24/7 emergency veterinary care at Zoolux (Kyiv, Brovary)

At the Zoolux Veterinary Clinic, emergency care for cats and dogs is available 24 hours a day in Kyiv and Brovary. If your pet’s condition has suddenly worsened, if there is a life-threatening situation, or if you’re unsure how serious the symptoms are, please call the clinic. The 24/7 call center will ask about the main symptoms, notify the team of your arrival, and advise you on which location is best to visit.

Emergency patients are seen without an appointment. It is not possible to determine the exact time of the appointment: the order of treatment depends not on the time of arrival, but on the severity of each animal's condition.

How are appointments scheduled for medical emergencies?

If the animal's condition is life-threatening:

▫️Call (097) 344-88-88 or (044) 344-88-88.
▫️Tell the coordinator:
-  what exactly happened;
- what symptoms the animal is showing;
-  when they began;
- whether the animal is conscious;
- how it is breathing;
-  whether there is bleeding, seizures, vomiting, or injury;
- whether it might have swallowed a foreign object, medication, or a toxic substance;
- where you are coming from and how long the trip will take.
▫️The coordinator will notify the clinic of your arrival and advise you which branch to go to, based on the animal’s condition, the available staff, and the equipment on hand.
▫️Upon arrival, the team will conduct an initial assessment—triage—and determine the urgency of care.

A preliminary call does not schedule an appointment for a specific time and does not guarantee that you will be seen immediately upon arrival. It is necessary so that the team can prepare for your arrival and provide you with the proper guidance.

If the situation is a direct threat to life, do not wait for a response via the contact form on the website or on social media.

Why are emergency patients seen out of turn?

The emergency veterinarian assesses the animal’s vital signs:
▫️respiration;
▫️cardiovascular function;
▫️level of consciousness and neurological status;
▫️presence of bleeding;
▫️color of the mucous membranes;
▫️temperature;
▫️intensity of pain;
▫️overall stability of the patient’s condition.

Patients with respiratory distress, severe bleeding, loss of consciousness, seizures, shock, or any other immediate life-threatening condition receive priority care.
Therefore, an animal that arrives later may be seen first if its condition is more severe. Patients in stable condition may have to wait, even if they arrived at the clinic first or had a prior appointment.
It is impossible to estimate the exact wait time in advance: a patient requiring resuscitation or immediate stabilization may arrive at the clinic at any moment.

When does an animal need emergency care?

Contact the clinic immediately if your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms.

Respiratory distress
▫️labored, very rapid, or shallow breathing;
▫️breathing with the mouth open in a cat;
▫️marked abdominal movements during breathing;
▫️stretching the neck and inability to lie comfortably;
▫️wheezing, whistling, or other unusual sounds;
▫️pale, gray, or bluish mucous membranes;
▫️discharge of foamy or bloody fluid from the nose or mouth;
▫️choking or suspicion of a foreign object in the airway.

Loss of consciousness and neurological abnormalities
▫️loss of consciousness or lack of response to stimuli;
▫️seizures;
▫️several consecutive seizures;
▫️sudden disorientation;
▫️sudden inability to stand or walk;
▫️acute paralysis of one or more limbs;
▫️severe pain, weakness, or coldness in the hind limbs in a cat;
▫️Head injury;
▫️Sudden change in behavior accompanied by impaired coordination or consciousness.

Sudden paralysis and severe pain in a cat's hind limbs may be signs of aortic thromboembolism.

Bleeding and Signs of Shock
▫️severe or continuous bleeding;
▫️significant amounts of blood from the nose, mouth, rectum, or genitals;
▫️vomiting blood;
▫️black stools;
▫️very pale or white mucous membranes;
▫️sudden weakness;
▫️cold extremities;
▫️collapse or loss of consciousness.

Injuries
▫️traffic accident;
▫️fall from a height;
▫️severe blow;
▫️bite from another animal;
▫️penetrating wound;
▫️open fracture;
▫️severe eye injury;
▫️proptosis;
▫️chest or abdominal trauma;
▫️being trapped in a window, fence, or other structure;
▫️an injury after which the animal cannot stand, is having difficulty breathing, or is behaving unusually.

Even if there are no visible wounds after an injury, the animal may have internal injuries.

Vomiting, diarrhea, and acute abdominal pain
▫️repeated vomiting;
▫️unsuccessful attempts to vomit;
▫️rapid enlargement or distension of the abdomen;
▫️severe abdominal pain;
▫️vomiting or diarrhea containing blood;
▫️sudden weakness accompanied by vomiting or diarrhea;
▫️suspected intestinal obstruction;
▫️swallowing of a toy, bone, string, or other foreign object.

A rapid enlargement of the abdomen, restlessness, weakness, and unsuccessful attempts to vomit may be signs of acute gastric dilatation or torsion. In this case, the animal must be taken to the clinic as soon as possible.

Urination problems
▫️The animal repeatedly tries to urinate, but no urine is produced;
▫️only a few drops are passed;
▫️urination is accompanied by severe pain;
▫️there is blood in the urine;
▫️the abdomen has become painful or tense;
▫️vomiting, weakness, or altered consciousness have developed along with urinary retention.

Acute urinary retention, especially in cats, requires immediate veterinary care.

Poisoning and Foreign Objects
▫️The animal swallowed human or veterinary medications;
▫️It may have ingested rodent bait, household chemicals, antifreeze, or another toxic substance;
▫️It came into contact with an unknown plant or chemical;
▫️swallowed thread, a needle, a battery, a magnet, a toy, a bone, or another object;
▫️after possible poisoning, the animal began vomiting, having seizures, trembling, experiencing shortness of breath, weakness, or impaired coordination.

Do not induce vomiting, and do not give the animal milk, oil, sorbents, or other substances without a veterinarian’s instructions. In some cases of poisoning or foreign objects, this can worsen the condition.

Other medical emergencies
▫️heatstroke;
▫️hypothermia or frostbite;
▫️burns;
▫️electric shock;
▫️drowning;
▫️rescue from a fire or smoke inhalation;
▫️acute allergic reaction with swelling or breathing difficulties;
▫️complicated labor;
▫️prolapse of tissues or internal organs;
▫️sudden deterioration of condition after surgery;
▫️severe pain that is rapidly worsening;
▫️any sudden deterioration that causes concern.

This list is not exhaustive. If you are unsure how serious your symptoms are, please call the clinic.

You should not monitor the symptoms yourself throughout the day if the animal’s condition worsens, it is having difficulty breathing, cannot stand up, is having seizures, is in severe pain, is bleeding, is vomiting repeatedly, or is showing other alarming signs.

The contact center is open 24 hours a day and can help you determine whether you need an urgent appointment or a scheduled one.

How is emergency care provided?

Initial Assessment - Triage

Immediately upon arrival, the team quickly assesses the animal’s vital signs and determines the level of urgency.
Triage does not replace a full examination and does not establish a definitive diagnosis. Its purpose is to identify conditions that are immediately life-threatening and require immediate action.

Stabilization of the condition

If the animal is in critical condition, treatment begins with stabilization. Depending on the indications, this may include:

▫️ensuring airway patency;
▫️mechanical ventilation;
▫️establishing intravenous access;
▫️infusion therapy;
▫️Stopping bleeding;
▫️Pain relief;
▫️Anticonvulsant therapy;
▫️Maintaining body temperature;
▫️cardiopulmonary resuscitation;
▫️other emergency measures.

In critical conditions, stabilization is the top priority. A detailed discussion of the diagnosis, consultation with a specialist, and further diagnostic testing are conducted after the patient’s vital signs have been stabilized.

The team explains the animal's condition, the necessary steps, and the estimated cost to the owner as quickly as the clinical situation allows.

Urgent Diagnosis

After the initial evaluation or while the patient is being stabilized, the doctor may recommend:
▫️blood tests;
▫️blood pressure measurement;
▫️an electrocardiogram;
▫️an X-ray;
▫️an urgent ultrasound evaluation;
▫️other tests as clinically indicated.

The scope of diagnostic testing is determined by the animal's condition. In the case of a critically ill patient, tests may be conducted in stages so as not to delay stabilization or create additional risks.

Developing a plan for the future

After providing initial care and making a diagnosis, the doctor determines the next steps. This may include:
▫️home treatment with recommendations;
▫️a scheduled appointment with a general practitioner;
▫️a consultation with a specialist;
▫ ️additional diagnostic tests;
▫️emergency surgery;
▫️transfer to another branch to undergo the necessary procedure;
▫️treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Which doctors are on duty around the clock? A team on duty works around the clock at the clinic, consisting of doctors from the departments of internal medicine, surgery, and the intensive care unit.

Specialists in specific fields—cardiologists, neurologists, oncologists, ophthalmologists, dermatologists, and others—see patients according to their schedules and by appointment.

The fact that the clinic operates 24/7 does not mean that all specialists are physically present at every branch around the clock. In the event of a patient’s critical condition, the on-call team first examines the patient, stabilizes their condition, and determines which specialist’s consultation is needed next.

If the clinical situation requires the involvement of a specialist, this is arranged based on the animal’s condition, the specialist’s availability, and the established treatment plan.

Do they perform ultrasounds at night? If the animal's condition is critical, the on-call veterinarian determines which tests are necessary to make an urgent decision and stabilize the animal. An urgent ultrasound evaluation may be performed if indicated.

Routine and advanced examinations, including prenatal ultrasounds or comprehensive specialized ultrasounds without urgent medical indications, are performed by appointment during the relevant specialist’s office hours.

The clinic's 24/7 operation means that emergency care is always available, but it does not mean that all routine tests are performed around the clock without an appointment.

Emergency Care and Prehospital Emergency Care—What's the Difference?

Emergency care involves the initial assessment, stabilization, and determination of further management strategies in acute conditions.

ICU—an intensive care unit for patients who require:
▫️constant monitoring of vital signs;
▫️oxygen support;
▫️continuous administration of medications;
▫️complex infusion therapy;
▫️mechanical ventilation;
▫️blood transfusions;
▫️dialysis;
▫️intensive postoperative care;
▫️other methods of life support.

Treatment at the emergency veterinary clinic is prescribed only when medically indicated. Not every emergency patient requires hospitalization at the emergency veterinary clinic. If the animal’s condition is stable after receiving care, it may be discharged home with recommendations and a schedule for follow-up visits.

What should you do on the way to the clinic?

▫️Call the contact center and let them know you’re on your way.
▫️Restrict the injured animal’s movement.
▫️To move a large animal after an injury, you can use a thick blanket or a firm, flat surface.
▫️If there is bleeding, press a clean cloth or sterile pad against the wound.
▫️If the animal is having seizures, remove any objects from around it that could cause injury. Do not try to pry open its jaws, and do not put your hands in its mouth.
▫️If it is safe to do so, time the duration of the seizures or record a short video for the veterinarian.
▫️Do not put a muzzle on an animal that is having difficulty breathing, vomiting, or is unconscious.
▫️Do not feed or give water to the animal without the veterinarian’s instructions.
▫️Do not give human pain relievers or other medications.
▫️Do not induce vomiting without a direct recommendation from a veterinarian.
▫️First aid is not a substitute for a veterinary examination. Its purpose is to reduce the risk of further injury during transport.

What should I bring with me?

If this doesn't delay your departure, please bring:

▫️veterinary passport;
▫️previous findings and medical records;
▫️a list of medications the animal is receiving;
▫️the names, dosages, and time of the last dose of medication;
▫️the packaging of the substance or medication if poisoning is suspected;
▫️information about the time of injury, the onset of symptoms, or the ingestion of a foreign object.

If the animal is being referred from another clinic, ask them to provide a medical report detailing the tests performed, the medications administered, and the animal's response to treatment.

The services offered by our teams, the equipment available, and the availability of locations and specific procedures vary by branch. Before you come in, please call our contact center—a coordinator will help you choose a location based on your pet’s condition.

Separate entrances for emergency patients at 39 Dmytrivska St.

• 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. – Entrance No. 3;
• 8:00 p.m.–8:00 a.m. – Entrance No. 2.

When can a clinic refuse to provide emergency care? One of the grounds for refusing to admit an animal to a private clinic and referring it to the state veterinary service is a suspicion of rabies or the need for official monitoring of the animal following high-risk exposure.

This may apply in cases where:
▫️the animal does not have a valid rabies vaccination and has been bitten or scratched by an unknown, stray, or wild animal;
▫️there was contact with the saliva of an unknown animal through a wound, broken skin, or mucous membranes;
▫️the animal came into contact with an animal suspected of having or confirmed to have rabies;
▫️unusual aggression, a sudden change in behavior, disorientation, excessive salivation, difficulty swallowing, convulsions, or paralysis appeared after possible contact;
▫️The animal has bitten or scratched a person, and its vaccination status is unknown or its rabies vaccination is past due.

In such a case, it is best to take the animal to an appropriate state veterinary institution that has the authority and protocols for examination, official observation, quarantine, and the implementation of anti-epizootic measures. A private clinic may refuse to provide standard or emergency care for such a patient. This does not mean a refusal to help the animal: the referral is necessary to protect owners, other visitors, veterinarians, and assistants, and to comply with epizootic safety requirements.

Rabies is a deadly disease for both animals and humans. Therefore, if there is reasonable suspicion of rabies, the priority is not the speed of treatment at the nearest private clinic, but ensuring the patient follows the correct and safe protocol.

If an animal has bitten or scratched a person, or if its saliva has come into contact with broken skin or mucous membranes, the person should seek medical attention as soon as possible to determine whether rabies prophylaxis is necessary.

The absence of a valid vaccination, in the absence of exposure to a risk and without symptoms that could indicate rabies, does not in itself constitute grounds for automatically denying veterinary care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is an appointment required? No. Emergency patients are seen without an appointment. However, it is recommended that you call before coming in so that the contact center can notify the team and direct you to the appropriate branch.
Can I book a specific time for an emergency appointment? No. The order of treatment is determined by the severity of the patients’ conditions. Even after calling ahead, a stable animal may have to wait if a patient in critical condition arrives at the clinic.
Why was an animal that arrived later seen first? Emergency patients are seen based on medical priority. Respiratory distress, significant bleeding, seizures, loss of consciousness, and other life-threatening conditions require immediate attention regardless of the time of arrival.
Is it possible to find out over the phone exactly what happened to the animal? It is not possible to make a diagnosis or reliably assess the severity of a condition over the phone. A coordinator can gather basic information, advise on what to do, and direct you to the appropriate branch. A veterinarian makes the medical decision after an examination.
Do all specialists work at night? An on-call team is available at night to assess the animal’s condition and provide emergency care. Specialists see patients according to their schedules. If the condition is critical, the first priority is stabilization, after which the need for consultation with a specialist is determined.
Is it possible to have a routine ultrasound at night? Routine examinations that are not urgent are performed by appointment. At night, diagnostic procedures are limited to what is necessary for making an urgent decision and stabilizing the patient.
Does the animal have to stay in the emergency room? No. The decision depends on the patient’s condition. If the animal is stable after receiving treatment and does not require constant intensive monitoring, it may be discharged home.
Do you accept test results from other clinics? Yes. Please bring all available reports, test results, X-rays, and information about previous treatment. The veterinarian will review them and determine whether additional tests are needed.
What should I do if I suspect poisoning? Call the clinic and come in for an examination. Bring the packaging or take a photo of the substance. Do not induce vomiting, and do not give the animal any medications or home remedies without a veterinarian’s recommendation.
What should you do if the condition does not appear critical but you do not have an appointment? Call the contact center. A coordinator will check the nearest available appointments and advise you on next steps. If the condition is stable but there are no urgent indications, the wait time without an appointment may be long.

How do I seek emergency care?

Call the 24-hour contact center:

• (097) 344-88-88;
• (044) 344-88-88.

Please inform the coordinator of the symptoms, the address, and the estimated time of arrival. If the animal's condition deteriorates rapidly, please mention this at the beginning of the call.

Which branches provide emergency care?

Zoolux clinics are located at the following addresses:

• Kyiv, 2D Volodymyr Ivasyuk Ave.
• Kyiv, 39 Dmytrivska St.
• Kyiv, 42B Revutskogo Street
• Brovary, 51 Metalurhiv St.