Six stool changes that mean call the vet
A vet-informed field guide to the changes in dog poop you shouldn't ignore.
Salt Lake County
24/7 emergency animal hospitals.
True around-the-clock emergency veterinary care in Salt Lake County. Walk-in available at all four; calling ahead is still recommended.
Open 24/7
Salt Lake City
MedVet Salt Lake City
24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Full ER plus specialty services including critical care, cardiology, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, radiology, and surgery. No appointment needed for emergencies.
Open 24/7
Sandy
Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) Sandy
24 hours, every day including holidays.
Open floor plan; you stay with your pet the whole time. A veterinarian (not a tech) sees you on arrival. Closest 24/7 ER to Utah County drivers heading north on I-15.
Open 24/7
Cottonwood Heights
VCA Cottonwood Animal Hospital
24 hours, 7 days a week.
Full-service hospital with 15+ veterinarians. Treats dogs, cats, and most domestic species. Calling ahead with your ETA lets the team prepare for arrival.
Open 24/7
Millcreek
Advanced Veterinary Care
Sunday 8:00 AM through Friday morning (24-hour coverage Sun–Thu). Confirm weekend availability by phone.
Sophisticated emergency, critical care, and trauma management. Specialty referrals for surgery, cardiology, internal medicine, and oncology. Part of the Thrive Pet Care network.
Specialty + ER
Midvale
BluePearl Pet Hospital
Extended hours, not fully 24/7. Call to confirm availability before driving.
Specialty referral hospital with emergency services. Strong choice when your primary vet has already referred you for advanced diagnostics or surgery.
Utah County
After-hours and urgent care.
Utah County does not currently have a fully 24/7 emergency hospital. For overnight or critical emergencies, the closest 24/7 option is VEG Sandy, roughly 30 to 45 minutes north on I-15.
After-hours
Orem
Pet Urgent Care Orem
Mon & Fri 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Tue–Thu 6:00 PM – midnight. Sat & Sun 4:00 PM – midnight.
Utah County's first locally-owned after-hours emergency clinic; nearly 20 years in operation. Handles toxin exposure, trauma, surgery, and other urgent cases. Walk-in, no appointment required. Closed during overnight hours; if your pet needs care after midnight, drive to VEG Sandy.
Closest 24/7 to Utah County
Sandy
VEG Sandy (closest 24/7).
24 hours, every day. About 30–45 minutes north from Provo or Orem.
Overnight emergencies for Utah County residents, when Pet Urgent Care Orem is closed. Walk-in; call from the car so a veterinarian is ready when you pull up.
Northern Utah
If you're north of Salt Lake.
For Davis, Weber, and Morgan County residents, the closest 24/7 option is in Layton.
Open 24/7
Layton
Mountain West Veterinary Specialists
24 hours, 7 days a week. No appointment required.
Specialty and emergency hospital with surgery, internal medicine, critical care, CT, ultrasound, digital radiology, fluoroscopy, endoscopy, and an ICU. Locally owned, on the Wasatch Front for almost a decade.
If toxin exposure is suspected
Animal poison control hotlines.
Call one of these before or while driving to the ER, especially if your pet ate something you can identify. The toxicologist will give the emergency vet a case number that speeds up treatment on arrival.
24/7 hotline
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
(888) 426-4435
Approx. $95 consultation fee. Case number is included with vet ER referrals.
24/7 hotline
Pet Poison Helpline
(855) 764-7661
Approx. $85 consultation fee. Toxicologists on staff around the clock.
Before you leave the house
What to bring with you to the ER.
- Your pet, secured. Carrier for cats and small dogs. Towel or blanket for support. If your dog can walk, a regular leash; if not, a flat board or stretcher.
- The toxic substance, if any. Bring the original container, label, or a clear photo. Vomit, urine, or stool samples in a sealed bag also help.
- Photos of what you saw. Stool, vomit, swelling, the object swallowed, the wound. Saves explanation time.
- Medications and supplements. Bottles, not just names. Helps the ER avoid dangerous interactions.
- Recent medical records, if available. A phone screenshot of your last visit summary works fine.
- Method of payment. Emergency visits average $800 to $1,500; complex cases can go higher. CareCredit and Scratchpay are widely accepted.
- The poison-control case number. If you called ASPCA or Pet Poison Helpline en route, write down the case number for the ER team.
When it might not be an emergency.
Some symptoms feel urgent but can usually wait for your regular vet to open in the morning. Use judgment, and when in doubt, call. Most ER hospitals will give triage advice over the phone for free.
- One bout of vomiting or one loose stool, with the pet otherwise bright and alert.
- A small superficial cut that has stopped bleeding.
- Mild limping after exercise, with no swelling or refusal to bear weight.
- A single episode of scooting or excessive licking.
Go now if you see: trouble breathing, bloated/tight abdomen, repeated vomiting, collapse, seizure, suspected poisoning, hit-by-car, heavy bleeding, eye injury, can't urinate, strawberry-jam stool, or any sudden behavior change with visible signs of distress.
This page is for general public-safety information and is not a substitute for veterinary advice or a diagnosis. In any true emergency, contact a licensed veterinarian or an animal poison control hotline immediately. Hospital hours, staffing, and services can change; confirm by phone before driving.
