We receive a lot of questions from concerned pet parents, and we’re more than happy to answer them.
To help, we’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions, eliminating uncertainty and granting you peace of mind.
General
Our Highland, Westville, Mishawaka, and Holland hospitals are open 24/7, 365 days a year, including weekends and holidays.
Our Kalamazoo hospital is currently open continuously from Fridays at 7 AM through Tuesdays at 7 PM, with our #1 priority being expansion to full 24/7, year-round care.
Hours of operation for our upcoming Saginaw hospital will be announced soon—stay tuned!
No appointment is required for emergency or urgent care cases—please come to us immediately and call ahead if you’re able. Calling in advance allows our team to prepare for your pet’s specific emergency. Like a human ER, we triage all patients, meaning pets with the most life-threatening conditions are seen first.
For added convenience, we ask that you use our “Get in Line” option on each location’s webpage. This allows you to submit your pet’s information ahead of time for a faster check-in and gives non-critical patients the option to wait at home and receive a text message when it’s nearly their turn to be seen.
To get in line from home, simply find your nearest EVCC location and navigate to your location’s page.
When you arrive at one of our hospitals...
- We’ll quickly check your cat or dog to determine their stability.
- We’ll ask about their medical history and any current issues.
- One of our experienced emergency veterinarians will perform a full exam.
- After the exam, we’ll talk with you about the best treatment plan and any recommended tests.
- We’ll do our best to work within the budget you’ve set for your pet’s care.
Because we are an emergency-only hospital, we treat pets based on how urgent their needs are. During peak hours, if your pet is stable, our team may discuss the option of waiting at home or in our lobby, based on what’s most comfortable for you and your pet.
As an emergency and critical care–only hospital, wait times can be difficult to predict. Every pet is triaged upon arrival and seen based on the severity of their condition. With the continued increase in pet ownership and a nationwide shortage of veterinarians, our teams are working diligently to care for each patient as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Our “Get in Line” feature allows non-critical patients to wait comfortably at home and receive a text message when it’s close to their turn to be seen. You can get in line from home by visiting the webpage for your nearest EVCC hospital.
We understand that life is busy and pet emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. However, we ask that you stick around until one of our veterinarians has had the opportunity to examine your pet and discuss treatment options with you.
While we work closely with your primary care veterinarian to provide the best care for your pet, we do not have direct access to their medical records. If possible, please bring any available information related to your pet’s current condition and medications with you.
Because we are open when most primary care offices are closed, we respect their time off and do not contact them after hours. A detailed summary of your pet’s visit will be emailed to your primary care veterinarian in a timely manner.
EVCC does not currently accept donations of food, blankets, or other items. However, we highly encourage you to consider donating these essential items to local animal shelters or any of the following locations:
Michiana Humane Society
722 IN 212
Michigan City, IN 46360
michianapets.org
219.872.4499
Humane Indiana
421 45th St.
Munster Indiana 46321
humaneindiana.org
219.922.3811
The Jane Bernard Animal Adoption Center
2855 IN-2
La Porte, IN 46350
laporteco.in.gov/departments-online/animal-shelter/
219.326.1637
Humane Society of St. Joseph County
2506 Grape Rd
Mishawaka, IN 46545
humanesocietystjc.org
574.255.4726
SPCA of Southwest Michigan
6955 W KL Ave
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
spcaswmich.org
269.344.1474
Harbor Humane Society
14345 Bagley St
West Olive, MI 49460
harborhumane.org
616.399.2119
Al-Van Humane Society
07591 Blue Star Hwy #9769
South Haven, MI 49090
al-van.org
269.637.5062
Please contact your local DNR office or Animal Control to retrieve any wildlife. If it's during the weekend when those offices are closed, you can contact your local police department's non-emergency line to assist.
We can scan for a microchip in any stray dog or cat to help find an owner's contact information. Unfortunately, we cannot assist with holding or housing the stray.
Financial
We accept the following forms of payment:
- Cash
- Check (with a valid driver’s license or state ID)
- MasterCard
- Visa
- Discover
- CareCredit
Please note that we do not currently accept American Express.
Typically, payment is required at the time of service. However, for clients who qualify, we offer third-party financing through CareCredit. If CareCredit is not an option, VetBilling is available with a 30% down payment.
To learn more about our financing options, click here.
Services
If you’re ever concerned about your pet’s symptoms, please call us right away—we’re happy to discuss their condition and advise if you need to come in.
The following signs may indicate a serious health issue and require immediate attention:
Life-threatening or Urgent Symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing or not breathing
- No pulse/heartbeat
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures (current or recent)
- Hit by a car, even without obvious injuries
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones
- Large wounds
- Object stuck in throat
- Straining or unable to urinate (especially in male cats)
Vomiting, Diarrhea, or Bleeding:
- Repeated vomiting or diarrhea
- Blood in urine, stool, or vomit
- Bleeding from eyes, nose, or mouth
Ingestion of Toxins:
- Antifreeze, rat poison, or other medications not prescribed for your pet
- Household cleaners, toxic foods, or poisonous plants (including lilies for cats)
Signs of Severe Pain or Distress:
- Excessive whining, meowing, shaking, hiding, or unusual aggression
- Unusual clinginess or seeking extra affection
- Difficulty standing, walking, or maintaining balance
- Disorientation, bumping into objects
- Eye injury or sudden vision loss
- Swollen, hard abdomen
- Gagging, heaving, or attempting to vomit
Heat Stroke Symptoms:
- Excessive panting or increased heart rate
- Staggering, dizziness, weakness
- High rectal temperature
- Bright red tongue or red/pale gums
- Vomiting or diarrhea, sometimes with blood
Other Emergencies:
- 3–4-hour delay between delivering newborn puppies or kittens
- Any other symptom that worries you or seems life-threatening
To learn more about common pet emergencies, visit our blog.
Since we are emergency and critical care–only hospitals, we are equipped to provide the following services:
- 24/7 emergency care for life-threatening or urgent conditions
- In-house diagnostics, including bloodwork, imaging, and lab testing
- Surgery for emergencies and urgent procedures
- Overnight hospitalization and intensive monitoring
- Pain management, such as laser therapy, and supportive care
- Treatment for toxin ingestion, trauma, and other emergencies
- Humane euthanasia services
EVCC provides urgent, critical, and emergency care only for dogs and cats. We do not offer routine health care services such as vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures, annual physicals, wellness care, grooming, or boarding.
While we only treat dogs and cats, you are welcome to call any of our hospitals to get a list of local exotic vets.
Questions About Your Pet's Condition? Call Us Now!
If you ever notice unusual symptoms or changes in your pet’s behavior, don’t wait—please call your nearest EVCC right away. We’re happy to discuss your pet’s condition, answer any questions, and guide you on whether a visit is necessary.
Your pet’s health and your peace of mind are our top priorities!