Northwest Austin Veterinary Center provides emergency care for existing patients of our hospital during regular business hours 6 days a week. Please call us before arriving at the hospital.

(512) 250-8048

Daytime Emergency Veterinary Care

  • Monday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Tuesday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Wednesday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Thursday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Friday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
  • Saturday:08:00 am - 01:00 pm
  • Sunday:Closed

New Patient & After-Hours Emergencies

If you are an existing patient with an after-hours emergency, or a new patient who has not been to our hospital before, please contact one of the following emergency hospitals. 

Steps to Take In A Pet Emergency

If you are experiencing a veterinary emergency, follow the steps below.

  • Call Ahead If Possible - We understand it's not always possible, but if at all capable it's best to call ahead so we can prepare to receive your dog or cat.
  • Follow Instructions Provided - When you call us about an emergency. It is possible you will receive specific first-aid instructions. Diligently follow all instructions for the sake of you and your pet's comfort.
  • Remain Calm - Companion animals can sense when we are panicking, it's important not to lose your cool while responding to the emergency.  Be careful and don't take it personally if your pet is unusually aggressive, biting, or scratching when you try to help. Frightened animals or animals in pain sometimes lash out. 
  • Bring Your Pet In For Care - Do not put yourself at risk! Now that you're prepared it's time to bring your dog or cat in for emergency vet care.

Vet Emergency FAQs

Read through our most frequently asked questions below to learn more about bringing your pet in for an emergency appointment at Northwest Austin Veterinary Center. 

  • Do I need to call ahead?

    Northwest Austin Veterinary Center provides emergency and urgent veterinary care for cats and dogs during our regular clinic hours. It's always best to contact us in advance if you can, but we understand that in emergency situations that's not always possible. 

    If we are unable to fit your pet into our schedule, we recommend that you visit the after-hours emergency vet location shown above. 

  • When is your clinic open?

    Our veterinarians see emergency cases during our regular business hours:

    • Monday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
    • Tuesday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
    • Wednesday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
    • Thursday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
    • Friday:07:00 am - 06:00 pm
    • Saturday:08:00 am - 01:00 pm
    • Sunday:Closed
     

  • What situations require emergency veterinary care?

    The following situations are examples of emergencies that require immediate care:

    • Severe bleeding or bleeding that doesn't stop
    • Obvious signs of pain or extreme anxiety
    • Choking, difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing/gagging
    • Fractured bones or severe lameness
    • Seizures and/or staggering
    • Bleeding from nose, mouth, rectum, or blood in the urine
    • Inability to urinate or pass feces, or pain associated with urinating or passing feces
    • Severe vomiting or diarrhea; 2+ episodes in 24-hours
    • Injuries to the eye(s)
    • Your pet has ingested something poisonous (such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc.)
    • Heat stress or heatstroke
    • Refusal to drink for 24 hours or more
    • Unconsciousness
  • How long will we have to wait to see the vet?

    Our Austin animal hospital is just like a human doctor's office—it can be unpredictable and you may have to wait. 

    With that said, our clinic prides itself on maintaining short wait times and providing same-day appointments for emergency and non-emergency cases whenever possible.  We will absolutely do what we can to see you and your pet as quickly as possible.

    If for whatever reason we are simply unable to fit an emergency appointment into our schedule, we will recommend that you visit the 24/7 animal emergency hospital detailed above. 

  • What happens if my pet needs to stay in the hospital?

    Some veterinary emergencies require intensive overnight care. We are not able to keep emergency cases after hours, we always refer patients to a nearby emergency clinic for overnight care when necessary,

    While in our care, our dedicated team will treat your pet as if they were our own--If we are your regular vet and have to refer you to an emergency hospital, your regular Austin vet will stay in contact with the emergency hospital to ensure your pet receives the highest possible care.

  • What types of animals do you treat?

    Our emergency veterinarians are experienced in treating the dogs and cats of Austin

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