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VEG Encinitas
OPEN 24/7

VEG Emergency Vet in Encinitas, California

24-hour animal hospital

call now and speak to a doctor:

24 Hour Emergency Vet Hospital and Urgent Pet Care in Encinitas, California

Dr. Sam Kent

Dr. Sam Kent

Medical Director

Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Pet Emergency Specialty Center in La Mesa - small animal rotating internship

Dr. Kent has worked as an emergency veterinarian for over a decade in San Diego County, previously serving as the Director of Emergency Services and Internship Director at a 24-hour hybrid GP/ER. Professional interests: transfusion medicine, point-of-care ultrasound, and leadership development. She is so proud to have been a part of the team opening the first VEG in California!

When you need veterinary emergency care in Encinitas, VEG animal hospital is open 24/7 to provide timely pet care. If your dog gets overheated on Annie’s Canyon Trail or you have a rabbit who just won’t eat, our animal emergency care team is ready to provide urgent care to all pets, including birds, reptiles, and exotics! Walk-in anytime, no appointments taken. 


24-HOUR EMERGENCY VET HOSPITAL IN ENCINITAS

Here’s what you can expect at your VEG veterinary clinic in San Diego County:


- Highest quality of veterinary emergency care from an experience team

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

- Collaboration with your family vet

- Surgery suite with a large viewing window, should your pet need an operation

- Overnight accommodations for hospitalization cases 

- Accessible parking near the entrance 


EMERGENCY VET CARE FOR ALL PETS IN ENCINITAS

Conveniently located, VEG Encinitas is just minutes from Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Rancho Santa Fe, and Solana Beach. You’ll find our veterinary clinic in the shopping center at the intersection of El Camino Real and Mountain Vista Dr. 


If you’re unsure if your pet is having an emergency, call us anytime and you can speak with a veterinarian. 


Need a helping hand getting your pet from the parking lot to our ER? Just call ahead – one of our VEGgies will meet you at the door. 


OUR ENCINITAS ANIMAL HOSPITAL IS ALSO A BLOOD BANK FOR DOGS!

VEG in Encinitas is a VEG Blood Bank location, which provides blood for canines. These donations help save the lives of dogs in need of transfusions. The blood we store can be available to a VEG hospital or shared with a local veterinarian. It’s one more way VEG can give back to the community. You can help by signing up your dog to be a blood donor. To find out more, ask one of our VEGgies about the VEG Blood Bank.


OPEN 24/7

260 North El Camino Real
Encinitas, CA 92024

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!

April 30, 2026

Mariam A
Amazing first experience, we couldn’t be more grateful. What a positive experience. We brought our 17 year old puggle, Mocha, in for Cushings related concerns when she was not doing well and could barely walk. Our regular vet was closed, and honestly, we are thankful it worked out that way because we found Dr. Randy Posada and his incredible team. From the moment we arrived, we felt genuinely cared for. The front desk intake lady was kind and attentive, and what really stood out was how directly and efficiently they communicated with the doctor right away, something we have not experienced at any other ER vet. Dr. Posada went above and beyond. He immediately performed an ultrasound, thoroughly checked everything. You could tell he carefully took his time evaluating and caring for Mocha. He noticed she was in pain and carefully assessed her spine, even identifying twitching in specific areas, which led him to suspect IVDD and spinal related pain. His attention to detail and calm, thoughtful approach made all the difference. She got a pain injection and medicine to take home right away so she doesn’t have to suffer one second longer. He gave us his full, undivided attention, never rushed, and explained everything clearly. He is very knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate. His medical notes were extremely thorough and he even sent over everything to our primary vet, which we really appreciated. Most importantly, Mocha started feeling better by the next day. My mom and I are so very impressed! Seeing her improve after being so uncomfortable was such a relief. We felt completely supported and confident that our pup was in the best hands. We are beyond impressed and so thankful. If you ever need an emergency vet (hopefully you do not), this is absolutely the place to go. Do not go anywhere else.

January 31, 2026

Molly O'Connor
I cannot recommend VEG enough. They truly saved my cat’s life. I brought Moochi in not realizing he was experiencing a urinary blockage, something I later learned could have been fatal. From the moment we arrived, the entire VEG team was compassionate, calm, and incredibly knowledgeable. They took the time to explain everything clearly while also understanding how terrified I was. Hannah, the vet nurse, in particular made me feel so deeply comforted during one of the scariest moments of my life. Her kindness, patience, and reassurance meant more to me than I can put into words. That said, every single person we interacted with was amazing. My cat is a “spicy,” boy, and they treated him with so much respect and care. What meant the most to me was that they allowed me to be there while he was being treated. Being able to stay with him during that process gave me an incredible sense of peace and trust, something that is truly priceless in an emergency situation. He even had his own separate area during recovery, which helped immensely with his stress. He has now been diagnosed with FLUTD, meaning lifelong management, and the team made sure I felt informed, supported, and never alone in navigating what comes next. I am beyond grateful to VEG and their entire team. I will never forget this experience. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

January 19, 2026

Kristen Lyall
I am so grateful for the emergency pet clinic in Encinitas. I brought my cat in after he started throwing up repeatedly, and I was extremely worried. From the moment we arrived, the staff was compassionate, calm, and reassuring. They treated my cat with such care and took the time to explain everything clearly, which helped ease my anxiety during a very stressful situation. The veterinarian (Dr Campbell) & vet techs were thorough, kind, and never made me feel rushed. You can truly tell they care about both pets and their owners. I’m incredibly thankful for the quick attention and professionalism we received. I highly recommend this clinic to anyone who needs emergency care for their pet—you’ll be in excellent hands. The team did blood work, X-rays, ultrasound , fluid, etc. They were so efficient and thorough I included a photo of my kitty before going to the clinic (looking lethargic next to water bowl) and him immediately when we got home (so relieved).
37,359 Total reviews

4.8

Other locations Nearby

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VEG San Diego

980 Camino De La Reina
San Diego, CA 92108

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VEG Oceanside

2224 South El Camino Real
Oceanside, CA 92054

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