Emergency Vets in New Orleans: What Pet Owners Should Know
By Scout & Company Companion Pet Care
Emergencies rarely happen at convenient times. They tend to occur late at night, on weekends, or when stress is already high. In those moments, knowing where to go and what to do makes a real difference.
This guide is meant to be a practical resource for pet owners in the New Orleans area — something to save now and come back to if you ever need immediate care outside of normal veterinary hours. The clinics listed here can help when your regular vet is closed, and waiting isn't an option.
Signs Your Pet May Need Emergency Care
Not every health concern requires an emergency visit, but some situations should never wait. Go directly to an emergency clinic or call ahead immediately if your pet is experiencing any of the following:
difficulty breathing, choking, or labored breathing
collapse, loss of consciousness, or inability to stand
seizures
suspected poisoning or ingestion of a toxic substance
severe or uncontrolled bleeding
suspected broken bones or significant trauma
bloated or distended abdomen, especially in large breed dogs
prolonged vomiting or diarrhea, particularly with blood
sudden inability to urinate, especially in cats
eye injuries or sudden vision changes
extreme lethargy or unresponsiveness
When something feels serious, calling an emergency clinic for guidance is always the right move. They can help you determine whether your pet needs to be seen immediately or can be monitored at home.
Poison Control
If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center directly. They have toxicologists available around the clock and can advise on next steps based on what your pet ingested and how much.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: (888) 426-4435 Note: A consultation fee may apply.
24-Hour & After-Hours Veterinary Clinics in the New Orleans Area
Hours and services may change, so it's always worth calling ahead when possible.
MedVet New Orleans
2315 N. Causeway Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70001
Phone: 504-835-8508
24/7 ER and urgent care services
Website: https://www.medvet.com
Avenue Animal Wellness and Emergency
1401 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: 504-265-8659
24-hour emergency services and pet urgent care
Website: https://avenuevet.com
Metairie Small Animal Hospital
101 Metairie Rd.
Metairie, LA 70005
Phone: 504-835-4266
24-hour emergency veterinary services
Website: https://www.msah.com
If your pet requires exotic or specialty care, it's worth confirming in advance which clinics are equipped to help, as some may need to refer out.
What to Prepare Before an Emergency Happens
A few things worth having ready now, before you ever need them:
your pet's veterinary records, ideally saved digitally, where you can access them quickly
a list of current medications and dosages
a secure carrier, leash, or towel for transport
the phone numbers for your nearest emergency clinic and the ASPCA Poison Control hotline saved in your phone
a general sense of the fastest route to your nearest emergency clinic
Having these details ready doesn't take long, and it can make a genuinely chaotic moment a little more manageable.
A Note from Scout & Company
Part of caring well for pets is being prepared. We keep emergency clinic information and the poison control number on hand as part of how we approach pet care, and we encourage every pet owner to do the same.
We hope you never need this list in a hurry. But if you do, we hope it helps.