I was referred by cleary lake vet because they believe my dog had a foreign body in his intestine. He has been throwing up for 2 days... when i arrived I was greeted with friendly faces. They were very nice. I got in with the vet and so far so good. Start on fluids to see if we can get his gut moving, pain meds and anti nausea meds. Watch for 12 hrs with updates and go from there. 6 hrs later I called.. no progress yet but stable.. they will call me after the staff change around 10... got a call at 10:22 and they said he is eating and looking better... I asked if he pooped yet and they said no but he may not want to in a strange place... I can pick.him up at 6am... well.. it did not sit right with me.. could not sleep... I called back at 2am.. they said he pulled his IV out 2 twice.. very noisy and we can come pick him up now or they may need to sedate him to calm him down. Asked if he has pooped...again..no..but they were not worried. Went and got him... in the morning at 4:30.. pooped 2 little pellets but still looked awful... at 8:00 am .. pooped 2 more very small pellet and would not eat and kept looking like he was going to throw up... so I wanted a 2nd opinion... I took him to Prior lake pet hospital at 3pm... long story short.. they believed something was still going on... they could not do surgery til the next day.. brought him back in the morning and he has surgery at 2pm... he did have an obstruction 3 inched into his small Intestine... a corn cob... thank God I got a 2nd opinion and followed my gut!! He is doing awesome now... will not go back to south metro..

This story is not to cause distress to the staff-they we’re working with what they had which was not a lot. We brought our Irish Wolfhound there at 11:00 pm in grave distress-uncontrollable vomiting, severe respiratory distress and in agony. Upon entering the doors, we gave a quick history of what had been going on, the tech went in back then came out and said they were understaffed and could not treat him. She referred us to Eden Prairie. I believe they made the best decision they felt they could have understanding they didn’t have enough staff to help him. Getting him in and out of the car was awful-he’s 170 lbs and could barely walk. His pain was unimaginable. This extra transfer and additional time driving caused unnecessary suffering. Denying his case caused about an hour delay in him getting care. He died a few hours later from Gastric Dilatation Volvulus. Would that hour have saved him? We will never know. The issue is systemic. If this hospital doesn’t have the staffing resources to treat critical emergencies when time is literally the difference between life and death, they should NOT be in operation. The community counts on you when the worst happens. When you cannot deliver on your promise to serve the community, you must address the issue immediately. This is not the onsite staffs’ fault-this is an organizational problem.

I would give zero stars if possible. I called them late on Sunday night, 7/19, because our dog had suddenly started stumbling around and could not open his eyes. It seemed like he was having trouble breathing. They refused to let me come in with him. I told them I think my dog is dying and they seemed to have no compassion and basically said there wouldn’t be anything they could do anyway. I can understand it might have been better to go somewhere that has 24-hour monitoring/hospitalization, but I didn’t know that at the time. It was the complete lack of empathy and caring to explain that has me leaving this review. It’s like they just wanted me to get off the phone. And our dog died the next morning. Rest in peace, Vinny

I have been there a couple of times. Once for end of life care for my cat and once for an emergency for my dog. They were companionate and worked quickly in both cases. I have nothing but good things to say about the hospital and their staff. I won't even consider another hospital, should I need one again.

We had a cat that came into this emergency vet office who ingested a not insignificant amount of Lily Pollen and when we called this emergency vet they said it was an extremely dangerous event and we needed to come in right away. We got there in 15 minutes from when we called. However it was not treated as an emergency, they had us wait little over an hour to even get put in an exam room and even still we had to wait. Meanwhile our cat could be dying. The staff at this emergency vet office were rude and condescending and I do not feel like they really helped. When I asked for a time frame they wouldn’t even give me a straight answer. And when I asked the chances of my cat dying from the pollen poisoning they did not want to touch the subject. On top of all this the prices are extremely inflated. We had to cough up 900 dollars for the one visit and they insisted we come in 2-3 more times. Overall this is a terrible establishment and the only positive I had was that it’s open 24/7. ONLY COME HERE IF YOU REALLY NEED TO.

This place is wonderful! Everyone there was concerned about me & my pet! Very comforting! I am so greatful for everything they did for me!

We used SMAEC for the first time when our cat became acutely ill outside our regular vet’s hours. At this visit we ended up putting our cat down. Despite this great family loss, our experience at SMAEC was amazing. The front desk and triage staff were prompt and friendly. The vet was informative and caring. Thank you for your excellent care. Goodbye Pepper.

Great care and compassion for our family and dog. We unfortunately needed to put our dog down after vet hours. They were phenomenal. 10/10 rest in peace onyx

I have never encountered a vet with less compassion or empathy. We had an absolutely awful experience and I highly recommend avoiding this clinic.

This place is amazing! From the first phone call, to meeting us at the door with a stretcher, to the exam, diagnosis, and walking us through the painful goodbye to our boy Titan. EVERYONE was caring, compassionate, and exactly what we needed in a painful situation! When we picked our boys ashes up 7 days later, still the same treatment, and the personal touches they gave throughout the whole process! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

The staff was kind and helpful. They genuinely cared about our cat. They kept us informed and answered all of our questions. Sadly, if you need an emergency vet we would recommend South Metro. They'll make sure you and your pet are taken care of.

We are from Texas and when our dogs stomach became extended and you know it's a life threatening situation and it's after hours and you don't have time to research vet clinics, you just pick the closest. Well we were fortunate we picked a great one. From the front desk person, the techs and Dr. Erica Kenworthy we were treated with respect, compassion, and professionalism. We knew going in that Roxy most likely would have to cross the Rainbow Bridge, she was almost 16 years old. Dr. Erica explained everything to us and gave us time to make decisions. During the course of euthanasia, these women were so caring and gentle and gave us time to say goodbye to her in our own time. I want to thank that team from the bottom of my heart for making a difficult time much easier on us. Our Roxy was blessed to have y'all.

They delivered excellent care to 9 week old puppy. I appreciated the upfront cost and they even refunded some once they decided a test wasn't necessary. Highly recommend. Thanks for taking care of our sweet pup.

We said goodbye to our beloved Old English sheepdog in April. We knew it was coming, but the end came emergently one night and we wound up taking our three elementary aged kids along with our sweet boy. Dr. Austin was amazing. There was nothing ethically to be done but say goodbye-we knew it, but kids don’t always understand that. He used such simple but clear and calm language to not only let us know we were making the best choice, but he helped our kids understand too. My husband and I are both registered nurses and we know good bedside manner from bad. His bedside manner was such a balm to our sad spirits on an otherwise awful day. We are so grateful for the time and the respect and the compassion you gave us. And thank you so much for erasing any doubts from our minds. It was the best gift you could have given us. You helped our best friend pass peacefully and gave us confidence in our decision, and we are so grateful. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.

No matter what your question is or your problem is they’re always willing to help. You never have to wait and they’re actually concerned for your Babies care.

I was pleasantly pleased with our experience there. We ended up having to go in on a Saturday evening when I thought my cat was having a seizure. They were prompt, very calm, very caring, and kept us updated through the whole process. The vet tech was very knowledgeable and kind and we appreciated that so much. The vet himself was very nice and patient even while being so busy and backed up there. We waited about 3 hours total, but I expect that at an emergency clinic on the weekend. I highly recommend them if you unfortunately need to use their services.

We are so thankful for the staff on 5/30. We were not prepared for what was to come from our visit, however they handled our Girl, Lola and us with tender hearts. They were able to help make Lola breath better - drain fluid from her abdomen (cancerous) allowing us the time to take her home to love on her and make arrangements to allow her to pass at home in our arms. Thank you.

The kindest staff you will ever have the pleasure of meeting. Had to bring my cat in and that same day she was put down- i was a terrible mess but they were very patient and their tones were genuine. Half way through my stay, the doctor was switched to Dr. Kenworthy who was so sweet, she accommodated time, led us through the labs in depth with a tone i can only describe as caring. She truly cares for the animals and families who come in. They also gave me the chance to bring my cat home to say goodbye to my disabled father who wouldn’t be able to make it, as well as letting me leave my car overnight and call the next day to ask if i could keep the whiskers ( they went and checked if she was picked up yet, which she was, but so incredible that they cared so much to try). Thank you for all you do

They were so nice and our dog is doing great after her procedure. Only bad issue is the time it takes. Otherwise I would recommend them.

We recently had to say goodbye to our 17+ yr old female cat. We brought her in for testing on Monday morning because she wasn't eating. The doctors and staff were fabulous, they gave her the best care she could receive and kept us informed. By midnight, they said she wasn't improving at all so we made the decision to allow her to transition. The doctor and assistant were so caring and considerate of our feelings. They did a fabulous job of making her transition as easy as possible. A few days later, we received a wonderful card from them along with several different versions of her paw prints. I would recommend them to anybody.

All though we lost our pet this morning, it was not due to a lack of effort on their part. Extremely friendly and welcoming, even at 6am on a Saturday morning.

Best experience went ever had anywhere before! They're top notch here, so caring, so understanding, patient, kind and just fantastic overall with our babies! Their level of care and attention to detail is unkind no other.

The staff and doctors at South Metro are some of the most caring, professional and knowledgeable I have ever encountered. They took the very best care of my dog Aria who came in for anaphylactic shock with severe liver insult and subsequent coagulation deficits. Aria was not only given excellent veterinary care but she was loved on and treated like their own. I cannot recommend them enough. Special thanks to Dr. Vaughn and Dr. Wasmoen.

My son brought our elderly cat in they were just amazing and went way out of their way to help us Would highly recommend them. K

I can't say enough good things about South Metro Animal Emergency Care. I typically don't write reviews online, but I am so pleased with the care that my dog, Evie, received. Every single one of the staff members were friendly and compassionate. Dr. McGuigan was very thorough and knowledgeable. She explained everything well and was good at collaborating with me to give the best care to Evie. I appreciated that she started with a more conservative approach instead of surgery right away, which was the right option as Evie didn't end up needing surgery. Veterinary medicine is unpredictable and Dr. McGuigan did a great job at educating me on the possibilities that could happen with Evie.

4-18-26 After spending over 6 hours there, 4 in the waiting room, X-rays were done, blood work was done. We were told there was no infection in our almost 2 year old Vizsla, blood test fine, X-rays fine. We paid our $1300.00 bill and went home. Our dog continued to get worse. We went to our vet first thing this morning. X-rays showed blocked in stomach due to severe infection in lymph nodes causing them to swell and stomach had bloat and intestines also blocked due to the swelling. The awful place never told us anything was wrong, notes sent to our regular vet said there was a blockage. WHAT THE HELL? Our dog is how having IVs for dehydration and antibiotics for infection that now has spread to these lymph nodes. Her stomach so bloated it’s squishing her organs. She is NOT in good shape. I heard the same story over and over while sitting there. Oh, it’s caused by stress and upset stomach. WHAT A LOAD OF BS. Who runs this awful place? We are praying hard that our puppy does not die because of the lack of laziness?, don’t care??, Tell me, seems to me they are there just for the money. Picking and choosing what dog to help. Unfortunately, they ignored test results and chose not to help our pup but were VERY HAPPY TO TAKE OUR MONEY!!

We were in and out within an hour! They were swift to look at Bo, our 12 week old puppy, and were very clear and up front about costs. They gave me options and were very kind and understanding in an extremely stressful situation. Thank you so much for all your help!

I have a bunch of critters and over the years we've tried basically all of the local emergency vets and I absolute will never go anywhere else. They have saved one of my cats and one of my dogs and when we lost a dog to cancer last year they provided a safe and gentle environment for that to happen. They always explain all of the options in exactly the amount of detail you need; they're able to prescribe appropriately for MDR1 positive dogs. They're very reasonably priced compared to the national branded practices. If you call and its not an emergency they'll send you back to primary care rather than just taking your money for nothing like some places do.

Don’t go here! They tried to charge 1200.00 to confirm my dog had died! Cremation for pets said they get the most pets from this emergency clinic! They’re oxygen had run out & my pet died! They’re told me, sorry, the oxygen ran out! My tree trimmer’s pet died after a teeth cleaning and was told the same-sorry, our oxygen isn’t working! He is devastated! I am as well! I got another dog and the female vet said she would try one of two shots for a heart attack & then told me, sorry, I guess the other shot for my dog was the right one. Omg! I will be devastated forever now, as was pure incompetence on her part. No more pets. The trauma dealing with this clinic was life changing. DO NOT bring your pets here! I can only hope the Vet Board dealt with this clinic. They also lied to me! Prices are negotiable if you know to ask. I have 100.00 in meds they charged and killed my dog giving the wrong shot, yet charged me anyway for the take home meds. What a travesty & deceitful clinic. The Vet lied to Blue Pearl and said my dog was fine when I rushed to Blue Pearl! Report to Vet Boards! Don’t wait if you have issues with any Vet! Hold accountable! Pets are our kids! That pain never ends. Please close this clinic! How are you even open when you killed dogs when YOUR oxygen ran out……

Thank you for seeing Bucket so quickly when we were worried about a blockage. Thank you for your kindness. We are so thankful for the services received.

Our first experience going to South Metro Animal Emergency Care on Sunday afternoon. It was SO busy, but the staff members all were amazing and kind! I was so impressed by their professionalism and kindness.

We regret bringing our 7yr old small dog here to help with his first seizure. We were there for hours and they did not initially offer simple seizure medicine which would have prevented another seizure. WHAT? And upon leaving they also did not offer us medicine to start him on right away, but they misled/lied to us into believing it was sent to a local pharmacy they asked us to choose. I even went to the pharmacy and they did not have an order. A whole day later after calling in twice and speaking with the Hospital Administrator we found it was never even sent to that pharmacy, so they lied, but to an online pharmacy which would have taken several days to receive. Extremely poor communication, which proves they really don't care about our dogs health. We were upset with this so we ended up going to a different Pet Emergency Care center in Golden Valley and the care was SO MUCH BETTER!!!. They gave him medication immediately and we left there with the proper medication and instructions/knowledge in hand. We noticed a HUGE difference in professionalism and pet care. He has not had a seizure since. I did follow up with South Metro and they professionally apologized but in the end professional care was not given to our dog. Never again will we set foot in there and what a waste of time/money.

Thank you so much! We had to take our cat in tonight after she had a scary bout of vomiting and apparent stomach discomfort. Since it is a Saturday, our regular vets office was not open. When I called, the staff here were very kind, asked questions to help us and them determine the level of emergency, and let us know possible wait times. Once we arrived we waited a bit, but it was clear that there were a few others with bigger emergencies going on. It’s clear the staff here have a good grasp on prioritization based on severity. Once our sweet girl was seen, the doctor gave us a few options and let us know what our next steps should look like and what to keep an eye out for in the next day or two. Everyone we interacted with was so incredibly kind, and on a scary and stressful occasion we really needed that. Thanks so much, we are so glad we brought our baby up to this clinic today.

8 hrs at this place, 2 x-rays, NO answers and $1400 later- my dog was just examined by my normal vet clinic bc she wasn’t getting better and it’s an EAR INFECTION. Would not recommend going here if you can help it.

Although I ended up at SMAEC unexpectedly and sadly had to say goodbye to my sweet cat, we received great care here. Everyone I interacted with was so kind and comforting. I appreciated everyone’s kindness and willingness to go above and beyond to offer support and care. Thank you to all SMAEC staff for what you do and the care you provide, especially during moments of heartbreak.

I cannot thank South Metro enough for how they were able to diagnose my dog with his underlying health condition when my primary veterinarian was unable. While we learned that the prognosis for Gordon was that he had very little time left, they were able to provide some medication to get his symptoms manageable. After spending a few more cherished weeks with Gordon it was time for him to go to heaven. We took him back into South Metro and the kindness and compassion provided by the entire team working that evening was above and beyond. Gordon passed away peacefully in no small part to the care the fine people at South Metro provided. Thank you for everything!

We had to put our dog down, and our normal vet was closed for the weekend. I called ahead of time, and they were waiting for me when I arrived. They took their time to be thorough, were very up front with their pricing, and were so very supportive during this awful time. I'm very grateful for the staff that took such good care of our sweet dog, and helped me through this tough time.

Excellent and compassionate care for our seizuring dog. We are very grateful for the help we received.

Awful experience. They put us & our suffering pet thru a rediculious amount of unnecessary procedures & grief. Female vet tech mocked our cat & his pain! If you have another option, take it! ☹️

My dog received pretty terrible care my dog received at your clinic. My partner and I brought him in on Christmas morning with a significantly swollen, red, and droopy eye and some never-before-seen reverse sneezing. The vet asked us if my dog had gotten anything in his eye or injured it at all that we knew of, and we said no. She took him back for a stain test and checked his eye pressure which was all fine. She then told us it was probably just allergies, with a small chance of conjunctivitis, but probably not given he didn't have any discharge from his eye. We were told to give him some eye ointment and benadryl. When I asked how allergies could cause an eye to look like that for a significant amount of time, she got very defensive and told us we could pay for a chest x-ray. She did not give any explanation as to why that would be helpful, so we declined and went home. Three days of eye drops and benadryl go by, and my dog still looks the exact same as Christmas. We finally brought him into another emergency vet on Saturday night in the cities, and immediately the vet there tells us his eye is classic textbook Horner's syndrome. From a quick check of his mouth she tells us that his back teeth look infected, and his breath also smells like classic dental disease. She very quickly suspects that he has an abscess that is pressing on his nerve causing the eye issues. On top of all of that, she listens to his heart and finds a heart murmur which he's never had before. We brought him into our regular vet on Monday and they confirmed the heart murmur, horner's, and teeth looking bad. The following day he gets a dental cleaning and in the end needed to get 11 teeth removed due to the severe abscessing and bone decay. The vet missed "textbook" signs of Horner's. She did not examine anything else on him. She did not look at his mouth or listen to his heart at all. Every other vet we brought him to did all of that, and suspected he was in significant pain. On top of all of that, I know we visited on Christmas day, but the vet was also unprofessional and visibly looked and spoke like she hated being there and would rather be anywhere else. I get it, it's Christmas, I don't want to be there either, but I expect you to be professional and do your job. I know diagnosing can be tricky, but if your vets barely do an examination and miss textbook perfect signs of issues, that is objectively poor care. We will not be going back to this clinic ever, and will not be recommending it to any of our friends or family.

The SMAEC team is an absolute blessing to have close to home. I brought in my 15 year old cat that was not breathing well. I called before coming, to verify that they had space and could accommodate her likely need for an oxygen cage. The reception staff was professional, helpful and sympathetic both on the phone and once we arrived at the clinic. An awesome technician (Danny, I believe?) was ready almost immediately upon our arrival to take my girl to the back for triage. The paperwork process for immediate needs (CPR ok?) was practical and honest. The additional forms and quotes for care were very clear, no mystery charges. The subsequent time at the clinic was as good as an emergent situation could be. The lobby and exam rooms are clean and have additional information posted. The veterinarian was sympathetic to the situation, while honest about the likely diagnosis after xrays. She explained the ideal treatment plan for stabilizing my cat's breathing. Clear estimates of the cost of care were provided. Ultimately, I chose a slightly different treatment plan than the ideal proposed, as the cost for overnight care on oxygen was not something I could handle financially. The treatment plan was switched to an injection to accommodate my decision to take her home for monitoring and oral medications. We are 3 weeks out, and while I know she isn't and can't be cured from HCM, the CHF is being managed at this time by her regular vet. She is back to happily eating and being a loving part of our family. We are thrilled to keep loving on her as long as possible, given she is happy and comfortable. This cat is a good buddy to our son, whose birthday it was the day I brought her in. I am very grateful to the SMEAC team for their help in our family's time of need.

We had a good experience at South Metro. The vets and the vet techs were all very professional and kind. Yes, it is expensive, emergency medical care always is for both animals and humans alike.

It's taken me time to be able to write my review because of emotions. But this place needs a huge shout out. From the moment I called they were amazing. My cat had been attacked and needed care asap. After my phone call to them and filling out the forms they texted asking what time we thought we would be there. When we walked in the door there was a staff member there with her arms out ready to grab my sweet Cosmo. They were so kind and compassionate throughout the time we were there. They did great with keeping us updated and giving us all of our options. We unfortunately ended up having to put him to sleep. They made us feel so peaceful in our decision and gave us all the time we needed before, during, and after. After Cosmo gained his wings they cleaned him up and cut some of his hair and whiskers and put them in a jar for my kids. They also did paw prints in whatever colors my kids picked. I never hope anyone has to use an emergency vet for their babies but if you do, this one is a great option to have. Thank you guys for all you did for our family and Cosmo. 💙

Our cat had an emergency and needed to be held for 24 hours. The doctors and staff were exceptionally kind and understanding of our distress and explained the causes very understandably. We asked to visit Cat halfway through his stay and the staff welcomed us and let us stay as long as we desired. While at home we were contacted every eight hours or so with updates on Cat treatment.

The doctor and staff were very caring on the evening of 9/11, when we brought our black lab in. Due to his age and emergency circumstances, we knew it was his time, but still very hard to face. They empathized with us and gave us the needed time to say goodbye. There was no rush at all. They took great care with him and made sure he was comfortable and explained everything to us so we would understand the process. They made the most painful process bearable for us. We thank them immensely.

I have to thank this place so much for helping me through probably the hardest time in my life in recent days. In May, I lost my 12 year-old Frenchie and the end of September, I lost my 14-year-old Boston terrier. This place from beginning to end are some of the nicest people and compassionate that I have run into. And I am very grateful and thankful that they were there to help me through this ordeal. Thank you so much 🤍🤍🤍

I had an extraordinary experience here. Immediately when I came with my pup, the front desk workers helped me promptly. They asked questions, gathered my concerns and immediately got my pup back for vital signs. They gave me great advice and reassurance! My nerves were immediately calmed. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone!!!

Apple Valley site- came for euthanasia of our dog. Forget the negative reviews- I read them and almost didn’t come here. That would have been the wrong decision. Staff, DrDavid L, ALL were amazing, compassionate and respectful. We can’t thank them enough!

1 star if possible...Will NEVER go here again, after a horrific and traumatizing urgent euthanasia appt for my cat..this wasn't recent, but I am still haunted by the experience, the rudeness, and what my kitty had to go through..Have used in-home services since then, much more $$, but it is worth every penny to have your beloved pet pass with dignity.

Check your bill and confirm what you are charged. Be careful not to taken advantage of in a time of need and desperation.

We have been here three different times now and had an amazing experience. One of the times our Cat Sitter had to bring our cat in for an emergency while we were out of the country and they did such a great job helping us navigate that. They work as quickly as they can to make sure that our cats feel healthy and better. The staff was amazing and super kind to all three of our cats.

We had a 14+ year old dog (Winston) who had been having a seizure for close to an hour and they were the closest hospital to us We arrived close to midnight and my husband walked in with Winston in his arms who started to seizure again and the lady at the desk (didn’t get her name, I wish I did) asked me his name and any medications and came rushing to my husband to help our poor animal The care she showed in such a short time made us realize we were in the right spot Unfortunately after he was taken back and exams we were told the best thing to do was to put him down. It was the hardest thing my husband and I have ever been through but even a month after this terrible event we still talk about how great all the staff were in his treatment and being there for us. Whomever is in charge of this facility I hope the employees are recognized for such caring and professional care.

My cat, Sylvie, needed to be seen immediately due to her age and the symptoms she was showing. The staff welcomed us in quickly, and every single person we encountered—from the front desk to the techs and veterinarians—was amazing. I can’t recommend this place enough. They provided clear estimates for worst-case scenarios, which helped me prepare, and the vet personally called me with updates on Sylvie’s care. Truly exceptional service and care!

Had to bring my pup in yesterday for some stitches and everyone was so kind and helpful! Would absolutely recommend South Metro to anyone in the area. So thankful to everyone that cared for my Holly!

Update: 08/11/2025; Picked up my kitty ashes today. The presentation was excellent of the Urn, a stand up rock piece with Nina's paw print and Name, a certificate of the cremation done on August 5, 2025, and lastly everything was in a nice bag. ------------------------------------ This will the most heartbreaking review that I post on Google. My poor cat Nina of 20 years was put down today 08/01/2025. She was my PTSD companion animal being I am a disabled veteran. She unfortunately had very bad arthritis in her back where she couldn't walk without pain. And possible lung cancer in her lung plus long term kidney disease too boot. With that said. The staff at this clinic were outstanding and sympathetic to my situation. Even the veterinarian who handled everything was great hence come to find out is also a D.A.V. volunteer driver that transports veterans to the Minneapolis VA hospital. They do offer a military discount and cremation services. I will keep my dear kitty ashes close to me on my bed stand. The receptionist offered me my kitty fur clippings in a jar for memory sake. Needless to say I am a emotional mess right now. But, I wanted to state that this clinic in my opinion is the best. Thank you for the comfort and service today. God bless you all.

Dawn, Harley and Von were super helpful in answering all my questions. The quality of service and care made it worth the money for me. Thank you!

Perfect compassionate care even in the hardest situation of unexpectedly needing to let our dog go to sleep. Highly recommend- especially in the off hours when your vet is closed. Call them for any reason.

I just wanted to thank the entire team at South Metro Animal Emergency Care for everything you did for Moose. You went above and beyond—doing so much more than we could’ve ever asked for, and we will never forget that. The attention, effort, and kindness you showed throughout meant so much to us. And when it was time to say goodbye, your compassion, patience, and understanding made all the difference. You helped us through one of the hardest moments with so much grace and support. We’re forever grateful.

I brought my super sick, almost 17 year old cat, Ruben, in to the hospital last week. From the person who answered the phone as I called in tears, to the vet tech and Dr. Vaughn, everyone was so empathetic and caring on one of the most terrifying days of my life. They took such good care of my baby and I cannot thank them enough! My sweet boy is almost back to normal and after a week of not hearing him purr, he started to again last night! He's going to be ok.🩷

I brought my chihuahua in knowing I would likely need to say goodbye to her. The staff from front desk, to nurses, to vet were all incredibly kind and made a very difficult day just a little easier for me. I was offered water, snacks and tissues and given as much time as I needed to say goodbye to my dog. She was also treated very kindly, given blankets and a soft bed to rest in. I will strongly recommend them to anyone in need of an emergency vet.

Terrible place exam fee x-ray fee But they didn't do any of that But made me pay even though no service was done

Our elderly dog began declining in health very quickly and she could no longer stand or move. We had to make the difficult decision to put her down. We called South Metro Animal Emergency Care very early in the morning. They were very nice and helpful on the phone and told us to call when we arrived. We called and they brought a stretcher out and lifted her from our car on the stretcher. They took her back while we were in a room. They cleaned her up (she had gone to the bathroom on herself). The doctor and nurses were very compassionate and very helpful. They made what was an awful and emotional time for our family as smooth as they could. I really appreciated their compassion and I highly recommend them to anyone who might need an emergency vet.

This place is a scam and a mess. Waited almost four hours before I just left without being seen. Taking others first when my poor cat was puking and also had blood in his stool. Staff at front desk could be heard saying rude things and even watched as a couple who paid them $5,000 already gasped as they said they owed some $3,000 more! Turns out they didn’t owe and had they not stopped to review would have been scammed out of almsot$8,000. So dont go here. No compassion or empathy and they prey on clients emotions

We took our sick cat, Odin, to South Metro Animal Emergency Care on Saturday, 5/10/25 and were VERY impressed with the care he received. We interacted with at least 5 different staff members and all of them were professional, knowledgeable, caring and patient. Dr. Lindquist was our vet and he was amazing. Staff clearly communicated the treatment plan and billing. This is an excellent 24/7 emergency vet clinic. Highly recommended if you need emergency vet services. They went above and beyond and we never felt rushed. I got the feeling that all staff truly care about the animals in their care.

Thank you so very much for getting us through this emergency with Lucie. Your staff is the very best. Your love of animals and the care you give with so much compassion makes this the ONLY emergency clinic we would ever use and have used for years. Luckily emergencies don’t happen often but when they do we know where to go.

I have been to the clinic with all of my dogs (at least once) since February. Dr. Birch and everyone at South Metro are wonderful. They took care of my little Frenchie, my cavalier and my mix-breed with great kindness. I am truly indebted to all of them.

Everything happened so fast. We adopted Otis from a rescue in 2020. At that time he was 4 years old. Everything changed for sweet Otis when April 10th, 2025 came. Since that day, we noticed he has been sleeping more/lethargic and hasn't been eating. He has been drinking the same and urinating. When he did drink though, he would vomit. He had sudden onset of bad breath we couldn't identify why or how. When he was all well and rested, he had the energy to play and go on walks, though his speed was not as fast to keep up with our senior dog, Rosa. April 13th, 2025 came. It was my 35th birthday, and his 9th birthday. During breakfast, we had our routine of serving Otis and Rosa plain scrambled eggs. He did not want any part of it. I offered a small portion of peanut butter which showed interest, but after eating some he fell over. As I picked him up again, he went over to the watering bowl and fell over again. This prompted us to come to South Metro Animal Emergency Care. Here it was discovered Otis developed end stage renal disease. We were shocked and confused. We went through the process of elimination figuring out what could he have gotten into that progressed him to this stage in his young life. After talking to the DVM, my family justified there was no need to pursue treatment after hearing about his condition. We went home angry and sad. April 13th was a sunny day and Otis had the energy to sunbathe in his favorite spot on the patio. Later on when he saw me pull out Rosa's leash to take her own a walk, he did his howl of joy saying he wanted to go to. And we did, he was slow and tired, but his tail was wagging and he was happy. He surprisingly had an appetite and had two cans of wet food. April 14th. The Ring camera showed he was sleeping most of the day while we were at work/school. When we got home, he perked up to greet each one of us. He played, cuddled, but was tired. April 15th. The Ring camera showed he was sleeping again during our absence. When we got home, he wanted to greet us, but when he did so he was toppling over, walking into the walls of the house, and limping. We knew it was time to guide him onto his next journey. We returned that same evening and the staff was able to get us in right away for euthanasia. They explained the process, gave us a tuft of Otis' fur in a jar that had a pawprint charm attached, and offered complimentary inked paw prints which we accepted. They asked if we would like some privacy to be together throughout the service. I remember hearing my husband yelling, "you were not supposed to die before Rosa". Rosa is a 14-year old dog with much more signs of aging and wear which we are prepared for. Though his life had to be cut short and he was with us for only five years of it, the staff at South Metro Animal Emergency Care were wonderful and made sure we were able to enjoy our last moments with him. He was a good bye for going to sleep for us. We took him home in a burial box they provided us for home burial. We walked out of the clinic and met the tech outside the triage door; we were appreciative for this privacy and respect during this time of grief and mourning. Thank you for supporting us in this difficult transition and taking care of Otis.

Amazing care. Our westie, Linus, needed emergency treatment after accidently ingesting an ibuprofen tablet at home today. It was a busy night, and there were alot of very obviously emotional cases being treated. The front desk staff (Harley and Megan) handled all of it with grace and such care. Consoling clients in emotional distress, while answering constantly ringing phones, cleaning up sick pet messes, and helping to coordinate care. WOW! The techs and vet (Dr. McGuigan) we worked with were professional, skilled and sensitive as well. Thank you to everyone at South Metro Emergency Care. Our little Linus is home now and hopefully on the mend. We are confident he got top notch care.

Beyond appreciative, the staff was amazing and so compassionate. Thank you!

Very helpful and thoughtful. Our dog did not survive his issue, but the whole exoerienç was very complete and respectful. They were so sympathetic and understanding. Kenny was in good hands.

We had a wonderful experience when we had to say goodbye to our dog on a cold Wednesday night! The Dr. and all the staff were top notch. They felt like family by the time we left that cold night. Today we picked up our boy's ashes. Staff were very sympathetic and once again top notch! I would highly recommend them!

We brought our cat here and were treated with care and compassion. The front desk was so sweet and the tech, Dimitri I believe, took the time to listen to our concerns and thoroughly explain the process. It is rare to find customer service like this anymore. Thank you!

Earlier this week, I went home on my lunch break to find my cat had gotten into a bouquet of flowers containing lilies. I immediately called out regular vet and they recommended bringing her to an emergency vet ASAP. South Metro was our first call with close proximity and use of this location in previous years. Upon arrival we were met immediately with staff and greeted with not only empathy , but also understanding, kindness, and an overall calming demeanor. The attentive and caring attitude of the staff at South Metro not only positively affected me, but also everyone involved in this situation including my cat. My kitty ended up staying with South Metro for 48 hours to receive iv fluids and routine blood draws. She made a quick recovery and many new friends at South Metro. We cannot recommend South Metro more and will always refer to them first in any future emergencies! Chanel and I are so grateful for South Metro!

I cannot recommend this veterinary clinic due to their extreme prices and overly aggressive treatment recommendations. We brought our cat in for an emergency and were quoted $2,500 for just six hours of hospitalization. While the cost was shocking, that wasn’t our main concern. The clinic strongly pushed for an invasive abdominal surgery, quoting $7,500 for the procedure and explaining there was a 10% risk of life-threatening complications. We decided to get a second opinion because we didn’t want to proceed with such an aggressive surgery—especially one with poor potential outcomes—unless it was absolutely necessary. We went to another local emergency vet with better reviews, and they provided our cat with intensive hospital care, monitored him for 24 hours, and ultimately determined that surgery wasn’t needed. The total cost for their care was $900, a stark difference from the original quote. We are incredibly grateful we sought a second opinion, as it saved our cat from unnecessary surgery and spared him from significant risk. If you’re ever in a similar situation, I strongly encourage you to get a second opinion before proceeding with any treatment here.

We recently faced the heartbreaking decision to say goodbye to our beloved Yellow Lab, Boomer, after he unexpectedly developed severe health issues. From the moment we walked into South Metro Animal Emergency Care, we were met with compassion, professionalism, and kindness. Dr. Lindquist and the entire team clearly explained our options and likely outcomes, helping us make a difficult decision with the utmost care and understanding. Throughout the entire process, we felt supported, listened to, and understood. It was clear that the staff recognized how special Boomer was to our family. Their empathy and expertise provided comfort during a very difficult moment. If you ever find yourself in a moment of crisis with your furry companion, this is the team you want by your side. We are forever grateful for the compassionate care they provided to Boomer and to us. Thank you for everything.

Check in and staff was wonderful and caring, they were also quick. My issue lies with Dr. Birch. Our cat had several episodes of vomiting blood and when we brought her in, he told us that vomiting blood was "pretty normal" and we shouldn't be horribly concerned unless it persists (it had been going on for 5 hours, he knew that ). He gave us no diagnosis besides an upset stomach and told us it would be "reasonable" to get blood work and X-rays done but he wouldn't push for it despite us asking for his best opion. We left with 2 medications to reduce stomach acid production( one which was actually an over the counter med ) and 400 dollar vet bill. They also told us they gave her fluids under the skin and there would be a little lump of fluid that would disperse over 8 hours but we never saw one; especially in comparison to the second round of fluid she received from a different clinic. The following day her symptoms persisted and when we called back to see if she should come back in, they said they wouldn't even see her unless we agreed to get blood and X-rays done prior to our arrival. We brought her to a different animal hospital and they had her diagnosed in about 2 hours with phenomenal care and a wonderful doctor who listened to all of our concerns. I wish I had a better review to share, but unfortunately, the care here was truly disappointing and I regret trusting them with my pets Heath in the first place.

Very compassionate, prompt and understanding staff

Five stars for Dr. Lindquist who took care of my goldie’s eye problem on Christmas Eve! The place doesn’t look like much but they have the doctors and the care and that’s all that matters. Got me in and out in less than 3 hours even though on the phone they said 4-5 hour wait.

Our 17 year old suddenly had a seizure and we brought him in to South Metro. The staff was so kind and caring and quick to help us get him on a gurney. The doctor (I can’t remember his name) was so kind. He sat on the floor with me and my husband and explained what options for treatment we had and throughly explained the euthanasia process and cremation options (they include and urn and paw print) we ultimately decided treatment would be too overwhelming for him and his old bones and made the decision to say goodbye. They were very accommodating when I asked if my grandmother could pay by email link and the process went very smoothly. When the time came the doctor again sat on the floor with me and told my sweet boy he was doing great and that it was okay as he administered the medications. I’m very thankful for making his last moments calming and peaceful for him and for us.

Professional, smart, caring, competent, and oh so kind staff! 10/10 recommend. We brought in a kitten that we found in a drain. They were so speedy and caring about making sure he was okay ASAP, from head to toe. They knew exactly what to do and how to get him stable before leaving. They were so kind to me and so professional. I was so impressed with how smooth the whole visit was. I was also impressed at how well they handled other very sad emergencies that came through the door while I was there. The staff really have the perfect balance of empathy, caring and professionalism worked out. I'm so impressed with how sweet they were, especially after seeing this sad stuff all day, every day. I highly recommend SMAEC. The care and expertise here just can't be beat. 10/10.

The reviews made me skeptical but, after taking my cat here twice in one week. Dont listen to the negative reviews of karens. My cat was struggling with what i thought was a uti, and as soon as we walked in the door they took him back no wait at all. They throughly explained what they were doing and never did anything extra without consulting with me first. Yes its expensive but, generally on the lower side and they do whatever they can to get that cost down for you. For my cat to be treated twice, including 3 prescriptions, and a couple day supply of his new prescription food, we paid around $2,300 total. If your animal is in an emergency, i recommend South Metro, they were all so nice and saved my cats life!

My dog had puppies unexpectedly since I got her and did not know she was pregnant. The staff taking my phone calls was VERY kind and so helpful!

When my cat, Hades, had a urinary obstruction about a month ago, they were so quick to make sure he got the care he needed. They treated him so well, and when he came back to me he was so much better. Thank you so much for saving my beautiful boy, I wouldn’t have him with me today if he hadn’t gotten the care he needed ❤️

To be upfront, I work at South Metro Animal Emergency. But aside from being an employee, I’m also a pet owner. My cat, Moose, hadn’t been feeling well and I brought him in to be seen - Dr. Kenworthy and Dr. Wenum both evaluated him and gave me options for care. Ultimately I was faced with a similar situation to a lot of the clients I personally see; where I had to make a quick decision regarding my pets quality of life. I’m usually on other side of the table during this discussion and decision, but all the logic goes out the window when it’s your own pet. My doctors were incredibly supportive of whatever I were to choose. Unfortunately, I did choose to say goodbye to my little guy. This was very sudden and incredibly heartbreaking - Moose wasn’t “old” and he wasn’t necessarily sick, but he was very secretly, terminal. I was working when this happened - my coworkers stepped in to cover for me without a question. Thank you Shy and Kelsey. My coworker made sure I made it home ok and took care of my sweet boy after I left. Thank you Amber. My coworker filed my euthanasia paperwork with sympathy and softness. Thank you Ja’Kai. My doctors were gentle but upfront, they took care of my boy and took care of me. Thank you Dr. Kenworthy and Dr. Wenum. So many of my coworkers have checked in on me and given their condolences. Thank you to all of you. I feel grateful - I work with so many people who genuinely care - about me, about you, about your pet and your situation. Rest in peace Moose - I’ll love you always

I have no words to describe how excellent Lindsey was. She spoke with me and did my cats quality of life assessment and I couldn’t have felt more understood. She offered compassion and made me feel the best I could about the decision i made of putting my cat to sleep. Unprompted, she also brought me a little jar of my cats fur with a little engraved metal heart tied to it. To be seen and taken care of in a particularly hard moment of life, i will be forever grateful Lindsey was the one there to help.

South Metro was very compassionate throughout one of the hardest days of my life. They took the time to explain every step and took care of my sweet girl in her final moments.

I won't go into the details of what was wrong with my good boy. Rather I want to talk about the staff and level of care they provided. From the word go myself and my good boy were treated with love and empathy. I was an absolute wreck (thank God my wife was with me) and they took notice of this and treated me with nothing but compassion. I can't thank the entire staff enough! You are all HERO'S in my book! Thank you very much from Fenix and I!

I came because my dog was breeding from her toenail. I was panicking because this has ever happened to her before. I called and Harley was so patient and wonderful to talk me through. Because she continued to bleed, I decided to begin her in. My nurse was wonderful in explaining what I needed and walked me through everything for the future. I am really grateful for Harley and the team. Thank you so much!

I had to euthanize my cat the other day. I had had her since she was a kitten. She was my baby. Since it was a holiday weekend, my vet was out of town and I didn’t want to make her suffer anymore, so I called South Metro and they got us right in. The staff and the Doctor were so wonderful. They were so compassionate and supportive. They gave us time to say goodbye and they gave us hugs. They also gave me a little jar of her fur to take home with me. I chose to have them cremate her for me. They have a complete end of life service for pets. I would definitely recommend using them. In loving memory of my Dixie. 11/11/2011-8/29/2024

Long wait times they can't do the surgery my dog required asked them repeatedly to send referrals to blue pearl. U of M and mission animal hospital for 2 days every time I call back same answer they will have the dr fill it out. Never gets done. They already have my money so they are too busy taking yours to fill out my referral and the other hospitals won't schedule surgery without a referral They did refund a couple hundred. But recommend going somewhere where they have board certified surgeon like mission to avoid being charged multiple times and wasting time and money not to mention pet suffering.

This clinic is much more affordable for emergency vet care than the U of M. And the people have always been very friendly and helpful. I have gone here numerous times and have never had a bad experience. I would definitely recommend them to anyone in need of emergency vet care.

We came here today in a rush for our sweet girl Aspen. She consumed a bag of trash containing chicken bones and cherry pits, both of which are toxic to dogs. Jenny was one of the team of vets working with Aspen. They ended up giving her an injection to make her vomit up a couple cups of trash. Jenny gave us updates and kept us calm and Eden was very pleasant to work with. Though my boyfriend and I were freaking out they were cheerful and knowledgeable the entire time. Overall, great vet clinic for emergencies and excellent staff who know their stuff. Update, Aspen is back at South Metro and the team hasn’t changed a bit, Dawn at the front desk is an absolute dream. She is so kind, companionate and the absolute best of the best. Bryan gave us an update on her and let us know he’d sit by her kennel during her hospital stay to keep her company. While we hate seeing our babies sick, we trust SMAEC to take the best care of our pets. Thank you especially to Dawn, Bryan, Abby, Steven and the doctors! This team is phenomenal.