Pets always seem to get into the worst trouble in the middle of the night or on weekends, when your regular veterinarian is closed! Since emergencies can happen at any time, it is always best to be prepared and know what to do if you have an after-hours emergency with your pet.
If your pet has an emergency outside of our regular business hours, please call the main office number at 607-733-6503, and a licensed veterinary nurse with Guardian Vets will assist you.
(Please note: None of the veterinary practices in Elmira, Horseheads, or Corning area provide 24 hour care).
In some cases, you may be referred to Cornell if the veterinary nurse feels your pet requires more intensive care with a complete staff available 24 hours per day or if your pet does not appear stable enough to wait until our office opens again.
Recently, many emergency hospitals have been filling to capacity, so you may be referred to another hospital in Ithaca, Syracuse, or Rochester if your pet needs care but Cornell is already at capacity. We understand that it is not optimal to have to travel with a sick or injured pet, but veterinary teams everywhere are doing the best they can to facilitate care for all pets that need care.
Having your pet’s medical information readily available will be extremely helpful to the attending veterinarian handling your pet’s emergency. This is when using the VitusVet app can be a lifesaver for both you and your pet, as your pet’s records will be available right in your smartphone. Having this information handy can mean that certain diagnostic tests may not need to be repeated, saving money as well as critical time.
[For details about the VitusVet app, check out our blog post, “Accessing Your Pet’s Medical Records with VitusVet.”]
Download the VitusVet app here for Apple devices
Download the VitusVet app here for Android devices
