Same Day Sick and Urgent Veterinary Care in Summit, NJ
Same day and next day appointments for sick and injured pets when available, during hospital hours.
Pet Urgent Care When Your Pet Needs It Most
When your pet suddenly becomes sick or injured, waiting several days for an appointment may not be appropriate. Summit Dog and Cat Hospital offers same day and next day sick and urgent appointments when available for dogs, cats and eligible exotic pets. Call us as early in the day as possible, describe your pet’s symptoms, and our team will tell you how soon your pet should be seen.
We are not a 24 hour emergency hospital. If your pet’s life may be in danger, go directly to the nearest 24 hour emergency hospital. The signs that need emergency care are listed further down this page.
Vomiting, Diarrhea and Appetite Changes
A pet that vomits a few times, has diarrhea or skips meals usually needs to be seen within a day. We check hydration, run bloodwork when needed and start treatment the same day. Go to a 24 hour emergency hospital if there is blood in the vomit, your pet cannot keep water down or the belly is swollen and hard.
Coughing, Sneezing and Breathing Concerns
Coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge or noisy breathing in an otherwise alert pet can often be evaluated the same day, with chest X rays if needed. Labored breathing, open mouth breathing in a cat, or pale, gray or blue gums is an emergency, so go directly to a 24 hour emergency hospital.
Call Us Before You Bring Your Pet In
During business hours, call Summit Dog and Cat Hospital at (908) 273-2200 before you leave home. Describe your pet’s symptoms and our team will tell you how soon your pet should be seen, or whether you should go straight to an emergency hospital.
After hours, we recommend Eclipse Specialty and Emergency Pet Care, a 24 hour emergency hospital at 1 Papermill Drive, Whippany, NJ 07981. Phone: (862) 404-0991 .After hour emergencies we highly recommend: Eclipe: (862) 404-0991 address: 1 PaperMill Dr. Whippany, NJ 0798.
Limping, Pain and Minor Wounds
Sudden limping, a sore back, a torn nail or a small cut or bite wound can usually be treated here the same day. Our in house digital X rays let us check for fractures and joint injuries during the visit. If your pet was hit by a car, had a serious fall or has a wound that will not stop bleeding, go to a 24 hour emergency hospital.
Urinary and Eye Problems
Frequent urination, accidents in the house, blood in the urine, or a red, squinting or cloudy eye should be checked within a day, because eye injuries and infections can worsen quickly. A cat, especially a male cat, that strains in the litter box and produces little or no urine needs emergency care right away.
Allergic Reactions, Skin Flare Ups and Lethargy
Hives, an itchy flare up, a hot spot, a painful ear or a pet that is suddenly quiet and tired are all reasons to call for a same day appointment. Facial swelling with trouble breathing, or a pet that collapses or cannot stand, is an emergency.
What Is a Pet Emergency?
It can be hard to tell whether a problem can wait for a same day appointment or needs an emergency hospital right now. You know your pet better than anyone, so if something feels seriously wrong, trust that instinct and call.
Go directly to a 24 hour emergency hospital, and call ahead on the way, if your pet has any of these signs:
*Hit by a car, a bad fall or any other major trauma
*Trouble breathing, nonstop coughing or choking
*Pale, gray or blue gums
*Collapse, or unable to stand or wake up
*A seizure, or more than one seizure in a day
*Straining to urinate with little or no urine, especially in male cats
*Bleeding that will not stop, or blood from the eyes, nose or mouth, or in the urine or stool
*Repeated vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours, or vomiting blood
*A swollen, hard belly or retching without bringing anything up
*Possible poisoning, such as antifreeze, rat poison, human medication, xylitol, chocolate or household cleaners
*A suspected broken bone
*Signs of severe pain, such as crying out, shaking, hiding or refusing to move
*Sudden blindness, an eye injury, or bumping into things and seeming disoriented
*Signs of heatstroke, such as heavy panting, drooling and weakness
*A pregnant dog or cat straining for 30 minutes without delivering, or more than two to four hours between puppies or kittens
On the way, call the emergency hospital so the team is ready when you arrive, and do not rely on email or voicemail. If you think your pet ate something toxic, bring the packaging with you and call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). For anything that is not on this list, call us at (908) 273-2200 during business hours and we will help you decide.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before an urgent visit.
Can I get a same day sick pet appointment in Summit, NJ?
Often, yes. Summit Dog and Cat Hospital offers same day and next day appointments for sick and injured dogs, cats and eligible exotic pets when the schedule allows. Call (908) 273-2200 early in the day and describe your pet’s symptoms so the team can advise you on timing.
Is Summit Dog and Cat Hospital a 24 hour emergency hospital?
No. Summit Dog and Cat Hospital provides same day urgent care for sick pets during business hours. Life threatening problems such as trouble breathing, collapse, major trauma, heavy bleeding or poisoning should go directly to a 24 hour emergency hospital.
What urgent problems can Summit Dog and Cat Hospital treat?
The hospital routinely sees pets for vomiting and diarrhea, appetite changes, coughing, limping and pain, minor wounds, urinary problems, eye problems, allergic reactions, skin and ear flare ups, and lethargy. In house bloodwork and digital X rays help the team diagnose and start treatment during the same visit.
Where should I take my pet for an emergency after hours near Summit, NJ?
After hours, Summit Dog and Cat Hospital recommends Eclipse Specialty and Emergency Pet Care, a 24 hour emergency hospital at 1 Papermill Drive in Whippany, NJ. Call ahead at (862) 404-0991 so the team can prepare for your pet's arrival.
Should I call before bringing my pet in for urgent care?
Yes. Calling (908) 273-2200 before you leave lets the team ask about your pet’s symptoms, fit your pet into the schedule and tell you right away if your pet needs a 24 hour emergency hospital instead. If you suspect poisoning, you can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435; a fee may apply.
Location & hours
Find us on
Morris Turnpike.
Open now until 6:00 pm
Office hours
Monday
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tuesday
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Thursday
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Friday
8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Saturday
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday
Closed
16 Morris Tpke, Summit, NJ 07901
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Schedule an appointment with our veterinarians at Summit Dog and Cat Hospital today. Call us to learn more about our services and how we can help keep your pet healthy and happy.