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VEG Des Moines
OPEN 24/7

VEG Emergency Vet in Des Moines, Iowa

24-hour animal hospital

call now and speak to a doctor:

24 Hour Emergency Vet Hospital and Urgent Pet Care in Des Moines, Iowa

Dr. Jules Gilmore

Dr. Jules Gilmore

Medical Director

VEG Des Moines is an emergency vet hospital located at 6840 EP True Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, VEG Des Moines provides the highest quality of emergency and urgent pet care for all pets, including dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, and exotic animals.


VEG in West Des Moines is located at 6840 EP True Pkwy, at the corner of EP True Pkwy and 68th St. Our emergency animal hospital is approx. a half a mile south of Wild Rose Park and north of Jordan Creek Town Center. Just minutes from Clive, Waukee, Urbandale, Johnston, Windsor Heights, and downtown Des Moines, VEG West Des Moines provides emergency veterinary care for pets throughout Polk County and the greater Des Moines metro area.


Parking for our West Des Moines emergency vet hospital

Enter the parking lot from EP True Pkwy. VEG is Suite #101. Park in the lot just outside our vet clinic’s front door. Call ahead if you think you’ll need help getting your pet inside and one of our VEGgies will help.


24-hour emergency vet care in West Des Moines

VEG Des Moines offers 24/7 immediate pet care near you, because emergencies can't wait. Day or night, our highly trained emergency vets and staff are ready to provide skilled, compassionate care for dogs, cats, and all kinds of pets, including:

  • Emergency care: accidents, toxin ingestions, breathing problems, gastro issues, injuries, heart failure, bone fracture or dislocations, and more.

  • Pet urgent care: vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, limping, wounds, ear and eye infections, and constipation

  • Exotic pet care: we treat all types of exotic pets, including reptiles, birds, turtles, snakes, lizards and more.

  • End of life care: Our team will be by your side to help you understand your pet’s quality of life, discuss pain management options, and guide you through the process of humane euthanasia when the time comes.

  • Emergency surgery: we always have a highly skilled emergency vet on staff to provide surgeries such as emergency c-sections, foreign body removal, twisted stomach, spleen removals, and more.

  • Endoscopy: non-surgery emergency procedures to help your pet feel better, faster.

  • Ultrasounds & X-rays: Performed on site to provide same-day results on x-rays, point-of-care ultrasounds, and complete abdominal ultrasounds (available at most locations).

  • Diagnostics and testing: on-site bloodwork and other lab tests. Faster results means faster treatment.

  • Treatment & hospitalization: If your pet requires overnight hospitalization, you’re welcome to stay too. You’ll have access to wifi, snacks, beverages, and a pillow and blanket. Our staff will make sure you’re as comfortable as possible so you can stay close to your pet’s side.


West Des Moines emergency vet clinic

At VEG ER for Pets in Des Moines, you can expect:

  • A reliable emergency team available 24 hours every day, including weekends and holidays

  • Immediate vet attention as you and your pet walk through the door

  • You are welcome to stay with your pet the entire visit

  • Collaboration with your family vet for a seamless care experience

  • A surgery suite with a large viewing window

  • If your pet needs overnight care, you are welcome to stay near them in our hospital

  • Wifi, snacks, and beverages for pet parents

Call now and speak with an emergency veterinarian at VEG Des Moines who can answer your questions or walk in anytime, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We're always here to help you and your pet!

OPEN 24/7

6840 EP True Pkwy
West Des Moines, IA 50266

Why Choose VEG ER for Pets

customer-focused veterinary emergency care

call us 24/7

Pet emergencies shouldn’t be put on hold. Call and speak with a veterinarian 24 hours a day to get your medical questions answered.

see a vet now

No appointment needed, walk in 24/7 – VEG is always open. Emergency vet care starts the moment you walk in the door.

stay together

No waiting and wondering in a lobby. Stay with your pet the entire time and get as involved as you like in their care.

stress less

At VEG, we make a scary situation less stressful. We sit on the floor with your pet, or wherever they’re most comfortable.

Emergency Care

Exotic Pet Care

Pet Urgent Care

End-of-life Care

Vet Surgery

Endoscopy

Pet Ultrasound

and X-rays

Diagnostics

and Testing

Treatment and

Hospitalizations

open now for:

Emergency vet care, always open and ready

bark blog

Care, health, and safety blogs about every kind of pet, from fur to feathers, and shells to scales!

Birds & Exotics
Cats
Common Emergenices

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the services at VEG ER for Pets

IS VEG OPEN 24 HOURS?

Yes, all VEG locations are open all the time – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – even on holidays and weekends to care for pet emergencies.

DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT?

At VEG, we don’t take appointments, because we deal with emergencies. When the unexpected happens, call us or walk in to your nearest VEG location 24/7 for immediate care.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S AN EMERGENCY?

Never self-diagnose your pet. Sometimes you just can’t tell if your pet is having a true emergency. But VEG can. Call your local VEG anytime and a veterinarian will answer your medical questions and determine if you should come in.

CAN I GO TO VEG FOR URGENT CARE?

Yes, VEG offers Pet Urgent Care for injuries and illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, limping, wounds, ear infections, eye problems, and constipation! Visit your local VEG and we’ll triage urgent care for your pet immediately. Learn more about the medical services we offer.

WHERE CAN I TAKE MY PET BIRD OR EXOTIC PET IN AN EMERGENCY?

VEG is skilled to handle emergency care for avians, reptiles, and all types of exotic pets.

DO I HAVE TO CALL BEFORE COMING IN?

Though you can just walk into any of our 24 hour hospitals, we recommend calling first so we’re familiar with the situation when you come in.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT VEG?

When you take your pet to VEG, you’ll be seen by a veterinarian right away, even before filling out paperwork. We’ll even meet you at your car if you need help bringing in your pet. No waiting in the lobby; you stay with your pet the entire time, even if surgery is involved. And yes, we’re pet lovers, but we’re people-friendly too! We’ll openly discuss diagnosis and treatment options. And we always make sure the pet patient and pet parent are as comfortable as possible.

the reviews are in!

July 14, 2026

Notorious J.O.E.
Our first time going to Veg ER was great, considering the circumstances. Our dog managed to tear a claw off of her paw and the staff was very gentle and compassionate with our dog. It was clear throughout that the Veg ER team is kind, knowledgeable and had our pet's best interests in mind. Overall, we had a great experience and appreciate having this 24/7 resource available in our neighborhood!

July 5, 2026

Alycia Comer
My sister who works for a vet office highly recommended them over the other long standing Vet ER in the area. When I walked in the staff immediately walked over started assessing my Great Dane while I was explaining to them what was going on. The staff and Dr.Rupiper were amazing. I never felt like an inconvience to them. They answered my questions and let me watch through a window when they did xrays. They worked with me and my budget and got me the answers that were needed. It was a little bit of a drive for me but was well worth it. Can’t recommend enough!

June 14, 2026

Jen Kappelmann
Dear Dr. McMurray, Dr. Hetrick, Dr. Salzbrenner, Gretta, Ashley, and Lance’s entire care team:: Thank you for saving Lance’s life. Your knowledge, professionalism, kindness, and extraordinary care exceeded my expectations. Dr. McMurray, thank you for calling during your time off with the radiologist's results. Your proactive communication and seamless handoff to Dr. Hetrick ensured Lance was in great hands right when we arrived for his re-check and chest X-Rays. Dr. Hetrick was thorough and compassionate in her exam. We were so grateful to be admitted and to spend the night with Lance in a private room. Dr. Hetrick monitored him continuously over-night and when I woke up, Dr Salzbrenner and her nurse, Gretta, had been briefed and he was under their care. Dr. Salzbrenner’s diagnostic expertise and initiative in consulting with the specialists at ISU Small Animal Hospital secured his vital referral. Ashley safely drove Lance to ISU while Gretta expertly administered oxygen the entire trip. They waited for me in the parking lot and upon arrival gave me an update and ensure I knew where to go. Lance was already back in triage and receiving care before I arrived. Lance spent the next several days in the ICU, and without your expert diagnosis, dedicated care, and critical medical transport, I do not believe he would have survived. I cannot thank you all enough for ensuring he received the absolute best treatment. We are forever grateful, Jen
37,359 Total reviews

4.8

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