Urgent Care

Hands holding a pet paw
When to Come In

Is it an Emergency?
When to Seek Urgent Care 

It is stressful when your pet isn’t feeling well. We help you decide when ‘waiting until tomorrow’ isn’t an option. If your pet is experiencing difficulty breathing, sudden lethargy, persistent vomiting, or has ingested something toxic, they need to be seen immediately. At VivaVets, we provide rapid triage for cats and dogs, ensuring the most critical patients are treated first. If you are unsure, call us at 443-542-2938 for immediate guidance.

Emergency Care: Seek Immediate Help

Includes: Difficulty breathing, sudden lethargy, persistent vomiting, seizures, or collapse.

Urgent Care: Same-Day Attention

Includes: Fever, ear infections, minor wounds, or mild allergic reactions.

Veterinarian holding a dog and cat during examination
What We Treat

Urgent Care Services: What We Treat

Our medical team is equipped to handle a wide range of non-life-threatening emergencies and acute illnesses. Common conditions we treat include.
At VivaVets, our medical team is equipped to manage a broad spectrum of sudden health concerns. We provide a safety net for pet parents when their primary veterinarian is unavailable, offering advanced care for:

  • Sudden Illness & Infections: High fevers, lethargy, persistent coughing, or severe ear and eye infections.
  • Dental & Oral Emergencies: Broken or fractured teeth, sudden facial swelling, bleeding from the mouth, or inability to eat due to oral pain.
  • Digestive & GI Concerns: Frequent vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and dehydration.
  • Injuries & Physical Trauma: Lacerations (cuts), bite wounds, limping, torn nails, or localized swelling.
  • Skin & Allergic Reactions: Sudden rashes, hives, intense itching, or insect stings/allergic swellings.
  • Toxic & Foreign Body Ingestions: Rapid intervention for pets that have eaten harmful foods, plants, or household items.

Located at the former Pet+ER facility, we bridge the gap between your regular vet and an overnight emergency hospital. If your pet is showing any signs of distress, we are here to provide the answers and treatment they need today.

Diagnostics & Imaging

Fast Answers with On-Site X-Ray & Lab Testingt Here

In an urgent situation, you need answers fast. Our facility features advanced veterinary diagnostics, including digital X-rays, ultrasound, and an in-house laboratory. We get results in minutes—not days—so we can start the right treatment immediately. From checking for broken bones to identifying internal infections, our high-tech imaging ensures your pet gets the most accurate care possible.

Clipboard and stethoscope representing patient records
Referral Partnerships

Partnering with Your Family Veterinarian

VivaVets acts as an extension of your primary vet’s office. We partner with local clinics across Columbia and Howard County to provide after-hours support and urgent care overflow. Once your pet is stabilized, we share all medical records and diagnostic images with your regular vet to ensure they stay ‘in the loop’ for your pet’s follow-up care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urgent Care

Yes we are. Please contact us to book now.

A preventive, informational, or meet-and-greet visit. These do not replace a family veterinarian and are not general practice visits.

No. We do not provide full emergency services. For life-threatening issues, clients should go to a 24/7 ER.

No. We collaborate with surrounding DVMs and always send records back after urgent care visits.

Yes — for non-urgent consultations and urgent care.

A non-urgent consultation is a relationship-building, preventive, or informational visit, such as:

  • “Meet the doctor” visit
  • New pet planning
  • Preventive care counseling for new pet parent
  • Discussing chronic conditions for new foster/geriatric pet
  • Second opinions without time pressure for any special surgical/complex dental extractions/others

It does not replace the care provided by your primary veterinarian. We work closely with your primary veterinarian.

Telehealth and after-hours nurse triage will launch shortly after our opening on Dec 1st.