When your dog or cat is suddenly limping on the trail, refusing to eat, or showing signs that something is just not right, every minute feels urgent. For pet owners in Sisters and the surrounding communities of Central Oregon, knowing where to turn during a scary health moment can make all the difference for your animal.
Pawtown Veterinary Care is a locally owned small animal practice in Bend, serving dogs and cats throughout Central Oregon, including families who make the drive from Sisters. Founded by Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer, we operate with a family-like approach that puts your pet’s comfort and your peace of mind at the center of everything we do. Our full range of veterinary services is available Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, and we make every effort to accommodate same-day appointments when your pet needs to be seen right away.
What "Urgent Care" Means at Pawtown
Not every scary moment requires a trip to an emergency facility. In fact, many of the situations that send pet owners into a panic can be addressed effectively during regular business hours at a full-service veterinary practice like ours. The key is knowing what qualifies as urgent, and having a trusted team ready to help when you call.
A research study published through the National Institutes of Health found that over 90 percent of dog owners have visited a veterinarian at some point, yet many pet owners are unsure when a situation requires immediate attention versus a scheduled visit. That gap in knowledge can lead to delayed care or to unnecessary trips to expensive emergency facilities. At Pawtown, we want Sisters-area pet owners to feel confident reaching out to us directly when something feels wrong with their animal.
Common Urgent Situations We Can Address
We are equipped to evaluate a wide range of urgent concerns during our regular business hours. Some examples of situations where you should call us right away include:
- Vomiting or diarrhea: persistent symptoms that last more than a few hours or include blood
- Eye or ear concerns: discharge, redness, swelling, or signs of pain
- Cuts, lacerations, or paw injuries: especially those from trail surfaces, rocks, or sharp debris
- Limping or sudden lameness: particularly common in active dogs after hikes or outdoor adventures
- Swollen abdomen, labored breathing, or unusual lethargy: signs that warrant prompt evaluation
If you are ever unsure whether your pet’s situation requires an immediate visit, call us. We would always rather answer a question and help you make an informed decision than have you sit at home wondering.
Veterinary Care You Can Count On During Business Hours
Sisters is a community of outdoor enthusiasts, and the pets who live there are just as active as the people. Whether your dog is running the trails around Black Butte, swimming in a local lake, or simply living the rugged Central Oregon lifestyle, the risks that come with an active life are real. Injury treatment for trail-related wounds, insect stings, or sudden lameness is something we handle regularly for dogs and cats throughout this region.
What sets Pawtown apart from a corporate chain or a high-volume clinic is the relationship we build with you and your pet. When you walk through our door, you are not a number. Dr. Miller and Dr. Stayer built this practice from the ground up specifically to offer the kind of attentive, personal care that busy corporate practices often cannot provide. Our diagnostic services allow us to get answers quickly in-house, which means faster decisions and less stress for you and your animal.
Why Sisters Pet Owners Choose Pawtown
The drive from Sisters to Bend is short, and for pet owners who want a veterinary team they can actually trust, it is well worth it. We are not a revolving door of providers. You will see the same familiar faces and work with a team that genuinely knows your pet’s history and health. Learn more about our doctors and our story to understand what we are about and why so many Central Oregon families choose us as their long-term veterinary home.
We also understand that unexpected veterinary visits come with unexpected costs. That is why we offer financing through CareCredit and Scratch Pay, two options that allow you to move forward with the care your pet needs without having to put off treatment due to financial concerns. We believe access to quality care should not depend on whether the timing is convenient for your budget.
Routine and Preventive Care Alongside Urgent Visits
One of the advantages of establishing care with Pawtown before an emergency arises is that your pet already has a record with us. Comprehensive exams are the foundation of preventive health, and a baseline exam allows our team to recognize changes more quickly when something does go wrong. Sisters-area pet owners who make Pawtown their regular veterinary home are better positioned to get fast, informed care when it matters most.
We see dogs and cats exclusively, and we focus on providing comprehensive small animal care within our scope. We do not offer orthopedic surgeries or after-hours and weekend emergency services, so if your pet experiences a life-threatening situation outside of Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm, please contact an emergency facility immediately.
Connect with Pawtown Veterinary Care in Bend
Sisters and Bend share more than a highway. They share a community of people who take their outdoor lifestyle seriously and who hold their pets close to the center of that life. At Pawtown Veterinary Care, we are proud to be the trusted veterinary team for families across Central Oregon who want personal, relationship-driven care from veterinarians who genuinely love what they do.
If your pet is showing signs of an urgent issue, or if you are ready to establish care before an emergency happens, we are here for you. Reach out through our contact form to get in touch with our team, and we will do everything we can to get your pet seen as soon as possible during our business hours, Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm.