Emergency Vet in Tucson, Arizona
We’re here for you when your family veterinarian is away
Emergency
Fill Out Our Patient Information Form
Please complete our patient information form before your visit to the Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center (SAVS). Providing your information now may help us expedite the treatment of your pet. Thank you and we look forward to serving you!
Signs of Emergency:
- Cat with open-mouth breathing
- Blue, purple, yellow, or pale gums and tongue
- Trouble breathing and/or severe coughing
- Severe bleeding
- Small pin point or large bruising
- Ingestion of a foreign body
- Trauma (car accident, fall, attack, etc.)
- Deep cuts
- Signs of extreme discomfort
- Acute lameness
- Eye trauma or acute blindness
- Inability to move legs or weakness of limbs
- Bloated or painful abdomen
- Distended or painful abdomen
- Difficulty urinating or urinating blood
- Severe vomiting, diarrhea, or unproductive vomiting
- Seizures or tremors
- Unusual and erratic behavior
- Sudden collapse
- Diabetic emergencies
- Uncontrollable itching, hives, and/or allergic reactions
- Neonatal emergencies
- Suspect poisoning or toxicities (rat bait, anti-freeze, medication, etc.) ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
- Difficulty delivering puppies or kittens
Our Triage Rule
Our veterinary emergency center treats the most critically ill or seriously injured patients first. Upon arrival at SAVS, all pets are triaged by our experienced medical staff. Pets with emergencies are seen as they arrive at SAVS and served based on the severity of the condition or injury. If your pet has life-threatening needs, they will be seen immediately.
Communication
Our Relationship with Your Family’s Veterinarian
Keeping your family veterinarian informed is important to us. To ensure the continuity of care, your family veterinarian will be updated of your pet’s visit to our hospital. The attending doctor will contact your regular veterinarian upon discharge to notify them of your visit and we will remain available to them even after your pet’s stay with us is completed. We will also fax your pets medical records to your regular veterinarian. Upon discharge from SAVS, you will be provided with discharge instructions, medications if needed, and recommendations for follow-up care. Our emergency staff is always available for questions and concerns about your pet’s health. We understand that it takes much more than just medical skill to fully care for animals, it takes compassion and dedication. We care about that one special pet – yours.
Doctors
Emergency Team
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Cynthia Gordon, DVM
Dr. Gordon grew up near Augusta, Georgia around many types of animals, including cats, dogs, cows, and horses. She has a Bachelor of Science in animal sciences from Berry College and then continued her education at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. After working in a private practice for six years, Dr. Gordon transitioned to a spay and neuter clinic for another six years. In her professional interests, she has always been true to helping in any way that she is able. Dr. Gordon puts a strong focus on enhancing the pets’ quality of life and the enjoyment of the bond that they and their families share together. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and pets. When Dr. Gordon has time outside of work and family, she likes to watch wildlife, collect vintage t-shirts, and has hobbies in photography and music.
Luise King, DVM
Dr. Luise King is originally from South Africa and was raised on a small dairy farm. She received her B.S. in Animal Science in 2005 and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 from the University of Missouri. After spending a few months in a mixed animal externship, Dr. King returned to academia and completed her PhD in Biomedical Science at the University of Missouri. Her research work investigated the critical role of brainstem neurons in cardiorespiratory physiology. Dr. King is the author of several publications that details the neural mechanisms that are activated during cardiorespiratory challenges.
Dr. King is interested in evidence-based medicine and learning the newest treatment techniques for conditions and diseases. Her main interest in veterinary medicine is to help clients understand the disease processes in their pets/animals through careful explanations and education. She is passionate about teaching and has taught veterinary science students at the University of Arizona School of Animal & Comparative Biomedical Sciences and veterinary technology students at Pima Community College.
In her free time, Dr. King loves to spend time at a local non-profit organization, Therapeutic Ranch for Animal & Kids, where she helps with the care of rescued horses and all other kinds of animals. She also enjoys spending time outdoors, especially swimming, biking, and trail running.
Raj Joshi, DVM, PhD
Dr. Raj Joshi hails from Dallas, Texas, but has lived most of his life in Georgia. As a child, he developed a strong interest in animals by stalking the creeks and forests in search of insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Dr. Joshi’s love of animals and science blossomed into a strong interest in veterinary medicine and in 2012, he became a proud graduate of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine.
After graduation, Dr. Joshi completed a one-year rotating small animal internship in Phoenix, Arizona where he developed an interest in emergency medicine for the past six years. His professional interests include medical emergencies, trauma cases, and rattlesnake envenomation. When time is available, Dr. Joshi likes to give back to the community by treating native wildlife and has worked with animals ranging from orphaned squirrels, possums, eagles, owls, and sea turtles as well as javelinas, coyotes, and bobcats.
Outside of work, Dr. Joshi enjoys spending time with his three dogs. He is very passionate about wildlife conservation, hiking, and traveling to places to observe and photograph endangered wildlife.
Haley Violetta, DVM
Dr. Violetta attended the University of Florida for her undergraduate degree and veterinary school. Go Gators!
She completed an internship in small animal and exotic emergency medicine at a busy ER practice in Tucson, Arizoa. Dr. Violetta has a special interest in emergency surgery, but her favorite part about emergency medicine is helping pets and their families during uncertain times.
In her free time, Dr. Violetta enjoys hiking, rock climbing, visiting craft breweries, scuba diving, reading, and traveling.
Haverley Coy, DVM
Dr. Haverley Coy graduated from college with degrees in biology and performance piano before going on to pursue her childhood passion of veterinary care. She graduated veterinary school at Colorado State University in 2011 and has been loving every aspect of being a veterinarian since then! Dr. Coy served on the Nevada state board for three years and was an examiner for the Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence test for foreign veterinary graduates. In her free time, she enjoys traveling to new places and cultures. Dr. Coy enjoys the company of her Pekingese and chihuahua when she is relaxing at home. She has practiced in multiple states across the country and is excited to be joining our team and calling Arizona her home.
James Tuttle, DVM
Dr. Tuttle is originally from Newburyport, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife & Fisheries Biology from the University of Vermont in 2010. He then spent time with the University of Oklahoma’s Sutton Avian Research Center and the Peregrine Fund working on avian conservation projects with a focus on birds of prey.
Dr. Tuttle graduated from Washington State University in 2020 and came to Arizona to complete a small animal rotating internship. Besides his interests in small animal surgery and emergency medicine, Dr. Tuttle has a strong interest in avian medicine and surgery, as well as, diseases of free-ranging wildlife.
In his free time, Dr. Tuttle enjoys photography and exploring the local natural areas.
Belen Castillon, DVM
Dr. Belen Castillon grew up in Illinois in a northwest suburb of Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She then attended Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine where she earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. She did her clinical year rotations at University College Dublin in Ireland. Her special interests in veterinary medicine include wildlife, anesthesia, cardiology, and emergency medicine. On her days off she enjoys going on adventures outdoors with her Kittitian dog, Dobby.
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Central Location
141 E. Ft. Lowell Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85705
East Side Location
7474 E. Broadway Blvd.
Tucson, AZ 85710