To maintain our high standard of care, the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center (LVMC) uses a three-level triage system to manage emergency caseloads based on available resources—including staffing, space, and medical services (e.g., anesthesia, surgery, imaging)—which are shared across both incoming emergencies and hospitalized patients. Triage status is most heavily influenced by the level of care required for patients already in the hospital: the sicker and more numerous they are, the fewer new cases we can safely accept.
Upon arrival, all patients are triaged by our emergency team to assess the severity of their condition. Stable patients may experience longer wait times if more critical emergencies are being treated, similar to how human emergency rooms prioritize care.
Please know that even if your pet is stable and waiting, they are not being ignored. If their condition is urgent or emergent, they will receive appropriate care as quickly as the situation requires. Our team is constantly monitoring all patients and will adjust care as needed. Every decision we make is guided by our commitment to safe, compassionate, and timely care.
Current Triage Status: YELLOW
🟢 Green Status – Open for All Emergencies
- Resources are sufficient (staffing, space, services)
- Accepting all emergency cases (referrals and walk-ins)
- No restrictions on case types
- Minimal wait time: 1-2 hours from the time of arrival before you will meet with the doctor to discuss recommended diagnostics, treatments and/or hospitalization.
🟡 Yellow Status – Limited Capacity
- Resources are strained, due to:
- High level of care required for current inpatients
- Limited cage space (especially large runs)
- Reduced staffing
- Limited availability of medical services
- Most emergency referrals accepted
- Reception team screens cases:
- Emergent cases prioritized (e.g., respiratory distress)
- Non-critical cases (e.g., lameness, ear infections) may be deferred elsewhere or directed to a later time or date if they require specialized yet non-urgent care.
- Clients may be redirected to:
- Their primary veterinarian
- Other emergency clinics (contact info provided)
- Moderate wait time: 2-4 hours from the time of arrival before you will meet with the doctor to discuss recommended diagnostics, treatments and/or hospitalization.
🔴 Red Status – At Full Capacity
- Resources are critically limited
- May be due to high level of care required for current inpatients, space, staffing, or medical service availability
- Only critical emergencies accepted, such as: Advanced respiratory support or blood pressure support
- Stable cases (e.g., fractures, foreign bodies) may be deferred elsewhere or directed to a later time or date if they require specialized yet non-urgent care.
- Reception team screens all cases:
- If space allows: outpatient emergencies (e.g., lacerations, UTIs) may be seen
- If staffing is the issue: only life-threatening cases accepted
- Stabilization and referral available if needed
- Extended wait times likely: 4-6 hours from the time of arrival before you will meet with the doctor to discuss recommended diagnostics, treatments, and/or hospitalization.
*Wait times are approximate and may change based on caseload and available resources. The listed wait time refers only to the time from arrival to when a doctor meets with you to discuss your pet. Additional time may be required for diagnostics, treatment, or hospitalization, which can significantly extend your total visit duration.
July 2025