AVSG Emergency/critical care

When your pet faces a life-threatening or serious illness or injury, every second counts. That’s why AVSG’s Emergency/Critical Care department is here 24/7/365, staffed with a team of skilled veterinarians led by a board-certified veterinary specialist in emergency care (called a criticalist). With the support of a state-of-the-art Intensive Care Unit (ICU), we’re ready to provide the highest level of care when your pet needs it most.

Our dedicated veterinarians, along with a team of technicians and client service representatives, have made emergency medicine their life’s work, honing their expertise, compassion, and experience to earn the trust of both pet parents and primary care veterinarians throughout the region.

But that’s just the beginning. Our internal medicine and emergency/critical care teams work alongside our surgical department (Veterinary Surgical Specialists of Orange County), the largest and most experienced group of board-certified veterinary surgeons in the region. And, if needed, we also have access to board-certified experts in cardiology, oncology, and dermatology, ensuring your pet receives comprehensive, world-class treatment—all in one convenient location.

No appointment is ever required for emergency care, but if possible, please give us a call before arriving so we can be ready for your visit.

Rest assured, we’re here when you need us most—providing your pet with the expert care and attention they deserve.

If your pet is injured, involved in an accident, or you notice any of the following signs or symptoms, please call us immediately at 949.653.9300.

It’s important to seek immediate care if your pet is experiencing:

Loss of consciousness
Not eating or drinking for more than 24 hours
Pain (excessive)
Poison/toxin ingestion
Profound weakness
Rear-leg paralysis (sudden onset)
Seizures
Snakebite
Swollen abdomen
Straining to urinate or defecate
Trauma
Vomiting (multiple times in one day or for more than one day)

We ask that you always call us before you visit so we can be prepared for your visit and let you know what kind of wait time to expect. Sometimes, if our caseload is exceptionally high, we may recommend that you take your pet to an emergency veterinary hospital to ensure the timeliest care. So please, do call us before coming in.

Our emergency/critical care department provides a full range of services to diagnose and treat pets that are ill or injured. These services include:

Intensive care unit
Isolation ward
Onsite laboratory
Onsite pharmacy
Oxygen therapy
Pain management