24 Hour Emergency Vet Hospital and Urgent Pet Care in Encinitas, California
Dr. Sam Kent
Medical Director
Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Pet Emergency Specialty Center in La Mesa - small animal rotating internship
Dr. Kent has worked as an emergency veterinarian for over a decade in San Diego County, previously serving as the Director of Emergency Services and Internship Director at a 24-hour hybrid GP/ER. Professional interests: transfusion medicine, point-of-care ultrasound, and leadership development. She is so proud to have been a part of the team opening the first VEG in California!
When you need veterinary emergency care in Encinitas, VEG animal hospital is open 24/7 to provide timely pet care. If your dog gets overheated on Annie’s Canyon Trail or you have a rabbit who just won’t eat, our animal emergency care team is ready to provide urgent care to all pets, including birds, reptiles, and exotics! Walk-in anytime, no appointments taken.
24-hour emergency vet hospital in Encinitas
Here’s what you can expect at your VEG veterinary clinic in San Diego County:
- Highest quality of veterinary emergency care from an experience team
- Open floor hospital plan, so you can be by your pet’s side
- Collaboration with your family vet
- Surgery suite with a large viewing window, should your pet need an operation
- Overnight accommodations for hospitalization cases
- Accessible parking near the entrance
Emergency vet care for all pets in Encinitas
Conveniently located, VEG Encinitas is just minutes from Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Rancho Santa Fe, and Solana Beach. You’ll find our veterinary clinic in the shopping center at the intersection of El Camino Real and Mountain Vista Dr.
If you’re unsure if your pet is having an emergency, call us anytime and you can speak with a veterinarian.
Need a helping hand getting your pet from the parking lot to our ER? Just call ahead – one of our VEGgies will meet you at the door.
Our Encinitas animal hospital is also a blood bank for dogs!
VEG in Encinitas is a VEG Blood Bank location, which provides blood for canines. These donations help save the lives of dogs in need of transfusions. The blood we store can be available to a VEG hospital or shared with a local veterinarian. It’s one more way VEG can give back to the community. You can help by signing up your dog to be a blood donor. To find out more, ask one of our VEGgies about the VEG Blood Bank.
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
Learn more about VEG's 24/7 emergency vet care.
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!
September 24, 2026
Bernadette Shannon
September 3, 2026
John Peters
July 15, 2026
