Our Process
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Urgent Care Intake Form
After speaking with us by phone, please complete this form before bringing your pet to Urgent Veterinary Care.
Pet owners or authorized caregivers should fill out as much information as possible so our medical team can prepare the most appropriate care for your pet. During your call, our team will give you an estimated triage time based on current patient volume and your pet’s medical condition.
If your pet is experiencing a true emergency, please call us immediately at 315-515-3074.
This allows our team to understand your pet’s condition, prepare for your arrival, and give you any critical instructions before you come in.
Urgent Veterinary Care in Central New York
Urgent Veterinary Care in Auburn can help with unexpected medical situations when your regular veterinarian isn’t available but a trip to a large emergency hospital may not be warranted. Our goal is to support you, your pet, and your regular vet. Our evening and weekend hours complement your regular vet’s hours, to give your pet expanded access to the best medical care possible.
Our experienced veterinary team is ready to provide high-quality care to your furry family members. Based in Auburn, we serve Central New York and surrounding areas.
Please call us at 315-515-3074 to discuss your pet’s medical condition and confirm that we are able to help your pet.
Our Services
Urgent Care Vs Emergency
Persistent vomiting - Urgent Care Seizures - Emergency Minor wounds - Urgent Care Severe Trauma - Emergency
We have provided these lists of urgent and emergency pet care symptoms if you are unsure about whether you should bring your pet to us. If in doubt, please give us a call at (315) 515-3074 and we will be happy to answer your questions.
Urgent Care Symptoms
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite for more than 24 hours
- Ear infections (redness, discharge, odor, scratching)
- Eye discharge, redness, or squinting
- Skin infections, hot spots, or rashes
- Coughing, sneezing, or mild breathing changes
- Limping, lameness, or difficulty walking
- Minor wounds, cuts, or abrasions
- Increased thirst or urination
- Sudden change in behavior or energy level
- Quill removal
Emergency Symptoms
- Difficulty breathing or choking
- Uncontrolled bleeding
- Seizures
- Collapse, fainting, or inability to stand
- Complete loss of ability to walk
- Suspected poisoning or ingestion of toxins
- Severe trauma (hit by car, fall, large wound)
- Bloating or distended abdomen (especially in dogs)
- Inability to urinate/straining (especially male cats)
- Pale, blue, or gray gums
- Sudden extreme pain, distress, or unresponsiveness
Our Inspiration-Dr. Paula Ospina
From an early age in Colombia and later in Los Angeles, Dr. Paula Ospina, Owner and Medical Director, dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. That dream took shape at Cal Poly Pomona and led her to Cornell University for veterinary school. Her desire to help both animals and people inspired her to earn a Master’s in Public Health from UC Davis and a PhD in Epidemiology from Cornell. She opened Urgent Veterinary Care in Auburn, NY, an emergency and urgent care veterinary clinic to support families when their regular vet isn’t available—because pets’ needs don’t always fit into a 9-to-5 schedule. She founded her practice to provide compassionate, independent care centered on the human-animal bond. Together with her dedicated team of animal lovers, they have built a welcoming space where healing, support, and connection thrive.
All of us are grateful for your trust and look forward to sharing weekly stories that introduce our team and their pets.
Meet the Pets of the Urgent Veterinary Care Team!
We are pet lovers just like you, and, from our family to yours, we hope you enjoy meeting our pets as much as we enjoy meeting yours.
See What Our Clients Are Saying
FAQ's
What types of pets do you treat?
We specialize in urgent veterinary care for cats and dogs, but we can provide end of life care to certain other species if necessary. Please call for more information at 315-515-3074.
I see that you do not offer appointments. Is this right?
We do not offer appointments. We ask that you call us before you come in at 315-515-3074. When you call, we will discuss your case, prepare for your pet, and advise the best time for arrival so your pet can be triaged to minimize your wait time and optimize your pet’s care.
What is your process?
- CALL AHEAD
Please call us to check-in. Clear communication and coordination are critical in urgent and emergency situations. Calling ahead of time will allow us to prepare for your pet’s arrival. We will gather information about your pet and his/her symptoms so that we can let you know whether to bring your pet in immediately and/or give you an estimated wait time for your pet to be triaged. Wait times are estimates only and can change frequently and rapidly.
- Triage
Upon arrival or check-in, all pets are triaged by our staff. The goal is to make sure the sickest or most critical animals get immediate attention, while stable patients may safely wait a little longer.
Triage is the process of our veterinary team assessing an animal’s condition to determine how urgent their medical needs are and in what order all of the pets waiting to be seen should receive care. Triage helps prioritize care so that every patient is seen as quickly and appropriately as possible, depending on the severity of their condition.
- Exam and Diagnosis
After a thorough exam and, possibly diagnostic testing, the veterinarian treating your pet will explain your pet’s diagnosis thoroughly and answer all of your questions about your pet’s condition. We will provide you with a list of treatment options along with a recommended treatment plan.
Will I have to wait a long time for my pet to be treated?
At Urgent Veterinary Care, pets with the most critical needs are always seen first.
PLEASE understand we are not a first come, first served animal hospital; this may mean added wait time for less critical patients due to emergencies. We do our best to see all pets close to the time you were given when you called ahead and to see your pet as soon as we can. We appreciate your patience and understanding if another pet requires immediate attention even though you may have arrived first. Wait times are estimates only and can change frequently and rapidly.
What does triage mean?
Triage is the process of our veterinary team assessing an animal’s condition to determine how urgent their medical needs are and in what order all of the pets waiting to be seen should receive care. Triage helps prioritize care so that every patient is seen as quickly and appropriately as possible, depending on the severity of their condition. Upon arrival or check-in, all pets are triaged by our staff.
What are the triage levels we use at Urgent Veterinary Care, Albany NY?
What is the difference between urgent care and emergency care?
The veterinary triage levels we use are:
- Critical / Life-Threatening – Immediate Care (RED)
- The pet is unstable and may die without intervention right away. We stop everything and provide life-saving treatment.
- Examples: not breathing, severe bleeding, trauma (hit by car), seizures that won’t stop, collapse, shock, urinary obstruction.
- Examples: not breathing, severe bleeding, trauma (hit by car), seizures that won’t stop, collapse, shock, urinary obstruction.
- Urgent – Needs Care Quickly (within 30 minutes) (YELLOW)
- The pet is in serious but stable condition. We slow down, evaluate, and create a treatment plan.
- Examples: vomiting, diarrhea, limping, painful, lethargic, superficial wounds.
- Examples: vomiting, diarrhea, limping, painful, lethargic, superficial wounds.
- Non-Urgent / Minor – Can Wait Safely (GREEN)
- The pet is stable, may be uncomfortable or look uncomfortable but his or her condition is unlikely to worsen quickly. We discuss the treatment plan in order of arrival.
Examples: ear infection, mild skin issues, broken nail, chronic cough in a stable pet.
What is the difference between urgent care and emergency care?
Our urgent care clinic can help with unexpected medical situations when your regular veterinarian isn’t available but a trip to a large emergency hospital may not be warranted. Similar to human urgent care centers, our goal is to offer convenient, efficient, and high quality medicine when your primary care veterinarian is unavailable.
What conditions do you treat?
Our facility is prepared to provide treatment or stabilization for many cases, including:
- Allergic reactions
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
- Excessive bleeding
- Trauma (ranging from simple laceration repairs to stabilization after a car accident)
- Urinary blockage
- C-sections
- Gastrointestinal disorders (ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to foreign body ingestion)
- Quill removal
- Seizures
There are some cases that are beyond our scope; we are not equipped to provide ongoing intensive care or critical care for severely ill patients.
What are your hours of operation?
We open at 6 pm on Thursday, and our evening and weekend hours complement your regular vet’s hours, giving your pet expanded access to the best medical care possible. Our goal is to support you, your pet, and your regular vet. Please call 315-515-3074 to discuss your pet’s medical condition and confirm that we are able to help your pet.
Where are you located in Auburn, NY?
We are conveniently located in Auburn, New York, serving Central New York communities including Cayuga County and surrounding areas. Please call 315-515-3074 for specific directions and location details.