After Hours Emergencies

A pet owner calling an emergency veterinary service after hours while comforting their dog

If your pet needs help when we're closed, don't wait for us to open. The hospitals below are open 24 hours, staffed overnight, and equipped for emergencies — several are only minutes from our clinic.

Call ahead when you can. A few minutes' notice lets the emergency team prepare for your arrival, and they can tell you over the phone whether to come in now or whether it's safe to wait for us.

Go now — these can't wait until morning

If you see any of the following, head straight to a 24-hour hospital. These are the situations where minutes change the outcome.

  • Trouble breathing, choking, or open-mouth breathing in a cat
  • Collapse, unresponsiveness, or a seizure that won't stop
  • A swollen, hard abdomen with unproductive retching — possible bloat
  • A male cat straining in the litter box without producing urine
  • Major trauma — hit by a car, a fall, or a large bite wound
  • Suspected poisoning, including medications, rat bait, antifreeze, xylitol, or chocolate
  • Bleeding that won't stop with steady pressure
  • Heatstroke — heavy panting and weakness after heat or exertion
  • Pale, white, or blue-tinged gums
  • Straining to give birth for more than an hour without a puppy or kitten

When you're unsure, call. An emergency team would far rather answer a question than see a pet arrive an hour too late.

What to bring with you

  • A list of your pet's current medications and doses
  • The packaging, plant, or substance itself if you suspect poisoning
  • A carrier for cats and small dogs; a leash for everyone else
  • Our clinic name, so the hospital can request your pet's records

Tell them your pet is a patient at Affordable Animal Hospital Orange — it speeds up the records request considerably.

After the emergency visit

Call us as soon as we reopen. We'll request the emergency hospital's records, review what was done, and pick up your pet's care from there — including recheck exams, medication adjustments, and any follow-up diagnostics.

Continuity matters after a crisis. The emergency team stabilizes; we handle what comes next.

Emergency hospitals

These are the hospitals we refer to when we’re closed. Tap a number to call, or tap an address for directions.

Closest to our clinic

The shortest drive from our Orange location.

Farther away

Farther out, but worth knowing if you're away from home or the nearer hospitals are full.

During our open hours, call us first

Not every problem needs an emergency room. If we're open, our same-day urgent care often gets your pet seen faster and at general-practice pricing — and we'll tell you honestly when your pet needs emergency-level care instead.

Questions about anything here? Contact our team — we’re glad to help.

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