Emergency or Urgent Care? A Guide for Evansville Pet Parents

Coming December 2026.

Emergency and urgent care open at our new Evansville hospital, 1120 Professional Blvd, in early December. Hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, 8 AM to 10 PM. Until then, if your pet has an emergency, call your family veterinarian or go to a 24 hour emergency hospital.

Call (502) 901-7990

When your pet is sick or hurt, it can be hard to know how fast they need to be seen. This guide explains the difference between an emergency and an urgent problem, what to watch for, and where to go in Evansville today and after our new hospital opens in early December.

Emergency or urgent: what is the difference?

An emergency is a problem that could threaten your pet’s life in minutes or hours. Your pet needs to be seen right away.

An urgent problem is not life threatening right now, but it should not wait for a regular appointment days away. Your pet should be seen the same day.

Signs your pet needs emergency care right away

Trouble breathing, breathing with the mouth open (in cats), or blue or pale gums
Collapse, fainting or not being able to stand
Bleeding that will not stop
A seizure that lasts more than a few minutes, or more than one seizure in a day
Being hit by a car, falling from a height or another serious injury
A swollen, hard belly, especially with retching that brings nothing up
Straining to pee with little or no urine, especially in male cats
Eating something toxic, like chocolate, grapes, antifreeze, rat bait or human medicine
Severe vomiting or diarrhea, or vomit or stool with a lot of blood

Problems that are usually urgent

Vomiting or diarrhea a few times in a pet that is still bright and drinking
Limping or a sore leg
Minor cuts or wounds
Itchy, red or infected skin, or an ear infection
Eye redness or squinting
Not eating for a day
Coughing or sneezing in a pet that is otherwise breathing well

If you are not sure, call. It is always fine to ask.

Where to go in Evansville right now

VSP Evansville sees specialty patients by appointment at 104 S. Heidelbach Ave, Evansville, IN 47713. We are not able to see emergency or urgent care walk ins at this location.

If your pet has an emergency today, call your family veterinarian or go to a 24 hour emergency hospital. For questions or to book a specialty visit, call us at (502) 901-7990.

Coming December 2026: emergency and urgent care at our new hospital

Our new hospital at 1120 Professional Blvd, Evansville, IN 47714 opens in early December. Once it opens, our team will triage, stabilize and treat dogs and cats with emergency and urgent problems. Emergency and urgent care hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, 8 AM to 10 PM. The new hospital also adds CT, endoscopy, CSF tap, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and TSE, so more of your pet’s care can happen close to home.

Read more about the new hospital: New Evansville hospital.

For details on our emergency and urgent care service in Evansville, read our Evansville emergency and urgent care page.

What to do on the way

Call ahead so the team knows you are coming
Keep your pet calm and as still as you can. Carry small pets in a carrier
Bring any medicine, packaging or plant your pet may have eaten
Bring your pet’s records or your family veterinarian’s name and number

Frequently asked questions

Is VSP Evansville open for emergencies now?

Not yet. Emergency and urgent care open at our new hospital at 1120 Professional Blvd in early December. Until then, call your family veterinarian or go to a 24 hour emergency hospital.

What can I be seen for in Evansville today?

Specialty visits by appointment at 104 S. Heidelbach Ave. Services include ultrasound, aspirates and biopsy, blood pressure, ECG, transfusions, ethanol ablation, E tube placement and urohydropropulsion. Call (502) 901-7990 to book.

When will the new hospital open?

Early December 2026. Emergency and urgent care hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, 8 AM to 10 PM. We will update this page as soon as the doors open.

Do I need a referral?

Specialty visits usually start with a referral from your family veterinarian. Call (502) 901-7990 and our team can help. Once the new hospital opens, emergency and urgent care will not need a referral.

How do I know if my pet’s problem can wait?

If your pet is having trouble breathing, has collapsed, is bleeding or may have eaten something toxic, do not wait. For anything else, call your family veterinarian or call us at (502) 901-7990 and we can help you decide.

Is the phone number the same for Louisville and Evansville?

Yes. Call (502) 901-7990 for either location.

Related guides

If your pet is vomiting or has diarrhea, these guides explain when to come in: Vomiting in Dogs and Cats and Diarrhea in Dogs and Cats.

Questions About Your Pet?

Our team can help you decide what to do next. Call (502) 901-7990.

Call (502) 901-7990

David DeBeer

Sophia became very lethargic and was in distress during the weekend when our primary Vet wasn't open. We were on our way to another urgent care when they called us to let us know they were on a 4 hour wait. They gave us the phone number for VSP and suggested we call them. VSP got us in immediately, and we could not have been more impressed with the level of care, concern, and attention provided to us. Everyone there (staff, techs, doctors - everyone) were awesome. Treated us with care and respect. The doctors gave great explanations and options to let us decide what was best for Sophia. She had a very serious case of pancreatitis and we nearly lost her. Cannot thank everyone at VSP enough for saving our little girl. Highly recommend to anyone that needs medical attention for their family.

Joshua Lanham

Always professional and kind. Best vets and service your gonna find in Louisville.

Stephanie Robertson

Fantastic care, compassionate, thorough, kind, and clear. They made a stressful and upsetting time so much easier and took great care of my pet.

Christopher Sorrell

Very nice and helpful staff. Has complementary coffee and water.

Sheri Gahlinger

This is a great place to take your pets. The office was clean and everyone was so nice and concerned. Took us right back and answered all our questions and gave us some really good advice. Fortunately our pet was not seriously sick so our bill was less than expected because we considered it an emergency hospital. If anything comes up again and we think is serious, we will definitely go back. It’s just really far from our home.

Ryan Livesay

Very good, very professional, made us feel at ease.

Diva, Prince & Paco Love

The level of care provided to my dog, Diva, has consistently exceeded expectations. The entire team demonstrates exceptional professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine compassion during every visit. It is evident that the staff and doctors are deeply committed to delivering high‑quality veterinary care. From check‑in to discharge, the process is smooth, organized, and reassuring. The doctors take the time to thoroughly explain Diva’s treatment, answer questions, and ensure I feel confident in her care plan. The staff is equally impressive—courteous, knowledgeable, and attentive to both pet and owner. This clinic sets a high standard for veterinary excellence. Every member of the team deserves recognition for their outstanding service and dedication. I am truly grateful for the exceptional care they provide to Diva. Highly recommended. Outstanding staff. Exceptional doctors. Consistently excellent care.

Susan Reed

Everyone was very kind and helpful! They showed compassion and treated my dog with great care.

Lisa Davis

Phone receptionist was very professional and took my pet emergency right away. Vet tech Sierra was very professional and personable. She and the vet treats my dog as if she was their own. Wonderful place, would recommend to others and have.

Jenna Scott

The care was outstanding! Abby was the absolute best. She kept us informed every step of the way on what was going on and went out of her way to make our Penny comfortable. It was clear when we picked her up that Penny was already super comfortable with Abby. Dr. Reinhart was also amazing and even though it was a very busy day for them they still made us feel like a priority. She was so calming and informative.