I would 100% recomend going here for any emergency since they are guranteed to be open all the time. Despite them being in Larkspur and having to drive 33 minutes to get there, it was very worth it because once we got there, they already had 3 people there ready for us. We brought in 4 guinea pigs, 3 babies and one mom. Most of the staff said they had never seen baby guinea pigs before even though they knew exactly what to do and how to handle them. They were so sweet and caring and now the rest of the guinea pigs are doing very well thanks to their advice. read more

I took my grandfather's 15-year-old lab Carly in because she could no longer walk and had appeared to have a seizure. The people working in the clinic were very compassionate and helpful. They did everything to keep Carly comfortable and were very caring of both the dog and me. I knew before getting there that I was probably not going to be bringing the dog back to my grandfather. The calm atmosphere and kind people made all the difference in a difficult situation. I would highly recommend them. Thank you to all of the staff. I will never forget your kindness. read more

I hope you don't find yourself needing an emergency vet, but if you do, this is the place. I called and was being seen within 30 minutes. Most of this was the time it took me to drive there. You stay with your pet the entire time, no waiting anxiously in the waiting room. The staff could not have been any better. I think every employee stopped to love on my dog, some even sitting on the floor with her. Dr. Kim was very kind and reassuring, also got down on the ground with my dog. The staff made sure I (on the verge of tears) was okay. There was another woman named Kim, I'm not sure what her title was but she was sensational. I have nothing but a million thank yous to all the staff here and I kindly hope we won't be back. :) Hazelnut thanks you too!! read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

I don't do a lot of Yelp reviews, because I am not typically blown away by most businesses. But Veterinary Emergency Group has saved my dogs life TWICE in the past year and a half. Literally, saved her life! Both times my husband and I have felt like we have encountered nothing but compassion and competence when we walked in to VEG, once in the middle of the night and most recently at 6 am after our 150 lb St. Bernard had been pacing and panting and vomiting all night. Both times our dog was seen at VEG, she was pretty quickly diagnosed with kind of off beat, uncommon things (Addisons disease, which is pretty rare in dogs and is very often mis-diagnosed and can quickly become fatal, and in yesterdays case, we thought she had an intestinal or stomach blockage but she was quickly and accurately diagnosed as having bladder stones that were completely blocking her urinary track so she was unable to urinate and her bladder could have burst, which would have been fatal.) Both times we were at VEG we were allowed to stay with our pet in a private room while she was being treated, or stand next to her on the operating table, which not only is a huge comfort to your pet, it shows me that they are completely transparent in what they are doing to your pet - no 'backroom' treatments where your pet is traumatized. I am shocked at the few negative reviews of this place, and wanted say we were treated as if our dog was THE most important thing from the minute we walked in until the minute we left, by the sweet and kind receptionist, to the techs and doctors, we felt as if they were always doing everything in their power for a good outcome. They co-ordinated follow up treatment with our regular vets office, and emailed and faxed over all their records not only to us but to our regular Vet without being asked. Special shout out to Dr. Funkhouser and the senior woman vet who was also on call yesterday (so sorry we forgot her name!) as well as the sweet receptionist who made sure we had a comfortable, private room. Our dog is so big and was obviously in pain so it was so nice after being up all night with her to be able to lay next to her while she had an IV and was being prepped for surgery. I would highly, highly recommend VEG to anyone who needs emergency Vet care. For anyone who thinks the prices are high, I would counter that by saying VEG remains open 24/7, which includes Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, Fourth of July, etc., around the clock, with a full staff and state-of-the art equipment along with their well trained Doctors and technicians. That is a huge overhead expense people!! Hopefully you will never need truly emergency, life saving, after hours Vet care, but if you do, this is the place to go, and it is hard to put a price on your pets life. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Callie at home, one day post-op, feeling much better. Thank you, VEG, for saving her life a second time! - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

Took my dog here in an emergency because these folks had tabled at She Fest I believe, and I had their magnet on my fridge. I didn't realize they are a revolutionary emergency vet where you NEVER have to be separated from your animal. Never. I was able to stay with him the entire 2 days we were in there, even helping to hold him during his ultrasound. Everyone was kind and professional and knowledgeable. The nausea medication they prescribed worked a lot better than other stuff we had tried before. Ultimately my dog made a miraculous recovery, and these folks were a big part of that. Having a pet emergency is horrible but this place was so great. read more

I just wanted to give a huge shout out to the VEG team who took care of my silly, sweet, and snippy pup, Knox! To Dr. Mortimer, Clara, Imani and others whom I forgotten, we are very appreciative of your care for the past 3 days. You answered all our questions oh so patiently, offered different options, and considered the best treatment plan that made our pockets less heavy! You were very empathetic towards us and was truly patient with Knox. From a health care provider myself, I can feel the sincerity in the care you've provided to my pup. Hands down, the best emergency clinic in San Diego. Thank you so much! - Knox #ItsAHardKnoxLife read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Knox - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

Could not have asked for a better emergency hospital. The staff was knowledgeable, professional, caring and they did everything possible to save our dog. read more

Dr. Cain is amazing, I'm so beyond grateful to have called VEG today and to have brought my sweet baby Halo to Dr. Cain. She is so kind, attentive, thorough, she really listens, takes her time explaining and answers any and all questions. It really was a unique experience at a Vet. The Vet techs were also all So sweet and kind and did such a great job. Thank you for seeing us today and for taking such good care of Halo, i left with peace of mind. Thank you thank you! read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

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First visit at VEG and luckily left in the clear! From my initial phone call to the front desk after 10 PM to the vet technician when I arrived, these people put this anxiety ridden dog mom at ease. Thank you VEG, appreciate you! read more

If I could give 10 stars I would. This was the best ER vet experience I have had. I called first to ask about coming in after our sweet boy injured his paw playing some late night fetch & we couldn't stop the bleeding. I was immediately sent a text that allowed me to check in on the way to the vet which saved time & no paperwork was needed once we arrived. We were seen right away by Dr. Butler and allowed to wait with him in the treatment area despite the staff attending to other animals. The plan of care was explained and a text was sent with the cost breakdown. Before anything was done I was asked if I was ok with the cost (which I appreciate) & I was able to pay for the services right away on my phone! The tech's Nate, Shailene & Amber were incredible. They allowed us to help hold him while he got mild sedation & explained everything they were doing. Shailene noticed his attachment to his orange chuck it ball & she made one to decorate his bandage . The prices were more than fair especially for the exceptional care we received. Don't hesitate, bring your pet here if you have a concern! We are lucky to have such awesome humans caring for our fur babies! read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Our 22 year old Yellow Nape Parrot was lethargic one morning, then on the bottom of the cage. Finding an Avian Vet is difficult in the best of times. On calling this group, they gave me references for other avian specialists, but NONE were available on a Friday afternoon. Warning me that they might have to refer him out after emergency treatments, we took off and by the time we got there our beloved Julio was not breathing, nor had a heartbeat. They performed CPR, intubated him, and brought him back. We ordered testing after extensive questioning and while he was in the incubator found out that he had a terminal medical issue, that with a transfusion would only minimally prolong his life - with suffering. He was, is, my son's service animal and his best friend. He agreed with the doctor that euthanizing was the best route as he stated "I don't want him to suffer". They gave us a private room to be with him, for as long as we wanted. The bird had revived enough to be responsive to my son, and this was filling an incredible need. After spending time with Julio, we were gently consulted as to the next steps, and my son, even with his intellectual disabilities, was able to understand as the staff were empathic, caring, and even crying as well. I am retired from the fire service and have been on many final calls. I couldn't have asked for a better EMS response, communications thru out the procedures, and above all EMPATHY and caring. I have also been privy to the cost of EMS care and yes, this cost money, but I believe that the services received were of value, fair, and not out of line. read more

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When my Vet was away on vacation, my dog decided that would be a great time to require emergency care. Everyone was so friendly and I felt calm as did my dogs (I had to bring her brother for support). Dr. Barker was patient in making sure Luna was calm and felt comfortable with her prior to being examined. She explained each step of the process (options, treatment protocols etc) so clearly and answered all of my questions. If your pet is in need of help, I highly recommend bringing them here!!! read more

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The open and welcoming atmosphere is amazing. Pet owner is welcomed to escort his pet to the examination area, and is not left in the dark in some gigantic lobby. I brought my distressed bird and we received an incredible warm and caring service. Kindness from all staff was constant. I recommend this place 100%. You and your pet will be tended to with compassion and knowledge. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - My birdie is not well - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

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We've been to this veterinary emergency care clinic twice now. It is an awesome service for our dog! The first time we used this service was when our dog was three years old. He stepped on a bee and got a stinger in his paw. We called ahead, and they knew him by name as soon as we arrived. The technician was excellent handling our dog, who is very skittish. The vet technician was very kind, caring, and effective. Dr. Cruz skillfully removed the bee stinger and gave him a shot of Benadryl just in case he was allergic. Then they sent us home with instructions for any further care that he might need. He recovered 100% from that incident. We were very impressed with their care, knowledge, skill, customer service, and efficiency. We just went back recently (two years later), because our dog would not bear weight on his left hind leg after playing at the dog park. We did not know what was wrong, but he was still unable to go for walks after resting him for three days so we took him to VEG to get checked out. We called ahead, and again they greeted us at the door, knowing our dog by name. The technician was someone different this time, but equally compassionate, gentle, and thorough. We were seen by Dr. Solomon, as well as Dr. Cruz, who both agreed that he had mild sprain of his knee. The exam they conducted was thorough and very impressive. They checked all the structures of his leg to figure out what the problem was. It is very clear that they know what they are doing. Our dog was scared at first since he is skittish, but they handled him so well that he actually allowed Dr. Solomon to pet him after his exam. They gave us instructions for his care, as well as medications to give him. My wife had so many questions but Dr. Solomon was very patient, answering all of our questions thoroughly. My wife thought of more questions right as we were leaving the clinic, and Dr. Solomon even came out to answer more questions in the lobby before we left. Dr. Cruz suggested to get a snuffle mat to keep our dog entertained while he was on activity restriction, which turned out to be an excellent suggestion. We did order one online and that kept our dog occupied while he was still unable to go on walks. Throughout the visit, both Dr. Cruz and Dr. Solomon listened well to my wife's questions and concerns. They both responded with compassion, reassuring my wife and easing her anxiety about the whole situation. We followed their treatment plan 100% and one week later it seems like he's all better. We will definitely be going back to VEG for any future emergencies. As first time dog owners, this clinic has been instrumental in helping our family handle these unexpected emergencies. We are thrilled that this clinic is in our city of Encinitas as the service and care they offer is a huge blessing to our community! These doctors are well trained, they are thorough, and knowledgeable. Their staff is excellent. Most highly recommend this clinic for any veterinary emergency. A+ read more

Everyone at this facility is amazing! We ended up having to put our beloved dog, Anna, down, but I know that she had great care from kind and knowledgeable people. I hope to never need an emergency vet again, but if I do, I am coming back. I highly recommend! read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

It was nearly 3am on 12/27/23 when our dog began acting extremely erratic, unable to sit still, couldn't sleep , and kept pacing in circles and unable to keep his eyes, or his head still. We live in SD but were vacationing in Oceanside and were unfamiliar with the area. Panicked, in tears, and about 45 mins away from our home, we looked up emergency vets. My partner and I always hate going to ERs for our pets as they always have terrible reviews, and our experiences in the past weren't great either. I had never heard of VEG before, but after looking at reviews and going through their ethos , I decided this was the best bet for our little man. We took the little less than 20 min drive to the Encinitas location and were buzzed in, immediately escorted to a table and had an intake. Our previous experience with ERs has been "money first", but here; it was not the case at all. Once evaluated by a very sweet tech (apologies I cannot remember her name) we were met by Dr. Cain (only reason I remembered her name was because it was on the receipt). She listened well, evaluated our little Milo with us, and took us to a private room to see exactly how he was pacing. We stayed with him the entire time. Once she had done a full eval she discussed with us what she was thought was the issue, and a treatment plan. It was believed he suffered from "old dog vestibular disease", and that he was going to be okay. We went over cost, which I was terrified of seeing from my previous experiences. I thought at first it was 4k due to lack of sleep and stress, but realized it was just over $400. Which for an ER visit at 3am, fluids, and 3 different meds, was not bad at all. They gave him a dose pain killers to give the poor old guy some rest, fluids, and some medication to administer at home. While we sat and waited for him to finish his fluids, I was looking around the place and noticed how clean and together it all was. It was airy, and I saw another girl take a large lab out for an evening walk who looked like he just had surgery. She was gentle with him and kind. At this point it was nearly 5am and my partner and I both were running on no sleep for over 24hrs. I went out into the entrance and got some coffee and snacks. This may seem menial in the grand scheme of things, but there's something to be said for being in an extremely stressful situation, and having access to high quality snacks and drinks for free. The coffee machine made everything from coffee to mochas, and they had an array of name brand snacks and water available. Which at 5am with no sleep, was very welcomed. Once everything was done then and only then did we finally pay. We brought Milo to our vet the next day to follow up and he was already making a recovery. We've since gone to a neurologist who said that the notes from VEG were very well documented and extremely helpful. She concluded however, due to Milos history, that this was a stroke caused by seizures he's been experiencing that we weren't aware were seizures but misdiagnosed as something else for a few years. All that being said, VEG treated correctly, and made a viable conclusion given what information they had access to. My partner and I are extremely grateful for having found VEG. We both agreed if he has another emergency, unless it's one we can't take a drive for, we will take him there regardless of the distance. Every ER should be like VEG. We were treated promptly, with great care, and the last concern was the money. They cared about our pup more than anything else , and were extremely kind to us given we were sleep deprived and afraid we might lose our little man. I cannot recommend them enough and I've already told all my family that if there's an emergency with their pet they need to nowhere else but VEG. I hope they never change. I can't thank Dr. Cain and the team that night enough. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Home and healthy after his terrible evening. Thank you VEG and team! - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

I took my dog Dante to the location in Anaheim. Words cannot express how grateful I am to them for saving my dogs life. I was allowed to be by Dante's side every step of the way while they worked on him. I can see how compassionate everyone is when it comes to what me and my dog was going through. They even did their best to keep my costs down, which I am grateful for. Dante is alive and thriving today thanks to their hard work and compassion. I plan to always take my animals here when needed. Thank you for everything. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Amazing experience with our sweet cat Jewel. It is so stressful when our fur babies are sick and everyone was so kind and welcoming. We were seen right away and Dr Butler was so professional and compassionate. I cannot recommend them or thank them enough. Test results even came back on the same day so that meds were started the same night. Thank you!!! read more

Wow what a great experience last night. Out three pups ate an entire box of dark chocolates while I was out of the house. Called VEG and they got me directions to them and was able to check my dogs in on the phone on the way there. We got there, and they were ready for our dogs. Extremely friendly, welcoming and took care of our dogs in a very caring way. Overall great experience. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - My dog was not to happy to be at the vet. - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

I recently brought my doggie in for an emergency evaluation. It turned out that she had cancer and there wasn't much that could be done. It was sad and unexpected. Dr. Cruz and the staff members were wonderful. Dr. Cruz explained what she was going to do, our options, and was so kind and helpful throughout the visit. I highly recommend VEG. read more

The VEG team was absolutely outstanding. From my first call -- in which I got to immediately speak to a vet -- through the entire experience, I was very impressed with the professionalism of this hospital/ER. I love the open concept model and the fact I got to stay with my cat through the treatment. The facility is really nice, and the techs and doctors who helped us were incredibly knowledgeable, caring and capable. They fit us in really quickly and wasted no time working to diagnose and treat my elderly cat. Everyone we came in contact with was a true professional and it was obvious to me my cat was in great hands. Indeed, that I was in great hands. I just wish the cost of care was more affordable. I felt despondent because I could not afford the highest level of care recommended. (And I was left wondering how do people do when their pets get really sick!?) But the team worked with me to reach a compromise that helped me feel I was still helping my cat get better. I'm nervous about not being able to do what doctors advised me to do, and hopeful my cat will make it through this infection without needing to be admitted. We are not out of the weeds yet, but I'd definitely take my cat back to VEG because I know she will get the best care there. If money is no concern, this is the most amazing vet any pet lover can ask for! read more

Great experience from start to finish. Loving and caring staff who genuinely care about your pet. Our dog, Ozzy, was given so much love. I really appreciated their transparency when discussing care options. The great thing about VEG is that you can stay with your animal the entire time through care. This place came recommended and I'm so happy with our experience. They made drinks for the staff and shared with the pet owners. We happened to come on VEG Cares day, which basically means that VEG donates all revenue to assist owners who might not be able to afford vet care. The founder was present and is also extremely kind. Seems like genuine care is a standard here. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

Took our senior cat in over the holiday weekend when she took a hard fall. There were only 2 available open clinics and the closest one to me had a 7 hour wait so we headed to VEG in Encinitas. They were so busy and still managed to fit our Ruby in and take good care of her. They have an open workspace and you talk with several different people doing a variety of things and each person was awesome. They hustle and they do so with a great caring attitude. Her humerus bone was indeed broken. They don't do surgeries there, but they bandaged her up tightly and even helped us find a surgeon the next day via phone/ text. The only con is that it does cost a small fortune, but on a holiday weekend at midnight I can say that we are more than thankful that they're around. They're quality people and I felt like we received the service we paid for. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

Staff was so loving, wonderful & efficient! Everyone seemed to genuinely care. In case of an emergency, I would definitely return. read more

They saved my dogs life, I don't know where we would be without the team at VEG. Thanks guys!

Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) in Encinitas is AMAZING!! Just about two hours ago, I was walking my 15-year-old dog when suddenly he began limping and lifted his front paw. I picked him up and didn't feel anything that could be bothering him, put him back down but his paw was still raised. I thought perhaps it was a joint dislocation or something. I carried him home, got in the car and since it was after-hours, I knew I needed to go to a 24-hour vet hospital. I recall previously seeing the large Veterinary Emergency Group sign while driving on El Camino Real (north of Encinitas Blvd) so had Siri call and a super nice girl answered the phone. I told her I was in route and within 30 seconds, I received a text intake form (forwarded the text to my wife to fill out while I was driving). I arrive and they already knew who we were from the intake form, instantly brought us to the next room. This is one of the many things that makes this place so unique. They don't take your pet and disappear to be evaluated/treated (which is stressful for both you and your pet). Everything happens in one large room. All the emergency vets, techs, monitors, etc. are in this room...and you get to stay with your pet the whole time. There was ZERO waiting (perhaps this is unusual and they happened to have a lull in the action). My dog was attended to immediately...they have it down to a system. Within five minutes of arriving, Nathaniel (I believe a tech) was observing/assessing my dog and recognized it was a bee sting...and within seconds pulled the stinger out of his paw. I have no idea how he saw the tiny stinger so quickly and got it out (experience!). He reported his findings/action to the doctor (Dr. Campbell) who then listened to his heart, checked the color of his gums and asked me a bunch of questions (has he vomited, etc.) to make sure there were no effects of the sting. Dr. Campbell spoke to me about what they recommend (blood pressure check, shot of Benadryl, etc.) which I agreed to. I could tell that everyone who works there really cares about their patients. Another tech who was holding my dog during the blood pressure check was comforting him, rubbing him, etc..they are all so personal and caring. Within 30 minutes, I walked out with discharge instructions and a very happy dog. I'm sure there are times when they're very busy and the experience isn't perfect but the quality of care and efficiency was the best I've ever had...anywhere. As for the bill, I felt it was reasonable with the understanding that I expect a 24-hour emergency facility to be more expensive then taking him to my regular vet via a scheduled appointment. I would absolutely return to Veterinary Emergency Group should emergency care ever be needed again. Thank you Nathaniel, Dr. Campbell and the rest of the team! read more

Just got back from VEG. Our puppy had an allergic reaction. They did partial check just to get him in the system. Then sent me a link to complete. They took us back before I did the rest of the check in. They were busy but also had enough staff that my puppy was quickly seen and taken care of. They gave him and shot and we had to wait to make sure it worked. While waiting I observed staff (admin, techs and vets) with people and their pets. Such care and compassion shown. I hope ER vet services aren't needed but if they are I highly recommend them. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Back home resting. Thanks to VEG. - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

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We arrived early am after a phone call. Very professional assistants and doctors. The place was welcoming and the pets all liked the people. Good care and diagnosis. Fair prices Quick results read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - The medical room - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

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Crazy busy day at this veterinarian clinic. I was worried about my cat. He was acting strangely, and they told me to come in even though they were super busy they would see him. Immediately, upon arrival, one of the technicians took all of his vitals and put me in a room to wait to see the doctor. It was such a relief to hear that he didn't have anything life-threatening going on and since they were so busy, I decided to leave and see my regular vet this week . I wanted to shout out to them for their professionalism and compassion in helping me to establish that my cats vital signs were normal, and he was not in any major danger. Good to have such a wonderful resource nearby. read more

I brought my 15yr old, quirky ol man in... cat. He was bleeding from the mouth. Didn't know why. The hardest decision was made to let him go. He's a high anxiety little guy and the stress, sedation and everything could very well have killed him anyway :( The staff, from the front desk person, to the staff in the back were beyond kind, gentle, sympathetic, patient. They never made me feel rushed, or insignificant. It was like we were their only ones in there.... BUT they were very busy!!! I can't express enough how incredible this place is. I'll definitely be back if I ever need emergency care for my last kitty. I appreciate their kindness most of all. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Winter is the grey/white fluffy one... - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

Absolutely the BEST!!!! I brought our Bear in for what I thought was a wound of some sort. Megan and Dr. Tanya were amazing and took time to really explain things and were just the best. The young lady working at the desk was so welcoming. She got us all checked in and even came over to assist with helping our Bear. You can tell Megan and Dr. Tanya have a passion for helping animals. I wish I could make them Bear's primary doctors! Please don't think twice about bringing your pets here when they need medical attention, they will be in great hands. Thank you so much Megan and Dr. Tanya for your help and for taking care of our pets!! All of this at an extremely reasonable price, I thought it would have cost at least twice as much. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Bear says Thank You!!! - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

Wonderful experience! We usually take our French Bulldog to UC Davis' ER in Sorrento Valley for urgent issues. Today, we took him here because it was close. Absolutely wonderful experience. Our Nurse Meagan was very thorough w/the exam. Thank you! read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Less than 15 minute wait time. - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California

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I wouldn't trust any other place with emergency care for our pet rabbit! It is so hard to find knowledgeable, rabbit-savvy vets, let alone ones that are available in a pinch. I am so grateful we live close to VEG and know that we can always count on them for help. They are great at updating us along the way and explaining the entire process. read more

Veterinary Emergency Group - Coco during her early morning visit. She improved a lot after our first visit and we were able to come back 12 hours later to check back in - Emergency Pet Hospital Near Me - Encinitas, California