Veterinary Emergencies

What to Do in a Pet Emergency

If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, please seek immediate care from an emergency veterinary hospital.
Scottsdale Animal Hospital & Phoenix Mobile Veterinarians may be able to see urgent or emergency concerns on a case-by-case basis during regular business hours, but we are not a 24-hour emergency hospital.

If your pet needs immediate or after-hours care, please contact one of the emergency hospitals listed below or go directly to the nearest emergency veterinary facility.

When to Seek Emergency Veterinary Care

Some symptoms should be treated as urgent or emergency situations. If your pet is showing severe or rapidly worsening signs, do not wait for a routine appointment.

Emergency care may be needed if your pet has:

Trouble breathing
Collapse or extreme weakness
Seizures
Severe pain
Heavy bleeding
Major injury or trauma
Possible toxin exposure
Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
Bloated or painful abdomen
Difficulty urinating
Pale, blue, or gray gums
Severe allergic reaction or facial swelling
Eye injury or sudden vision change
Heatstroke symptoms
Inability to stand or walk
Sudden severe behavior change

If you are unsure whether your pet needs emergency care, it is safest to call an emergency veterinary hospital for guidance.

Emergency Veterinary Hospitals Near Scottsdale and the Phoenix Area

Please call ahead when possible to confirm availability, wait times, and directions.

MedVet Phoenix

10450 N. 74th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Phone: (623) 255-8904

VCA Animal Referral and Emergency Center of Arizona

1648 N. Country Club Drive
Mesa, AZ 85201
Phone: (480) 898-0001

Thrive Pet HealthCare Specialist North Scottsdale

17470 N. Pacesetter Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Phone: (480) 502-4400

Urgent Care vs. Emergency Care

Not every concern is an emergency, but some symptoms need timely attention. During regular business hours, our team may be able to help with certain urgent concerns on a case-by-case basis.

Urgent concerns may include:

Mild vomiting or diarrhea
Ear infections
Skin infections or hot spots
Minor wounds
Eye redness or discharge
Limping
Appetite changes
Coughing or sneezing
Urinary concerns
Sudden behavior changes

More serious symptoms may require an emergency hospital, especially if your pet needs oxygen support, advanced monitoring, hospitalization, emergency surgery, or immediate critical care.

When to Call Scottsdale Animal Hospital & Phoenix Mobile Veterinarians

If your pet has a concern during regular business hours and you are not sure whether it is urgent or an emergency, you may call our team. We can help determine whether your pet may be appropriate for an appointment with us or whether emergency care is the safer choice.

Scottsdale Animal Hospital & Phoenix Mobile Veterinarians provides routine, preventive, diagnostic, surgical, dental, and select urgent care support for dogs and cats in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Paradise Valley, Fountain Hills, Mesa, Tempe, and surrounding areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Scottsdale Animal Hospital a 24-hour emergency vet?

No. We are not a 24-hour emergency hospital. We may be able to see urgent or emergency concerns on a case-by-case basis during regular business hours, but pets needing immediate or after-hours care should contact an emergency veterinary hospital.

What should I do if my pet is having trouble breathing?

Trouble breathing should be treated as an emergency. Contact an emergency veterinary hospital or go to the nearest emergency veterinary facility right away.

Can a mobile vet come to my home for an emergency?

Mobile vet care is not appropriate for true emergencies. Serious or rapidly worsening symptoms usually require hospital-based emergency care.

Should I call before going to an emergency vet?

If possible, call ahead so the emergency hospital can provide guidance and prepare for your arrival. If your pet is in immediate danger, go directly to the nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

What if I am not sure whether my pet’s symptoms are an emergency?

If you are unsure, call an emergency veterinary hospital or our team during regular business hours. When symptoms are severe or worsening quickly, it is safest to seek emergency care.