Frequently Asked Questions

Trauma, breathing trouble, suspected poisoning, bloat, a difficult birth, or a pet that's suddenly not acting like themselves — these all warrant a visit. When in doubt, come in: we care for every pet that comes through our door.

No referral or appointment is needed. You can call or come in any time we're open.

Both work, though calling ahead helps. Tell us what's happening, and we can have the right team and equipment ready before you arrive. If there's no time or no one free to dial, just come — we'll take it from there.

Any medications your pet takes, and whatever you know about what happened, when symptoms started, anything they may have eaten, prior conditions. If you don't have records handy, come anyway; we'd rather have your pet in front of us than wait on paperwork.

Every pet is evaluated as soon as they arrive. Pets with life-threatening concerns are treated first — this determines the order of care, not the order of arrival.

Learn more about what to expect.

Wait times depend on how many patients need care when you arrive. Pets are seen in order of medical urgency, not arrival time.

Veterinarians and support staff trained in emergency and critical care. Our medical director, Nikita Tower, leads our emergency team, and you’ll be told the name of the doctor caring for your pet.

We see every pet based on the urgency of their condition, with the most critical cases seen first. If your pet is able to wait, our staff will monitor them carefully for any changes and keep you updated on timing. We understand that wait times can be frustrating, and will do our best to see your pet as soon as possible.

It depends on what your pet needs. Some visits are quick; others take longer if your pet needs monitoring, diagnostics, or ongoing treatment. Our team will keep you updated as care progresses.

Veterinary Emergency Center of Redlands primarily treats dogs and cats. Depending on the veterinarian on shift, we may also see reptiles, birds, small companion animals, and some backyard animals. We do not treat horses. We recommend calling ahead to confirm we can care for your pet.

Learn more about what pets we treat.

Yes. We care for dogs and cats at every life stage, from newborns to seniors. Tell us your pet's age when you call so our team can prepare before you arrive.

No. Horses need an equine veterinarian with the facilities and equipment to accommodate their size. If your horse has an emergency, contact an equine or large animal veterinary service as soon as possible.

Yes. Fear and pain often show up as growling, hiding, or snapping, and our team expects that in an emergency setting. Let us know when you call or arrive so we can plan a calmer approach. Pets recovering in our hospital rest in quiet, comfortable kennels designed to reduce anxiety during their stay.

If you find a stray pet that appears sick or injured, call Veterinary Emergency Center of Redlands at (909) 793-5999 so our team can help you understand the next steps. For help with a healthy stray animal, lost-pet reports, shelter services, or animal-control concerns in Redlands, contact City of Redlands Animal Control. The City’s Animal Services page directs residents to Animal Control for assistance and provides local shelter and after-hours contact information.

Every visit begins with an emergency exam, which has a set fee. The rest depends on what your pet needs. Before any treatment starts, you will receive an estimate to approve, and if cost is a concern, we will talk through payment and financing options together before you decide.

Yes. You'll receive an estimate and a chance to ask questions before we begin, and our care team can walk you through payment, insurance, and financing options, if needed.

Learn more about payment and financing.

Yes. However, every pet insurance plan works a little differently, and most reimburse you after your visit, meaning you pay us at the time of care and your insurer pays you back afterward. We will assist in getting you all the information you need to file a claim.

We understand that an emergency vet visit is an unplanned expense. You'll receive a treatment plan and estimate before anything begins, and we'll walk you through financing and payment options at that time. We accept flexible financing options like CareCredit, All Pet Card, ScratchPay, and Affirm. Visit our payment and financing page for more information.

​​​​​​​Emergency pet surgeries are performed on-site by an experienced surgeon. We prioritize clear communication before, during, and after your pet's surgery, ensuring you're informed and comfortable every step of the way. Our goal is to make the surgical process as smooth and stress-free as possible for both you and your pet.

Learn more about emergency pet surgery.

Some procedures require your pet to stay with us overnight for monitoring and recovery, while others allow them to go home the same day. Our team will let you know what to expect based on your pet's specific procedure and how they're recovering, and we'll keep a close eye on them for as long as they need it.

Some conditions require overnight monitoring or treatment. If your pet needs to stay, our team will walk you through what that care looks like and keep you updated throughout.

Not always. Some objects pass on their own, while others need to be removed. Call us and describe what happened, and we can help you figure out the next step.

Many everyday items can be harmful to dogs, cats, and other pets. Strictly avoid:

• Vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter medications (such as Ibuprofen and Tylenol)
• Prescription medications (such as opioids and other prescription pain relievers)
• Illicit drugs and substances (including cannabis products and nicotine or vape products)
• Household items, such as: cleaning products, batteries, rodenticides, insecticides, paints, automotive products, and certain plants.
• Toxic foods, including chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol, onions, and garlic.

Yes. Call (888) 426-4435 as soon as you suspect an exposure, even if you do not know every detail. The ASPCA Poison Control team can ask questions about your pet and the situation, then help determine the safest next step based on the information available.

ASPCA Poison Control may provide a case number and recommendations based on the suspected exposure. A consultation fee may apply, charged directly by ASPCA. Have your case number and recommendations ready when you call or arrive at our hospital so our team can incorporate them into your pet's evaluation and treatment plan.

No. Current veterinary first aid guidelines recommend against making pets vomit at home after swallowing something toxic. Home remedies like hydrogen peroxide can cause serious stomach injury in dogs and cats, and inducing vomiting delays the treatments that work better - including activated charcoal. The only exception is if Poison Control or a veterinarian specifically instructs you to, usually when you're far from a veterinary hospital. Call us or ASPCA Poison Control and we'll tell you exactly what to do.

Come in now. Wobbliness, disorientation, extreme sleepiness, and slow or shallow breathing can indicate exposure to medications, illicit drugs, cannabis, or a dangerous drop in blood sugar. Some of these have specific reversal treatments that work best when given early.

Call us and come in immediately. Xylitol can cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar in dogs. If your dog is showing signs such as weakness, wobbliness, or unusual sleepiness and is not having a seizure, you can rub a small amount of corn syrup or honey onto the gums between the back teeth and the cheek while heading to us. Never put anything in the mouth of a pet that is seizing, and never at the risk of being bitten. Sugar on the gums is a bridge, not a treatment. Your dog still needs to be seen.

Call ASPCA Poison Control immediately at (888) 426-4435. Harmful exposures can happen through the mouth, skin, fur, eyes, or inhalation—not only by swallowing something. A toxicology expert can help determine whether your pet needs further evaluation or treatment.

There is rarely a single, simple moment that makes the answer clear. Families often notice changes in pain, mobility, breathing, appetite, behavior, or the number of comfortable days their pet is having. Call us to talk about what you are seeing. A veterinarian can assess your pet’s condition and help you understand the options available.

Learn more about end-of-life care.

Yes. We offer consultations with our veterinarians to help families understand their pet’s condition and determine what may be most compassionate for their situation.

Yes. Our team will explain the process, answer your questions, and make sure you understand what to expect before any decision is made. Our goal is to provide a calm, gentle experience focused on your pet’s comfort.

Yes. Families often want to be present and spend time with their pet. We will ensure you have the time and privacy you need.

Call us right away at (909) 793-5999 or come in. Our team will do everything we can to stabilize and treat their condition. If euthenasia is determined to be the most compassionate next step, we will discuss your options, guide you gently through what to expect, and ensure you have the time and privacy to say goodbye. No treatment decisions are made without your input and approval.