Is it an emergency right now?
If your dog is showing any of these, drive to the nearest 24-hour clinic and call them on the way:
- • Distended/bloated abdomen + non-productive retching
- • Collapse, sudden weakness, can't stand
- • Active seizure or post-seizure confusion
- • Difficulty breathing or blue/grey gums
- • Severe trauma or active bleeding that won't stop
- • Suspected poisoning
- • Inability to urinate (especially male cats)
- • Severe pain that doesn't resolve
- • Wildlife attack (coyote, dog bite)
- • Heatstroke (panting + collapse + hot to touch)
Calgary's emergency vet network is small — only a handful of clinics run true 24/7 service. Knowing which clinic to drive to before you need to is the difference between a 10-minute trip and a 45-minute crisis. Save this page to your phone now.
Calgary 24-Hour & After-Hours Emergency Clinics
Always call before driving — capacity changes nightly. Phone triage is free.
Paramount Veterinary Hospital
24/7Quadrant: NW · Country Hills
One of Calgary's longest-running 24-hour emergency hospitals. Full ER + critical care. Verify current address and intake policy by phone before driving.
VCA Canada West Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Centre
24/7Quadrant: NW (north central)
Specialty + emergency hospital with surgical, internal medicine, and critical care services. Common referral destination for serious cases. Often busy — phone first.
CARE Centre (Calgary Animal Referral & Emergency)
24/7Quadrant: Beltline / Mission
Central Calgary's 24-hour ER + specialty referral. Closest option for downtown and inner-city neighbourhoods.
Petzoic Veterinary Specialty Hospital
Extended ER — verify hoursQuadrant: NE · Saddleridge
Multi-specialty hospital with extended emergency hours. Always call to confirm current 24-hour status.
Fish Creek 24-Hour Pet Hospital
Extended hoursQuadrant: S
South Calgary after-hours coverage. Confirm current hours by phone — previously branded variations exist.
Phone numbers and current hours change. Search the clinic name + “Calgary” for the latest contact details before you drive. Many clinics also list hours and capacity status on their websites in real time.
Symptom Triage: Go Now vs Wait vs Call
| Symptom | Action |
|---|---|
| Distended abdomen + retching with no vomit | GO NOW — bloat/GDV is fatal in hours |
| Active seizure or post-seizure confusion | GO NOW — especially first-time seizure |
| Collapse, sudden weakness | GO NOW |
| Difficulty breathing, blue/grey gums | GO NOW |
| Suspected poisoning (chocolate, xylitol, grapes, meds) | CALL POISON LINE FIRST — then go |
| Inability to urinate (especially male cats) | GO NOW — urinary blockage is fatal in 24 hours |
| Active bleeding that won't stop with pressure | GO NOW |
| Suspected wildlife attack (coyote, dog bite) | GO NOW — even small punctures need treatment |
| Heatstroke (panting + collapse + hot to touch) | GO NOW after cooling with cool (not cold) water |
| Repeated vomiting (3+ episodes in 4 hours) | CALL ER |
| Vomiting + diarrhea with lethargy | CALL ER |
| Limping, can't bear weight | CALL ER — could be ortho injury |
| Eye injury or sudden eye change | CALL ER |
| Single vomit/diarrhea, otherwise normal | Monitor at home, call regular vet AM |
| Mild limping (intermittent), normal demeanour | Rest 24h, regular vet if not improving |
| Eating slightly less for 1 day | Monitor, regular vet if persists 48h |
When in doubt, call the ER. Phone triage is free and a 90-second call can save you a 3am drive — or save your dog's life if you were going to wait.
Pet Poison Helplines
Pet Poison Helpline
1-855-764-7661
24/7 · ~$85 USD per consultation · Veterinary toxicologists. They'll work with your local vet.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control
1-888-426-4435
24/7 · ~$95 USD per consultation · Same model as Pet Poison Helpline.
Don't induce vomiting without guidance. Some toxins (corrosives, sharp objects) cause more damage on the way back up. Call the helpline first.
What Emergency Vet Visits Cost in Calgary
| Visit Type | Typical Calgary Range |
|---|---|
| Emergency consult (door fee) | $200–$400 |
| Basic ER visit (consult + diagnostics + treatment) | $800–$2,500 |
| Bloat/GDV surgery | $5,000–$10,000+ |
| Foreign body surgery | $3,000–$8,000 |
| Major trauma / critical care stay | $5,000–$15,000+ |
| Parvo treatment (puppy) | $2,000–$5,000 |
Most clinics require a 50–75% deposit upfront before starting non-stabilization treatment. Bring a credit card with available limit, or have CareCredit / ScratchPay set up before you walk in. Calgary Humane and AARCS have small donor-funded emergency funds for crisis cases — not guaranteed, but worth asking.
The single best protection against ER financial stress is pet insurance. A $40–$60/month premium prevents most ER bills from becoming life-altering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Calgary vet clinics are open 24 hours?
Paramount Veterinary Hospital (NW), VCA Canada West (NW), and CARE Centre (Mission/Beltline) lead the 24/7 list. Petzoic (NE) and Fish Creek (S) cover extended hours — verify by phone.
How much does an emergency vet visit cost in Calgary?
$200–$400 just to walk in (door fee). A typical visit lands at $800–$2,500. Major surgery can run $5,000–$15,000+. Most clinics require a deposit upfront.
What is a true emergency vs can it wait until morning?
Go now: bloat, seizure, collapse, blue gums, suspected poisoning, severe trauma, breathing difficulty, can't urinate, severe pain. Can wait: mild limping, single vomit/diarrhea episode, eating slightly less. When in doubt, call the ER — phone triage is free.
What is the Pet Poison Helpline number?
Pet Poison Helpline: 1-855-764-7661 (24/7, ~$85). ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 1-888-426-4435 (24/7, ~$95). Both staffed by veterinary toxicologists.
My dog ate something — should I make them throw up?
Not without veterinary guidance. Some toxins make vomiting more dangerous. Call the Pet Poison Helpline or your vet first.
Can shelters help with emergency vet bills in Calgary?
Calgary Humane and AARCS occasionally help via donor-funded emergency programs — not guaranteed. Care Credit and ScratchPay are the most reliable last-resort financing. Pet insurance prevents most of these emergencies in advance.
Pet Insurance in Calgary
The single best way to prevent ER bills from becoming life-altering.
Low-Cost Vet Clinics in Calgary
For routine care — not for emergencies, but worth knowing.
Calgary Coyote Safety
If your dog is attacked — emergency response and clinics.
Calgary Dog Tick Prevention
Prevent the most common spring/summer ER reason in Alberta.