It always seems to happen at the worst time: your dog starts limping after a Sunday walk on the beach, your cat stops eating on a Friday night, or your puppy gets into something they shouldn’t have right after your regular vet closes. In moments like these, many pet owners search for an “emergency vet near me” or “vets near me open now” to get help fast.
The best option depends on your pet’s condition. Some situations require an emergency vet or 24-hour animal hospital right away, while many others can be treated at a veterinary urgent care like Furgent Care in Virginia Beach. This guide will help you decide where to go, what to bring, and how to get your pet seen as quickly as possible.
Emergency Vet vs. Urgent Care Vet: What's the Difference?
Think of it the same way you would for yourself: there's the ER, and there's urgent care.
24-hour emergency vet (veterinary ER): Open around the clock and equipped for life-threatening, critical cases that may need surgery, intensive care, or overnight hospitalization.
Urgent care vet: Built for problems that can't wait for a regular appointment but aren't life-threatening. An urgent vet offers same-day care with extended evening and weekend hours, and with the waitlist system at Furgent Care, you can wait for your pet to be seen from the comfort of your home.
Your primary care vet: Best for wellness visits, vaccines, ongoing/chronic conditions, and non-urgent concerns that can wait a day or two.
Many pet parents searching for "emergency vets" or a "pet emergency room near me" may actually be a better fit for urgent care instead. Knowing the difference helps you get the right level of care without unnecessary wait or cost.
Signs Your Pet Needs a 24-Hour Emergency Vet Right Now
Go directly to the nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital for emergency vet services if your pet has any of the following:
Trouble breathing, choking, or blue, gray, or very pale gums
Collapse, unresponsiveness, or inability to stand
Seizures, especially if they are actively seizing, they have had more than one, or one is lasting longer than a few minutes
Major trauma, such as being hit by a car or falling from something high
Heavy bleeding that won't stop with pressure
A swollen, hard belly with unproductive retching (a possible sign of bloat in dogs)
Known ingestion of a dangerous toxin, such as xylitol, large amounts of chocolate, antifreeze, or rodent bait – calling a pet poison control hotline to start a case with them is also an important step with cases like this and may be required at the emergency vet to ensure your pet gets the most appropriate care possible
Signs of heat stroke in dogs, such as panting that won't settle, drooling, weakness, or collapse
If you're not sure, call ahead. Our team at 757-656-5650 can help you decide whether your pet should be seen at urgent care or go straight to an emergency hospital.
When an Urgent Care Vet Is the Right Choice
Most after-hours pet problems fall into the urgent (but not critical) category. Our veterinarians at Furgent Care commonly see dogs and cats for:
Vomiting or diarrhea in an otherwise alert pet, like a dog throwing up and diarrhea or frequent cat vomit (see our guide to vomiting and diarrhea in dogs)
Limping or minor injuries
Small cuts, bite wounds, and skin wounds
Ear infections, head shaking, or scratching at the ears
Itchy skin, hot spots, hives, or facial swelling from mild allergic reactions
Eye redness, squinting, or discharge
Coughing, sneezing, or other mild respiratory symptoms
Urinary accidents or frequent urination
Loss of appetite or low energy
These problems need attention the same day, but they may not need an ICU. In most cases, at urgent care, your pet can get an exam, diagnostics like bloodwork and X-rays, and treatment, then head home the same night.
What to Do Before You Head to the Vet
Stay calm and keep your pet safe. Even gentle pets may bite or scratch when they're hurt or scared. Use a leash, carrier, or towel to move them carefully.
Write down what happened. Note when symptoms started, any changes you've seen, and anything your pet may have eaten. Bring packaging or take photos if possible if they ate something. If your pet is acting strangely at home, videos and pictures can be very helpful for the veterinarians to discern more about what is going on
Bring a list of medications and any medical history you have, especially if your pet has a chronic condition. Any previous medical information is helpful. If your normal vet clinic is still open, you can also try to call them to ask them to send records to Furgent Care prior to your visit.
Don't give human medications or try to make your pet vomit at home unless a veterinarian specifically tells you to.
Call ahead or check in online. At Furgent Care, you can check in online to save your spot and wait comfortably at home instead of in a busy lobby.
How Much Does an After-Hours or Emergency Vet Visit Cost?
Costs depend on your pet's condition and the tests or treatments they need. Our team will always walk you through a treatment plan and estimate before moving forward, and financing options such as Cherry, ScratchPay, or CareCredit are available to help manage unexpected costs. If you have questions or concerns about payment plans, be sure to ask our team about those options.
After-Hours & Weekend Vet Care in Virginia Beach
Furgent Care is a locally owned urgent care vet in Virginia Beach, built for the moments when your pet needs help at times when your primary care is closed or is unable to see more pets that day. We're open late on weekdays and all day on weekends, so if you're searching for vets open on Saturday near me, we're here when many primary care clinics are closed:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 2 PM to 10 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 10 AM to 10 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Whether you need a weekend vet, an after-hours vet, or same-day vet care on a weeknight, our online check-in lets you save your spot from home and get an estimated wait time. After every visit, we send your pet's records to your primary care veterinarian so everyone stays on the same page.
Pet parents searching for an urgent care vet near me or an emergency vet in Virginia Beach visit us from all over the city, as well as nearby Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. Get to know the veterinarians at Furgent Care.
Is your pet sick or hurt after hours? Check in online now for same-day urgent vet care, or call 757-656-5650.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a 24-hour emergency vet near me in Virginia Beach?
Yes. If your pet needs a Virginia Beach emergency animal hospital for a critical, life-threatening problem, there are 24-hour options across Hampton Roads. For urgent problems that aren't life-threatening, Furgent Care offers same-day care on weekday evenings and weekends.
Is Furgent Care an emergency vet?
Furgent Care is a veterinary urgent care, which sits between your regular vet and a 24-hour emergency hospital. We treat urgent, non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. If your pet has a critical emergency, such as trouble breathing, collapse, or major trauma, go to the nearest 24-hour emergency animal hospital right away. If you’re not sure what type of clinic is best for your pet's needs, call us at 757-656-5650, and we will direct you to the right place.
Are there vets open on Sunday near me?
Yes. Furgent Care is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 10 PM, so you don't have to wait until Monday for your pet to be seen.
Is Furgent Care a walk-in vet, or do I need an appointment?
We operate on a wait list system. You can add yourself to the waitlist online, or you can call us to be added to the waitlist. You will get an estimated wait time, have a chance to fill out your paperwork ahead of time, and can wait at home until it is your turn. You will then get a text telling you to head in when we are ready for you.