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VEG South Tampa
OPEN 24/7

VEG Emergency Vet in South Tampa, Florida

24-hour animal hospital

call now and speak to a doctor:

24 Hour Emergency Vet Hospital and Urgent Pet Care in South Tampa, Florida

Dr. Shelby Baden

Dr. Shelby Baden

Medical Director

University of Georgia

Dr. Baden is an experienced emergency veterinarian who has been part of the VEG South Tampa family since February 2022, after finishing an emergency medicine internship program with VEG. She’s a proud University of Georgia alum (go Dawgs!), where she earned both her undergrad and veterinary degrees. In 2025, she was promoted to the role of Medical Director, and is excited to support her beloved South Tampa community. Dr. Baden loves emergency medicine and critical care, and is especially passionate about creating an environment that supports people and their pets when they need it most.

VEG veterinary emergency hospital in South Tampa, Florida is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, including holidays. Within our emergency pet hospital, we provide the highest quality of emergency vet care for pets of all kinds – cats, dogs, birds, and exotic animals! 


Emergency vet care in South Tampa, Florida

Located south of the Dale Mabry exit, off 275, at the W Neptune St intersection, VEG in South Tampa is within driving distance of Channelside, Davis Island, Hyde Park Village, Midtown, Ybor City, and Tampa Heights.


Parking for our South Tampa vet hospital 

VEG is located on the corner of S Dale Mabry Hwy/US 92 and W Neptune St. You can find parking at the back of the building with an accessible space and a wheelchair access ramp. Need help getting your pet inside? Just give us a call – one of our VEGgies will meet you at the door.


24-hour emergency vets in South Tampa

Here’s what you can expect at your Hillsborough County emergency veterinary clinic:

- Compassionate pet emergency care

- Expert team of veterinary doctors, nurses and assistants

- Open floor plan hospital, so you can stay by your pet’s side

- Collaboration with your family vet for a seamless patient experience

- Overnight monitoring and care for surgical and hospitalization cases

- Space for pet parents to stay overnight with their hospitalized pet


Immediate veterinary care services in Hillsborough County, Florida

iWhether your dog’s been vomiting after a day of play at Palma Ceia Park or your cat needs urgent surgery, call us and speak with a vet, or just walk in – no appointments needed or taken. 


VEG in provides emergency trained vet services for pets in crisis day and night. With the latest tools and technology, our vet staff performs:

- diagnostic testing

- endoscopy

- pain management

- surgery

- x-rays 

- ultrasound (contact for ultrasound availability)


Come in and experience the difference at VEG animal hospital in South Tampa. No waiting in a lobby. Your pet will be seen right away and you stay right by their side the whole time. 


OPEN 24/7

1501 South Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33629

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Why Choose VEG ER for Pets

customer-focused veterinary emergency care

call us 24/7

Pet emergencies shouldn’t be put on hold. Call and speak with a veterinarian 24 hours a day to get your medical questions answered.

see a vet now

No appointment needed, walk in 24/7 – VEG is always open. Emergency vet care starts the moment you walk in the door.

stay together

No waiting and wondering in a lobby. Stay with your pet the entire time and get as involved as you like in their care.

stress less

At VEG, we make a scary situation less stressful. We sit on the floor with your pet, or wherever they’re most comfortable.

Emergency Care

Exotic Pet Care

Pet Urgent Care

End-of-life Care

Vet Surgery

Endoscopy

Pet Ultrasound

and X-rays

Diagnostics

and Testing

Treatment and

Hospitalizations

open now for:

Emergency vet care, always open and ready

bark blog

Care, health, and safety blogs about every kind of pet, from fur to feathers, and shells to scales!

Birds & Exotics
Cats
Common Emergenices

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the services at VEG ER for Pets

IS VEG OPEN 24 HOURS?

Yes, all VEG locations are open all the time – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year – even on holidays and weekends to care for pet emergencies.

DO I NEED AN APPOINTMENT?

At VEG, we don’t take appointments, because we deal with emergencies. When the unexpected happens, call us or walk in to your nearest VEG location 24/7 for immediate care.

HOW DO I KNOW IF IT’S AN EMERGENCY?

Never self-diagnose your pet. Sometimes you just can’t tell if your pet is having a true emergency. But VEG can. Call your local VEG anytime and a veterinarian will answer your medical questions and determine if you should come in.

CAN I GO TO VEG FOR URGENT CARE?

Yes, VEG offers Pet Urgent Care for injuries and illnesses such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, limping, wounds, ear infections, eye problems, and constipation! Visit your local VEG and we’ll triage urgent care for your pet immediately. Learn more about the medical services we offer.

WHERE CAN I TAKE MY PET BIRD OR EXOTIC PET IN AN EMERGENCY?

VEG is skilled to handle emergency care for avians, reptiles, and all types of exotic pets.

DO I HAVE TO CALL BEFORE COMING IN?

Though you can just walk into any of our 24 hour hospitals, we recommend calling first so we’re familiar with the situation when you come in.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AT VEG?

When you take your pet to VEG, you’ll be seen by a veterinarian right away, even before filling out paperwork. We’ll even meet you at your car if you need help bringing in your pet. No waiting in the lobby; you stay with your pet the entire time, even if surgery is involved. And yes, we’re pet lovers, but we’re people-friendly too! We’ll openly discuss diagnosis and treatment options. And we always make sure the pet patient and pet parent are as comfortable as possible.

the reviews are in!

October 14, 2026

Jess Vidovich
I’m so glad we decided to take our 15 year old baby Ruby here! The doctors and nurses were exceptional and compassionate, explaining everything to us thoroughly, they were honest about Ruby’s prognosis and gave me space to cry and process my emotions, and they explained everything they were doing every step of the way. They genuinely care about our pets and treat them with love and care. The waiting room is very calming and comfortable and the facility looks very advanced, like a human ER. When we brought Ruby in, she was in very bad condition and they took care of her immediately. The doctors and nurses answered all our questions patiently, they explained her condition and every test result, and they let me stay next to Ruby for hours late at night. Even when I went home to rest, they texted us to update us on her condition. They were exceptional at making both me and my pet feel safe and comfortable and they went out of their way to make sure Ruby was comfortable and taken care of. The doctor even sat down with me personally and talked with me about how I was doing and encouraged me to take care of myself. I’m happy to say Ruby, diagnosed with congestive heart failure, is much better now thanks to VEG ER and she’s recovering nicely! She’s back to her happy, energetic, cute, hungry, bossy self. They talked to us honestly about what to expect and what signs to look out for, explained her home medication to us, and they’re willing to work with you on pricing and different options for your pet’s care. If I were you, I’d 100% come to VEG ER for your pet’s emergency care :) Edit: Ruby’s doctors were Dr. Kahn, Dr. Finney, Dr. August, and Dr. Villarraga, her nurses were Krista, Manuel, and a few others I unfortunately don’t remember the name of. The whole team, both day shift and night shift, were excellent from the doctors to the nurses to the front desk to everyone else involved in Ruby’s care ❤️

August 3, 2026

Becca Hampton
Turned my head for 10 seconds and, my BMD, Thor grabs a corn cob off my plate and downs it. Finding out that dogs cannot digest them and the severe danger it posed, we jumped into the truck and headed to the only place I trust with my dogs, VEG of South Tampa. They tried to make her vomit through multiple doses of medication, but all that came up was a very small piece of cob (not nearly what she swallowed). She was definitely going to hold on to that cob. Necxt he xray showed the cob stuck in her stomach. I watched one of the best ER doctors I know, Dr. Moses, work diligently for over an hour trying to get the cob out, with every tool and trick she had. I fought back tears and began to silently pray, knowing what had to come next, surgery. It had to come out before it became a blockage. I was allowed to be by her side, holding her paw, whispering in her ear, 'I won't leave you, I'll wait for you'. I then sat in a chair where I could see the doctor work through a window. 6am and she was out of surgery. We filled up on Starbucks coffee and Starburst candy. Fluids were running and when she regained conscienceness and we got to take her outside to potty. She walked clumsily back to her cage to continue getting fluids and being monitored, and the staff welcomed us to stay beside her and we did. 24 hrs later, she was able to come home with us. I cannot express enough the wonderful treatment we received at VEG. I love how they care for pets in an emergency and allow you to stay with them during treatment... that's the VEG way. However, VEG of South Tampa is a cut above. I have been at other locations before, but in my opinion, this one takes the cake. The way they interact with you, how hospitable they were, the kindness of everyone whether or not they were our dog's nurse or tech. Every single person working there, even the front desk/intake lady, seemed to loved their job and wanted to be there, to help not only your pet, but you too. The ER doctors there are the best of the best. No one 'learning on the job', just the very best doctors, nurses and techs. My doggies are my fur children. I am so thankful for everyone who took such great care of Thorissa, me and Gideon. Dr. Moses, Dr. Woods, Fred, Kelly, Rhianna, April, Kalyn and the lady at the front desk who was so kind as I hit up the coffee machine every hour. Everyone who worked on our dog , worked as if she was their own dog. God bless you all, not only for what you do...but for your genuine concern and kindness!

June 9, 2026

Robert Gill
Brought my dog, Oakley, in this morning with a painful eye issue, and the team at VEG Tampa was outstanding from start to finish. Dr. Baden, Nurse Kirstin, and CEC Kalyn were not only thorough and professional, but they also genuinely cared about Oakley’s comfort and well-being. She even got a couple of cheese treats along the way, which made the whole experience a little less stressful for her. The care was attentive, the communication was clear, and I left feeling confident that Oakley was in great hands. If you have a pet emergency in Tampa, I wouldn’t hesitate to bring them here. Highly recommend.
37,359 Total reviews

4.8

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