prevent skin issues, dental problems, and other health concerns.
Provide a safe and enriching environment for your pet, including adequate shelter, clean water, mental stimulation, and opportunities for socialization and exercise.

By prioritizing preventive care and taking proactive measures to promote your pet’s health and well-being, you can help reduce the risk of illness, injury, and the need for urgent care visits.

Is Bliss Animal Hospital's urgent care equipped to handle life-threatening conditions?

While Bliss Animal Hospital’s urgent care services focus on non-life-threatening conditions, our facility is equipped to stabilize pets experiencing life-threatening emergencies before transferring them to a specialized emergency pet hospital if necessary.

At Bliss Animal Hospital, we understand that pet emergencies can be stressful and overwhelming for pet owners. Our compassionate and experienced veterinary team is here to provide timely and comprehensive care to every pet in need, ensuring their safety and well-being are our top priorities.

Request Appointment

(949) 354-5201

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Meet Our Doctors

The blissful faces behind the care

Driven by compassion and purpose, here is the team who will work to make a difference in your pet’s life. Every single visit.

Dr. Nayara Pataro

Veterinarian

What your neighbors are saying!

We accept Cash, all major Credit Cards, and CareCredit. This Disclaimer: Please note that our services are designed for urgent care situations and not intended to replace 24-hour emergency veterinary care. If your pet experiences difficulty breathing, significant trauma, toxic ingestion, seizures, or inability to urinate, please go directly to a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.