A pet emergency is never planned.

It may be the middle of the night, on a holiday weekend, or during a snowstorm. It’s often a sudden change you didn’t see coming.

When that moment happens, knowing what to expect can bring a small measure of calm.

At Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital in Woburn, our Emergency & Critical Care team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays, because emergencies don’t follow business hours.

Here is what happens from the moment you walk through our doors.

Step 1: Immediate Triage

When you arrive, a trained veterinary technician will assess your pet right away. This process is called triage.

Triage allows us to quickly determine:

• Is your pet stable or unstable?

• Are vital signs within normal range?

• Is immediate life-saving intervention needed?

Patients are seen based on medical urgency, not on order of arrival. That means a critically unstable patient may be taken to treatment immediately.

“Our first priority is assessment and stabilization,” says Dr. Cecilie Brennan, DVM, Emergency & Critical Care, Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital. “Triage aims to identify and prioritize patients with time-sensitive medical needs.”

Step 2: Initial Diagnostics and Stabilization

Once triage is complete, the emergency team begins gathering information.

This may include:

• Physical examination

• Bloodwork

• X-rays or ultrasound

• Blood pressure monitoring

• Oxygen support

• Pain management

In critical cases, treatment may begin before all diagnostics are finalized. Stabilization always comes first.

Step 3: Clear Communication

After initial assessment, the emergency doctor will speak with you about:

• What we know so far

• What we are concerned about

• Recommended next steps

• Estimated costs

• Expected timeline

We understand that emergencies are overwhelming. Our goal is to communicate clearly and compassionately so you can make informed decisions.

Step 4: Advanced Care if Needed

Some cases require hospitalization, oxygen therapy, transfusion, advanced imaging, or intensive monitoring.

Our Emergency service works closely with our specialty teams, including Internal Medicine, Surgery, Neurology, Cardiology, and Critical Care, when advanced intervention is required.

This collaborative model ensures your pet receives comprehensive care without unnecessary transfers.

Step 5: Ongoing Updates

If your pet is hospitalized, our team provides regular updates. Critical patients are monitored continuously, and care plans are adjusted in real time based on response.

Emergency medicine is dynamic. Patients can change quickly, and our team is trained to respond immediately to protect stability and comfort.

Preparing Before You Arrive

If possible, bring:

• Any current medications or a list of these medications (concentration and dose)

• Recent medical records

• A list of symptoms and when they began

• Your regular veterinarian’s contact information

If your pet is unstable, come immediately. Call us on the way if you can, but do not delay care.

A Community Resource When You Need It Most

Emergencies happen during snowstorms, holiday gatherings, and late-night hours when most clinics are closed. As a 24-hour emergency hospital serving Massachusetts and surrounding communities, we are here when your regular veterinarian cannot be.

Our mission is simple: provide skilled, compassionate emergency care every hour of every day.

If you are facing an emergency, you do not have to navigate it alone.

Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital 24-Hour Emergency & Critical Care in Woburn, MA

Expert Care When It Matters Most