WARREN — It’s 11 at night and the beloved family dog is lying listlessly on the floor, stomach distended. He’s clearly in pain.

Let’s say you’re visiting for the weekend or for the summer and no local veterinary practices take non-clients for emergency care. It’s a pet owner’s worst nightmare. 

Fourteen veterinarians from nine area veterinary hospitals have committed to finding a solution to this problem for years and this summer, the Midcoast Animal Emergency Clinic opened on Route 90 in Warren, providing a round-the-clock full service emergency/urgent care animal clinic to anyone whose dog, cat, or small animal needs immediate care. They are so dedicated to ensuring that a veterinarian be available day and night, they have set up rotating shifts. There is even a room in the clinic for the vet to stay in overnight.

Dr. Bjorn Lee, veterinarian and owner of PenBay Veterinary Associates in Rockport, is part owner of this new clinic. He has advice for pet owners this time of year so that Fluffy or Fido doesn’t end up in emergency care.

The top five emergencies for dogs:

1. Toxicity
2. Lacerations
3. Allergic reactions
4. Excessive vomiting and diarrhea
5. Getting quilled by porcupines. “Don’t let them run out into the woods for the last pee later into the evening,” he said. “It’s best to keep them on a leash at that time.”

For cats, the two biggest emergencies include:

1. Urinary obstructions, especially in young male indoor cats. “If your cat continuously goes to the litter box and is yowling and appearing uncomfortable, he likely has a blocked urethra,” said Lee. “This is a serious situation that warrants immediate veterinary attention.”
2. Toxicity, especially lilies. ”Often we see people bringing this flower home, setting it in a vase and then the cat takes a nibble, which can instantly shut its system down.” he said.

With the summer population expanding, the Midcoast Animal Emergency Clinic will be busy day and night. “We’ll take any small animal that doesn’t have hooves,” said Lee.

Though the clinic is not set up to treat horses or other farm animals, they can take dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, even pocket pets (mice, rodents). Lee strongly urges pet owners to consider making pet insurance a priority.

“Your expenses will be covered up to 90 percent once your deductible is met,” he said.

For now, travelers and residents can have peace of mind knowing that when they have to get emergency care for a beloved pet in the middle of the night, a qualified veterinarian will be right there to greet them.

Although an appointment is not needed, the clinic requests a telephone call at 273-1100 to alert the staff to your emergency so that they can prepare properly for your pet's arrival. The after-hours clinic is located at 191 Camden Road (Route 90) in Warren.

Related link:

• The Wave, summer 2015 eEdition