Quick answer: Yes. At VSP Louisville, walk ins are welcome and no appointment is needed. We offer emergency and urgent care every day, weekends included, until 10 PM at 11600 Main St. If your pet is in serious trouble, call (502) 901-7990 on the way so our team is ready.
When your pet gets hurt or sick, you shouldn’t have to wait days for an opening. Here is what to expect when you walk in to VSP Louisville, from the moment you arrive to the moment you head home.
Do I need an appointment?
No. You can come straight to us without calling first. Calling ahead is still helpful for serious problems like breathing trouble, a seizure, a suspected poisoning or major trauma, because it lets our team prepare. You can also use the check in option on our urgent care page to save your spot in line. Checking in online holds your place, but the sickest pets are still seen first.
When are you open?
VSP Louisville welcomes walk ins every day of the week:
- Monday through Friday: 9 AM to 10 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 8 AM to 10 PM
If your pet needs help after 10 PM, our after hours page explains your options.
Emergency or urgent care: which one does my pet need?
You don’t have to figure this out before you arrive. Our team sorts it out for you. As a general guide:
- Emergency: trouble breathing, collapse, heavy bleeding, a seizure, a swollen belly, a suspected poisoning or straining without making urine.
- Urgent care: vomiting or diarrhea in a pet who is otherwise alert, limping, ear infections, minor wounds, skin problems and other problems that should be seen today.
Our guide to emergency or urgent care goes into more detail.
What happens when you walk in
- Triage. A member of our medical team quickly checks your pet’s breathing, heart rate, gum color and alertness.
- Stabilizing if needed. A pet in distress gets care right away, such as oxygen, fluids or pain relief.
- The exam. A doctor examines your pet and talks with you about what they found.
- A clear plan and estimate. Before tests or treatment, we walk you through the options and costs.
- Treatment and going home. Many pets go home the same visit with medication and instructions, and we send a summary to your family veterinarian.
Our doctors work alongside board certified specialists, so if your pet needs more advanced care, the right expertise is close at hand.
How long will we wait?
Pets are seen in order of need, not order of arrival. The sickest pets are always seen first, which means a stable pet may wait longer on a busy evening or weekend. We know waiting is hard, and our team will keep you updated. How long your visit takes varies with how sick your pet is and how busy we are.
What should I bring?
- Your pet, safely leashed or in a carrier
- A list of current medications and supplements
- Any recent records, or your family vet’s name and phone number
- The packaging or wrapper if your pet ate something it shouldn’t have
- A photo or video of the problem if it comes and goes, like a seizure or a cough
For questions about payment, see our finances page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk in without calling?
Yes. Walk ins are welcome and no appointment is needed. For serious problems, calling (502) 901-7990 on the way helps our team get ready.
Are you open on Sundays?
Yes. VSP Louisville offers emergency and urgent care every day, including Sundays. Sunday hours are 8 AM to 10 PM.
Do I need a referral from my vet?
No referral is needed. We are happy to share our findings with your family veterinarian.
Why was another pet seen before mine?
Every pet is triaged on arrival and the sickest pets are seen first. If your pet is stable, it is safe to wait, and our team will keep you updated.
Need help now? Come to 11600 Main St or call (502) 901-7990. Our emergency and urgent care team in Louisville is here every day until 10 PM. More answers are on our FAQ page.
