Urgent & Emergency Veterinary Care

Getting Help During Clinic Hours

During regular business hours, Avenue Veterinary Clinic can evaluate urgent medical concerns and help determine the best course of care for your pet. If your dog or cat is sick, injured, or showing sudden changes in behavior, please contact our clinic as soon as possible so we can assess the situation and advise you appropriately.

Getting Help After Clinic Hours

Outside of our clinic hours, we offer the following Emergency Phone Consultation Hours for current and previous clients:

      • Monday – Friday: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
      • Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
      • Closed Holidays

Some cases can be treated in-clinic, while others may require referral to a 24/7 emergency facility for advanced monitoring or overnight care.

If your pet needs urgent help outside of our business hours, we strongly recommend contacting a dedicated emergency veterinary hospital.

When Should You Seek Urgent or Emergency Care?

Not every concern requires an emergency visit — but some symptoms should never wait. Pet owners should seek pet emergency care or an urgent care vet if their pet is experiencing:

  • Difficulty breathing or choking
  • Collapse, seizures, or loss of consciousness
  • Hit-by-car injuries or major trauma
  • Severe bleeding or deep wounds
  • Sudden bloating or unproductive retching
  • Ingestion of toxins, medications, or foreign objects
  • Severe vomiting or diarrhea, especially with lethargy
  • Trouble urinating or signs of extreme pain

If you’re unsure whether a situation is urgent, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional guidance.

Tips for Handling a Pet Emergency

Emergencies are stressful, but a few steps can help keep both you and your pet safer:

  • Stay calm and keep your pet as still as possible
  • Use a towel or blanket to gently restrain injured pets
  • Avoid giving food, water, or medications unless directed
  • Call ahead when possible so the veterinary team can prepare
  • Transport pets carefully, supporting the head and spine if injured

Quick action paired with professional care can significantly improve outcomes in emergencies.

Urgent & Emergency Care at Avenue Veterinary Clinic

During business hours, Avenue Veterinary Clinic provides pet urgent care for non-life-threatening conditions that still require prompt medical attention. Our veterinary team is equipped to assess sudden illnesses and injuries, perform diagnostics, and begin treatment when appropriate.

Common urgent and emergency-related services during clinic hours may include:

  • Physical exams for sudden illness or injury
  • In-house laboratory testing
  • Digital X-rays and ultrasound
  • Pain management and stabilization
  • Wound care and minor procedures

For cases requiring intensive monitoring, overnight hospitalization, or specialty intervention, we coordinate timely referrals to emergency hospitals to ensure continuity of care.

After-Hours Emergency Veterinary Resources

If your pet needs care outside of Avenue Veterinary Clinic’s regular hours, please contact one of the following trusted emergency veterinary providers. These facilities offer 24/7 or extended-hour services and are equipped to manage critical cases.

BluePearl Pet Hospital – Emergency & Specialty Center

Phone: (319) 841-5161
Address: 755 Capital Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Website: https://bluepearlvet.com/hospital/cedar-rapids-ia/
Hours:

  • Monday: 7 AM – 12 AM
  • Tuesday – Sunday: 24 hours

Iowa State University – Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center

(Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital)
Phone: (515) 294-4900
Address: 1809 S Riverside Drive, Ames, IA 50011
Website: https://vetmed.iastate.edu/vmc/small-animal/emergency-services
Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Den Herder Veterinary Hospital – Urgent Care

Phone: (319) 232-5292
Address: 4041 Hurst Drive, Waterloo, IA 50701
Website: https://www.denherdervet.com/service/urgent-care/
Hours:

  • Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Supporting Pet Owners When It Matters Most

While Avenue Veterinary Clinic is not a 24/7 emergency hospital, our team is dedicated to helping pet owners make informed decisions during urgent situations. By providing clear guidance during business hours and trusted resources for after-hours care, we aim to ensure pets receive timely, appropriate treatment when it matters most.

For those seeking emergency vets in Waverly, IA, or guidance on pet urgent care, this page is here to help you navigate those critical moments with confidence and support.