Emergency & Critical Care

Best Emergency & Critical Care Vets in Illinois

When a pet emergency can't wait, these are the top 11 emergency & critical care practices serving Illinois, ranked by rating and review volume. Call ahead to confirm hours and availability before you drive over.

Top-rated emergency & critical care practices in Illinois

  1. 1

    Veterinary Emergency Group

    Chicago, il

    4.7 (1495 reviews)
  2. 2

    VEG ER for Pets

    Chicago, il

    4.6 (1092 reviews)
  3. 3

    Veterinary Specialty Center

    Bannockburn, il

    4.6 (2692 reviews)
  4. 4

    Emergency Veterinary Services

    St. Charles, il

    4.5 (335 reviews)
  5. 5
  6. 6

    BluePearl Pet Hospital

    Northfield, il

    4.2 (811 reviews)
  7. 7

    MedVet Chicago

    Chicago, il

    4.2 (2460 reviews)
  8. 8
  9. 9

    Elk Grove Veterinary Specialty & Emergency

    Elk Grove Village, il

    4.1 (420 reviews)
  10. 10

    Emergency Veterinary Services of Lisle

    Lisle, il

    4.0 (305 reviews)
  11. 11

    BluePearl Pet Hospital

    Skokie, il

    3.7 (506 reviews)

Typical emergency procedure costs

National ballpark ranges — use a free estimator for a region- and case-adjusted figure before you call.

ProcedureTypical cost
Hemodialysis & Renal Replacement Therapy $3,000–$12,000
Emergency Surgery $1,500–$8,000
Bloat / GDV Surgery (Gastropexy) $3,000–$7,500
Tracheal Stent $3,500–$7,000
Splenectomy (Spleen Removal) $2,500–$6,000
Veterinary ICU $1,500–$6,000
Cesarean Section (C-Section) $1,500–$5,000
Exploratory Surgery $1,500–$5,000
GI Foreign Body Surgery $2,000–$5,000
Perineal Urethrostomy (PU) $1,500–$4,000
Pyometra Surgery (Emergency Spay) $1,500–$4,000
Bladder Stone Surgery (Cystotomy) $1,500–$3,500
Blocked Cat Treatment (Urethral Obstruction) $1,200–$3,500
Pericardiocentesis (Draining Fluid Around the Heart) $800–$2,500
Wound Repair and Laceration Treatment $300–$2,500
Blood Transfusion $400–$1,500
Oxygen Therapy $200–$1,200
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy $150–$400

Frequently asked questions

How much does emergency veterinary care cost in Illinois?

Emergency and critical-care procedures in Illinois typically run from about $150 to $12,000 depending on the procedure, your pet's size, and case severity. A stabilization visit costs less than a major emergency surgery such as bloat (GDV) or a foreign-body removal. Use a free cost estimator for a region- and case-adjusted figure before you call.

What should I look for in an emergency vet?

Look for a hospital that is genuinely open when you need it — true 24/7 or clearly posted after-hours emergency hours — and, for critical cases, one with a board-certified criticalist (DACVECC) on staff. Board certification, on-site diagnostics and surgery, and an ICU are what separate an emergency and critical-care hospital from a daytime urgent-care clinic.

How many emergency vets are in Illinois?

Our directory currently lists 11 emergency & critical care practices serving Illinois. Availability changes, so call ahead to confirm a hospital is open and can take your pet before you drive over.