Emergency Animal Hospital in Los Angeles That Also Offers Specialty Care
When your dog or cat faces a medical crisis, every minute matters. Finding an emergency animal hospital in Los Angeles that also provides specialty care means your pet can receive advanced treatment without being transferred to a separate facility. LAASER (Los Angeles Animal Specialty Emergency & Rehabilitation) is a 24/7 emergency and specialty veterinary hospital located in Glassell Park that brings together board-certified specialists and emergency veterinarians under one roof. In this post, we cover what makes a combined emergency and specialty hospital different, the services available at LAASER, and how to know when your pet needs urgent care.
What Is an Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Hospital?
An emergency veterinary hospital is a facility staffed and equipped to treat life-threatening injuries and illnesses in pets at any hour. A specialty veterinary hospital is a practice where board-certified veterinarians provide advanced care in focused disciplines such as neurology, cardiology, or surgery. When these two models are combined, pets can move seamlessly from emergency stabilization to specialist-led treatment without leaving the building.
LAASER is a multi-specialty and integrative medical center in Glassell Park, CA that is designed to help pets and their families through every stage of treatment and recovery. The hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, so no appointment is needed for emergencies.
Why Combined Emergency and Specialty Care Matters
In a traditional setup, a pet stabilized in an emergency clinic may need to be referred elsewhere for advanced diagnostics or surgery. This means additional travel, new intake paperwork, and lost time. A combined facility eliminates those gaps.
At LAASER, the emergency medicine team works alongside specialists so that after an emergency visit, continued or follow-up care can happen in the ICU, through an on-site specialist referral, or through your primary care veterinarian. This collaborative model leads to faster diagnoses and fewer handoff delays.
Board-Certified Expertise On Site
LAASER's staff includes board-certified veterinarians in emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, dentistry, cardiology, anesthesiology, and surgery. Having this depth of expertise in one location means complex cases can be evaluated by the right specialist within hours rather than days.
Specialty Services Available at LAASER
Below is a summary of the specialty departments at LAASER and the types of conditions they address.
| Department | Conditions Treated | Learn More |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency & Critical Care | Trauma, poisoning, respiratory distress, shock | Emergency Medicine |
| Neurology & Neurosurgery | Seizures, spinal disc disease, brain tumors | Neurology |
| Surgery | Orthopedic repair, soft-tissue surgery, tumor removal | Surgery |
| Cardiology | Heart murmurs, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias | Services |
| Internal Medicine | Endocrine disorders, GI disease, immune-mediated conditions | Internal Medicine |
| Dentistry & Oral Surgery | Oral tumors, jaw fractures, advanced extractions | Dentistry |
| Rehabilitation & Integrative Medicine | Post-surgical recovery, chronic pain management | Services |
When to Bring Your Pet to the ER
Recognizing a true emergency can be difficult. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) identifies 13 situations that warrant immediate veterinary consultation, including severe bleeding that does not stop within five minutes, difficulty breathing, and suspected poisoning.
Common Emergency Signs in Dogs and Cats
- Labored or rapid breathing
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Seizures lasting more than five minutes or multiple seizures within 24 hours
- Inability to urinate or defecate
- Collapse, extreme weakness, or loss of consciousness
- Known ingestion of a toxic substance
- Severe abdominal bloating (especially in large-breed dogs)
If you notice any of these signs, bring your pet to LAASER or call 323-800-VETS (8387) immediately. As the AVMA reminds pet owners, first aid is not a substitute for veterinary care, but it may save your pet's life until you reach a hospital.
What to Expect During an Emergency Visit
LAASER's Emergency Department is open 24/7/365 with no appointment needed. You can walk in anytime or call ahead to connect with the team.
Triage and Stabilization
Triage is the process of treating pets in order of severity. When you arrive, a skilled triage technician will assess your pet's condition and prioritize care accordingly. Pets with life-threatening conditions are seen first.
Seamless Specialist Referral
If your pet's emergency involves a neurological, cardiac, or surgical issue, the on-site specialist team can step in without delay. This continuity of care is one of the biggest advantages of choosing a combined emergency and specialty hospital.
For scheduled specialty appointments or referrals from your primary vet, you can complete the client registration form before your visit.
Key Takeaways
- LAASER is a 24/7/365 emergency and specialty veterinary hospital in the Glassell Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
- The hospital houses board-certified specialists in emergency and critical care, neurology, surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, dentistry, anesthesiology, and rehabilitation.
- Combined emergency and specialty care under one roof eliminates transfer delays and speeds up treatment.
- No appointment is needed for emergency visits; call 323-800-VETS (8387) or walk in anytime.
- The AVMA lists 13 emergency situations that require immediate veterinary attention, including severe bleeding, breathing difficulty, and poisoning.
- LAASER collaborates with primary care veterinarians to ensure seamless follow-up care after an emergency.
- The hospital is located at 2500 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LAASER open 24 hours?
Yes. LAASER's Emergency Department is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. No appointment is needed for emergency visits.
Do I need a referral to see a specialist at LAASER?
For specialty appointments, a referral from your primary care veterinarian is typically recommended. However, you can always visit the emergency department without a referral at any time.
What specialty services does LAASER offer?
LAASER offers emergency and critical care, neurology and neurosurgery, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, dentistry and oral surgery, anesthesiology, and rehabilitation/integrative medicine.
Where is LAASER located?
LAASER is located at 2500 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065, in the Glassell Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
How do I know if my pet needs emergency care?
Signs that warrant immediate veterinary attention include severe bleeding, difficulty breathing, seizures, collapse, inability to urinate, suspected poisoning, and abdominal bloating. When in doubt, call LAASER at 323-800-VETS (8387).
What happens when I arrive at LAASER's emergency department?
A triage technician will assess your pet's condition and prioritize care based on severity. Pets with the most critical conditions are treated first.
Can my pet see a specialist the same day as an emergency visit?
Yes. Because LAASER houses specialists on site, your pet can be referred to a specialist during or immediately after emergency stabilization, often on the same visit.
Does LAASER treat both dogs and cats?
Yes. LAASER provides emergency and specialty care for both dogs and cats.
Get Help Now
If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, do not wait. Call LAASER at 323-800-VETS (8387) or visit the hospital at 2500 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065. The emergency department is open around the clock with no appointment required. Contact LAASER today to learn more about our emergency and specialty services.