Emergency Veterinary Surgery in Watkinsville, GA
At GVETS, we offer emergency surgical care for pets when minutes matter most. Our full-service overnight hospital is equipped to perform life-saving procedures for dogs and cats as well as exotic pets experiencing trauma, internal bleeding, critical illness, or urgent labor complications. Located in Watkinsville and serving Athens, Oconee County, Clarke County, and the surrounding region, we’re here when your primary veterinarian is closed.
Life-Saving Surgeries, Performed Overnight
GVETS is not just a triage center — we are a hospital-grade surgical facility that performs complex emergency procedures after hours. Our Emergency veterinary surgeons are trained to respond rapidly to high-risk cases, ensuring your pet receives immediate care and overnight monitoring in a fully equipped ICU environment.
Common Emergency Surgeries We Perform
- Gastrotomies and enterotomies are used to remove swallowed foreign bodies from the stomach and intestines.
- Endoscopic (non-invasive) Gastric Foreign Body Retrieval to remove swallowed objects without surgery.
- Dog Bloat Surgery (GDV): Rapid response for gastric dilatation-volvulus, a life-threatening condition.
- Splenectomy: Surgical removal of the spleen due to trauma or rupture.
- Cesarean Section (Pet Cesarean): Emergency delivery support for dogs and cats in labor distress.
- Internal Bleeding: Surgical intervention for abdominal hemorrhage or trauma.
- Wound Repair: Deep lacerations, punctures, or injuries caused by accidents or animal fights.
- These are just a few of the surgical procedures that we perform at GVETS.
If required, we keep patients comfortable and stable through the night and coordinate morning transfer to your family veterinarian or a specialty referral hospital when needed.
Equipped for Critical Surgical Care
Our emergency surgery team has access to:
- Fully equipped surgical suites
- Advanced monitoring equipment
- Oxygen cages and critical care recovery units
- In-house blood products for transfusions
- On-site diagnostics to guide real-time decision-making
When to Seek Emergency Surgery
You should contact GVETS immediately if your pet is experiencing any of the following:
- Bloated or distended abdomen
- Excessive bleeding or trauma
- Difficulty giving birth
- Collapse or unresponsiveness
- Severe wounds or lacerations
- Suspected internal injuries from an accident
Appointments are NEVER needed, but please call ahead if possible so we can prepare for your arrival. We are ALWAYS open for walk-ins whenever we are open.
Compassionate, Skilled Surgical Care, Any Night of the Year
Emergency situations don’t wait for office hours. That’s why GVETS provides immediate, expert surgical care every night, weekend, and holiday. We proudly serve pet families in Watkinsville, Athens, and across northeast Georgia, offering the advanced surgical support their pets need — when it matters most.