Answers to the questions we hear most often at the front desk and on the phone. If your question is not here, call us at 831-373-7374. Someone is here around the clock.

Hours and Location

Are you really open 24 hours a day?

Yes. Our emergency service is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, including nights, weekends and holidays. The hospital is staffed at all times by veterinary professionals, and hospitalized patients are monitored continuously.

Routine and non-emergency appointments are scheduled during general practice hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you need a wellness visit, a vaccination, a dental cleaning or a recheck, call during those hours to book.

Do I need an appointment for an emergency?

No. Emergency care is walk-in, at any hour. If you are able to call ahead at 831-373-7374, it helps our team prepare before you arrive, but do not delay coming in to make the call.

How do I schedule a routine appointment?

Call 831-373-7374 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. General practice medicine is available by appointment and also accepts walk-ins during those hours. Because we are a 24-hour facility, we can offer early drop-off and late pick-up when that works better for your schedule.

Where are you located, and is there parking?

We are at 20 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Suite 150, Monterey, CA 93940, in Ryan Ranch, just off Highway 68, within easy reach of the full Monterey Peninsula and the surrounding area from Gilroy to Big Sur and Pacific Grove to Salinas. We have a spacious lot with convenient curbside parking at the entrance.

Your Visit

What happens when I arrive with an emergency?

Your pet is triaged on arrival, the same way a human hospital handles an emergency room. Patients are seen in order of medical urgency rather than order of arrival. If you are asked to wait longer than expected, it is because another patient has been assessed as more critical at that moment. We would extend your pet the same priority in the same situation, and our team will keep you updated while you wait.

What should I bring to a first visit?

Bring your pet safely restrained in a carrier or on a leash, along with any records from a previous veterinarian and a list of any medications your pet currently takes. You can save time at check-in by completing our new client paperwork before you arrive. The forms can be filled out and submitted online, or downloaded as a PDF and brought with you.

What kind of practice is MPVESC?

All three at once, under one roof: a general practice, a 24-hour emergency and critical care hospital, and a specialty center. That combination is unusual on the Monterey Peninsula, and it means a pet can move from a wellness exam to advanced diagnostics to surgery without being transferred to another building or another records system. We are privately owned and have served the community since our current facility opened in 2005.

Which animals do you treat?

Dogs and cats, plus birds, reptiles and pocket pets. Wellness and preventive care for avian and exotic patients is part of our general practice service.

Services

What does your general practice cover?

Wellness and preventive care for puppies, kittens, adult pets, senior pets, birds and exotics, including vaccinations, spays and neuters, microchipping and weight management. Also dental care, from cleaning and polishing through check-ups and extractions; general medicine and surgery for cats and dogs; and comprehensive pain management for surgical, emergency and chronic conditions.

What diagnostics can you run in-house?

Digital X-ray, ultrasound and laboratory testing are all performed on site, with outside professional laboratory work available when a specialized test calls for it. Our clinicians can consult with board-certified radiologists by telemedicine 24 hours a day, with a typical turnaround of one to four hours. Board-certified radiologists can also be scheduled at our facility for advanced ultrasound.

What specialty services are available?

Cardiology, radiology and ultrasound, and surgery, including orthopedic and soft tissue procedures. These services are provided at our facility by board-certified mobile specialists working alongside your pet’s primary MPVESC veterinarian.

Do I need a referral for specialty or elective surgery?

Yes. Elective and specialty surgical appointments are arranged by referral, either through our own general practice or through your regular veterinarian, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Emergency surgery does not require a referral and is available at any hour.

Can my regular veterinarian send my pet to you?

Yes, and many local clinics do. We work closely with area veterinarians to provide emergency, critical and continuous care outside their regular hours, and we return patients to their primary veterinarian for follow-up. Referring clinics can reach us at 831-373-7374 at any hour.

Do you microchip?

Yes. A microchip is a small implant placed under the skin that helps reunite you with a lost pet. It takes only a moment and can be done during any exam or at the same time as a spay or neuter. We use HomeAgain.

Boarding

Do you board pets?

Yes, for stays from a single day up to two weeks or longer. Dogs stay in separate, centrally heated and air-conditioned runs, and our extended suites are large enough for several dogs from the same family to stay together. Canine boarders are walked, exercised and given attention several times a day, and every suite includes bowls, bedding and dog-safe toys. Cats board in an area kept entirely separate from the dog kennels, with space to exercise in a calmer environment; feline suites include bowls, bedding, a litter box and toys.

Can you board a pet with a medical condition?

Yes. Medical boarding is available for pets whose care needs go beyond routine boarding. These patients stay in our Patient Care Ward and are looked after by our nursing team under the direction of the attending veterinarian. Call us to discuss your pet’s situation before you book. Day boarding is also available for pets who need extra supervision during the day.

Cost, Payment and Insurance

Will I know what it costs before you treat my pet?

Yes. Our veterinarians provide a thorough cost estimate before any services are performed. If cost is a concern, tell us. We are committed to working with you to find a treatment path that fits your circumstances, and a more limited approach can often still make a real difference for your pet.

What forms of payment do you accept?

Cash, personal checks, Visa, MasterCard and Discover. We also accept CareCredit, a healthcare credit card many of our clients use to spread the cost of unexpected care, and we recommend it.

Do you take pet insurance?

We are glad to work with pet insurance companies, and we keep insurance forms and resources in the office for clients to review. Bring your policy details with you and our front desk team will walk you through the paperwork.

Prescriptions, Records and Reaching Us

Can I order medication or food online?

Yes. Our online pharmacy is open at any hour at mpvesc.vetsfirstchoice.com, with prescription medication, preventives and therapeutic diets shipped to you directly.

How do I request my pet’s medical records?

Call the hospital at 831-373-7374 and our team will arrange the transfer, including sending records directly to another veterinary practice.

How do I reach you?

Phone: 831-373-7374, answered 24 hours a day.

Fax: 831-373-4482. We are also on Facebook.

For anything urgent, always call rather than message.

The information on this page is provided for general and educational purposes only. Monterey Peninsula Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Center does not provide veterinary medical services or guidance over the internet. If you have a question about your pet’s health, please call us at 831-373-7374 or consult your pet’s veterinarian.