Emergency & Urgent Pet Care in Vero Beach, FL
At Southside Veterinary Hospital in Vero Beach, FL, we offer same-day urgent care and walk-in emergency services for dogs, cats, and exotic pets. Whether your dog is throwing up in the morning, your cat seems unusually lethargic, or your pet needs immediate wound treatment, our experienced team is here to provide swift, compassionate care when it matters most.
Walk-In Emergency Vet Care in Vero Beach
No appointment? No problem. If your pet is sick, injured, or showing signs of distress, you can walk in during our business hours for urgent veterinary care. We prioritize emergencies and work hard to ensure your pet is seen promptly — even if we’re juggling a full schedule.
Common reasons to visit our urgent care vet include:
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Seizures or disorientation
- Injuries, wounds, or bleeding
- Limping or sudden lameness
- Foreign object ingestion
- Unusual lethargy or collapse
- Difficulty urinating or defecating
- Swollen or painful areas
Our clinic is equipped with in-house diagnostics, enabling us to perform rapid pet lab work, X-rays, and basic radiographs — allowing us to assess your pet’s condition and initiate treatment promptly.
Minor Emergencies & Same-Day Concerns
Not all emergencies involve life-threatening situations. Sometimes you just know something isn’t right. We’re here for that too.
Some examples of urgent but non-critical visits we commonly treat:
- Sick cat who isn’t eating
- Dog chewing paws or showing signs of allergy
- Abnormal behavior or sudden anxiety
- Eye swelling or discharge
- Swallowed toys
- Coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge
If you’re unsure whether your pet’s situation qualifies as an emergency, call our office, and our staff will guide you on what to do next.
Southside Veterinary Hospital – Emergency & Urgent Care Hours
We accept walk-in emergency visits during regular business hours. Please call ahead if possible so our team can prepare for your pet’s arrival.
Walk-In Emergency Hours:
Monday – Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Closed for lunch daily: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
Call: (772) 562-7845
For after-hours emergencies, we recommend contacting a 24/7 emergency vet hospital.
What to Expect During an Emergency Visit
Our experienced veterinary team will assess your pet quickly and thoroughly. We may begin with triage — prioritizing life-threatening conditions — then move forward with diagnostics or treatment based on urgency.
During your visit, we may recommend:
- Wound care and bandaging
- Foreign object removal
- Bloodwork, urinalysis, or imaging
- Medications or fluid therapy
- Follow-up exam or referral if needed
Every case is different, and our goal is to stabilize your pet, address their symptoms, and guide you through the next steps.
When to Visit an Emergency Vet
While we’re equipped to handle many urgent needs during regular hours, severe or after-hours emergencies may require a dedicated emergency animal hospital. If your pet experiences:
- Collapse or unconsciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Severe trauma (e.g., hit by a car)
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Ingestion of a known toxin
- Heatstroke symptoms
Please call us immediately. If we are closed or unable to manage the situation on-site, we’ll refer you to a nearby 24/7 emergency veterinary facility.
When Your Pet Needs Immediate Care, We’re Here
Southside Veterinary Hospital proudly serves Vero Beach and nearby communities, including Gifford, South Vero, Winter Beach, Indian River Shores, and Oslo. As a trusted emergency vet in Vero Beach, FL, we provide urgent care that’s timely, transparent, and rooted in decades of experience.
Whether your pet is limping, vomiting, or just not acting like themselves, don’t wait — our team is here to help.
Call Now or Walk In During Business Hours
We accept walk-in emergencies Monday through Friday during our posted hours. Please call ahead if possible, so we can prepare for your arrival.