The Veterinary Emergency Service at UF

The veterinary emergency service is available to see any small animal emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. We welcome both referral and walk-in veterinary emergencies of any kind. No appointment is needed for your pet to visit the emergency service – you can show up any time. If either you or your veterinarian would like to discuss your pet’s care with the veterinary emergency team prior to coming in, please call our emergency line (352) 392-2235.

The veterinary emergency service is equipped to deal with any pet emergency from trauma to severe infection. Typical conditions that are seen by the emergency service include:

  • Animals who have been hit by a car
  • Severe bleeding
  • Bloat (GDV)
  • Wounds or lacerations
  • Seizures
  • Toxicities
  • Sepsis
  • Acute kidney disease
  • Fractures
  • Acute vomiting or diarrhea
  • Complications of veterinary medical conditions such as diabetes
  • Paralysis
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Heart failure or severe arrhythmias
  • Abdominal pain

Once your pet is seen by the veterinary emergency service, they will either be treated and sent home if they are recovered or hospitalized and transferred to either the veterinary intensive care unit or the other veterinary specialist services in the hospital such as internal medicine, neurology, cardiology, oncology or surgery depending on their needs.

During your visit to the UF Small Animal Hospital, you will be kept regularly updated as to your pet’s condition and will be closely involved in decision making regarding treatment options. Your primary care veterinarian will also be kept updated on results of testing, progress that your pet is making and the care that will be needed once they leave the hospital.

The veterinary emergency service operates from the Veterinary Emergency and Primary Care entrance located off of Shealy Dr. on the west side of the UF Small Animal Hospital (map).

For more information, see common animal emergencies.

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