STATE-OF-THE-ART

VETERINARY URGENT CARE

Is Now in Palm Desert

Virtual Lobby

Maria Jeferson

“The doctors and staff are all great! Couldn’t be nicer people.”

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HOURS OF OPERATION*

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7am to 10pm Mon to Fri 7am to 8pm Sat and Sun

VIRTUAL LOBBY AND WALK-INS

At VUCD, we offer a virtual lobby, so you can check in from the comfort of your own home. Join the list and receive a text when it’s time to come in! We’re happy to accept walk-ins for triage. In most cases, we can treat your pet right here. If they need more specialized or round-the-clock care, we’ll help coordinate a smooth transfer to a trusted 24-hour hospital. *Regardless of walk-in or virtual waiting room status, patients will be seen in appropriate order. Emergencies and critical patients will take priority.

*Although Veterinary Urgent Care of the Desert will keep its doors open until 10PM from Monday to Friday, and 8PM on Saturday and Sunday, our wait list and patient intake will close prior to this time in order to properly accommodate our existing patients and ensure the best patient care. If you have questions, please call us at (760) 851-0668.

Why Urgent Care?

An urgent care clinic is designed to bridge the health provider gap between your family veterinarian and the emergency hospital. Urgent care hours tend to be moderately different from a normal, family veterinary practice, but very rarely, are a full, 24-hour hospital. Veterinary Urgent Care of the Desert opens its doors mid-morning until later into the evening, in order to provide overflow care for patients that need to be seen that day, and allow for later care after general practices close. However, we are not a 24-hour emergency hospital. If critical patients are admitted to our hospital, we will provide stabilization and help arrange for transfer to a 24-hour hospital for continued care. If you are unsure of whether your pet is critical, please do not hesitate to call us at (760) 851-0668 so that we can provide advice on where to go.

Why Choose VUCD?

We understand the anxiety and stress that comes along with a sick pet. Our goal is to bridge the gap between your regular veterinary practitioner and an emergency care hospital when your pet is too ill to wait another day, but not ill enough to require overnight hospitalization. Our veterinary professionals practice high-quality, compassionate and kind medicine, designed to bring your pets immediate relief until they can see your regular veterinarian again. In addition to that, we are here to help triage your pet’s issues and help you decide whether or not it can wait until your regular veterinarian can attend to them, or if further hospitalization or care is needed with a 24-hour facility.

Urgent Care At VUCD?

VETERINARY URGENT CARE OF THE DESERT is dedicated to providing immediate medical attention to animals in need of urgent care. We do not offer general wellness appointments, vaccinations, spays/neuters, or any other non-urgent primary care services.

Here is a list of some of the common problems we can help with:

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Vomiting & diarrhea

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Coughing & sneezing

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Moderate to severe;

Eye, ear & skin infections

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Ingestion of toxins

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Bites & wounds

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Limping

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Heatstroke

The goal at VUCD is to provide stabilization and support to urgent care cases, with follow up care referred to your regular veterinary health provider. In more critical cases, we help stabilize and provide referral to a 24-hour specialty hospital for critical care & hospitalization. We are equipped with the latest technology to ensure that we provide quick, accurate diagnoses for your pet’s medical issues. These include digital radiology, in-house lab work, ultrasound & more

Learn More

Surgery At VUCD

The surgery department at VUCD provides a wide range of essential services for pets in need of immediate and referral surgical intervention, including:

ORTHOPEDICS

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Fracture repair

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Joint surgeries

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Management of refractory arthritis

SOFT TISSUE

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Bladder surgeries

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C-section & other uterine surgeries

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Wound management

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Mass biopsy & removal

The surgery department is equipped with state-of-the-art technology & equipment to ensure the highest level of care for each patient, & is dedicated to providing compassionate care and successful outcomes for pets & their owners.

About VUCD

VETERINARY URGENT CARE OF THE DESERT is a veterinary surgical & urgent care hospital located in the heart of Coachella Valley. Our team of experienced and compassionate veterinarians & veterinary professionals are here to provide high-quality surgical & urgent care services for your beloved pets.

At VUCD, we understand that pets don’t always get sick or injured during regular business hours. That’s why we offer extended hours — including evenings and weekends — to ensure that your pet gets the care they need, when they need it most.

Our state-of-the-art facility is equipped with the latest technology to ensure that we are able to quickly and accurately diagnose and treat your pet’s medical issues. We offer a wide range of urgent care services, including triage, X-rays, lab work, and more. In addition, we have a dedicated surgical team to provide an array of surgical procedures.

Testimonials

      
   Veterinary Urgent Care of the Desert
   318 Google reviews 
  Write a review 
  
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Rebecca Gutierrez 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Extremely satisfied. My pet does not get stressed out when I take him to urgent care. What I appreciated most is the care that is given to my pet everytime.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lorrie Daniel 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent care. Everyone was very personable and kind. Patient and listening to my issues about my dog.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Julie Sribney 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Virtual waitroom is GREAT.  Considerate of my time and much easier on the pet to not wait in a physical waiting room with other pets/owners.  Dr James was Great ... competent, clear, concise diagnosis and treatment. Thank you all!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Travis Rockwell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I had my first visit to this office, this past Sunday. They got me in rather fast and early. Very friendly and professionalism all the way through. Dr. Boyd expressed her concerns for my dog's treatment, and I proceeded with her recommendations. I did spend some money, but when you get great service, and the experience I received, that value is worth every penny! I felt like I was in good hands after my initial call, as well as knowing I was in good hands after being greeted and seen. Stewie and I thank you Doc!!!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Melinda Moore 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Unbelievable  service, kindness, and professionalism. So glad that they are in my area. The people there worked so hard and are so kind. Thank you so much for being there for my little furry friend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Satya Devi 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Our dog had been vomiting and had diarrhea several times and we knew he had eaten the base end of a palm frond because that was what we pulled out when he was having difficulty! We were worried about blockage so we called to ask their advice. From beginning to end they were wonderful! Veronica who helped on the phone took all the time I needed to answer my many questions and gave me very good information. We live over an hour away and were debating waiting until the next morning to see how he did. I felt neither rushed to make a decision nor judged for looking at options. I felt heard and understood and was told everything I needed to make the decision.

Once there we were seen immediately because Veronica had put our name on the list when I told her we decided to come up. Serbie was taken into the back- many negative reviews complain about this, and it is a bit unnerving when your fur baby can't stay with you, but it is very common practice at other urgent care vets I have gone to in other states over the years. Because if there are 5 animals needing blood drawn, or temps taken, or ears checked, or whatever, they can all be done in a row and triage goes easier. Also they can start working on an animal like my guy- not actively vomiting in the moment- but quickly jump to an animal who comes in after but needs immediate care, then back to the first dog rather seamlessly.

The vet explained in minute detail every possible procedure for diagnostics and the treatment options no matter what the findings (whether or not he had an x-ray showing and obstruction, he needed fluid replenishment) and answered another multitude of questions I had. She did not push any one treatment, made it very clear that it was entirely up to me how to proceed, and only gave her opinion about priority of treatments after I asked for it. She told me what the total cost would be if I chose all of the above and reiterated I could choose any or none. She never said "I recommend" or "he needs" or anything else- which I have had a nearby urgent care state to coerce or guilt me into getting extrra treatments- and in no way made me feel uncomfortable to be asking for pricing of the treatments I was debating. I was not pressured in any way. I cannot emphasize enough what a difference that makes when you are already stressed about one of the most important beings in your life.

From the time we arrived to the time we were driving home was less than 3 hours. That obviously can vary depending on how many animals come in but they were efficient and professional throughout. And literally every person we interacted with was a delight to speak to. Highly recommend.

Update*** We had to bring our cat in this week. We were seen quickly, accommodated for our cat's trauma by being able to carry her in wrapped up instead of in a carrier, and recieved detailed explanation of what was happening with her.

The front deak and checkout staff need to be recognized. Those points tend to be most stressful. Arrival is fraught with anguish and checkout with trepidation over making the right decisions mixed with relief at having made it in and gotten treatment. The staff is generous with their time and compassion. What I appreciated most is the genuine care for animals all staff displays.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Carolyn Miller 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Prompt, compassionate, professional. Appreciated being able to schedule for my dog's near emergency situation on New Year's Eve.  Grateful for good care.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Craig Harris 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. So pleased with our visit . The passion for answers to our problem and the indepth detail of keeping us informed on everything.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Denise 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had excellent care with clear communication from the dr on next steps. Dr McBride asked questions about my dogs breed and anesthesia reactions which is rare, she also was very calm around my high strung Australian Shepherd. What I appreciated most is the awareness of my dogs stress level being addressed
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Debbi Edwards 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very good Everyone was very kind What I appreciated most is kindness from staff & being able to get help for my pet