Pet Emergency & Urgent Care at Startz Veterinary in Canyon Lake, TX

Emergency Veterinary Services

Medical emergencies can happen without warning. Recognizing the signs and getting your pet evaluated quickly can make a significant difference. Our facility is equipped to respond to many emergency situations during business hours, and our team is trained to assess and prioritize cases based on severity.

Common Pet Emergencies We Treat

• Difficulty breathing
• Uncontrolled bleeding
• Traumatic injury (e.g., car accidents, falls, bite wounds)
• Collapse or inability to stand
• Seizures or neurological events
• Heatstroke
• Sudden abdominal swelling
• Ingestion of toxins or foreign objects

We utilize FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) ultrasound technology to rapidly assess internal bleeding, fluid accumulation, and other conditions affecting the abdomen or chest. This tool helps us make informed decisions and respond quickly during urgent situations.

If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency or urgent condition, please contact us immediately at 830-899-4900. Our team at Startz Veterinary is here to help during business hours and will advise you on the next steps for your pet’s care. While we strive to be able to help your pet when an emergency arises, we may need to refer you and your pet to an external urgent care facility as they may be better equipped to ensure your pet receives the quick and efficient care they need.

Urgent Care for Non-Life-Threatening Conditions

Not every issue requires emergency treatment, but some conditions should still be seen promptly. We offer pet emergency & urgent care for pets who need attention sooner than the next available routine appointment. Available pet emergency or urgent care is scheduled by appointment only.

If your pet is sick, injured, or showing concerning symptoms that are not immediately life-threatening, call our team at 830-899-4900. When possible, we will work to fit your pet into the day’s schedule between appointments.

Conditions Often Seen in Urgent Care

• Minor wounds or limping
• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Skin irritation or ear infections
• Eye discharge or squinting
• Changes in urination or bowel movements

Benefits of Choosing Startz Veterinary for Urgent and Emergency Pet Care

Our team provides a consistent level of care, attention to detail, and communication throughout every visit. We focus on accurate diagnosis, practical treatment plans, and client support in stressful situations.

What You Can Expect

• Rapid diagnostic imaging, including FAST ultrasound
• On-site lab testing and bloodwork
• Medication administration and pain management
• Stabilization and wound treatment
• Transparent wait times and communication
• Referral coordination for advanced cases

Please Call Ahead

We understand emergencies can happen at any time, and we will do our best to work you into our daily appointment schedule. If you believe your pet needs urgent attention, calling ahead at 830-899-4900 ensures that we have an urgent care appointment available and allows us to prepare and provide faster service upon arrival. For emergencies occurring outside of regular business hours, we can guide you to nearby 24-hour emergency hospitals if needed.

Advanced Care

At Startz Veterinary, we believe every pet deserves the very best care, especially when they may not be feeling their best. That is why we are proud to offer Advanced Care services that go beyond routine wellness and preventative medicine. Whether your pet is facing an unexpected illness, injury, or ongoing health concern, we have the tools and expertise to provide comprehensive support. With advanced technologies such as digital radiology, ultrasound, and in-house diagnostics like blood screens, urinalysis, and microscopic analysis, we’re able to quickly and accurately get to the heart of your pet’s condition. When a case calls for even deeper analysis, we partner with a trusted outside laboratory to ensure nothing is overlooked. Our focus is always on delivering the highest quality medicine with compassion, so you can feel confident your beloved companion is in good hands.

We are also excited to share that we have recently added a new ultrasound machine to our practice. This allows us to offer FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) ultrasound, a rapid and non-invasive technique that helps us detect internal bleeding, fluid buildup, or organ abnormalities in emergency situations. In moments when every second counts, FAST ultrasound can make all the difference, guiding our team to take immediate and life-saving action. Beyond emergencies, this tool also helps us monitor ongoing medical conditions, giving pet parents peace of mind and helping us provide even more complete, all-around care. It’s just one more way we’re investing in advanced medicine to support the health, safety, and comfort of your furry family members.

At Startz Veterinary, we understand that pets can’t always tell us when something is wrong—which is why we are here to help when your furry family member is showing signs of illness, injury, or discomfort. We commonly see pets for a wide variety of concerns, and our advanced diagnostic tools allow us to get answers quickly so we can start them on the path to feeling better.

Reasons your pet may benefit from Advanced Care services include:

• General body pain or discomfort – restlessness, panting, vocalization, or sensitivity to touch.
• Behavioral changes – acting more lethargic, hiding, eating or drinking less than usual.
• Gastrointestinal changes – diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, or changes in appetite.
• Urinary changes – increased frequency, straining, accidents in the house, or changes in urine smell or color.
• Mobility or gait changes – limping, stiffness, or favoring a specific leg, whether in the front end or back end.
• Upper respiratory changes – including coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge.
• Skin or coat changes – such as chronic itching, scratching, hair loss, or skin irritation like hot spots.

This list is not all-inclusive, but these are some of the most common issues we help manage. In some cases, depending on your pet’s needs, we may recommend referral to a specialized Emergency or Urgent Care facility. This ensures your pet gets the most appropriate level of care, and that you, as their caregiver, have the support you need during urgent situations.

Allergies are another common condition we see in pets and can be a source of ongoing discomfort if left untreated. Signs may include constant scratching, chewing at the paws, frequent ear infections, recurring skin irritation, or even digestive upset. Our team can provide consultations around dietary management, including food trials, and we often recommend Purina Pro Plan as part of a tailored nutrition plan. For more advanced or chronic allergy cases, we also partner with HESKA, an outside laboratory, to offer specialized allergy testing. While this testing is not generally the first step in the consultation process, it can be an important tool when initial management strategies are not providing adequate relief. This approach helps us identify specific allergens and create a more effective, personalized treatment plan—giving your pet lasting relief and improving their overall quality of life.

Euthanasia Services

Saying goodbye to a beloved pet is one of the hardest decisions a family can face. At our practice, we are here to provide comfort, compassion, and support during this emotional time. Our goal is to ensure that your pet’s final moments are filled with peace and dignity, while also helping you feel supported every step of the way.

Our process begins with a Quality of Life Exam, which allows you to sit down with the doctor and have a thoughtful consultation about your pet’s health and comfort. This includes a full physical exam so that we can help you understand your pet’s overall condition and discuss the most compassionate options for their care.

If the doctor determines that euthanasia is medically necessary for your pet’s health, safety, and well-being, we will proceed with these services. We want you to feel reassured that this decision is made with your pet’s comfort at the forefront.

To provide a calm and private experience, we offer a dedicated exam room specifically for this service. This space is set apart from the busyness of the practice, with extra seating to accommodate families and pets of all sizes. The environment is designed to encourage peace and comfort, with soothing music in the background and the freedom for you to take as much time as you need to say your goodbyes.

For aftercare, we partner with Fond Memories, a locally owned and operated company based in New Braunfels. They offer cremation services with the following options:

• Private cremation with ashes returned to the owner – This includes your choice of a unique urn, a name plate engraved with your pet’s name, and a clay pawprint keepsake.
• Communal cremation – Ashes are respectfully scattered in a serene memorial garden on their private grounds.

We know this is a deeply personal and difficult journey, and we are honored to be here for you and your pet. When you feel ready to take the next step, please call us at 830-899-4900 to schedule these services.

There are times when, after a careful evaluation, the doctor may determine that euthanasia is not the most compassionate or medically appropriate option for your pet at this stage. Because our first responsibility is always to your pet’s well-being, we do not perform euthanasia solely at the convenience or discretion of the owner. Instead, this is a professional decision made by the doctor with your pet’s best interests in mind. If euthanasia is not recommended, we will spend time discussing alternative options with you, which may include medical management through further diagnostics or medication, behavioral support and training, or even helping your pet transition to a new home where they can thrive. Our goal is to guide you with compassion and honesty so you feel supported in making the best decision for your pet.