Emergency & Urgent Care for Pets in Delaware, Ohio
Open 24/7 for emergencies and same-day urgent care, backed by advanced specialty services.
Care for emergencies and complex conditions
COVE’s Delaware hospital brings 24/7 emergency care and scheduled specialty services together at one Central Ohio location. Emergency medicine addresses injury, sudden illness, severe pain and potentially life-threatening changes. Specialty medicine provides focused expertise for complex or persistent conditions.
COVE is privately owned and locally operated. Its team works with pet owners and primary-care veterinarians to understand each patient’s history, explain findings and coordinate follow-up—especially when an emergency becomes an ongoing medical or surgical case.
When care cannot wait
For trouble breathing, collapse, unresponsiveness, heavy bleeding or major trauma, seek emergency care now. If you are unsure, call (740) 481-2683.
Breathing, collapse or seizures
Labored breathing, pale or blue gums, collapse, unresponsiveness, or repeated or prolonged seizures.
Trauma, bleeding or severe pain
Vehicle injuries, falls, bite wounds, suspected fractures, uncontrolled bleeding or severe pain.
Toxins or swallowed objects
Suspected poisoning, medication ingestion, or swallowed toys, fabric, string and other objects.
Urinary blockage or bloat
Little or no urine, a swollen painful abdomen, unproductive retching or sudden restlessness.
Severe vomiting or diarrhea
Repeated vomiting or diarrhea with blood, weakness, pain, dehydration or possible obstruction.
Painful eye changes
Sudden blindness, injury, severe squinting, a bulging eye, bleeding or rapidly increasing cloudiness.
Online information cannot diagnose your pet. A veterinary examination is needed to determine the cause and appropriate treatment.
Time-sensitive care for stable pets
Not every concern is immediately life-threatening, but some problems should not wait for a routine appointment. COVE Delaware provides urgent care 24/7 • 365 and can evaluate stable dogs and cats with concerns such as:
Vomiting or diarrhea
Repeated vomiting or diarrhea without emergency warning signs such as collapse, severe abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen or significant blood loss.
Minor wounds
Small cuts, scrapes, torn nails, abscesses or other wounds without uncontrolled bleeding or major trauma.
Limping or difficulty walking
New limping, stiffness or mobility changes when your pet can still stand and is not in severe distress.
Ear or skin problems
Ear irritation, itching, rashes, hot spots, allergies or other uncomfortable skin concerns that need prompt attention.
Lethargy or behavior changes
Unusual tiredness, reduced activity or a sudden behavior change that is persistent or concerning.
Reduced appetite
Eating less or refusing food, especially when it continues or occurs with vomiting, diarrhea, pain or weakness.
Symptoms can become emergencies. For breathing difficulty, collapse, repeated seizures, inability to urinate, toxin exposure, uncontrolled bleeding or severe distress, seek emergency care immediately. If you are unsure, call COVE.
Specialty services at COVE Delaware
Call to confirm the appropriate department, clinician availability and appointment path for your pet.
Complex medical conditions
Internal Medicine
Evaluation for complex or chronic gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, urinary, endocrine and immune conditions. Diagnostics may include ultrasound, endoscopy or image-guided sampling.
Explore Veterinary Internal MedicineEye health and vision
Ophthalmology
Specialty eye care for vision changes, cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disease, painful eyes and eyelid disorders. Sudden painful changes may need emergency evaluation.
Explore Veterinary OphthalmologySurgical evaluation
Surgery
COVE evaluates orthopedic, soft tissue and urgent surgical conditions. The recommended path depends on the diagnosis, overall health and urgency.
A clearer clinical picture
Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging
Imaging helps narrow possible causes and plan treatment. COVE’s published services include digital radiology, ultrasound and radiologist image review.
Explore Veterinary RadiologyClear steps, centered on your pet
Call or arrive
For an emergency, call or come in. For specialty care, arrive at the scheduled time with requested records.
Check in and triage
Emergency patients are assessed so the most critical can be stabilized first. Specialty check-in reviews history and medications.
Veterinary examination
A veterinarian evaluates your pet, reviews the history and discusses the most important concerns.
Targeted diagnostics
The care team recommends tests or imaging that can clarify the problem and guide next steps.
A clear treatment plan
The team explains findings, options, next steps and estimated costs whenever the situation allows.
Follow-up and communication
Discharge instructions cover home care, warning signs and rechecks. COVE shares records when continued care requires it.
The local owners behind COVE
COVE is proudly privately owned and locally operated — and committed to staying that way. The three veterinarians featured here are COVE’s owners, and all live in Central Ohio.
Remaining independent keeps decisions close to the community and helps us put pets, families and our team first. The Delaware hospital is supported by a much larger clinical and hospital team.
Jimmy Reynolds, DVM
Founder & Owner
A Central Ohio veterinarian with professional interests in emergency medicine and surgery.
Read Dr. Reynolds’ profile
Dave Mathes, DVM
Owner
A Central Ohio emergency and critical care veterinarian with surgical experience.
Read Dr. Mathes’ profile
Eric Miller, DVM, MS, DACVO
Owner
A Central Ohio board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist focused on medical and surgical eye care.
Read Dr. Miller’s profileWhy families and veterinarians choose COVE Delaware
24/7 emergency access
The Delaware emergency hospital is open every hour of every day.
Privately owned
COVE is locally operated and committed to remaining independent.
Specialty expertise
COVE’s team includes board-certified veterinary specialists.
Coordinated care
Primary-care veterinarians can share records and remain part of the plan.
Helpful guides before and after a visit
When Should I Take My Pet to the Vet?
Signs and behavior changes that may require prompt or emergency care.
Emergency Vet Triage & Wait Times
Why wait times vary and what happens during an emergency visit.
Bloat in Dogs (GDV)
Early warning signs and why suspected bloat needs immediate care.
What to Do After a Toxin Ingestion
Safer first steps after a suspected poisoning.
Signs of a Urinary Blockage
Recognize a potentially life-threatening obstruction in cats.
Pet Eye Emergencies
Painful injuries and vision changes that should not wait.
TPLO Recovery Timeline
General milestones from surgery through rechecks and activity.
Ultrasound for Dogs and Cats
What ultrasound can examine and how to prepare.
Before you visit COVE Delaware
Is the Delaware emergency hospital open 24/7?
Yes. Emergency care is open 24/7 • 365. Specialty appointment hours are Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM.
Do I need an appointment for an emergency?
Call or come to the Delaware hospital for a possible emergency. Calling ahead is helpful when it is safe.
Should I call before arriving?
Calling ahead helps the team understand what you are seeing. Do not delay urgent travel solely to make a call.
Do specialty appointments require a referral?
Pet owners may request a veterinary referral or call COVE directly. Confirm the process and required records for the specialty.
What species does COVE treat?
COVE’s general materials focus on dogs and cats. Call before traveling with another species to confirm care and availability.
What should I bring?
Bring current medications and available records. For specialty care, ask your veterinarian to send requested history and diagnostics.
How does emergency triage work?
Emergency patients are assessed on arrival. The most critical are stabilized first, so a later arrival may be treated sooner.
What payment and financing options are available?
COVE lists cash, major credit cards, CareCredit, Scratchpay and All Pet Card. Review financing information.
Where is the entrance, and where should I park?
Use Directions for 585 Sunbury Rd or call (740) 481-2683 if you need help locating the entrance or parking.
Does Delaware provide surgery, ophthalmology, internal medicine and imaging?
Yes. Call to confirm the department, clinician and whether emergency or a scheduled appointment is the right path.
How do I transfer records from my regular veterinarian?
Veterinarians can submit records through COVE’s referral portal. Pet owners can call to coordinate.
When should I go directly to an emergency hospital?
Go now for breathing distress, collapse, repeated seizures, major trauma, uncontrolled bleeding, poisoning, urinary blockage, bloat, obstruction or sudden painful eye changes.