Veterinarians in the Phoenix area

To find a veterinarian in the Phoenix area, look for a local clinic close to your home that treats your type of pet and tells you what to do after hours. AZ Business Directory lists independent animal hospitals and clinics in Mesa, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Chandler and Queen Creek, each with a phone number. Call to ask whether they are taking new patients before you visit.

How do you choose a vet?

A good fit is partly about services and partly about how the clinic treats you and your pet.

• Do they treat your pet? Some clinics see only dogs and cats. If you have a rabbit, bird or reptile, ask first.
• Do they take new patients? Ask how long it takes to get a first appointment.
• What can they do on site? Some list in-house labs, digital X-rays, surgery and dental care, which can save you a second trip.
• What happens after hours? Ask where they send emergencies when the clinic is closed.
• Are they calm with nervous pets? If your pet gets anxious, ask whether the clinic offers gentle, fear-free handling.
• What do visits cost? Ask for an estimate before treatment starts.

Who is nearby?

These are real vet practices from the directory. Phone numbers are on each listing.

The list includes Gilbert Veterinary Hospital, an independently owned hospital with five veterinarians, San Tan Animal Hospital in Queen Creek, which lists urgent care, and Adobe Veterinary Clinic in Mesa, which lists boarding and grooming along with surgery and dentistry.

How do you keep pets safe in Arizona heat?

Heat is the biggest everyday risk for Valley pets, and it does not take a hundred-degree day to cause trouble.

1. Test the pavement. If it is too hot for your hand, it is too hot for paws. Walk early in the morning or after sunset, or stay on grass.
2. Never leave a pet in a parked car. It takes only minutes for the inside of a car to become dangerous.
3. Give shade and fresh water. Check the water bowl more than once on summer days.
4. Know the warning signs. Heavy panting, drooling, weakness, vomiting or collapse mean you should get your pet somewhere cool and call a vet right away.
5. Be careful with short-nosed breeds. Pugs, bulldogs and similar dogs struggle in heat. Ask your vet about your pet's risk.

What else should Arizona pet owners ask their vet about?

Ask about local risks that you might not hear about elsewhere. Vets in Arizona often talk with owners about rattlesnakes, toads that can make pets sick, foxtail grass seeds and Valley fever, which can affect dogs as well as people. Ask what to watch for and what to do if something happens.

Also ask which vaccines and flea and tick prevention your pet needs. That depends on your pet's age, health and lifestyle, so the answer comes from your vet, not from a list online.

Questions people ask

When should you take a pet to the vet for heat problems?

Go right away if your pet is panting heavily, drooling, wobbly, vomiting or collapses. Move them to a cool place and call your vet or the nearest emergency hospital on the way.

What happens at a first vet visit?

Expect questions about your pet's history and diet, a physical exam and a talk about vaccines and prevention. Bring any records you have from a previous vet, and ask for an estimate for anything extra.

Do any Valley vets do surgery and dental work?

Yes. Several listings mention surgery and dental care, including Adobe Veterinary Clinic in Mesa. Call the clinic to ask about the procedure your pet needs.

See every vet in the Valley