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Urgent Veterinary Care When Every Second Matters
Emergencies never happen when it’s convenient—and when your pet’s in distress, panic can set in fast. That’s when you need a calm, capable team ready to act. At River Valley Veterinary Hospital, we deliver expert emergency care backed by advanced tools, quick thinking, and compassionate hearts. From sudden injuries to frightening symptoms that come out of nowhere, we’re here to guide you and your furry family member through it all.
Whether it’s a choking episode, a nasty fall, or signs your dog or cat just isn’t acting right, our job is to respond quickly and clearly. We don’t just treat the medical emergency—we care for you as well. As pet owners ourselves, we understand how gut-wrenching these situations can be.
We serve as a trusted emergency vet in Hampton and the surrounding Pittsburgh area, and we’re known for our ability to stay calm, explain what’s happening, and take the right actions—fast.
Signs Your Pet May Need Emergency Care
If you’re unsure whether something is serious, play it safe and give us a call. Some symptoms that require immediate attention include:
- Trouble breathing or excessive panting
- Collapsing or sudden weakness
- Bleeding that doesn’t stop after a few minutes
- Seizures or unexplained shaking
- Vomiting or diarrhea that’s severe or bloody
- Swollen abdomen or signs of extreme pain
- Ingestion of toxic substances (chocolate, household cleaners, medications)
- Facial swelling, eye injuries, or pale gums
- Difficulty urinating or extreme lethargy
Even if your pet seems okay a few moments later, hidden injuries or internal complications may still be present. We’re always here to evaluate, treat, or refer as needed.
Veterinarian Emergency Services We Provide
Emergencies come in many forms, our veterinarians and facility is equipped to handle a wide range of urgent needs without delay. Here’s what you can expect when you walk through our doors:
- Digital imaging (X-rays) for rapid diagnostics
- In-house bloodwork for quick results
- Oxygen therapy and IV fluid administration
- Pain control and sedation when necessary
- Wound care, bandaging, and emergency surgeries
- Hospitalization and observation when needed
- Prescription medications for in-hospital or at-home recovery
We handle critical care cases with professionalism and urgency, so your pet receives treatment without unnecessary delays.
What Happens During an Emergency Visit?
We know how overwhelming it is to bring a sick or injured pet into a hospital setting. Our process is designed to provide reassurance, transparency, and timely care from the moment you arrive.
Rapid Triage – Upon arrival, a skilled team member will quickly assess your pet’s well-being. If they’re in critical shape, we stabilize them right away.
Communication & Testing – We’ll gather important details from you while running any needed diagnostics to understand what’s going on internally or externally.
Clear Treatment Plans – You’ll receive a full explanation of the diagnosis (if available), treatment options, expected outcomes, and cost estimates. We’ll walk through it all with you, no pressure—just partnership.
Ongoing Care for Pets or Discharge – Some pets need to stay under observation or receive treatment over time. Others can be treated and sent home with detailed recovery instructions. If additional support is needed, we’ll coordinate next steps.
All Our Services At RVVH
Patient Care
We recommend annual exams as a minimum to maintain the Doctor/Patient relationship necessary to make the proper recommendations for the well being of your pet.
Medical
We can examine your pet and discuss any medical issues that may be causing your pet to be uncomfortable. It is important for your pet to be seen so our Doctor can recommend the best course of treatment to have your pet on the road to recovery.
Vaccinations
Proper vaccination is vital in protecting our pets from many types of diseases . It’s important to consult with us about the unique risks your pet is exposed to based on his environment. We will be happy to discuss the benefits of protecting your pet.
Surgical
From spay and neuter, dental care, and beyond, our surgical team is dedicated to providing the best outcome for your pet’s surgical experience.
Pharmacy
We offer a fully stocked, competitive in-house pharmacy to expedite your medication needs.
Urgent Care
We understand emergencies do happen. We will do our best to accommodate those “unexpected” situations. We will recommend the best options based on your pet’s specific urgent needs.
We help by preventing pet health issues and being there for you when your pet needs medical attention.
Our Vision
To be the preferred veterinary hospital and set the standards for client experience in Allegheny county over the next 5 years.
River Valley’s Mission
To provide exceptional medicine and client experience and to maintain healthy pet lifestyles
We Believe In:
- Compassion: to treat all pets and their people while upholding the veterinarian’s oath
- Integrity: to perform our duties with pride and self-awareness
- Dignity: to provide every patient and owner heartfelt respect
- Honesty: to practice open, truthful, and respectful communication
- Improvement: to continuously seek improvement in ourselves and our services
- Teamwork: our ability to support our beliefs while working together
- Passion: our promise to provide quality services to our clients and their pets
- Excellence: to strive to become stronger at everything we do
- Dedication: to provide our services with a sympathetic consciousness
- Commitment to Clients: to support our beliefs all day… every day
Veterinarian’s Oath
“Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.
I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.
I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.”
A Local Hospital That Cares for Their Patients Like You Do
We’re more than an animal hospital – we’re a homegrown team who cares about the animals and families in our community. Choosing River Valley means putting your trust in a clinic that values:
Why Choose River Valley Vet as Your Emergency Vet in Hampton?
- Local Commitment – We live and work in the same neighborhoods as you.
- Veterinary Experience – We’ve seen thousands of emergency cases and know how to act swiftly and safely.
- Real-Time Diagnostics – No waiting days for outside lab results—we get answers fast.
- Respectful Communication – We explain, not overwhelm.
When things get scary, we stay steady. You’ll never be left in the dark when you walk through our doors.
Call Us When It Matters Most—We’re Here
You don’t always have time to Google symptoms or second-guess your next move. When something’s wrong, you need action—and that’s exactly what you’ll get at River Valley Veterinary Hospital.
We’re proud to be the emergency vet in Hampton that pet owners trust when the unexpected happens.
Serving Hampton and the surrounding Pittsburgh region
Call now: (724) 274-5575
When you’re scared and your pet needs help, we’re the calm in the chaos. Let us be your partner in getting them back on their paws.
FAQs About Emergency Pet Care
Are you open 24 hours a day?
We’re not a 24-hour clinic, but we offer emergency and critical care during our business hours. If your pet needs round-the-clock support, we can refer you to a trusted overnight facility nearby.
Should I call ahead or just show up?
Calling ahead gives us a chance to prepare for your arrival—but in an emergency, just come in. We’re equipped to respond immediately either way.
What if I’m not sure it’s a real emergency?
If your pet is acting strangely, seems to be in pain, or is showing symptoms you’ve never seen before—don’t take chances. Call us. We’ll guide you on whether immediate attention is needed.
How do you decide which pets are treated first?
We follow a triage system, similar to human hospitals. Pets with life-threatening symptoms are seen right away. Others may be safely stabilized before a full exam.
Do you only treat dogs and cats?
Yes, we focus exclusively on cats and dogs. If you have a bird, reptile, or exotic pet, we can help connect you with the right specialist.
Can I stay with my pet during the visit?
Whenever possible, yes. For certain procedures or emergencies, we may need to take your pet to our treatment area. We’ll always explain why and keep you informed.