Pet Owners

Our ER is open 24/7, no appointments necessary. Emergency patients are seen by medical priority followed by order of arrival. All emergency visits are prioritized utilizing the triage system. We thank you for your patience.

• If your pet is presenting to Avets with a life-threatening condition, please enter the hospital immediately.
• If your pet is presenting to Avets with a non-life-threatening emergency, please call 412-373-4200 upon arrival.

For non-life-threatening emergencies, a team member will either direct you inside or ask you to wait in your vehicle for further instruction. Entry depends on patient volume at time of arrival. We ask that only two clients per pet enter the hospital at this time.

Curbside service will remain an option for any client who does not wish to enter the hospital.

• Unstable pets will be brought into the hospital for immediate assessment by a doctor.
• Depending on our capacity at the time of your visit, stable pets may be asked to stay with you in your vehicle until a doctor is available to examine them.
• In situations where we are experiencing extended wait times, you may be given the opportunity to leave your pet with us.

Important: If you are waiting with your pet in your vehicle and there is a change in your pet’s condition while you are waiting please call the hospital and a technician will come out to assess your pet.

• When a doctor becomes available, they will then review your pet’s health history, emergency concern, physical examination results, and discuss diagnostic and treatment recommendations.
• An estimate will then be discussed for diagnostics and treatment. Please note, when surgery or hospitalization is elected for your pet, a deposit is required. As an emergency and specialty hospital, we don’t see our patients on a routine basis (like you would a primary care facility). For this reason, we require all payments to be rendered at the time of service, even when the pet is insured. Typically, pet insurance requires that you pay for services at the time you receive them and then submit a claim for reimbursement. If you have questions about pet insurance, we’re happy to help you process your claims. We’ll further discuss cost estimates and payment options during your pet’s consultation.
• Upon completion of your pet’s emergency visit “At Home” instructions will be provided. An employee will then contact you to process payment and to answer any questions you may have.
• When your pet is ready to go home, our team will ask you to enter the hospital for discharge.
• A detailed final medical report will be emailed to your primary veterinarian. You will also receive an emailed copy of your pet’s medical report and your receipt.

A few things to keep in mind while you are waiting:

• Not all patients arriving are seeing our emergency service. We are also seeing Internal Medicine and Surgical appointments between 8:00am and 6:00pm.
• In alignment with latest CDC guidance, Avets no longer requires fully vaccinated clients or employees to wear face coverings inside of our hospital. Clients and employees who are not fully vaccinated are required to continue wearing face coverings in accordance with the active Pennsylvania Mask Mandate. Avets will continue our increased safety and cleaning measures, including social distancing in common waiting areas. If you would like our team members to wear a mask while interacting with you, simply let them know.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have any questions or would like an update during your pet’s visit, please feel free to contact us anytime at (412) 373-4200.

At this time, clients visiting Avets for specialty appointments will remain in their vehicles for a curbside visit, unless otherwise communicated by the specialist.

• Upon arrival, please remain in your vehicle and call the hospital at 412-373-4200 to let us know you have arrived for your specialty appointment.
• A technician will then come out to your vehicle to bring your pet into the hospital to assess their vital signs and for a physical examination by the doctor.
• The doctor will then communicate with you by phone to review your pet’s health history, medical concerns, physical examination results, and discuss diagnostic and treatment recommendations.
• A cost estimate will then be discussed for the recommended diagnostics and treatment. As an emergency and specialty hospital, we don’t see our patients on a routine basis (like you would a primary care facility). For this reason, we require all payments to be rendered at the time of service, even when the pet is insured. Typically, pet insurance requires that you pay for services at the time you receive them and then submit a claim for reimbursement. If you have questions about pet insurance, we’re happy to help you process your claims. We’ll further discuss cost estimates and payment options during your pet’s consultation.
• Upon completion of your pet’s specialty visit, an itemized bill and “At Home” instructions will be emailed to you for your review. An employee will then contact you to answer any questions you may have and to process payment.
• When your pet is ready to go home, a team member will bring your pet and any medications out to your car for discharge.
• A detailed final medical report will be emailed to your primary veterinarian. You will also receive an emailed copy of your pet’s medical report and your receipt.

PLEASE NOTE: If you have any questions or would like an update during your pet’s visit, please feel free to contact us anytime at (412) 373-4200.