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 sudden change in appetite, an injury from the yard. 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, not a 24-hour emergency hospital. Knowing that up front helps you choose the right place quickly, and we will tell you honestly when your pet needs a facility that is open overnight.
You can read more about how we handle urgent cases on our emergency care page.
Same-day evaluation of acute illness or injury during our open hours.
Assessment and treatment when a pet has swallowed something it should not have.
Support for respiratory distress or breathing difficulty.
Evaluation after a collapse or seizure episode.
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. We share what we know about your pet so that visit goes smoothly and the team there is not starting from zero. After the crisis, we are glad to handle follow-up care and recovery checks.
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. Our team will ask a few questions and tell you honestly whether to come in, wait for a same-day appointment, or go to a facility that is open overnight.
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. Our team would always rather hear from you early than have a small problem grow while you wait.
Walking through the door during an urgent visit should not feel like meeting strangers. Dr. Spencer Ratnoff has spent more than 40 years building relationships with the pets and families of this area. He 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 using an independent, doctor-led practice rather than 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. 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.
If your pet is showing signs of distress during our open hours, please call (954) 731-4228 so our team can help. Oakland Park Animal Hospital has been independently owned and operated on Oakland Park Boulevard since 1987, and we would rather you call with a question that turns out to be nothing than wait until a small concern becomes a real emergency.
Schedule a visit with our compassionate team and let’s partner in your pet’s lifelong well-being.
By submitting your phone number, you understand we may send text messages to this number containing relevant information.
