24 Hour and Emergency Vets in St. Louis County, MO

The three ERs above are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. UrgentVet Lemay is in the table so you can see the difference at a glance.

Take a screenshot so it's on your phone when you need it.

VEG ER for Pets, Brentwood

Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, holidays included. No appointment is needed, though calling ahead lets the team get ready, and you can stay with your pet instead of waiting in the lobby. VEG sees dogs, cats, birds, and exotic pets, so start here if your rabbit, bird, or reptile is the one in trouble. Call (314) 970-2545.

Animal Emergency Clinic, Kirkwood

Open 24/7, all year, for dogs and cats, at 9937 Big Bend Rd. Call 314-822-7600. For any other kind of pet, ask on the phone where they can be seen.

Veterinary Specialty Services (VSS), Manchester

VSS is a specialty hospital whose emergency service is always open. Life-threatening cases are handled by its Critical Care team, and pets who stay in the hospital are monitored closely. For an emergency, call the Emergency Line at 636-227-6100. The other number you may see, (636) 227-9400, is the referral line for scheduled specialty visits.

A 24/7 emergency hospital handles life-threatening problems and pets who need to stay overnight, at any hour. An urgent care clinic fills the gap between your regular vet and the ER for problems that can't wait but aren't life-threatening, and it closes at night. If you aren't sure which side of that line your pet is on, go to the ER.

UrgentVet Lemay (South County)

UrgentVet is open 3 PM to 11 PM Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 8 PM Saturday and Sunday, and 12 PM to 8 PM on holidays. It sees dogs and cats, and you can walk in or save a spot online. It doesn't treat life-threatening emergencies or keep pets overnight. Think an ear infection, a small cut, or an upset stomach in a pet still acting mostly like themselves. Call 314-354-5500.

Your regular vet's same-day slots

Many day clinics will fit in a sick pet the same day during business hours. MetroVet at 920 S Brentwood Blvd, for example, is a primary care practice with same-day appointments and urgent care services, open Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 6 PM. It is not an ER. If your pet gets sick in the morning, call your own vet first.

Go to a 24/7 hospital now for trouble breathing, collapse, straining to pee with little or nothing coming out, or repeated tries to throw up with nothing coming up and a swollen belly. Possible poisoning, a serious injury, bleeding that won't stop, and seizures also count. For the full list and what each sign means, read 7 signs your pet needs an emergency vet tonight.

Not sure? Call first

Any of the three ERs will tell you on the phone whether to come in, and calling lets them know you're on the way. If your pet ate something that might be poisonous, call an ER or an animal poison control line right away, even if your pet seems fine.

An ER visit usually costs more than a regular vet or urgent care visit. You're paying for a fully staffed hospital at any hour, and the pets who come in are often sicker. The final bill depends mostly on what your pet needs after the exam:

• The emergency exam fee
• Tests like bloodwork, X-rays, or ultrasound
• Treatment such as IV fluids, medicine, or oxygen
• Surgery, if it's needed
• Staying overnight in the hospital, which is often the biggest part

Ask for a written estimate before treatment starts, and ask what has to happen tonight and what can wait for your regular vet. For questions to ask a clinic before you need one, see how to choose a veterinarian.

Is a 24 hour vet more expensive?

Generally, yes, compared with a day clinic. Urgent care is the in-between choice when it's open and the problem isn't life-threatening.

Don't skip care. Call the ER, tell them your budget up front, and ask for an estimate with treatment options at different price points. Ask:

• Whether payment is due at the time of the visit
• Whether they accept veterinary financing, a medical credit card, or a payment plan
• Whether your pet insurance covers ER visits, and what paperwork a claim needs
• Whether it's safe to stabilize your pet tonight and follow up with your regular vet
• What their policy is on unpaid bills, before treatment starts

• Your regular vet's after-hours instructions (many have a recorded message that says where to go)
• The 24/7 hospital closest to home, and the one closest to work
• UrgentVet Lemay's hours, if you live in South County
• Your pet's records and medicine list, saved on your phone

Don't have a regular vet yet? Find a regular vet in St. Louis or browse vets in Creve Coeur.