Same-day evaluation during our open hours, about ten to fifteen minutes from central Fort Lauderdale.
Some problems cannot wait for a routine appointment but do not need an overnight hospital: a limp that keeps getting worse, ongoing vomiting, a red and painful ear, a sudden change in appetite. Oakland Park Animal Hospital sees urgent cases the same day during our open hours, about ten to fifteen minutes from central Fort Lauderdale. To be clear about what we are, we are a family-owned general practice and not a 24-hour emergency hospital, and we will tell you honestly when your pet needs a facility that is open overnight.
We have been independently owned and doctor-led since 1987. Dr. Spencer Ratnoff, our Owner and Medical Director, has spent more than 40 years caring for the pets and families of this part of Broward County, so the doctor who sees your pet on a stressful day is one who may already know their history. You can read more about how we handle urgent cases on our emergency care page.
Ongoing stomach upset, especially if your pet is also tired or not drinking.
A limp that is getting worse, or a sprain, strain or yard injury.
Head shaking, a red or painful ear, squinting or eye discharge.
Hives, facial swelling, hot spots and intense itching.
Cuts, scrapes and bite wounds that are not bleeding heavily.
A pet that suddenly stops eating or is unusually tired.
Assessment and treatment when a pet has swallowed something it should not have.
Imaging or lab work when it is needed to guide treatment.
Our team provides same-day evaluation and care for many urgent problems, and we bring in imaging or lab work through our advanced diagnostics team when it would help guide treatment. If your pet’s condition requires overnight monitoring, emergency surgery or other care beyond what a general practice can provide during business hours, we will help direct you to the nearest 24-hour specialty or emergency facility.
Urgent care is for problems that need a veterinarian today but are not life-threatening, such as vomiting, limping, ear infections or a minor wound. An emergency hospital is for life-threatening problems, or anything that needs overnight monitoring or emergency surgery. Oakland Park Animal Hospital provides urgent care during our regular hours, and we will point you to an emergency hospital when your pet needs one.
| Urgent care at our practice | 24-hour emergency hospital | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Sudden but stable problems that cannot wait for a routine visit | Life-threatening problems, overnight monitoring or emergency surgery |
| When | Regular open hours, including Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Nights, Sundays and holidays |
| How to arrive | Walk-ins accepted, and calling ahead helps us prepare | Call ahead if you can, then go |
| After the visit | Follow-up and recovery checks with a doctor who knows your pet | Records are sent to your regular vet |
If you are not sure which one your pet needs, call us. Veterinary school guidance, including this Cornell University guide to when to go to the ER, can also help you judge how urgent a situation is.
The most useful thing we can offer is a clear answer about where to go. Use this as a general guide, and call us if you are unsure.
Older pets and exotic pets can be sick without looking it, so if something has changed in breathing, appetite or energy, call sooner rather than later. Exotic pet owners can read about our Fort Lauderdale exotic pet care.
Knowing the steps takes some of the stress out of an unplanned visit.
Fort Lauderdale pets spend a lot of time near the water, in the sun and on hot pavement, and that shapes the urgent problems we see. After a day at the beach or on a boat, vomiting or diarrhea may follow swallowed salt water or sand. A dog that jumps onto a dock or hot pavement can come home limping or with sore paw pads.
South Florida heat adds to the risk. A dog that is panting hard, drooling or stumbling after time outdoors needs help right away, so call us on the way. Older pets and flat-faced breeds can struggle first. Our senior pet care approach reflects that older pets often show trouble differently than younger ones.
Walking through the door during an urgent visit should not feel like meeting strangers. Dr. Ratnoff will not rush your visit or leave you with unanswered questions, and the people you see are usually the same familiar faces you know from routine visits.
Because we see your pet for wellness, dental and senior care too, we often already know their history, past medications and temperament. That background can speed up decisions when time matters, and it is one of the practical advantages of an independent, doctor-led practice over a rotating roster of providers.
From central Fort Lauderdale, head north on US-1 or I-95. Drives from neighborhoods such as Victoria Park, Coral Ridge and Imperial Point usually run about ten to fifteen minutes depending on traffic. Saturday hours run 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., so a Saturday morning problem does not have to wait until Monday. We are closed Sundays, so please plan ahead for those days. Call while you are driving so the team can be ready.
Unexpected visits are stressful enough without a surprise bill. We give you an upfront estimate before treatment begins and offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit, so families can focus on their pet’s recovery. If cost is a concern, tell us early and we will talk through what is possible.
Oakland Park Animal Hospital has been independently owned and operated on Oakland Park Boulevard since 1987, and Dr. Ratnoff’s team has more than 40 years of experience with Broward County families. We would rather you call with a question that turns out to be nothing than wait until a small concern becomes a real emergency.
If your pet is showing signs of distress during our open hours, please call (954) 731-4228 so our team can help. For a problem that can wait a day, request an appointment and we will find a same-day or next-day time.
Schedule a visit with our compassionate team and let’s partner in your pet’s lifelong well-being.
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