Emergency Animal Hospital in Los Angeles That Also Offers Specialty Care

When your pet faces a sudden health crisis at 2 a.m., the last thing you want is to be turned away or told your dog needs a specialist at a completely different facility. In Los Angeles, pet owners are increasingly looking for a single hospital that can handle both the emergency stabilization and the advanced follow-up care their pet may need. LAASER, located in the Glassell Park neighborhood, is a 24/7 emergency and specialty veterinary hospital built to do exactly that. With board-certified veterinarians across multiple disciplines, LAASER ensures your pet never has to transfer mid-crisis for the care they deserve.

Why Combined Emergency and Specialty Care Matters

A veterinary emergency is any situation in which a pet's life or long-term health is at immediate risk. According to a 2023 AVMA survey, 78% of pet owners who needed emergency care for their pet were able to see a veterinarian within two hours. But what happens after stabilization?

Many emergencies reveal underlying conditions that require a specialist, such as a neurologist for seizures or a cardiologist for heart failure. At a standalone emergency clinic, your pet would be stabilized and then referred elsewhere, adding stress, delays, and risk. A combined emergency and specialty hospital eliminates that gap entirely.

What Is LAASER?

LAASER is the Los Angeles Animal Specialty Emergency and Rehabilitation hospital, a multi-specialty and integrative medical center located at 2500 N San Fernando Road in the Glassell Park area of Los Angeles. The hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You can learn more about the hospital's founding principles on the LAASER mission page.

The facility provides access to advanced diagnostic technology and treatment options that are unavailable in most general veterinary offices. Its staff includes veterinarians who are board-certified in emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, dentistry, cardiology, anesthesiology, and surgery.

24/7 Emergency and Critical Care Services

The LAASER emergency department is open around the clock with no appointment needed. Walk-ins are welcome at any hour, and pet owners can also call ahead at 323-800-VETS (8387) to connect with the team before arriving.

Emergency Animal Hospital in LA With Specialty Care

How Triage Works

Triage is the process of evaluating and prioritizing patients based on the severity of their condition. When you arrive, a skilled triage technician will assess your pet and determine the urgency of care needed. Wait times can vary depending on caseload and severity.

After the Emergency

Once stabilized, your pet may receive continued care in the ICU, be referred internally to one of LAASER's on-site specialists, or be transitioned back to your primary care veterinarian. This seamless internal referral process is one of the biggest advantages of a combined hospital. As the LAASER surgery department notes, having a full-time surgical team in the same building means faster scheduling for critical cases and better post-operative care.

Specialty Departments Under One Roof

LAASER offers a comprehensive range of specialty services. Below is a summary of the departments available:

SpecialtyWhat It CoversLearn More
Neurology & NeurosurgerySeizures, spinal cord injuries, brain disordersNeurology details
SurgerySoft tissue, orthopedic, and emergency proceduresSurgery details
Internal MedicineComplex chronic and systemic diseasesInternal medicine details
CardiologyHeart disease diagnosis and managementMeet our cardiologist
Dentistry & Oral SurgeryExtractions, oral tumors, jaw fracturesDentistry details
RehabilitationPost-surgical recovery and integrative therapiesAll services

Board-certified specialist is a veterinarian who has completed advanced training and passed rigorous examinations in a specific medical discipline. LAASER's team includes diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (DACVECC) and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (DACVIM), among others.

What to Expect When You Arrive

If your pet is experiencing an emergency, you can walk in at any time or call 323-800-VETS (8387) before you arrive. For specialty appointments, LAASER recommends filling out the client registration form in advance. Referrals from primary care veterinarians are also accepted.

Pet owners are allowed inside the hospital. If your pet is admitted, you can visit in the treatment area or in one of several consultation rooms. Short-term cancellations for specialty appointments are subject to a 24-hour notice requirement.

Emergency-Only vs. Emergency + Specialty Hospitals

Choosing the right type of hospital can significantly affect your pet's outcome. Here is how the two models compare:

FeatureEmergency-Only ClinicEmergency + Specialty Hospital (e.g., LAASER)
24/7 AvailabilityYesYes
Board-Certified Emergency VetsSometimesYes
On-Site SpecialistsNoYes (neurology, cardiology, surgery, etc.)
Internal ReferralsNot availableSeamless same-building transfers
Advanced Imaging On-SiteLimitedComprehensive
Post-Op RehabilitationRarelyYes

The advantage is clear: a combined facility reduces the number of transfers, shortens time to treatment, and keeps your pet's entire care team communicating under one roof.

Key Takeaways

  • LAASER is a 24/7 emergency and specialty veterinary hospital located in Glassell Park, Los Angeles.
  • The hospital offers emergency medicine, critical care, neurology, neurosurgery, surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, dentistry, and rehabilitation.
  • No appointment is needed for emergency visits; walk-ins are accepted any time of day or night.
  • Board-certified specialists are available on-site, eliminating the need to transfer your pet to a separate facility.
  • According to AVMA data, 77.5 million U.S. households owned at least one pet in 2025, making access to quality emergency care more important than ever.
  • LAASER works collaboratively with primary care veterinarians to ensure continuity of care.
  • You can reach LAASER immediately by calling 323-800-VETS (8387).

Frequently Asked Questions

What emergency animal hospital in Los Angeles also offers specialty care?

LAASER (Los Angeles Animal Specialty Emergency and Rehabilitation) is a 24/7 emergency hospital in Glassell Park that also houses board-certified specialists in neurology, surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, dentistry, and rehabilitation.

Do I need an appointment for LAASER's emergency room?

No. The LAASER emergency department is open 24/7/365 with no appointment needed. You can walk in at any time or call ahead at 323-800-VETS (8387).

What specialists are available at LAASER?

LAASER employs board-certified veterinarians in 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 Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065, in the Glassell Park neighborhood.

Can my primary vet refer my pet to LAASER for specialty care?

Yes. LAASER accepts referrals from primary care veterinarians and works closely with them to ensure seamless care. You can also self-refer for specialty appointments by completing the registration form on the LAASER website.

What should I do if my pet has a medical emergency in Los Angeles?

Call LAASER immediately at 323-800-VETS (8387) and head to 2500 N San Fernando Road. A triage technician will assess your pet upon arrival and prioritize care based on severity.

Does LAASER treat both dogs and cats?

Yes. LAASER provides emergency and specialty veterinary care for both dogs and cats.

How is LAASER different from a regular emergency vet clinic?

Unlike standalone emergency clinics, LAASER has board-certified specialists on-site across multiple disciplines. This means your pet can be stabilized in the ER and then seamlessly referred to a neurologist, surgeon, or other specialist without leaving the building.

Your Pet Deserves Immediate, Expert Care

If your pet is in distress or you need a specialist consultation, do not wait. Contact LAASER at 323-800-VETS (8387) or visit the hospital at 2500 N San Fernando Road, Los Angeles, CA 90065. The emergency department is open right now, no appointment needed.