24-Hour Vets & Emergency Vets Near Me — What Pet Owners in Dubuque Need to Know

When your pet has a medical emergency, minutes matter. But in the Dubuque area, finding a 24-hour veterinary clinic isn’t always as simple as searching “emergency vet near me.” At PetMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic, we believe pet owners should know where to go, what to expect, and the differences between on-call general practice veterinarians and fully staffed 24-hour emergency hospitals.

Local Emergency Vet Availability

Most veterinary clinics in the Dubuque area:

Are not open on weekends or after 5 p.m.
Do not have a veterinarian on call after hours, and the few that do, don’t take call after 10pm.
If they do, they generally only take emergency calls for current/regular clients

At PetMed of Key West, we have a veterinarian on call 24/7 for our current patients (seen within the last 14 months). We can handle urgent cases after hours, but we are not a 24-hour staffed facility — and some emergencies require transfer to a full-service ER hospital.

Nearest 24-Hour Emergency Veterinary Clinics

If your pet needs continuous monitoring, advanced diagnostics, or intensive care, here are the closest 24-hour options:

VCA Veterinary Emergency Service (VES) – Middleton, WI (608) 831-1101
Madison Veterinary Specialists (MVS) – Madison, WI (608) 274-7772
University of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital – Madison, WI (608) 263-7600
BluePearl Pet Hospital – Cedar Rapids, IA (319) 841-5161

On-Call General Practice Vet vs. 24-Hour ER Clinic — What’s the Difference?

On-Call GP Veterinarian (like PetMed after hours):

One veterinarian available for urgent cases for existing patients
May handle stabilization, minor emergency surgery, or urgent treatment
No overnight hospitalization — pets must go home or transfer to an ER for monitoring
More limited equipment after hours compared to full daytime services

24-Hour ER Veterinary Hospital:

Fully staffed with veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians around the clock
Advanced diagnostics available immediately (ultrasound, CT/MRI, advanced lab work)
Intensive care units for continuous monitoring
Access to specialists in surgery, internal medicine, neurology, and more
Higher cost due to staffing, advanced equipment, and emergency readiness

Why 24-Hour Emergency Clinics Are More Expensive

While it can be surprising to see the bill from an ER visit, the cost reflects the resources available:

Overnight and weekend staffing by trained veterinary professionals
Specialized equipment for advanced procedures
Immediate access to diagnostics and surgery at any time
Intensive care capability for critical cases
These facilities are designed to treat the most serious, time-sensitive conditions — from trauma and toxin ingestion to severe illness.

How PetMed of Key West Handles Emergencies

Current patients only: We provide after-hours and weekend emergency care for pets we’ve seen within the past 14 months.
Screening process: A call center determines whether the case is an emergency and connects you to our on-call veterinarian.
Treatment: We stabilize your pet and either discharge them for at-home care or refer to a 24-hour ER hospital if continuous monitoring or advanced intervention is needed.
Limitations: We are not staffed 24/7 — if your pet needs round-the-clock care, we will refer you to the nearest 24-hour facility.

Emergency Preparedness for Pet Owners

Save your veterinarian’s phone number and the nearest 24-hour ER numbers in your phone
Keep your pet’s medical records up to date — especially if traveling to another clinic
Know when to call: persistent vomiting, breathing difficulty, trauma, seizures, or collapse are always emergencies

Bottom line: In Dubuque, true 24-hour veterinary hospitals are a drive away — but knowing where they are and what to expect can save valuable time in a crisis. At PetMed of Key West, we’re here for our current clients with after-hours emergency support and will help guide you to the right level of care for your pet’s situation.

📍 PetMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic
2262 Flint Hill Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003
📞 563-583-8387
🌐 dbqpetmed.com