Elizabeth Street Pet Hospital is bringing a new service that'll be sure to have tails wagging in Okotoks.

Soon the veterinary hospital will be opening a new 24/7 veterinary emergency clinic on Northgate Boulevard.

Marco Bregliano, owner and veterinarian, says the need for a clinic of this calibre has been felt in town.

"We found that more and more of our clients and other veterinary clinic clients were having to use the services in Calgary and although they provide an excellent service it does still take 20 minutes to half an hour top get there and in a severe emergency where a pet may need urgent care and time is of an essence having an emergency clinic in town would benefit them."

The site for the new veterinary emergency clinic on Northgate Boulevard.

Some staff from Elizabeth Street will be moved over to the new emergency clinic and new staff will also be hired. To staff the clinic so it can run efficiently 24/7 there will be four veterinarians, four technicians, and about six to eight receptionists and veterinary assistants.

Bregliano says there's a difference in what the new emergency clinic will offer compared to the hospital.

"The emergency clinic will not be providing primary care which means vaccinations and spay and neuters, and the emergency clinic will only take in patients that have an immediate illness or a condition that needs immediate attention such as an eye infection, vomiting and diarrhea, or bleeding, anything where an owner thinks their pet needs immediate attention."

To help accommodate the emergency clinic Bregliano says the hours will be slightly reduced at Elizabeth Street so situations requiring urgent care can be treated at the emergency clinic.

The new clinic is scheduled to be open at the beginning of June.

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