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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Alicia Snell, DVM
Emergency Medicine
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Emily Greim, DVM
Emergency Medicine
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Jamie Barclay, DVM
Emergency Medicine
In-Home Euthanasia
Diagnostic Imaging -

Kari Schultz, DVM
Emergency Medicine
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Liz Maune, DVM
Emergency Medicine
Coming Soon, July 2026 -

Lori Awadalla, DVM
Emergency Medicine
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Lucia Cresci, DVM
Emergency Medicine
In-Home Euthanasia -

Matthew Buesing, DVM
Emergency Medicine
Diagnostic Imaging -

Ranya Benarfa, DVM
Emergency Medine
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Ryan Fincher, DVM
Emergency Medicine
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Taylor Ford, DVM
Emergency Medicine
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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
