Emergency

Dogs and Cats Veterinary Referral & Emergency strives to provide the highest quality care for critically ill or injured pets. Our veterinary emergency hospital in Bowie, MD, is staffed with trained emergency doctors and nurses to provide 24-hour patient care. We are open 7 days a week and all holidays. Our ER works in collaboration with our team of highly skilled veterinary specialists to ensure your pet receives the best in critical care services for pets in Bowie, MD at all times.

What to expect when you arrive

Much like a human hospital, pets are seen in order of arrival and based on the severity of their condition. Upon presentation, your pet will be triaged by one of our skilled veterinary nurses. This is a rapid assessment to ensure that the most critically ill or injured patients receive immediate intervention and evaluation by a doctor. If your pet is in critical condition, we may ask you to sign an emergency stabilization form allowing us to perform immediate life-saving treatments as well as outlining the minimum cost for such care. We understand the stress you experience when your pet is ill and make every effort to treat your pet in a timely manner.

Following triage and/or stabilization, you will have the opportunity to speak with an emergency doctor regarding your pet’s condition. The emergency doctor will perform a complete physical examination and evaluation, discuss appropriate diagnostics and provide treatment plan options accompanied by a thorough estimate for the proposed plan.

Hospitalized Patients

If your pet must be hospitalized in our intensive care unit, a pre-payment of the high end of the estimate presented to you by the emergency doctor is required.

During your pet’s hospital stay, you can expect daily phone updates by your pet’s attending doctor to discuss his/her progress. You are welcome to call us at any time, day or night, for an update provided by one of our ICU nurses. Each morning, our team of emergency doctors and board-certified specialists will discuss your pet’s progress and treatment plan during case rounds. Our collaborative, team-oriented approach to the treatment of all patients means that your pet is always receiving the very best, most comprehensive, care possible.

Visiting hours

Visiting hours for hospitalized patients are from 12 pm - 8 pm daily and visits can be arranged in advance with your pet’s attending nurse. These can be scheduled in advance to avoid your pet’s scheduled treatment times.

Discharge

When it is time for your pet to be discharged from our hospital, we will thoroughly explain the recovery process and let you know what to expect as you care for your pet at home. If your pet was hospitalized, a discharge appointment will be scheduled by your pet’s attending doctor or nurse.

Working with your primary care veterinarian

The DCVR emergency service operates as an extension of your primary care veterinarian. Whether your pet is hospitalized or treated on an outpatient basis, your primary care veterinarian is promptly notified of your pet’s condition and our treatment plan. They can expect to receive daily updates, should your pet be hospitalized, and a copy of your discharge letter.