Pet Emergency & Urgent Care
Urgent and Emergency Vet Care in Winchester, MA
Medical concerns don’t always wait for regular office hours. At Cross Street Veterinary Hospital, we’re here to help when your pet needs urgent attention — offering compassionate, same-day care for non-life-threatening emergencies and clear guidance on where to go when it’s critical.
Our calm, caring team is trained to assess urgent situations and determine the best course of action. We proudly serve pet owners in Winchester, Arlington, Woburn, Medford, Stoneham, and Burlington.
Emergency vs. Urgent Care
Is this an emergency? Can this problem wait? If my primary care veterinarian is unavailable, should I schedule my pet with an urgent care facility or go to the nearest veterinary ER immediately? These are common questions we hear from pet parents. Below are basic guidelines for common pet health concerns, adapted from the American Veterinary Medical Association:
Emergencies
Problems that are life-threatening and/or time-sensitive
- Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn’t stop within five minutes
- Choking, difficulty breathing, or nonstop coughing and/or gagging
- Inability to urinate
- Repeated retching without producing vomit, especially with a distended abdomen
- Significant trauma such as a hit-by-car or animal attacks
- You suspect or know your pet has eaten something poisonous (such as
antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.) or indigestible (such as fabric,
fruit pits, plastic, rocks, etc.) – You may be advised to call ASPCA Poison Control
(888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 before coming in. - Severe or recurrent seizures and/or staggering
- Injuries to the eye(s), severe redness or squinting, or sudden blindness
- Fractured bones, severe lameness, or inability to move leg(s)
- Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
- Heat stress, heatstroke, or hypothermia
- Severe vomiting or diarrhea – more than two episodes in a 24-hour period, or either of these, combined with obvious illness or any of the other problems listed here
- Refusal to eat or drink for 24 hours or more
- Unconsciousness
- Difficulty delivering puppies/kittens.
Urgent Care
Problems that should be seen quickly but are not imminently
life-threatening or complex
- Minor bleeding and wounds
- Ingestion of some toxins and foreign objects – You may be advised to call ASPCA Poison Control (888) 426-4435 or Pet Poison Helpline (855) 764-7661 before coming in.
- Allergic reactions such as facial swelling and hives (go to ER if difficulty breathing), or if progressing
- Straining or pain while urinating or defecating, or blood in the urine or stool
- Mild vomiting or diarrhea, decreased appetite, particularly with normal energy, and no signs of pain
- Skin rashes, ear infections, anal gland issues; excessive scratching, scooting, licking/chewing
- Sneezing and/or coughing without difficulty breathing
- Masses, swellings, abscesses
- Limping or pain without major trauma or suspected fracture
- Nails that are broken, ingrown, or otherwise painful
- Parasites: ticks, fleas, worms, etc.
- Mild eye squinting and/or discharge
- Hiding, lethargy, not feeling well
- End-of-life care (euthanasia)
We offer same-day availability whenever possible for these issues and work quickly to relieve discomfort and stabilize your pet.
If you find your pet experiencing an emergency, follow the steps below:
1
Remain calm and use caution.
Any animal experiencing pain or disorientation may bite or scratch.
2
Call ahead whenever possible.
We will do our best to help you and your pet during regular business hours. Outside of regular hours, contact one of the facilities listed below.
3
Follow any instructions provided for first aid, comfort care, and safe handling. You may need to wrap your pet in a towel or blanket, or apply a temporary muzzle for safety.
Local 24-Hour Emergency Hospitals
(Please call to ensure availability)
*Denotes availability of specialty services
Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Cambridge
7 miles
*Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital
4 miles
*BluePearl Pet Hospital Charlestown
9 miles
*MSPCA Angell West
15 miles
*MSPCA Angell Animal Medical Center
16 miles
*Bulger Veterinary Hospital
19 miles
Local Urgent Care Clinics
PetMedic Urgent Care Vet Clinic - Burlington
7 miles
Veterinary Urgent Care Center - Saugus
7 miles
PetMedic Urgent Care Vet Clinic - Peabody
17 miles
After-HourS Support
We partner with a local emergency care provider to offer after-hours phone support and care guidance when our clinic is closed. This ensures you always have help, even outside of regular hours.