Oral Emergencies
Oral emergencies can be scary for patients and their owners. The following are considered true emergencies that should be seen immediately for care:
- Severe pain causing inability to eat
- Inability to open, close or use mouth
- A broken jaw
- Teeth that are displaced from their sockets
- Freshly fractured teeth can sometimes be saved if treated within 24-48 hours of pulp exposure/fracture
- Objects stuck in the mouth or throat
- ANY bleeding from the mouth

Please call Oregon Veterinary Dental Specialists immediately for advice if you find any of these emergencies. In some cases, our staff can accommodate same day treatment of emergency cases.
Urgencies
Some injuries and conditions of the oral cavity need prompt care before they become systemic disease processes. Please schedule a consultation as soon as you note any of the following in your pet:
- ANY oral lump, bump, growth, tumor. Early detection can make a significant difference in whether or not a malignant tumor can be diagnosed and treated before it becomes life-threatening.
- Freshly fractured teeth can sometimes be saved if treated within 24-48 hours of pulp exposure/fracture.
- ANY swelling of the face, head, tongue or jaws. Urgent care is often required for trauma, tumors, infections, inflammation, and oral pain.
- Severe halitosis: If “it smells like something died in there,” bad breath can indicate deep bone infection that causes pain and organ system failure.
The doctors and staff at Oregon Veterinary Dental Specialists are here for emergency and urgent care of all oral and maxillofacial conditions.
Should your pet experience a dental emergency outside our normal business hours, please call one of these emergency hospitals or your primary veterinarian:
BluePearl Specialty + Emergency Pet Hospital - Northeast Portland
Hours: 24/7
Heart and Soul Animal Urgent Care
Hours: 7am-9pm
Riverbend Veterinary Care – Urgent & Intermediate Care
Hours: Monday-Friday 10am-8pm
DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital
Hours: 24/7
Bridgetown Veterinary Emergency & Referral
ER & Specialty Hours: 7am-10pm
ICU: 24/7
ICU: 24/7
Emergency Veterinary Clinic of Tualatin
Hours: 24/7
Tanasbourne Veterinary Emergency
Hours: 24/7
Sadie Veterinary Urgent Care
Hours: 9am-9pm
VCA NW Veterinary Specialists
Hours: 24/7
Pacific NW Pet ER & Specialty Center
Hours: 24/7