Veterinary Specialty Services is the only multispecialty referral-only practice that has an after-hours Emergency Center in the St. Louis area. Our Emergency Center grew out of a two-fold need in the community. First, pet owners needed a quality after-hours emergency hospital that provided continuous medical care for their pets. Second, veterinarians in the metropolitan St. Louis and surrounding areas needed a reliable resource to which they could refer emergency cases when their offices were closed. They also needed a facility that provided overnight supervision and monitoring of critically ill pets.

VSS Emergency Center offers after-hours service to veterinarians, and to pet owners, 365 days a year. If a pet develops an emergency problem, care should not be delayed. Prompt veterinary care gives a pet the best chance of a successful recovery. Situations that demand immediate veterinary care include:

• Decreased consciousness
• Unresponsiveness
• Inability to Urinate
• Blue, Purple or Pale Gums
• Cat Exhibiting Open-Mouth Breathing
• Bleeding
• Profuse Vomiting or Diarrhea
• Breathing Difficulties
• Seizures
• Ingestion of Toxins or Medications