The checklist
- Your phone, charged, and the hospital's number. Call on the way.
- A secure carrier or a leash. Frightened pets bolt in parking lots; injured pets may bite even their owners. A towel or blanket helps for carrying.
- The evidence: pill bottles, packaging, the plant, or a photo of whatever your pet ate. A sample of vomit in a bag can help too.
- Current medications and doses, or the bottles themselves.
- Medical records, or your regular vet's name and number so the ER can request them.
- A payment method. Most hospitals ask for a deposit once you approve an estimate.
- Something for a long wait: water, a phone charger, and a second person if one is available.
What happens at arrival
Emergency hospitals triage. A technician checks your pet quickly and the most critical patients are seen first, so a stable pet can wait hours on a busy night while others go ahead. If your pet's condition changes while you wait, tell the front desk at once.
After the exam you will get an estimate. You can ask for the plan to be staged, for example stabilize now and do further tests with your regular vet. When your pet goes home, you should receive discharge instructions and a record to pass on to your regular clinic.
Reviewed November 2026. This page is general information, not veterinary advice for your pet.