• Monday - Sunday: 24 Hours

Inside Our Veterinary Emergency Room

Dr. Samantha Chang, ER Department Coordinator

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Inside Our Veterinary Emergency Room

Triage, Technology, and Compassionate Care at Columbia Pike Animal Hospital

Emergencies are stressful. When your pet needs urgent care, knowing what to expect can make a difficult moment a little easier.

In this Vet Video Series feature, Dr. Samantha Chang, Emergency Department Coordinator at Columbia Pike Animal Hospital and Emergency Center, takes you inside our veterinary emergency room to explain how pets are cared for when every second counts.

What Happens When You Arrive

When you arrive at our emergency room, you will first check in with our front desk team. Your pet is immediately announced for triage so our medical team can assess the urgency of the situation.

If your pet is experiencing a life-threatening or critical emergency, a technician will bring them directly to the treatment area so care can begin right away. You will then be placed in a private exam room, where our team will keep you informed as we gather information and start treatment.

Clear communication is a priority. We understand how overwhelming emergencies can be, and we make it a point to explain what we know, what we are doing, and what comes next.

Advanced Diagnostics Onsite

One of the advantages of our emergency room is access to advanced diagnostics under one roof. This allows our team to move quickly and avoid delays that can occur when testing must be sent elsewhere.

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Our emergency department includes:

  • Digital X-ray with board-certified radiologist review

  • Ultrasound for detailed internal imaging

  • In-house CT for complex cases

  • A full-service laboratory for rapid results

  • Cytology with telemedicine consultation when needed

Having these tools onsite helps us reach answers faster and begin appropriate treatment sooner.

Emergency Surgery and Critical Care

For pets who require surgery, our emergency operating room is fully equipped with advanced monitoring, electrocautery, and surgical support systems designed for urgent procedures.

We also utilize specialized oxygen support units that allow precise control of oxygen levels, humidity, and temperature for pets who are struggling to breathe or need respiratory support.

In severe emergencies, our team is trained and RECOVER Initiative certified, with crash carts readily available to deliver immediate lifesaving care.

A Team That Cares for Pets and People

What truly sets our emergency room apart is our team. Our emergency department brings together professionals from many backgrounds who share the same purpose, to provide compassionate, skilled care for pets and meaningful support for the people who love them.

Your pet is a family member. We never lose sight of that, and we never lose sight of you. If you have questions, worries, or concerns, we encourage you to speak up so we can support you as fully as possible.

Here for You 24 Hours a Day

Our veterinary emergency room is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Whether your pet needs immediate emergency care or you simply want to be prepared, our team is always here when you need us.

📍 Columbia Pike Animal Hospital and Emergency Center
📞 Emergency Line: (703) 256-8414
🌐 Website: https://www.columbiapikeanimalh.com

We are honored to care for your pets when it matters most.