The Truth About Overnight Pet Care: What Every Pet Owner in Dubuque Should Know

When a pet is seriously ill or injured, time and care matter. As your trusted veterinary clinic in Dubuque, our goal is always to give your pet the best possible chance at recovery—and sometimes that means knowing when to refer to a specialized emergency hospital.

At PetMed of Key West Veterinary Clinic, we’re proud to offer guidance for many emergency or urgent care situations. When your pet needs after-hours help, you’re not left to navigate things alone—we’re here to take your call, guide you through what’s next, and offer emergency referrals when appropriate.

That said, when your pet needs intensive or continuous overnight monitoring, we refer to trusted 24-hour emergency and specialty hospitals like:

Blue Pearl Emergency & Specialty Hospital – Cedar Rapids, IA
VCA-VES Veterinary Emergency Service – Middleton, WI
Madison Veterinary Specialists (MVS) – Madison, WI

These hospitals are staffed around the clock with veterinarians and nurses who are trained to handle critical cases—and that level of support simply doesn’t exist at any local practice after hours.

The Reality of “Overnight Care” in Our Area

Some local clinics advertise “overnight care,” and we understand that can sound reassuring. But here’s what many pet owners don’t realize:

There are no veterinary practices in the Dubuque area that offer true, in-person, 24/7 monitored care.

If your pet is hospitalized overnight locally, they will be left alone in the clinic without a doctor or technician in the building. That means:

No one is there to adjust medications or provide comfort
No one is monitoring your pet’s breathing, heart rate, or pain levels
If something goes wrong, no one will know until morning

We never want your pet to be in that situation.

Why Emergency Hospitals Are Worth the Drive

Yes, driving to Cedar Rapids or Madison takes time. But for pets in crisis, it can make all the difference. Here’s what emergency and specialty hospitals offer:

24/7 doctor and technician presence
Continuous monitoring of vitals, oxygen levels, and pain
On-site diagnostics like CT, ultrasound, and advanced lab work
Specialty teams for surgery, neurology, internal medicine, and more
Customized care plans that evolve with your pet’s condition

This level of care is essential for conditions like trauma, seizures, pancreatitis, complicated surgeries, poison ingestion, and more.

Our Promise: Honest Guidance, Compassionate Referrals

At PetMed of Key West, we believe in transparency. We will never promise a service we can’t provide safely. If your pet needs care beyond our capabilities—especially overnight—we’ll walk you through your options and help coordinate a referral to the best facility for their needs. We’re not sending you away—we’re standing by your side and helping your pet get the care they truly need.

When to Consider an ER Referral

We may recommend a transfer to an emergency hospital if your pet:

Needs continuous, in-person monitoring overnight
Requires advanced diagnostics or emergency surgery beyond our capabilities
Experiences seizures or sudden collapse
Ingests a toxin requiring continuous treatment
Has a life-threatening illness or traumatic injury

We’re happy to stabilize your pet and communicate with the referral hospital on your behalf—we’ll make sure you and your pet are in good hands.

You’re Never Alone with PetMed of Key West

Whether it’s a minor concern or a midnight emergency, our clients have peace of mind knowing they can reach out to us during our business hours, or refer to our recommended after-hours emergency vet hospitals. When the best decision for your pet’s safety is to transfer to a facility with round-the-clock medical supervision, we won’t hesitate to recommend it—because your pet’s life is too precious to take risks.

Questions About Emergency Referrals or After-Hours Care?

We’re here for you. Call us at (563) 583-8387 anytime if your pet is a current patient or contact any of our referral emergency animal hospitals for after hour care. Because at PetMed of Key West, we don’t just care for pets—we care for the people who love them.