Emergency and Urgent Care

Pet Emergencies

We Provide Urgent Care During Appointment Hours

M-F 8am – 5:30pm, Sat 8am – Noon

If you have a pet emergency, please head to our office.  If you are able to call on the way, we can be better prepared to receive your pet, often meeting you in the parking lot with a stretcher. 

Serious health problems, injuries, and illness require immediate care. When your pet urgently needs to see a veterinarian, Michigan City Animal Hospital offers quality emergency care during normal appointment hours.

While we understand you may not always be in a position to call in advance, if you are able to do so it will help our staff be prepared for your pet’s arrival so the animal gets needed medical care that much quicker.


After Hours: Video Calls

Our doctors are available after hours for video calls (like skype and facetime) so they can see your pet and give a recommendation.  This often allows you to avoid the expense of an emergency visit and gives peace of mind.  Instructions for doing this are found on the our AirVet page.


After Hours: Emergencies

For emergency after hour care, please contact the North Central Veterinary Emergency Clinic (NCVEC) located in Westville, IN on the campus of Purdue University North Central.

We work very closely with the emergency clinic.  Immediately following your emergency visit, NCVEC will pass your pet’s case file back to us so we are fully in-the-loop of your pet’s situation.  Any followup visits and monitoring will be conducted back at our hospital.

NCVEC
Phone: (219) 785-7300
Website: ncvec.pnc.edu
Address: 1645 US Hwy 421, Westville, IN 46391


Safety Tips

Pets who are severely ill or injured may try to bite, claw, or act in an aggressive manner toward those trying to help them. Approach any injured or sick pet slowly and calmly; say their name and see how the animal reacts. Call for help if the pet reacts aggressively.

For dogs, fashion a makeshift stretcher if the animal is unable to move. Make sure the neck is supported.

For cats, slowly place a blanket or towel over the head to prevent biting. Slowly lift the animal into an open-topped carrier or box.

Elevate and apply pressure to any bleeding wound.


Pet Poison Helpline

(800) 213 – 6680

Common Human Meds that Poison Pets

NSAIDS (Ibuprofen, Naproxen)

May develop serious stomach and intestinal ulcers and kidney failure.

Acetaminophen (Tylenol)

One table may cause damage to a cat’s red blood cells or liver failure in dogs.

Antidepressants (Effexor, Cymbalta, Prozac, Lexapro)

Overdose can lead to neurological problems such as sedation, incoordination, tremors, and seizures.

ADD and ADHD medications (Concerta, Adderall, Ritalin)

Pets can have life-threatening tremors, seizures, high temperature, and heart problems.

Benzodiazepines and Sleep Aids

50% of dogs become agitated and slowed breathing. Cats can have liver failure.

Birth Control Drugs

Large quantities can cause bone marrow suppression

Pet Emergency Care in Michigan City, IN

If you think your pet is having an emergency, please give us a call at 219-872-4191