Episode 1  ·  20m

Inside a 24/7 Emergency Vet — What We Do and When to Come

Dr. Michael LoSasso, DVM & Julie Schwenzer Frisco Emergency Pet Care
24/7 emergency care Ingestions GI emergencies Emergency prep Local vs corporate
"When every minute counts, we're ready. We don't provide wellness or routine care, and that specialization matters."
— Dr. Michael LoSasso, DVM

Episode summary

In the first episode of ER Vet Insights, Dr. LoSasso introduces Frisco Emergency Pet Care and explains what makes an emergency-only hospital different from a general practice that stays open late. FEPC focuses exclusively on urgent and critical problems for dogs and cats — no wellness visits, no routine appointments — and that singular focus shapes everything from staffing to equipment to response times.

Dr. LoSasso walks through the most common reasons pets arrive after hours — GI distress (vomiting and diarrhea) leads the list, followed by ingestions of medications, household products, and foreign objects like socks. He explains why calling ahead with the product name, active ingredients, and timing matters: it allows the team to prepare decontamination protocols before the pet even arrives.

He also contrasts locally led independent hospitals with large corporate emergency models, explaining why continuity, communication, and consistent standards directly affect the client experience. And he shares practical preparation advice: what to keep in your pet's go-bag, why you should save the hospital number now, and how a simple home info kit can save critical minutes at check-in.

"Program our hospital number into your phone, bookmark our website, and keep a go-bag ready with a leash, carrier, vaccination records, and a list of current medications. These steps may sound small, but they can make a big difference when minutes matter."
— Dr. Michael LoSasso, DVM
Key takeaway

Research your emergency vet options before you need them. Know which clinics are truly open 24/7, confirm they treat your species, and save the contact details. Preparation is the simplest way to prevent panic.

Questions answered in this episode

The following questions are answered by Dr. LoSasso in this episode, drawn directly from the conversation. These are real clinical answers from a practicing emergency veterinarian with 30+ years of experience.

FEPC focuses exclusively on urgent and critical problems for dogs and cats. The hospital does not provide wellness or routine care. Conditions include GI emergencies, toxin ingestions, respiratory distress, trauma, hemorrhage, and other after-hours urgent needs. The narrow clinical scope translates to faster triage, repeatable protocols, and equipment specifically tailored to emergencies.
Dr. LoSasso says gastrointestinal distress — vomiting and diarrhea — dominates emergency traffic. This may be from dietary indiscretion, food changes, or hidden toxins. Ingestion cases are also extremely common: pets getting into human medications, household products, or foreign objects like socks. Each requires swift assessment of what was ingested, the dose, and the pet's weight and health status.
Yes, when possible. Calling ahead with the product name, active ingredients, and timing allows the team to prepare decontamination protocols, anti-nausea medications, fluids, and monitoring before the pet arrives. This can meaningfully reduce time to treatment. However, if your pet is in severe distress, do not wait — come in immediately.
Dr. LoSasso recommends keeping a go-bag ready with a leash or carrier, vaccination records, and a list of current medications with doses. A home info kit with your pet's weight, microchip number, and your primary vet's contact information can save precious minutes during check-in. For ingestion emergencies, bring the packaging or a photo of the product label.
Dr. LoSasso contrasts locally led hospitals like FEPC with large corporate emergency models. He says corporate ERs can deliver good care, but continuity, communication, and consistent standards vary and can affect client experience. At an independent hospital, decisions are guided by the clinical team rather than corporate protocols, which Dr. LoSasso views as important for patient-first service.
Dr. LoSassoEmergency veterinary care rarely fits into a tidy schedule. I've seen dogs swallow pill bottles at midnight and cats begin vomiting on holidays when most clinics are closed. That urgency is exactly why my team and I at Frisco Emergency Pet Care exist. We are a 24/7 hospital serving North Dallas, and our mission is focused: treat urgent and critical problems for dogs and cats. We don't provide wellness or routine care, and that specialization matters. By concentrating our resources on triage, stabilization, diagnostics, and intervention, we ensure that when every minute counts, we're ready.
Dr. LoSassoOne of the most common reasons pets come to us after hours is gastrointestinal distress — vomiting and diarrhea. It may not sound dramatic, but it dominates emergency traffic. Ingestion cases are another frequent emergency: pets get into human medications, household products, or even clothing items like socks. When owners call ahead with the product name, active ingredients, and timing, we can prepare decontamination protocols, anti-nausea medications, fluids, and monitoring before the pet even arrives.
Dr. LoSassoI often recommend that families prepare a home info kit with their pet's weight, current medications, and microchip details. Having that information ready can shave precious minutes off the check-in process. For at-home preparation: program our hospital number into your phone, bookmark our website, and keep a go-bag ready with a leash, carrier, vaccination records, and a list of current medications. If you suspect ingestion, bring the packaging or a photo of the label.

Have a question for Dr. LoSasso?

We are open right now — and if your pet needs emergency care, come straight in.

Call (469) 287-6767 Emergency guide