When your dog or cat has a health concern that can’t wait for a scheduled appointment but isn’t a life-threatening emergency, Pawtown Veterinary Care offers same-day urgent care in Bend, Oregon, Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm. Same-day appointments are our standard — not a workaround — because Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer built this practice to be available when your pet needs attention now.
As Bend’s locally owned small animal practice, we see your pet’s urgent needs in the same exam rooms, with the same doctors, as your routine visits. That continuity matters: when we already know your pet, we assess faster, treat more accurately, and communicate more clearly. For a full overview of everything we offer, visit our veterinary services page.
What Is Urgent Veterinary Care?
Urgent veterinary care covers conditions that need attention within hours — not days — but don’t require the immediate life-saving intervention of a true emergency. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, many pet owners struggle to tell the difference, and calling your vet first is always the right move when you’re unsure.
Conditions that fall in the urgent category include persistent vomiting or diarrhea, straining to urinate, minor cuts or puncture wounds, suspected ear infections, eye discharge or squinting, sudden limping, skin reactions or swelling, and mild respiratory symptoms without distress. These need to be seen the same day but can safely wait for clinic hours.
Emergency conditions are different: collapse, difficulty breathing, uncontrolled bleeding, suspected poisoning, seizures, pale or blue gums, a distended abdomen with retching, or severe trauma all require immediate intervention. For those situations, call us at 541-313-3607 during business hours or go directly to a 24-hour emergency facility after hours.
Urgent Care Conditions We Treat in Bend
We see a wide range of urgent conditions during business hours. Gastrointestinal issues — vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than a few hours, especially with lethargy or appetite loss — are among the most common and respond well to prompt evaluation before they escalate. Urinary straining, especially in male cats, moves up our triage priority quickly and is one of the conditions we’re always glad owners called about immediately.
Injuries from outdoor activities are another frequent category here in Central Oregon. Paw lacerations from volcanic rock on the trails, minor punctures from wildlife encounters, insect stings, and plant-contact reactions all benefit from same-day cleaning, evaluation, and treatment to prevent infection from setting in. Tick exposures are worth a same-day call as well — early removal and assessment reduce the risk of tick-borne illness.
Other urgent conditions we routinely handle include eye redness, discharge, or squinting (eye problems deteriorate quickly without treatment); ear pain or head shaking suggesting infection; skin reactions, hot spots, or unexplained swelling; sudden limping or weight-bearing changes; and respiratory symptoms without distress. If you’re seeing something that worries you and it isn’t on this list, call us — our team can assess over the phone whether it needs same-day attention.
How We Handle Your Urgent Appointment
When you call with an urgent concern, our front desk does an immediate phone triage — asking about your pet’s symptoms, how long they’ve been present, and whether anything has changed. This helps us prepare the exam room and alert Dr. Miller or Dr. Stayer before you arrive, so we’re ready to move quickly when you walk in.
The examination fee for an urgent visit covers a full physical evaluation, a detailed discussion of your concerns, and a clear explanation of what we’re seeing and what we recommend. Before any diagnostic tests or treatment begins, we walk you through the options and the associated costs so you can make informed decisions. We use our in-house laboratory and digital x-rays to assess urgent conditions rapidly, without the wait of sending samples to an outside lab.
Treatment for urgent conditions may include pain medication, wound cleaning and closure, antibiotics or antifungals, anti-nausea medication, fluid therapy for dehydration, or other supportive care tailored to your pet’s specific condition. Before you leave, we provide clear written home care instructions and schedule a recheck if needed to confirm your pet is responding well.
When Should I Call for Same-Day Urgent Care?
Call us at 541-313-3607 during business hours if your pet is experiencing any of the following: vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than a few hours, especially if accompanied by lethargy; straining to urinate or producing only small amounts of urine (especially in male cats — this becomes an emergency quickly); a wound that needs cleaning or evaluation; sudden lameness or limping that doesn’t improve with rest; eye redness, discharge, squinting, or pawing at the eye; ear shaking or head tilting; or behavioral changes suggesting pain or discomfort.
When you call, tell us your pet’s species, the main symptom, and how long it’s been going on. That information lets our team assess urgency accurately and set the right expectations for your visit. If you’re unsure whether what you’re seeing is urgent or routine, call anyway — we’d rather hear from you and be able to say “watch for 24 hours” than have you delay care for something that needed attention sooner.
If your pet is showing signs that may indicate a true emergency — collapse, difficulty breathing, suspected poisoning, seizures, or pale/blue gums — please also see our emergency care page and contact us or an after-hours facility immediately.
Urgent Care Hours at Pawtown Veterinary Care
Pawtown is open for urgent and same-day appointments Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm. Call us at 541-313-3607 as early in the day as possible when you have an urgent concern — earlier calls give us more scheduling flexibility and a better chance of seeing your pet the same morning. Walk-ins are accepted for urgent cases, though a quick call ahead helps us prepare.
For after-hours or weekend emergencies that can’t wait, Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center and the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon both provide 24-hour care. We’re happy to coordinate follow-up care after any after-hours visit to continue your pet’s treatment without interruption. For non-urgent situations that arise on a Sunday or late in the evening, contact us first thing when we open Saturday or Monday and we’ll get you in.
Payment Options for Urgent Vet Visits
Unexpected vet visits come with unexpected costs. Pawtown accepts CareCredit and Scratch Pay financing for urgent and emergency care, allowing you to get your pet treated immediately and manage the cost over time. Both are straightforward to apply for and can be approved quickly at the time of your visit.
We provide clear cost estimates before treatment begins whenever the situation allows. Our team separates the examination fee from any recommended diagnostics or treatments so you understand exactly what each line item covers and can make decisions with full information. If you have pet insurance, we provide itemized invoices and the documentation your carrier needs for reimbursement claims.
Same-Day Urgent Vet in Bend — Contact Pawtown
Dr. Erin Miller and Dr. Lauren Stayer see urgent cases alongside their scheduled appointments — not in a separate ER staffed by whoever’s available. When your pet is sick and you call Pawtown, you reach the same practice and team that knows your pet. That connection makes a difference in how quickly we assess what’s happening and how confidently we treat it.
Don’t wait on something that concerns you. Contact us during business hours — we’d rather help you figure out it wasn’t serious than have you wait on something that was.
Does Pawtown offer same-day urgent care?
Yes. Same-day urgent appointments are standard at Pawtown, not an exception. Call us at 541-313-3607 as early as possible and we’ll get your pet in the same day. We’re open Monday through Saturday, 8 am to 5 pm.
What is the difference between urgent care and emergency care for pets?
Urgent care covers conditions that need attention within hours but aren’t immediately life-threatening — vomiting, straining to urinate, minor wounds, ear infections, limping, or eye problems. Emergency care is for life-threatening situations like collapse, difficulty breathing, suspected poisoning, seizures, or uncontrolled bleeding. If you’re unsure which category your pet is in, call us and we’ll help you decide.
Do I need an appointment for urgent care?
Walk-ins are accepted for urgent cases. Calling ahead when you can gives us time to prepare and can reduce your wait. If you’re calling because you’re on your way in and your pet is in distress, just tell us and we’ll be ready.
How much does an urgent care visit cost at Pawtown?
Cost depends on what your pet needs. An examination fee covers the vet’s evaluation, discussion of your concerns, and treatment recommendations. Any diagnostics or treatments recommended beyond the exam are discussed and estimated before we proceed. We accept CareCredit and Scratch Pay if you need financing.
Does pet insurance cover urgent care?
Most pet insurance plans cover urgent care visits for illness or injury. Wellness plan coverage varies. We provide itemized invoices and any documentation your carrier needs for reimbursement. If you’re unsure what your plan covers, contact your insurer before your visit if time allows.
What should I do if my pet needs urgent care after hours?
For after-hours, weekend, or holiday urgent care, contact Bend Animal Emergency and Specialty Center or the Veterinary Referral Center of Central Oregon — both offer 24-hour care. We’ll coordinate your pet’s follow-up care when you return to us.
