Worried About Your Pet? We’re Here to Help.
Call your nearest open EVCC and tell us what’s happening. If your pet has trouble breathing, collapses, or has another life-threatening emergency, seek care immediately.
When Your Pet Needs Help,
Know Where to Turn
Emergency Veterinary Care Centers (EVCC) provides vet emergency and critical care for dogs and cats across northern Indiana and Michigan, with 24/7 care at our Highland, Westville, Mishawaka, and Holland animal hospitals. Our Kalamazoo and Saginaw teams welcome patients during scheduled hours.
When your pet suddenly becomes ill or gets hurt, it can be hard to know what to do next. Our emergency veterinarians will evaluate your pet, explain what we find, and talk through the next steps with you. You don’t need an appointment, and you don’t need to know what’s wrong before reaching out.
Call your nearest open EVCC if you can, so we can prepare for your arrival.
When Does My Pet Need an Emergency Veterinarian?
Difficulty breathing, collapse, serious injuries, suspected poisoning, and an inability to urinate need immediate veterinary attention. Other symptoms can be harder to judge. If something seems wrong and you’re unsure whether it can wait, call us for guidance.
Seek emergency care for:
- Breathing problems: Labored breathing, choking, or struggling to get air.
- Collapse or seizures: Loss of consciousness, sudden inability to stand, or an active seizure.
- Injuries or bleeding: A car accident, deep wound, suspected broken bone, or uncontrolled bleeding.
- Possible poisoning or swallowed objects: Exposure to toxic foods, plants, chemicals, medications, or a foreign object.
- Urinary problems: Straining to urinate or producing little to no urine, especially in male cats.
- Abdominal distress: A swollen abdomen, severe pain, or repeated attempts to vomit without bringing anything up.
- Other concerning symptoms: Repeated vomiting or diarrhea, heat-related illness, eye injuries, or difficulty giving birth.
Some emergencies worsen quickly, even when the first signs seem mild. Contact an emergency veterinarian promptly rather than waiting for symptoms to become more severe.
What Happens During My Pet’s Emergency Visit?
Our team checks your pet’s condition when you arrive to determine how urgently they need care. Pets with life-threatening conditions receive attention first, regardless of arrival order.
Here’s what you can expect:
First, we check your pet’s immediate needs. We assess your pet’s stability and address immediate threats to their health. If you notice any changes while you wait, tell us right away.
Next, we find out what’s wrong. An emergency veterinarian examines your pet and recommends any needed tests. We explain what we’re checking for and what the results tell us.
We then make a plan together. We discuss our findings, treatment recommendations, and associated costs with you. Your pet may need treatment followed by recovery at home, surgery, or a hospital stay.
How Does EVCC Treat Pet Emergencies?
Our emergency veterinarians and technicians treat sudden illnesses, injuries, and serious conditions that need close monitoring. We tailor treatment to what your pet needs and adjust the plan as their condition changes. Care may include:
Emergency care addresses an immediate health concern. Critical care provides ongoing treatment and close monitoring when a pet’s condition remains serious or unstable.
What Happens After My Pet’s Emergency Treatment?
Your pet may return home with care instructions or stay in the hospital for further treatment and monitoring. We’ll explain our recommendation and what the next stage of care involves.
Before your pet goes home, we review their care instructions, follow-up needs, and signs that mean you should call or return. We also share visit information and diagnostic results with your primary veterinarian so they can continue supporting your pet’s recovery.
Why Choose EVCC for Emergency Care?
24/7/365 Availability
Emergencies can happen any time, and we’re here whenever they do. Day or night, holidays or weekends, your pet will never go without care.
Dedicated, Compassionate Team
Our team is made up of skilled emergency veterinarians and technicians who focus exclusively on emergency and critical care, ensuring your pet receives prompt attention in a compassionate environment.
Your pet will be constantly monitored by licensed veterinarians throughout their stay, ensuring round-the-clock care and attention.
Locally Operated, Personalized Care
We make decisions based on the needs of your pet instead of following a one-size-fits-all corporate policy. We also offer various financing options to help make emergency care more manageable.
Enjoy peace of mind knowing your pet’s care is coming from a trusted team in your local area.
Primary veterinarians can confidently refer pets knowing they’ll receive dedicated and specialized treatment from our emergency-focused team.
Find Your Closest EVCC
If your pet seems unwell or something just doesn’t feel right, call your nearest open EVCC. Tell us what you’re noticing, and we’ll help you take the next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Emergency Veterinary Care
No. You can bring your dog or cat to an open EVCC hospital for urgent or emergency care without an appointment or referral. Call ahead if you can so we can prepare, but don’t delay seeking care for a life-threatening emergency.
Yes. Use the “Get in Line” option on your EVCC location’s page to send us your pet’s information before arriving. Stable patients may be able to wait at home and receive text updates. This option does not guarantee an appointment time; if your pet needs immediate care, come to your nearest open hospital right away.
Pets with the most serious conditions need care first, even if they arrive after you. We know waiting is difficult when you’re worried about your pet. Tell our team immediately if you notice new or worsening symptoms so we can reassess their needs.
Yes. EVCC accepts CareCredit and offers VetBilling as another payment option. Approval, down payments, fees, and other terms may apply. Our team can help you find information, and you can explore the options on our financing page.
Bring available medical records, a current medication list, and your primary veterinarian’s contact information. If your pet may have swallowed something toxic, bring the packaging or a photo if it’s handy. Getting your pet care comes first, so don’t delay your trip to gather these items.
We provide urgent, emergency, and critical care for dogs and cats. For wellness exams, vaccinations, grooming, and boarding, please contact your regular provider. If you need help finding care for another species, call us for information about local veterinary resources.