Emergency Animal Hospital in Los Angeles That Also Offers Specialty Care
When your dog or cat faces a sudden health crisis, the last thing you want is to be transferred between facilities. Los Angeles pet owners need an emergency animal hospital that can handle life-threatening situations and provide advanced specialty care under one roof. With over 163 million pet dogs and cats in the United States according to the 2025 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook, demand for comprehensive veterinary emergency and specialty hospitals has never been higher. This guide explains what to look for, why combined care matters, and how LAASER in Los Angeles delivers both 24/7.
What Is an Emergency and Specialty Veterinary Hospital?
An emergency veterinary hospital is a facility equipped to diagnose and treat life-threatening conditions in pets around the clock, without an appointment. A specialty veterinary hospital is a practice staffed by board-certified veterinarians who have completed advanced training in a specific discipline such as neurology, cardiology, or surgery. When these two models exist under one roof, pets receive seamless care from triage through recovery.
LAASER (Los Angeles Animal Specialty Emergency and Rehabilitation) is a multi-specialty and integrative medical center in Glassell Park, CA, designed to help people and their pets throughout the treatment and recovery process.
Why Combined Emergency and Specialty Care Matters
Transferring a critically ill pet between an emergency clinic and a separate specialty hospital wastes precious time, adds stress, and can lead to fragmented medical records. A combined facility eliminates those risks.
Faster Specialist Consultations
When emergency doctors and specialists share the same building, a neurologist or cardiologist can evaluate your pet within minutes of initial stabilization rather than days.
Continuity of Care
At LAASER, after your emergency visit, the team provides continued or follow-up care in the ICU, through referral to one of the hospital's own specialists, or through your primary care veterinarian.
Specialty Services Available at LAASER
LAASER's state-of-the-art facility provides access to advanced technology for diagnostic testing and treatment that are unavailable in most veterinary offices. The hospital's specialties include:
- Emergency Medicine – 24/7/365, no appointment needed
- Critical Care – ICU monitoring by board-certified criticalists
- Neurology and Neurosurgery – seizures, spinal injuries, brain disorders
- Surgery – soft-tissue, orthopedic, and complex procedures
- Internal Medicine – endocrine, gastrointestinal, and immune disorders
- Cardiology – echocardiography, cardiac interventions
- Dentistry and Oral Surgery – led by Dr. Cindy Vaca, DVM, DAVDC
- Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine – post-surgical recovery and pain management
Board-Certified Veterinarians You Can Trust
A board-certified veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who has completed a rigorous residency program and passed examinations administered by an AVMA-recognized specialty college. LAASER's staff includes veterinarians who are board-certified in emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology and neurosurgery, dentistry, cardiology, anesthesiology, and surgery.
Key team members include Dr. Eileen Kenney (DVM, DACVECC), Dr. Robert Powers-Davis (DVM, DACVIM Neurology), and Dr. Jordan Vitt (DVM, DACVIM Cardiology). You can view the full roster on the veterinarians page.
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 at 323-800-VETS (8387).
Triage Process
Triage is the process of evaluating and prioritizing patients by the severity of their condition. A skilled triage technician will assess your pet immediately upon arrival. Pets are treated in order of severity, so wait times can vary.
Location and Directions
LAASER is located at 2500 N San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90065, in the Glassell Park neighborhood. The hospital is accessible from the 2 and 5 freeways. Visit the contact page for driving directions.
Emergency-Only vs. Emergency + Specialty Hospitals
| Feature | Emergency-Only Clinic | Emergency + Specialty Hospital (e.g., LAASER) |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 Emergency Care | Yes | Yes |
| Board-Certified Specialists On-Site | Rarely | Yes (multiple disciplines) |
| Advanced Imaging (MRI, CT) | Sometimes | Yes |
| ICU/Critical Care Unit | Limited | Full ICU with criticalists |
| Post-Emergency Specialty Follow-Up | Requires transfer | In-house referral |
| Rehabilitation Services | No | Yes |
Choosing a combined emergency and specialty hospital means your pet stays in one place from crisis through recovery, reducing stress and improving outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- LAASER is a 24/7/365 emergency and specialty veterinary hospital in Los Angeles serving dogs and cats.
- The hospital houses board-certified specialists in eight disciplines, from neurology to cardiology.
- Combined emergency and specialty care eliminates risky transfers between facilities.
- No appointment is needed for emergency visits; call 323-800-VETS (8387) or walk in.
- The facility is located at 2500 N San Fernando Rd in the Glassell Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.
- LAASER collaborates with primary care veterinarians for seamless follow-up care.
- With over 163 million pet dogs and cats in the U.S., access to advanced veterinary care is increasingly important.
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 required for emergency visits.
Do I need a referral to see a specialist at LAASER?
You do not need a referral for emergency care. For specialty appointments, your primary care veterinarian can provide a referral, or you can contact the hospital directly to schedule.
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 near the junction of the 2 and 5 freeways.
How does LAASER handle pet emergencies?
Upon arrival, a triage technician evaluates your pet and prioritizes treatment based on severity. Board-certified emergency veterinarians then provide stabilization and treatment around the clock.
Can my pet receive follow-up specialty care after an emergency at LAASER?
Yes. One of the key advantages of LAASER is that emergency patients can be referred directly to an in-house specialist for follow-up care, eliminating the need to transfer to another facility.
How do I contact LAASER in an emergency?
Call 323-800-VETS (8387) at any time, day or night. You can also walk into the hospital without an appointment.
Your Pet Deserves Expert Emergency and Specialty Care
If your pet is experiencing a medical emergency, or if you need to schedule a specialty consultation, contact LAASER today. Call 323-800-VETS (8387) or visit the online check-in page to reserve your place in line. LAASER is here for you and your pet, every hour of every day.