It is stressful when your pet isn’t feeling well. We help you decide when ‘waiting until tomorrow’ isn’t an option. If your pet is experiencing difficulty breathing, sudden lethargy, persistent vomiting, or has ingested something toxic, they need to be seen immediately. At VivaVets, a trusted Columbia, MD vet, we provide rapid triage for cats and dogs, ensuring the most critical patients are treated first. If you are unsure, call us at 443-542-2938 for immediate guidance.
Includes: Difficulty breathing, sudden lethargy, persistent vomiting, seizures, or collapse.
Includes: Fever, ear infections, minor wounds, or mild allergic reactions.
Our medical team of vets in Columbia is equipped to handle a wide range of non-life-threatening emergencies and acute illnesses. Common conditions we treat include.
At VivaVets, our medical team is equipped to manage a broad spectrum of sudden health concerns. We provide a safety net for pet parents when their primary veterinarian is unavailable, offering advanced care for:
Located at the former Pet+ER facility, our emergency animal hospital in Columbia bridges the gap between your regular vet and an overnight emergency hospital. If your pet is showing any signs of distress, we are here to provide the answers and treatment they need today.
In an urgent situation, you need answers fast. Our facility features advanced veterinary diagnostics, including digital X-rays, ultrasound, and an in-house laboratory. We get results in minutes—not days—so we can start the right treatment immediately. From checking for broken bones to identifying internal infections, our high-tech imaging ensures your pet gets the most accurate care possible. We also guide families searching for services like dog vaccines near me to the right preventive care resources when needed.
VivaVets acts as an extension of your primary vet’s office. We partner with local clinics across Columbia and Howard County to provide after-hours support and urgent care overflow. Once your pet is stabilized, we share all medical records and diagnostic images with your regular vet to ensure they stay ‘in the loop’ for your pet’s follow-up care.
If your pet is experiencing a sudden illness, injury, or change in behavior that cannot safely wait for a routine veterinary appointment, urgent care is appropriate. Common signs include vomiting or diarrhea that won’t stop, limping or pain, wounds or bite injuries, eye or ear problems, difficulty urinating, coughing, lethargy, or not eating. If you are unsure, it is always reasonable to call us for guidance 443 542 2938.
VivaVets treats non‑life‑threatening but time‑sensitive medical issues, including: – Vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal upset – Lameness, sprains, and minor injuries – Cuts, wounds, abscesses, and bite injuries – Ear infections and eye issues – Urinary tract problems – Skin infections and allergic reactions – Pain management and sudden discomfort – Dental pain, broken teeth, and oral infections
If your pet requires advanced critical care, surgery, or overnight hospitalization, we will help direct you to an appropriate emergency facility.
We welcome walk-ins, but for your convenience we recommend calling ahead to schedule a same-day appointment. We will always make our best effort to accommodate you. Our goal is to provide timely, high-quality care without the long waits often associated with emergency hospitals.
VivaVets is an urgent care clinic, not a 24‑hour emergency hospital. We focus on treating urgent but stable conditions during our open hours 10 AM to 8 PM, with faster service and more affordable pricing. True emergencies requiring intensive monitoring, surgery, or overnight care are best treated at a full‑service emergency hospital.
If your pet is experiencing a life‑threatening emergency – such as difficulty breathing, collapse, uncontrolled bleeding, seizures, or severe trauma – please go immediately to the nearest 24‑hour veterinary emergency hospital or call them while en route.
Yes. With your permission, we are happy to share visit notes, diagnostics, and treatment plans with your primary care veterinarian to ensure continuity of care.
Urgent care visits are more affordable than emergency hospital visits. Costs vary depending on your pet’s condition, diagnostics, and treatment needs. We discuss recommendations and estimate with you before proceeding.
Most visits are completed within one to two hours, depending on the complexity of the case and the number of patients being seen at the time.
Yes. VivaVets provides urgent care services for both dogs and cats.
After your visit, we provide discharge instructions, medications if needed, and guidance on follow‑up care. In most cases, your regular veterinarian will continue long‑term management, and we are always available if additional urgent concerns arise.
