24/7 Emergency Veterinary Care in Southeast Michigan
The OVRS Emergency Department Is Ready to Receive Patients at Any Time
When your dog or cat has a serious illness, injury, or sudden change in condition, Oakland Veterinary Referral Services is here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
If you believe your pet is having an emergency, call us on your way or come directly to OVRS.
Is This a Pet Emergency?
Not sure whether your pet needs emergency care? Call OVRS. Our team can help you decide the safest next step.
When Waiting to Come to the ER is the Most Dangerous Choice
What to Do Before You Arrive
If your pet is seriously ill or injured:
- Call OVRS if it is safe to do so while you are on your way.
- Bring any medications your pet takes.
- Bring packaging or photos of anything your pet may have eaten, including medications, toxins, plants, foods, or foreign objects.
- Bring recent medical records or test results if you have them.
- Keep your pet safely confined in a carrier or on a leash.
- Do not give human medications unless a veterinarian specifically tells you to do so.
If your pet is having trouble breathing, collapsing, bleeding severely, or unable to urinate, do not wait to see if symptoms improve.
Emergency Pre-Registration Form
What Happens When You Arrive at the OVRS Emergency Department?
When you arrive, our team will assess your pet as quickly as possible. We take pets with life-threatening symptoms to the treatment area first so we can stabilize them.
A veterinary team member may ask questions about your pet's symptoms, medical history, medications, and what happened before you arrived. Depending on your pet's condition, the emergency team may recommend diagnostics, pain control, oxygen support, IV fluids, medications, hospitalization, surgery consultation, or other urgent care.
Emergency visits can feel overwhelming. We will communicate with you throughout your pet's care and help you understand your pet's condition, treatment options, and next steps.
What Happens in the First 10 Minutes of a Pet Emergency Visit?
Why Some Pets Are Seen First
OVRS uses emergency triage, so pets are evaluated by medical urgency rather than arrival order.
A pet who appears quiet may be critically ill. Another pet may need immediate oxygen, seizure control, CPR, emergency surgery, or stabilization. We understand that waiting is stressful, and our team works to evaluate every patient as quickly and safely as possible.
Emergency and Critical Care at OVRS
OVRS provides advanced emergency and critical care for pets with serious illness, injury, and life-threatening conditions.
OVRS is a VECCS Level 1 Critical Care Center and a member of the Veterinary Committee on Trauma, reflecting our commitment to advanced emergency and critical care. VECCS Level 1 Accreditation assures you that your pet will have a high-quality experience and receive the best care available. Our dedicated emergency clinicians and board-certified criticalists aren’t just veterinarians. They have focused their careers on emergency and critical care.
If your pet is admitted to our Intensive Care Unit (ICU), learn more from our ICU pamphlet.
Treatment Plans, Costs, and Communication
We understand that emergency veterinary care can be unexpected and stressful. After we evaluate your pet, our team will discuss recommended diagnostics and treatment options and provide a treatment estimate whenever possible.
Emergency estimates may change if your pet’s condition changes, if test results reveal a more serious problem, or if additional care is needed. We will communicate with you throughout the process so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s care.
Understanding Veterinary Treatment Estimates
Payment Options
We Work With Your Family Veterinarian
OVRS provides emergency and specialty care when pets need advanced support. We do not replace your family veterinarian.
After your pet's emergency visit, we communicate with your primary veterinarian, so they have information about your pet's diagnosis, treatment, and recommended follow-up care.
