24/7 Veterinary Emergency Care When Your Pet Needs It Most

When a pet is suddenly injured or becomes seriously ill, every minute matters. Our emergency veterinary team is available 24 hours a day to evaluate urgent medical situations and begin treatment right away.

At Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch, our emergency doctors and technicians are trained to quickly assess critical conditions, stabilize patients, and provide immediate life-saving care.

If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, please come directly to our hospital.

Rapid Triage & Stabilization

24/7 Emergency Veterinary Care

Advanced ICU Monitoring

Board-Certified Specialists

In-House Diagnostics & Blood Bank

Rapid Triage & Stabilization 24/7 Emergency Veterinary Care Advanced ICU Monitoring Board-Certified Specialists In-House Diagnostics & Blood Bank

Thoughtful Care When Every Moment Matters

Not every emergency looks the same, and not every emergency requires the same level of intervention. Whether your pet needs immediate life-saving treatment or careful observation and diagnostics, our team meets each situation with the same steady focus and clinical expertise.

We know that emergencies are stressful for families, too. From the moment you walk through our doors, our team communicates clearly, explains what's happening, and keeps you informed every step of the way. When your pet is in our care, you're never left wondering what comes next.

Our goal is to provide the highest level of emergency medicine while making sure you feel supported, informed, and confident that your pet is in the right hands.

Emergency
Conditions We Manage

Our emergency team treats a wide range of urgent medical conditions affecting dogs and cats. These may include sudden illness, trauma, toxin exposure, breathing problems, or severe pain. Immediate evaluation can help prevent complications and improve outcomes.

Advanced Diagnostics & In-House Capabilities

When every minute matters, access to fast, accurate diagnostics makes a critical difference.

Our emergency team has immediate access to advanced diagnostic tools that help identify the underlying cause of your pet’s condition. These tools allow our doctors to make informed treatment decisions quickly and provide the most effective care possible.

  • Digital X-rays provide fast, detailed images that help us assess bone, joint, chest, and abdominal concerns. This technology supports accurate diagnosis and better surgical planning.

  • Ultrasound allows us to view organs and internal structures in real time, helping us evaluate abdominal, cardiac, and soft-tissue conditions. It is an essential tool for determining when surgery is needed and when it may be avoidable.

  • Using a flexible camera, endoscopy allows us to examine the esophagus and stomach without a surgical incision. At VMC, endoscopy is used for gastric foreign body removal only when it is the safest and most appropriate option.

  • Advanced CT imaging provides highly detailed 3D views of internal anatomy, helping us diagnose complex conditions and plan surgeries with precision. This technology is especially valuable for orthopedic, oncologic, and internal medicine cases.

  • Our in-house laboratory delivers comprehensive diagnostics, often within minutes.

    From CBC, full chemistry panels, and urinalysis to infectious disease testing for heartworm, parvo, leptospirosis, FIV, FeLV, Lyme, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Ehrlichia, results are available in 30 minutes or less.

    Our Nova analyzer provides critical values, including magnesium, ionized calcium, and blood gases, while on-site clotting tests help us assess surgical risk and guide emergency treatment in real time.

  • Our on-site blood bank provides immediate access to life-saving blood products for trauma, emergency, and complex surgical cases. This capability allows us to respond quickly when transfusions are essential.

  • Surgical patients who need extra support benefit from our ICU oxygen units, high-flow oxygen therapy, and continuous monitoring. Our emergency and critical care departments ensure that even high-risk pets receive seamless, advanced care.

Meet the Emergency Team

Our emergency department is staffed by experienced veterinarians and skilled technicians who are dedicated to providing compassionate, high-quality care for pets during urgent medical situations. When additional expertise is needed, our emergency doctors collaborate closely with board-certified critical care specialists and other veterinary specialists to ensure your pet receives the best possible care.

  • Alicia Snell, DVM

    Emergency Medicine

  • Emily Greim, DVM

    Emergency Medicine

  • Jamie Barclay, DVM

    Emergency Medicine
    In-Home Euthanasia
    Diagnostic Imaging

  • Kari Schultz, DVM

    Emergency Medicine

  • Liz Maune, DVM

    Emergency Medicine
    Coming Soon, July 2026

  • Lori Awadalla, DVM

    Emergency Medicine

  • Lucia Cresci, DVM

    Emergency Medicine
    In-Home Euthanasia

  • Matthew Buesing, DVM

    Emergency Medicine
    Diagnostic Imaging

  • Ranya Benarfa, DVM

    Emergency Medine

  • Ryan Fincher, DVM

    Emergency Medicine

  • Taylor Ford, DVM

    Emergency Medicine

  • Tori Strickland, DVM

    Emergency Medicine
    Coming Soon, August 2026

  • Wendy Ellis, DVM

    Founder & Practice Owner
    Emergency Medicine

When to Seek Emergency Care

If you believe your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, it is always safest to seek veterinary care immediately.

Signs that may indicate an emergency include: difficulty breathing, seizures or collapse, severe vomiting or diarrhea, uncontrolled bleeding, trauma such as being hit by a car, suspected toxin ingestion, inability to urinate, or extreme pain or distress.

If you are unsure whether your pet’s condition is an emergency, our team can help guide you.

What to Expect When You Arrive

When you arrive with your pet, our team will perform a rapid triage evaluation to determine the urgency of the situation.

Patients with life-threatening conditions are treated immediately. Pets with less critical conditions are evaluated as soon as possible based on medical priority.

Once your pet has been assessed, our team will discuss recommended diagnostics, treatment options, and estimated costs so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s care.

We understand emergencies are stressful, and our team is here to support both you and your pet every step of the way.

Open 24 hours a day. Walk-ins welcome.
No appointment needed for emergencies.

Emergency Veterinary Care Available 24/7

Our emergency team is available day and night to care for pets facing urgent medical situations.

If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, please come directly to our hospital.


Veterinary Medical Center at Lakewood Ranch

15205 Garnet Trail, Bradenton, FL 34211
Phone: (941) 739-1800
Hours: Open 24 hours a day