Reviewed by: Grace Garrison
24/7 emergency vets + after-hours clinics in the Birmingham area
ByMary Helene Hall
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If your cat or dog starts experiencing a medical emergency, it’s important to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Luckily, Birmingham has plenty of qualified emergency facilities to help with your situation.
Even if your pet is currently healthy, it is a good idea to make a plan ahead of time in the event that an emergency pops up. Bookmark this post to have it ready to go just in case!
Read on to learn more about your local options.
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What counts as a ‘pet emergency?’
According to the Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham — one of the 24/7 vets listed below — here are some situations that constitute a pet emergency:
- Bloody diarrhea
- Abnormal gait, stumbling, loss of coordination
- Choking, difficulty breathing, respiratory distress
- Collapse
- Diabetic insulin crisis
- Distended (swollen, bloated) abdomen
- Discoloration of the skin, eyes or gums
- Heatstroke
- Loss of consciousness
- Ingestion of a toxic substance
- Ingestion of any object that is not meant to be ingested (clothing, string, toys, small objects, bones, fishhooks or any other sharp objects)
- Any eye-related problem (redness, squinting, discharge)
- Pregnant and in extended labor (straining for 2 hours without giving birth)
- Seizures (over 2 seizures in 24 hours or any seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes)
- Skin wounds
- Snake bites
- Straining to urinate or defecate
- Trauma (hit by a car, wound from a fight, any laceration)
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Vomiting
- Unproductive retching
Remember that you know your pet best. If something seems off and it isn’t on this list, call your vet or one of the emergency vets below for advice.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control national hotline
For a poison-related emergency, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline as soon as possible. They may recommend you handle your emergency from home or take your pet to an emergency vet. A consultation fee may apply.
Phone: 888-426-4435
Helpful resources:
- Plants that are toxic to dogs, cats and horses
- People foods that shouldn’t be fed to pets
- Poisonous household products
24/7 vet: Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham
Veterinary Specialists of Birmingham is a multi-speciality, emergency veterinary hospital located in city limits. ICU staff is on-site at all hours to care for patients.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: VSB only treats cats and dogs.
Phone: 205-967-9107
Address: 146 Resource Center Parkway, Birmingham, AL 35242
Contact form for non-emergencies
Hours: 24/7 hours and 365 days
24/7 vet: Steel City Emergency Vets
Steel City Emergency Vets is a full-service, 24/7 emergency vet facility open every day of the year — including all holidays.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Steel City Emergency Vets primarily treats cats and dogs, but if you have an emergency related to an exotic pet, give them a call at 205-413-8989 to discuss your pet’s needs and how they may be able to assist you.
Phone: 205-413-8989
Address: 1900 Hoover Court, Hoover, AL 35226
Contact form for non-emergencies
Hours: 24/7 hours and 365 days
Nights and weekends: BluePearl Pet Hospital Birmingham
BluePearl Pet Hospital is located in Hoover and operates overnight. It is an emergency and specialty vet, making it a destination for both imminent situations and more specific health problems with a referral.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: This vet only treats dogs and cats. No appointment is necessary, but BluePearl asks that pet owners call ahead so they may prepare for their arrival.
Phone: 205-460-2220
Address: 3470 Galleria Circle, Hoover, AL 35244
Email: info.birmingham@bluepearlvet.com
Emergency hours: Monday-Thursday, 6PM to 8AM; All weekend (Saturday 8AM to Monday 8AM)
Specialty hours: Monday-Thursday, 8AM to 6PM
Nights and weekends: Trussville Emergency Pet Care
Located in the heart of Trussville, this clinic may be closer to home for some folks seeking emergency care. Trussville Emergency Pet Care is open 24 hours Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Trussville Emergency Pet Care requests those seeking emergency care to call them immediately at 205-661-2273.
Phone: 205-661-2273
Address: 7299 Gadsden Highway, Trussville, AL 35173
Contact form for non-emergencies
Hours: Friday-Monday open 24 hours; Tuesday-Thursday (6PM to 7AM)
Weekend urgent care: Avondale Animal Hospital
While not 24/7, Avondale Animal Hospital offers weekend urgent-care hours in addition to their regular clinic hours.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Avondale Animal Hospital only treats cats and dogs. This clinic requests that those seeking emergency care should call ahead of time at 205-322-8566 to determine the best course of action.
Phone: 205-322-8566
Address: 3624 5th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222
Email: avondaleanimal@gmail.com
Regular hours: Monday-Friday, 7AM to 6PM; Saturday, 8AM-Noon; Closed Sunday
Urgent care hours: Saturday + Sunday, Noon-8PM
How to get emergency treatment for avian or exotic pets
Unfortunately, there are no emergency vets in the Birmingham area that specialize in treating pets that aren’t cats or dogs.
Steel City Emergency Vets told Bham Now that while they don’t typically treat animals that aren’t cats or dogs, concerned owners should call them any time at 205-413-8989. They may be able to offer help or refer to another veterinarian.
Due to the lack of on-demand care for these pets, ask your vet what you should do in the event of an emergency. It is also important to stay on top of routine checkups to keep your furry and feathered friends healthy.
Map of all listed vets
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