Frequently Asked Veterinary Questions
First Visit and New Clients
Bring your pet’s health records, vaccination history, and a list of any products they currently use, including parasite prevention or supplements. If you don’t have records on hand, no problem. Let our team know who your previous veterinarian was and we’ll request the records on your behalf. New clients can also fill out our registration form online to save time at check-in. Call us at (415) 586-5327 if you have questions before your visit.
Yes, we care for dogs and cats of every age, from puppies and kittens through senior pets. Our team handles routine wellness care, urgent concerns, and 24/7 emergency care for both species. If you have a specific question about your pet’s needs, call us at (415) 586-5327 and we’ll let you know how we can help.
We’re at 1001 Ocean Ave in San Francisco, on the edge of the Ingleside neighborhood and a short drive from Balboa Park, Excelsior, Outer Sunset, Parkside, and Oceanview. Street parking is typically available nearby, with metered spots along Ocean Ave and side streets. The hospital has been part of this community since 1959 and is easy to find by car or transit. For directions or parking questions, call (415) 586-5327.
Your first visit usually starts with a full head-to-toe exam, a review of your pet’s history, and a conversation about any concerns you have. If our team recommends further care such as bloodwork, imaging, or a procedure, we’ll explain what’s involved and provide a written estimate before anything begins. We aim to keep the visit calm and clear so you leave knowing exactly where things stand. Call (415) 586-5327 if you’d like to talk through anything ahead of time.
Appointments and Hours
You can request an appointment online or call us anytime at (415) 586-5327. Because we’re open 24/7, our phones are answered around the clock, and walk-ins are welcome at any hour. For routine wellness visits, booking ahead helps us reserve the right amount of time with you. Text the same number if that’s easier.
Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year, including weekends and holidays. There is always a veterinarian on-site, and our team is ready to help whether you walk in at 2pm or 2am. For non-urgent questions outside typical business hours, you can also text or email us. The phone line at (415) 586-5327 is staffed at all times.
Yes. Walk in any time, day or night, and our team will assess your pet on arrival. We are staffed 24/7 with a veterinarian always on-site, so emergency cases never wait for a scheduled appointment. If you can call ahead at (415) 586-5327 while you’re on the way, our team can prepare for your arrival, but it’s not required.
Our Services
We offer a full range of care for dogs and cats, including wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgery, diagnostics and imaging, and 24/7 emergency care. Our hospital is equipped with in-house digital X-ray, ultrasound, CT, endoscopy, an oxygen chamber, and a full lab, so most answers come the same visit. We also offer nutrition counseling and medical grooming for pets with specific care needs. Visit our services page for the full list.
Yes, we provide emergency care every hour of every day, including weekends and holidays. Our team handles critical cases such as trauma, breathing difficulty, suspected poisoning, seizures, severe bleeding, and bloat. Diagnostics and surgical capability are on-site, so we can move from assessment to care without transferring your pet. Walk in any time or call (415) 586-5327 on your way.
Yes. We perform a range of surgical procedures including orthopedic surgery, soft tissue surgery, eye surgery, and spay and neuter. Because we are open 24/7 with a veterinarian always on-site, our team also handles emergency surgical cases when minutes matter. We walk you through the recommended approach and provide a written estimate for non-emergency procedures. Call (415) 586-5327 to discuss surgical care for your pet.
Yes. Our dental services include cleanings under anesthesia, scaling and polishing, dental X-rays, and extractions when needed. Dental care matters for long-term health, and dental disease is one of the most common conditions we see across San Francisco. To schedule a dental exam or ask about a specific concern, call (415) 586-5327.
Yes. Dr. Lori Drourr provides cardiology consults at our hospital, including echocardiography for dogs and cats with suspected or confirmed heart conditions. Having cardiology on-site means many cases can be evaluated and managed without a referral elsewhere. To ask whether your pet would benefit from a cardiology consult, call us at (415) 586-5327.
We have digital X-ray, ultrasound, CT, endoscopy, in-house bloodwork, urinalysis, cytology, an oxygen chamber for respiratory support, and laser therapy for pain management. In-house equipment means faster answers and fewer trips to outside facilities, especially during emergencies. For urgent cases, our team can run diagnostics and review results within the same visit. Call (415) 586-5327 with questions about a specific need.
Payment and Insurance
We accept all major credit cards including American Express and Discover, as well as cash. We also work with third-party financing options for clients who need flexibility on larger care costs. For questions about payment before a visit, call (415) 586-5327 or visit our payment options page.
Yes. We accept many major pet insurance providers including Trupanion, PetSecure, Fetch, and Pets Plus Us. For Trupanion clients, we offer direct billing, which means the insurance pays us directly and you only cover your portion at checkout. If you’re covered by a different provider, our team will help with claim documentation and walk you through how the process works.
Yes, we work with flexible third-party financing options for clients who need to spread out larger costs. These can be applied to surgical procedures, emergency care, dental work, and other care that goes beyond a routine visit. Approval is handled by the financing provider and is typically quick. Call (415) 586-5327 for more information before your visit.
Yes. Before any non-emergency procedure, our team provides a written estimate so you know what to expect and can ask questions. For emergencies, we stabilize your pet first and walk you through the recommended next steps and expected costs as soon as the situation allows. We believe in clear communication so you can make informed decisions for your pet. For estimate questions, call (415) 586-5327.
Preventive Care
Most healthy adult dogs and cats benefit from a wellness exam once a year. Puppies, kittens, and senior pets often need exams more frequently, typically every six months, because health changes happen faster at those life stages. Annual exams help us catch issues early when they’re easier to address. To schedule a wellness exam at our San Francisco hospital, call (415) 586-5327.
Core vaccines for dogs include rabies, distemper, parvovirus, and adenovirus. Core vaccines for cats include rabies, panleukopenia, calicivirus, and herpesvirus. Lifestyle vaccines vary based on your pet’s environment and exposure, and our veterinarians will recommend a plan based on what your pet does day-to-day. Call (415) 586-5327 to set up a vaccination visit.
Year-round parasite prevention is recommended in the San Francisco Bay Area because the mild climate keeps fleas, ticks, and heartworm-carrying mosquitoes active most of the year. Whether your pet spends time in Golden Gate Park, the Outer Sunset, or stays close to home, prevention is the most reliable way to avoid problems before they start. Our team builds a prevention plan around your pet’s age, weight, and lifestyle. Call (415) 586-5327 to discuss parasite prevention options.
Common Emergencies and What to Do
If your pet is vomiting repeatedly, has blood in the vomit, can’t keep water down, or seems weak or unresponsive, walk in or call us at (415) 586-5327. Vomiting can have many causes, and our team will assess your pet on arrival to figure out what’s going on. Calling ahead while you’re on the way lets us prepare so we can move quickly when you arrive. We’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you don’t need to wait until morning.
If diarrhea is severe, has blood in it, lasts more than a day, or is paired with vomiting, lethargy, or refusing to eat, bring your pet in or call (415) 586-5327. Some cases settle quickly with the right care, while others need bloodwork or imaging to identify the cause. Our hospital has in-house lab and imaging, so we can run what’s needed during the same visit. Don’t wait overnight if your pet seems weak, dehydrated, or in pain.
Bring your cat in immediately and call (415) 586-5327 from the car. A cat straining to pee, going in and out of the litter box without producing urine, or crying while trying to urinate may have a urinary blockage. This is an emergency for male cats especially and can become life-threatening within hours. Our team will assess your cat on arrival and start care right away.
Call us immediately at (415) 586-5327 and bring your dog in, ideally with the wrapper or packaging if you still have it. Chocolate can be harmful to dogs depending on how much they ate, what type it was, and your dog’s size. Our team will assess your dog on arrival and walk you through the recommended next steps. Don’t wait to see if symptoms appear, especially if your dog is small or ate a large amount.
Call (415) 586-5327 right away and bring your pet in, along with a sample or photo of the plant if you can. Several common houseplants and outdoor plants are harmful to pets, and lilies in particular are a serious concern for cats. Our hospital has the diagnostics and care needed to handle these cases on-site, 24/7. The sooner you come in, the more options we have.
Several common foods can cause harm to pets, including chocolate, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, and anything containing caffeine or alcohol. If your pet has eaten any of these, call us at (415) 586-5327 and bring them in for assessment. We can determine the right next step based on what was eaten, how much, and your pet’s size and condition. We’re open 24/7, so don’t wait to call.
Call us immediately at (415) 586-5327 and bring your pet in, along with packaging or a photo of what they ate if possible. Many household items, plants, and human foods can be harmful to pets, and the right next step depends on what was eaten and how much. Our team will assess your pet and explain what we recommend. Time often makes a difference, so don’t wait to see if symptoms appear.
Bring your pet to us immediately and call (415) 586-5327 from the car so our team is ready when you arrive. Even pets that look fine after an accident can have internal injuries that aren’t visible from the outside, so a full assessment is essential. We have on-site digital X-ray, ultrasound, CT, and 24/7 emergency care, so diagnostics and stabilization happen in one place. Time matters in trauma cases, so don’t wait to see if symptoms develop.
If your pet is limping severely, holding up a leg, crying when touched, or showing visible deformity or swelling, call (415) 586-5327 and bring them in. Try to keep your pet calm and limit movement on the way, but don’t try to splint or wrap the limb at home. Our team can take X-rays in-house to confirm the situation and walk you through the next steps. We’re open 24/7 for fractures and other urgent injuries.
Walk-In Care and What to Expect
Yes. Ocean Avenue Veterinary Hospital welcomes walk-ins 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Whether your pet has a sudden concern overnight or you weren’t able to book ahead, you can come in any time. For urgent or emergency cases, calling (415) 586-5327 on your way lets our team prepare, though it’s not required. Routine visits are easier to time when booked, but walk-ins are always seen.
Call us at (415) 586-5327 or come straight to 1001 Ocean Ave. We’re open 24/7 with a veterinarian always on-site, so there is no after-hours window where we’re unreachable. If your pet is having trouble breathing, has collapsed, has been hit by a vehicle, is bleeding heavily, or has had a seizure, do not delay. Bring them in immediately and call from the car so our team can be ready when you arrive.
When you arrive, our team assesses your pet within minutes to determine how urgent the situation is. Critical cases are seen first regardless of arrival order, which is how 24/7 emergency hospitals work. If your pet’s condition is stable, you may wait while a more urgent case is stabilized, and our team will keep you updated. We aim to communicate clearly so you always know what’s happening with your pet.
Sometimes, yes. Because we triage by severity, a walk-in for a less urgent issue may wait longer if a critical case arrives. For routine concerns or wellness visits, booking ahead through our online form or by calling (415) 586-5327 reduces wait time. For anything urgent, we recommend coming in or calling on your way regardless of the time of day.