Spencerport veterinary practice adds urgent care service

People with pets in need of urgent care in the greater Rochester area now have another option.

Last week, Erie Canal Animal Hospital at 370 S. Union St. in Spencerport launched urgent care service.

Dr. Staceyann Doobar, who graduated from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and has practiced emergency veterinary medicine, has joined the practice as urgent care leader and is seeing animals from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, said Dr. Heidi Wendel, who owns Erie Canal Animal Hospital and its sister practice, Apple Country Veterinary Hospital in Hilton.

Urgent care includes treating such problems as vomiting, diarrhea, lameness and painful ear infections, versus critical care, which may require 24-hour hospitalization, Wendel explained via email. In other words, the urgent care being offered by Erie Canal Animal Hospital is not a replacement for emergency care at an operation like Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Services in Brighton, which recently reduced its hours again and is slated to close by Nov. 27.

However, it does offer another alternative in a market where options have become more limited.

People with pets in need of urgent care do not have to be Erie Canal Animal Hospital clients to be seen, but they do have to make appointments at (585) 349-7387.

Also, existing clients of Erie Canal Animal Hospital and Apple Country Veterinary Hospital will be prioritized.

Wendel said the plan is to expand urgent care hours to include 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fridays starting in October.

“If all goes well, then we will work on hiring additional team members and will consider expanding to include evening and weekend hours,” she said.

Since it began, the urgent care service has gotten “an overwhelmingly positive response from our current clients and the general pet-owning community,” she said. “We realize this service does not replace the need for a 24-hour emergency hospital in Rochester, but we hope we can support the community and offer urgent care to more pets in need.”

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Erie Canal Animal Hospital in Spencerport NY adds urgent care service