How does VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center handle emergency and critical care?

The center offers vital emergency care exams and has highly trained emergency care teams available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Clients can join a virtual wait room for emergency care, with an estimated wait time of 15 minutes. Reduced pricing for emergency care exams and consultations will be effective starting December 8, 2025.

What is the process for referring a pet to a specialty department at VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center?

To refer a pet to a specialty department, a veterinarian needs to complete and submit an applicable referral form. Following this, pertinent medical records should be emailed or faxed to the center. Once these steps are completed, either the client or the referring veterinarian can contact the center to schedule an appointment.

What kind of advanced cancer care does VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center provide?

VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center offers advanced cancer care through its VCA PetCancerCare® program. Oncology teams design individualized treatment plans for each pet patient, utilizing advanced and effective treatments similar to those used in human medicine. The goal is to minimize side effects and ensure pets remain comfortable throughout their treatment.

What species does VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center treat?

VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center provides veterinary care for both cats and dogs. The hospital offers a range of services for these animals, including primary care, specialty care, and emergency services, aiming to provide world-class medicine with hometown care.

VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center

VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center is a general practice practice in Walnut Creek, CA. Procedures include CareClub® Wellness Plans, Oncology, Emergency Care Exams, and Integrative Medicine.

Get Directions View on Maps ↗ Call (925) 937-5000 Book Consultation

About

VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center offers both primary care and specialty veterinary services for cats and dogs. The hospital features dedicated departments for Anesthesiology, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency & Critical Care, Integrative Medicine, Internal Medicine, Oncology, and Surgery. It also provides advanced cancer care through its VCA PetCancerCare® program, which focuses on individualized treatment plans using advanced methods.

The center operates 24 hours a day for emergency and critical care, with scheduled appointments for general practice and specialty departments available Monday through Saturday. Referring veterinarians can complete a referral form and provide medical records, after which clients can schedule an appointment. The hospital emphasizes world-class medicine and hometown care, serving the Walnut Creek area.

Procedures

CareClub® Wellness Plans
Oncology
Emergency Care Exams
Integrative Medicine
Emergency & Critical Care
Advanced Cancer Care
Internal Medicine
Anesthesiology
Diagnostic Imaging
Surgery

Photos

Photos via Google · VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center, Matan Ben-Ishay, M Krzem

Frequently asked questions

What types of veterinary services are available at VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center?: VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center provides both primary care and specialty veterinary services. Specialty departments include Anesthesiology, Diagnostic Imaging, Emergency & Critical Care, Integrative Medicine, Internal Medicine, Oncology, and Surgery. The center also offers wellness plans and vital emergency care exams for pets.
How does VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center handle emergency and critical care?: The center offers vital emergency care exams and has highly trained emergency care teams available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Clients can join a virtual wait room for emergency care, with an estimated wait time of 15 minutes. Reduced pricing for emergency care exams and consultations will be effective starting December 8, 2025.
What is the process for referring a pet to a specialty department at VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center?: To refer a pet to a specialty department, a veterinarian needs to complete and submit an applicable referral form. Following this, pertinent medical records should be emailed or faxed to the center. Once these steps are completed, either the client or the referring veterinarian can contact the center to schedule an appointment.
What kind of advanced cancer care does VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center provide?: VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center offers advanced cancer care through its VCA PetCancerCare® program. Oncology teams design individualized treatment plans for each pet patient, utilizing advanced and effective treatments similar to those used in human medicine. The goal is to minimize side effects and ensure pets remain comfortable throughout their treatment.
What species does VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center treat?: VCA Encina Veterinary Medical Center provides veterinary care for both cats and dogs. The hospital offers a range of services for these animals, including primary care, specialty care, and emergency services, aiming to provide world-class medicine with hometown care.

Contact & hours

Address

2803 Ygnacio Valley Rd
Walnut Creek

Phone

(925) 937-5000

Website

vcahospitals.com/encina/primary

3.7 · 188 Google reviews

Recent reviews

5 months ago

Sonya Crocker

My senior kitty needed emergency dental treatment after being injured at her usual veterinarian. While there are no dental specialists in the bay area on the weekend, they were able to get her in and have a consultation and surgery within 3 days of her first visit. Before they could get her into surgery, they did what they could to adjust her tooth and provide pain management. At each appointment the techs and Dr were all very kind and explained everything thoroughly, repeatedly asking if I had any questions and that I could call at any hour if I had questions. Of course the cost is what you'd expect for urgent specialist surgery, no dentist is cheap, but they explained the expected itemized cost range before and after surgery and completed it without issue. After she went home they sent a picture of her after the surgery and checked in to see how she was doing the following day. This is her second ER visit at Encina within the past few years and both times have been just as satisfactory.
2 months ago

Beverly

For several years VCA Encina Medical Center has been our preferred choice for emergency care largely due to its adept, compassionate medical team. Whether it’s the receptionists, vet techs or skilled weekend emergency doctors such as Dr. Sarah Vasend and Dr. Damion Walters, the Encina staff has always been exceptional. It also bears noting that their professional commitment to ensuring the best care remains intact even during late nights and wee hours. In addition, the location itself—from the waiting area to the individual rooms—is always spotless and orderly. We’re thankful VCA Encina has been there for us in times of crisis and highly recommend their emergency services.
7 months ago

Marissa Rocke

Dr. Nurre at VCA Encina was recommended to me by my primary Orinda vet of 11 years, and we’ve always trusted his judgement. My dog, Geronimo, needed an ultrasound to check his gallbladder after his littermate sadly passed from a rupture that was likely genetic. The ultrasound revealed clear signs of an enlarged mucoccele that would likely rupture soon. Dr. Nurre carefully explained all our options and walked us through every step of the surgical plan. Geronimo’s surgery went smoothly and his recovery was excellent. At 10 years old, I hope he won’t need any more surgeries — but if he ever does need care beyond what our primary vet can provide, we’ll absolutely return to VCA Encina. Their expertise and compassion made a stressful situation so much easier.

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3 months ago

Michael Lauffer

Unfortunately, we have had to use VCA Encina for two speciality events and one emergency event in the last 14 months. Fortunately, VCA Encina has been fabulous each time. One of our dogs needed significant dental work because of a botched procedure elsewhere. Encina's oral surgery team got him back on track. Our other dog has been going to Encina for the last four months for chemotherapy and then unrelated emergency surgery on New Year's Eve. Each time, the desk staff, vet techs, and vets have been fabulous. They are communicative and friendly. Dr. Bennett of the oncology staff is especially thoughtful, transparent, helpful, and gives great care. Both our dogs are doing great because of VCA Encina. If you have the right insurance (we use Trupanion), Encina direct bills and we only have to pay our pet's co-pay.
9 months ago

Laura St.Aubin

I feel like finding a good veterinarian, especially for emergency care or a specialist, is like finding a needle in a haystack. Healthcare for your fur babies never feels as thorough as human healthcare. Nonetheless, finding VCA feels like a gift from the universe. Our dog Nala was having chronic UTI’s and nothing seemed to be helping her. She had an abdominal scan where they found a mass on her bladder. We got recommendations for a few oncologists in the area but chose VCA because of how qualified the team is. We were not disappointed. Our Nala girl had surgery on Tuesday and naturally I came in to drop her off in a very emotional state. Kathy brought me in the room and was so empathetic and sweet. She kept reassuring me that Nala would do great and she was in the best of hands. They took her in and started the process. I got a text when she went into surgery and a call when she was out. Which I really loved. Surgery went very well. She was placed in the ICU for 24 hours just out of protocol. The ICU kept her super comfortable in a nice room with blankets and everything she needed. The communication was really fantastic. The receptionists were quick to respond when I called for a check in. They sent over all of the paperwork I needed for insurance very quickly. They were also very polite and informative. The surgeons (Carl Koehler and Ashley Bennett) were excellent. They have many years of experience and that always puts me at ease. I just deeply appreciate VCA and everything they did to help our girl get healthy and make sure she has many more years ahead of her. Thank you over and over again.

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