We know that navigating veterinary specialty care can feel overwhelming, especially in an emergency. Below you’ll find answers to the questions we hear most often. Don’t see your question? Reach out to any of our three Florida locations, and our team will be happy to help.
AVS has two locations across northeast and central Florida. Both locations offer specialty and emergency veterinary services and 24-hour care.
Emergency & Critical Care services are available 24-hours. We have dedicated overnight staff ensuring continuous care around the clock. For Specialty Medicine, an appointment is required; please contact your nearest AVS location.
Availability of specific specialties may vary by location. We recommend calling ahead to confirm which services are available at the location most convenient to you. Our team will always help direct you to the right place.
Yes. AVS provides Emergency & Critical Care services at all three locations. Our emergency department is staffed by experienced veterinary professionals, including our Board-Certified Criticalist, and we maintain dedicated overnight staff to ensure your pet receives continuous monitoring and treatment around the clock. Our intensive care unit (ICU) is designed with your pet in mind and equipped with state-of-the-art equipment.
No. Emergency walk-ins are always welcome at AVS – no appointment necessary. If your pet is in distress, go directly to your nearest AVS location. Our team will triage your pet upon arrival and begin care immediately.
Seek emergency care immediately if your pet is experiencing any of the following:
When in doubt, come in. Our team would always rather rule out a serious condition than have you wait.
Yes. AVS maintains an ER veterinarian on staff at all times, including overnight. Our dedicated overnight team ensures your pet is never left without qualified medical supervision during a hospital stay.
A Board-Certified Veterinary Specialist is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) who has completed an additional four to five years of advanced training beyond their degree — including internships, research fellowships, and a formal residency in their specialty. They have also passed the rigorous board examination administered by the American College of Veterinary Medicine, earning them Diplomate status. This is the highest level of credential available in veterinary medicine.
AVS locations host a family of Board-Certified Veterinary Specialists offering your pet care in Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Surgery (including Specialty Surgery) and Anesthesiology. Our family of Specialists is always evolving to offer additional services & care to pet owners in Northeast Florida, Central Florida and Georgia. Call or stop-by one of our AVS locations to discuss pet care and services offered.
In most cases, a referral from your primary veterinarian is the first step toward scheduling a specialty consultation at AVS. If your pet is experiencing an emergency, walk directly into any AVS location – no referral or appointment is needed for emergency care. For specialty services, your family vet will typically contact us directly to coordinate the referral and transfer your pet’s medical records.
Absolutely. Collaboration with your family veterinarian is a cornerstone of how AVS operates. Our specialists communicate directly with your primary vet throughout the consultation, treatment, and recovery process, ensuring continuity of care and keeping everyone aligned on your pet’s health plan.
AVS locations are equipped with advanced diagnostic technology, including: digital radiography (X-rays), ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scanning, continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, a full in-house bloodwork laboratory, and access to off-site MRI. This allows our team to rapidly diagnose and begin treatment.
Yes. All AVS locations feature fully equipped surgical suites with advanced anesthetic monitoring, state-of-the-art equipment, and dedicated recovery space. Our surgical facilities are designed to support everything from routine specialty procedures to complex, multi-hour operations.
Synovetin OA is an innovative, minimally invasive treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs. It uses a single intra-articular injection of radioactive tin microspheres to reduce joint inflammation and provide long-lasting pain relief, often for up to a year or more. AVS offers Synovetin OA as part of our surgical and orthopedic services.
Yes. AVS offers minimally invasive surgical options where appropriate, which typically result in smaller incisions, less post-operative pain, faster recovery times, and reduced risk of complications compared to traditional open surgery. Your specialist will discuss whether a minimally invasive approach is suitable for your pet’s condition.
Our Board-Certified Surgeons perform a wide range of procedures including: bone and joint surgery (including fractures), TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy), Medial Patella Luxation (MPL) repair, cancer surgery, abdominal surgery, liver and gallbladder surgery, urogenital surgery, head and neck surgery, skin reconstructive surgery, thoracic surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, and minimally invasive procedures.
Your AVS specialist will provide detailed pre-surgical instructions at your consultation. Generally, pets are required to fast for a period before surgery, and your surgeon will review any medications your pet is currently taking. We also perform pre-anesthetic bloodwork to ensure your pet is a safe candidate for anesthesia. Our team will walk you through every step so there are no surprises.
Post-operative care varies depending on the procedure, but typically includes a monitored recovery period at AVS, pain management, activity restriction instructions, wound care guidance, and scheduled follow-up appointments. Our team provides detailed written discharge instructions and is available to answer questions during your pet’s recovery. We also coordinate with your primary veterinarian so follow-up care is seamless.
Specialty and Emergency veterinary care does involve a higher level of expertise, advanced equipment, and around-the-clock staffing, and costs typically reflect that. However, AVS is committed to making care as accessible as possible. We accept all major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover) and offer financing through multiple partners to help spread the cost of care.
AVS partners with many veterinary financing providers to help make care more affordable. Applying takes just a few minutes and can often be done before or during your visit. Please visit our Payment Options page to learn more.
AVS welcomes clients with pet insurance. We recommend contacting your insurance provider prior to your visit to understand your coverage and any pre-authorization requirements. Our team can provide itemized invoices and documentation to support your reimbursement claim. If you don’t yet have pet insurance, it’s worth exploring before your pet needs specialty care.
Yes. AVS provides treatment estimates before proceeding with procedures so you can make informed decisions about your pet’s care. Our team will walk you through the expected costs and discuss options with you. We understand that financial considerations are a real part of veterinary decision-making, and we approach those conversations with transparency and compassion.
For most procedures, pets are admitted into our care, and owners wait in our reception area or return home. Our team provides regular updates throughout your pet’s stay and will contact you immediately if there are any significant developments. We understand how hard it is to leave your pet, and we treat every patient as if they were our own.
Length of stay varies widely depending on the condition and procedure. Some patients are discharged the same day following a procedure; others may require several days of monitoring in our ICU. Your specialist will give you a realistic timeline at your consultation and keep you updated throughout.
We’d love to hear about your experience. You can leave a Google review for AVS directly on Our Reviews page. Your feedback helps other pet families make confident decisions about their pet’s care, and it means the world to our team.
With convenient locations across Florida’s East Coast, specialty and 24/7 emergency veterinary care is never far away. Click below for location information.
Serving Volusia County and Surrounding Areas
Serving Duval, Clay, and St. Johns County
