Choosing the right veterinary facility is important to know your pet is being well cared for. If you need a pet hospital in an emergency, trust West Park Animal Hospital. Our caring and friendly team provides critical care services near you in West Park, North Olmsted, Berea, Rocky River, Lakewood, Fairview Park, and Cleveland, Ohio. Learn more about our pet hospital and what we do here.

Understanding the Need for Pet Hospitalization

Routine wellness visits are vital for helping your pet live a happy and healthy life. However, occasionally they will need more than a checkup. Taking the time to find a pet hospital you trust is important. These facilities allow expert veterinary professionals to do everything possible to help in a critical situation.

Some reasons your pet may need hospitalization include when they are:

• Suffering from a serious illness or disease
• Experiencing severe trauma
• In need of an IV (whether for fluids or medications)
• Suspected of eating a potentially harmful item or substance
• Recovering from a surgical procedure
• In need of extensive testing or frequent monitoring

How Does Hospitalization Work?

Depending on the reason for your pet’s stay, there are different steps that may be taken, and West Park Animal Hospital can provide a wide range of care options. We start by placing each pet in the appropriate ward based on their size, species, and medical condition to ensure they receive the right level of care in a safe and comfortable environment:

• Intensive Care Unit (ICU): Located on the main treatment floor, it allows for constant monitoring of critically ill patients and immediate medical intervention.
• Small Canine Medical Ward: Features easily sanitized stainless steel cages, constant monitoring, and a calm environment tailored for small dogs.
• Large Canine Medical Ward & Kennel: Spacious, sanitized cages with highly trained staff to ensure comfort and recovery for larger dogs.
• Surgical Canine Ward: Calm, comfortable space for dogs awaiting and recovering from surgery, with personalized attention before and after procedures.
• Feline & Small Mammal Ward: Quiet, stress-reducing environment designed to minimize exposure to barking dogs and ensure comfort for cats and other small mammals.
• Isolation Ward: For pets with highly contagious illnesses, our Isolation Ward provides the highest level of safety. The ward has a separate ventilation system, so air does not recirculate through the hospital, reducing the risk of cross-contamination. We have separate areas for felines and two distinct areas for dogs: one dedicated to parvovirus patients and another for individual quarantine of pets with respiratory or other contagious illnesses. This design ensures that all patients are treated safely while minimizing the risk to other pets in our care.

What Pet Owners Can Expect

We strive to keep both pets and their owners informed, comfortable, and confident during hospitalization.

• Communication & Updates: Our veterinarians provide daily updates and will call immediately if a patient’s condition changes. Owners also have access to a dedicated in-patient phone extension to receive updates or ask questions. To allow our team to focus on direct patient care, we recommend limiting check-ins to essential communications rather than hourly calls.
• Visitor Policies: Owners are welcome to visit during regular business hours. Advance notice helps our team prepare for your visit. For critically ill pets, visit length may be limited to maintain treatment protocols, such as IV fluids or oxygen support. Most visits take place in an exam room, but for patients requiring specialized monitoring, cage-side visitation can be arranged.
• Preparing for Hospitalization: To prevent loss or contamination, we ask that personal items such as blankets or toys be left at home. You are encouraged to bring any current medications or comfort food your pet may need.
• Safety & Sanitation: All wards are designed with easily sanitized materials, and our staff follows strict cleaning protocols to protect every patient. As an AAHA-accredited facility, our sanitation and safety standards meet the highest levels in veterinary care.

Our Veterinary Team

At West Park Animal Hospital, your pet is cared for by a highly skilled veterinary team working together to ensure the best outcome possible. Some of the team members you can expect to care for your pet include:

• Veterinary Assistants (VAs) help care for stable patients by monitoring and documenting vital signs, administering oral medications, maintaining IV fluids, feeding, and walking dogs. They provide essential supportive care to keep pets comfortable during their hospitalization.
• Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) care for more critical or medically complex patients. These professionals have been licensed through the Ohio Medical Licensing Board. They administer IV medications, perform diagnostics such as bloodwork, x-rays, EKGs, and blood pressure readings, and closely monitor patients who require intensive treatments. Vet Techs work directly with our veterinarians to respond quickly to any changes in a patient’s condition.
• Veterinarians oversee all aspects of patient care, develop individualized treatment plans, and guide the technical team to ensure the safest and most effective care. While veterinarians may not perform routine treatments, they are always available for procedures, emergencies, and critical decision-making. Their ability to work on all sorts of animals within a given day makes them invaluable to pet owners within the community.

Our Services

If your pet needs hospitalization at West Park Animal Hospital, our dedicated professionals will be there from start to finish. We’ll help ensure your pet feels comfortable and keep you informed about their progress and prognosis. We make sure to document each hour and every decision that is made to keep a comprehensive record.

We offer veterinary surgery services to help with a variety of issues. Our clinic is accredited by American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), ensuring we meet their strict standards. Most procedures allow pets to go home the same day, but we’ll provide information on post-surgical care to give you peace of mind. Our on-site pharmacy makes it easy for you to get the medications you need. We also offer an intensive care unit, medical boarding, and rehabilitation services, providing whatever type of care your companion needs.

Make an Appointment at Our Pet Hospital Today

West Park Animal Hospital provides quality care in all that we do. We strive to create a nurturing environment that pets and their owners can trust. To book an appointment at a reliable pet hospital near you in West Park, North Olmsted, Berea, Rocky River, Lakewood, Fairview Park, and Cleveland, Ohio, contact us today.

Thank you for your Cleveland Hot List votes. We were voted #1 again for the 5th year in a row! We are happy to continue to serve the community and appreciate your support.