Frequently Asked Questions

It all starts with a phone call. If you suspect your pet is experiencing an emergency, please pick up the phone and call us, right away.

Once you arrive at our hospital, your pet will be triaged, just as you would be if you went to a human emergency room. Your pet’s vital signs (such as weight, heart rate, respiratory rate, and gum color) will be assessed by our client care team. Then, if your pet is stable, he or she will likely wait with you in an exam room or our lobby until the veterinarian is able to perform your pet’s examination.

If your pet is not stable, we will bring them to our treatment area for life-saving medications and/or procedures. Our team will also request to know your wishes regarding resuscitation.

It is important to remember that although we see pets in a first-come, first-served order, animals experiencing a life-threatening emergency will always be seen first, so you may incur a wait. And just like in a human emergency room, wait times are often longer on weekends and holidays. We have television, wireless internet, and snacks to help the time pass more enjoyably!

All pets are assessed by our medical team, have their vital signs recorded, and if needed, are provided pain medications soon after arrival. We triage pets to ensure that those in life-threatening conditions receive additional treatment first. It is our policy to apprise pet owners of their pet’s condition and provide updated wait times throughout their pet’s stay.

No, we only provide emergency care and referral specialty care. We have a list of member clinics should you require a family veterinarian.

Typically, your family veterinarian will begin the referral conversation. If he or she feels your pet would benefit from a visit to one of our specialty departments, your veterinarian can contact us and talk directly to our doctors. It is important that we receive all of your pet’s  recent x-rays, bloodwork or medical records. After that conversation has taken place (or if you don’t have a family veterinarian,) you may call our referral department to schedule an appointment with a specialist. Please call (651) 501-3766, and select ‘Schedule an appointment with a specialty’ within the phone menu. Appointments with most departments are available Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

It is our goal to function as an extension of your family veterinarian’s practice; that is, we strive to provide seamless, integrated care that includes your family veterinarian. We will keep your vet updated through verbal and written communication.

Your vet will also receive a complete medical record, including laboratory findings and access to x-rays. If follow-up care from an emergency or referral visit is needed, we will encourage you to schedule it with your family veterinarian.

Payment Options

The AERC team loves animals. We are honored to partner with you to provide the best care for your pets. We recognize the unexpected and stressful nature of emergency and specialty care. No matter what care plan you choose, we will support your decision.

Payment is expected at the time services are rendered. We accept major credit and debit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. We also accept cash and checks.

Pet insurance is also a viable option for many pet owners, helping them pay the cost of unexpected veterinary care. There are a variety of pet insurance companies and plans, so feel free to contact us today if you need any guidance.

Another payment option at AERC is CareCredit, which offers flexible financing. The CareCredit health, wellness, and personal care credit card gives you a convenient, flexible way to pay for care for the whole family – including pets! With everyday promotional financing for purchases of $200 or more, you can pay over time with monthly payments.*

See if you prequalify for CareCredit with no impact to your credit score:

Oakdale ER & Specialty Hospital (Red) located at 1160 Helmo Ave N - https://www.carecredit.com/go/CKZ547/

St. Paul ER Hospital located at 1542 W. 7th Street - https://www.carecredit.com/go/349MCM/

*Subject to credit approval. Minimum monthly payments required. See carecredit.com for details.

Lastly, Scratchpay offers access to payment plan options for final invoice amounts up to $10,000.  A soft credit inquiry is performed to check your eligibility for a loan. The annual percentage rate (APR) is based on the individual application.

If you have any questions or concerns about our payment policies or your options, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. We would be happy to speak with you and welcome your call.