Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS)

At Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, we are committed to providing 24/7 emergency care with a dedicated overnight team that ensures round-the-clock attention to your pet’s needs. No matter the time – our experienced veterinarians and skilled technicians are always on-site.
Our emergency department utilizes advanced technology to monitor, diagnose, and treat pets with both acute and chronic conditions. Our critical care team manages the most severe, life-threatening emergencies and works in close collaboration with other departments to deliver the highest level of care.
Caring for the Most Critical Patients First
We understand that dealing with pet emergencies can be overwhelming, and they often happen unexpectedly. As pet owners ourselves, we recognize that your pet is a cherished member of the family. When it comes to healthcare, you deserve timely, accurate, and compassionate treatment, which is why our team follows a triage process.
What is Triage?
“Triage” is a medical term that helps dictate how patients are prioritized in an emergency room setting. Derived from the French verb “trier,” meaning “to sort,” it helps us quickly identify and prioritize treating patients with life-threatening conditions first, followed by more stable patients. All emergency hospitals, both human and veterinary, follow this same approach to patient care.
What Happens During the Initial Triage?
The triage nurse will ask about your pet’s main issue, onset of symptoms, and brief medical history. Then, they will check vital signs like mental state, temperature, heart rate, and more. Based on this assessment, a triage score determines how urgently your pet needs care. Once a doctor has been assigned to your pet’s care, they will discuss their physical exam and recommendations.
What Does it Mean if My Pet is Waiting?
Please be assured that we are constantly monitoring all pets that are in the triage queue. If your pet is stable and remains stable, the wait may be longer. We strive to see patients promptly but can’t always provide an exact wait time due to the unexpected nature of emergencies.
Our Emergency Services Include:
Advanced diagnostic imaging
Most common emergency and exploratory procedures:
» Gastrointestinal foreign body removal
» GDV (Gastric Dilation Volvulus) – stomach torsion
» Cholecystectomy – gallbladder removal
» Gallbladder mucocele
Patient Monitoring:
» Pulse oximetry
» Continuous EKG (electrocardiogram)
» Cage-side brief ultrasounds of the chest and abdominal cavities
» Point-of-care testing: arterial and venous blood gas, blood glucose, lactate
» Clotting profiles
» Complete blood counts, chemistry profile
» Infectious disease testing
Endoscopy for esophageal and gastric foreign bodies
Transfusion Medicine
Ocular emergencies
Neurological emergencies
Additional Services:
» Continuous medication infusion (antiarrhythmics, narcotic pain medications, etc.)
» Oxygen support