Same-Day Care When Your Pet Needs Us

Pets cannot always tell us what is wrong, but changes in behavior, appetite, energy, or comfort can be signs that something needs medical attention. Our team will help determine the best appointment option based on your pet’s symptoms, our schedule, and the level of care your pet may need.

Same-day and urgent care appointments may be available for concerns such as:

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Not eating or drinking normally

• Coughing, sneezing, or respiratory concerns

• Ear infections or head shaking

• Eye redness, squinting, or discharge

• Limping or sudden mobility changes

• Skin irritation, itching, wounds, or hot spots

• Urinary concerns

• Pain, discomfort, or unusual behavior

• Minor injuries

• Concerns that do not feel like they can wait for a routine appointment

If you are unsure whether your pet needs to be seen, please call our office. Our team can help guide you on the next best step.

What to Expect When You Call

Because urgent care appointments are based on medical need and schedule availability, we ask that you call our office as early in the day as possible.

When you call, our team may ask questions about:

• Your pet’s symptoms

• When the problem started

• Eating, drinking, urination, and bowel movements

• Current medications

• Any known injuries, toxin exposure, or recent changes

• Whether your pet is stable, painful, or worsening

This helps our veterinary team determine how quickly your pet should be seen and whether Hicks Animal Clinic is the appropriate place for care.

Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care

Hicks Animal Clinic is not a 24-hour emergency hospital. We do offer same-day visits and work-in appointments for urgent needs whenever possible, but some situations require immediate emergency care at a veterinary emergency facility.

Please seek emergency veterinary care right away if your pet is experiencing:

• Difficulty breathing

• Collapse or inability to stand

• Seizures

• Severe bleeding

• Major trauma or hit-by-car injury

• Suspected poisoning or toxin exposure

• Bloated or distended abdomen

• Unproductive retching

• Severe pain

• Labor or birthing complications

• Inability to urinate

• Sudden extreme weakness or distress

If your pet is experiencing a serious medical emergency, please contact an emergency veterinary hospital immediately. If your pet arrives at Hicks Animal Clinic and needs a higher level of care, we may stabilize your pet and recommend transfer to an emergency facility.

Quality Care With a Thoughtful Approach

At Hicks Animal Clinic, urgent care does not mean rushed care. Our veterinary team is committed to evaluating your pet carefully, communicating clearly, and recommending diagnostics or treatment based on your pet’s needs.

Depending on your pet’s condition, an urgent care visit may include:

• Physical examination

• Lab work

• X-rays

• Ear or skin cytology

• Urinalysis or fecal testing

• Medication recommendations

• Pain management

• Treatment planning

• Referral or emergency transfer when needed

Our goal is to give you answers, help your pet feel better, and make sure you understand the next steps.

Call for Same-Day Appointment Availability

If your pet is not feeling well, please call Hicks Animal Clinic as soon as possible. Same-day appointments are limited and may vary based on doctor availability, schedule capacity, and the urgency of your pet’s condition.

Hicks Animal Clinic
3200 Sunset Ave
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 443-5994

Call today to speak with our team about urgent care or same-day appointment availability.