Uga Veterinary Hospital: Vet Care & Contact

Veterinary Teaching Hospital · Athens, Georgia · Pet Owner Guide

UGA Veterinary Hospital address, emergency phone numbers, small animal care, large animal care, referrals, records, billing, and parking

UGA Veterinary Hospital usually refers to the University of Georgia Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Athens. The hospital is part of the UGA Veterinary Medical Center campus and is used for specialty veterinary care, emergency care, referrals, teaching, and advanced services for small and large animals.

The main hospital is located at 2200 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30602. For cats, dogs, exotics, wildlife, and small-animal emergencies, call 706-542-3221. For horses, cattle, goats, alpacas, pigs, and farm-animal emergencies, call 706-542-3223.

Emergency first: UGA asks clients to call ahead before bringing an emergency patient when possible. Emergencies do not require a referral, but calling helps the team prepare, explain wait times, and direct you to the correct entrance or alternative care if capacity is limited.
Hospital address 2200 College Station Rd.

Athens, GA 30602. This is the Veterinary Teaching Hospital on the Veterinary Medical Center campus.

Small animal / main phone 706-542-3221

Use for cats, dogs, exotics, wildlife emergencies, general hospital assistance, and small animal routing.

Large animal phone 706-542-3223

Use for horses, cattle, goats, alpacas, pigs, farm animals, large animal appointments, and emergencies.

Hospital type Teaching Hospital

Patients may be cared for by faculty veterinarians, residents, interns, veterinary nurses, students, and hospital staff.

Referral rule Often required

Many small animal specialty services require a referral. Emergency visits do not require referral.

Parking note West side visitor parking

UGA states client and visitor parking is on the west side of the building.

About UGA Veterinary Hospital

A practical guide for pet owners, farm owners, referring veterinarians, and clients visiting UGA’s veterinary teaching hospital in Athens.

UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital is not a basic walk-in neighborhood clinic. It functions more like a veterinary specialty and emergency center connected to the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. The hospital provides advanced patient care while also training veterinary students, interns, residents, and specialty teams.

For pet owners, the most important difference is routing. A dog with a routine vaccine visit, a cat with a complex specialty condition, a horse with colic, an exotic pet needing specialist care, and a farm animal emergency may all use different UGA contact paths.

Good rule: If the animal is unstable, call first and describe the emergency. If the visit is not urgent, ask whether you need a referral from your regular veterinarian before scheduling.

UGA Veterinary Hospital contact directory

Use the right phone number so your animal reaches the correct service faster.

Need Phone / link Use this for
Main Veterinary Teaching Hospital 706-542-3221 General hospital routing, small animal care, cats, dogs, exotics, wildlife, and small-animal emergency contact.
Small animal emergency 706-542-3221 Urgent or emergency care for cats, dogs, exotic pets, and wildlife. Call before arrival when possible.
Large animal hospital 706-542-3223 Horses, cattle, goats, alpacas, pigs, farm animals, large animal appointments, and large animal emergencies.
Small animal referral phone 706-542-5362 Referring veterinarians and specialty scheduling support for non-emergency small animal referrals.
Medical Records 706-542-5000 Record transfer help, referral-record support, and medical-record questions.
UGA Pet Health Center primary care 706-542-1984 Routine primary care at 125 Veterinary Loop, not the same as the 2200 College Station Road teaching hospital.
Online payment UGA VetMed Pay Invoice payment when you have a client number and amount due.

Emergency and urgent care at UGA Veterinary Hospital

Use the emergency service for animals needing urgent evaluation, stabilization, diagnosis, monitoring, or critical care.

Cats, dogs, exotics, and wildlife

Call 706-542-3221. UGA states the small animal emergency service is typically open 24/7, 365 days a year, but clients should call ahead due to high demand and wait-time changes.

Horses, cattle, and farm animals

Call 706-542-3223. UGA’s large animal hospital provides 24/7 in-hospital emergency and critical care for urgent large animal needs.

On-the-farm emergency limits

UGA states on-farm large animal emergency service is limited to current ambulatory clients within 30 miles of the facility. Others may need to bring the animal to the hospital.

Stray or unowned animals

UGA notes the Veterinary Teaching Hospital is not a shelter and cannot accept unowned animals for placement. Contact local animal control, a shelter, or a rescue organization for stray-animal placement help.

Go now / call now signs: Difficulty breathing, collapse, seizure, severe bleeding, poisoning, bloat signs, inability to urinate, trauma, severe pain, foaling trouble, colic, down large animal, or rapidly worsening symptoms should be treated as urgent.

Cora Nunnally Miller Small Animal Hospital: cats, dogs, exotics, and wildlife

UGA’s small animal side functions like a specialty referral center with many advanced services.

Service area Common uses Owner note
Emergency & critical care Urgent illness, injuries, ICU care, oxygen support, transfusions, IV fluids, blood-pressure support, arrhythmia monitoring, nutrition support, and advanced pain management. Call 706-542-3221 before arrival if possible.
Cat and dog specialty services Specialty medicine, surgery, dermatology, neurology, oncology, ophthalmology, orthopedics, rehabilitation, nutrition, and other referral care. Many services require a referral from a primary veterinarian.
Exotic pet care Birds, reptiles, turtles, fish, pocket pets, and other exotic species. Ask the hospital which service should see the animal and whether a referral is needed.
Wildlife Wildlife medical cases accepted through the hospital’s wildlife pathway. Do not treat wildlife like a normal pet appointment. Call first for instructions.
Surgery and anesthesia support Soft tissue surgery, orthopedic care, diagnostic or therapeutic procedures, and advanced anesthetic monitoring. Expect estimates, consent forms, possible hospitalization, and discharge instructions.
Advanced diagnostics Imaging, laboratory support, specialist consultations, and hospital-wide support services. Your primary veterinarian’s records may be required before scheduling.
Small animal scheduling tip: If your pet is stable and not an emergency, ask your primary veterinarian to send a referral with exam notes, lab results, imaging, medication list, and vaccine information before you call to schedule.

UGA Large Animal Hospital: horses, cattle, goats, alpacas, pigs, and farm animals

The Large Animal Hospital provides in-hospital and field-based care depending on the animal’s needs, farm location, and service availability.

Emergency & critical care

Large animal emergency care includes urgent in-hospital evaluation, critical care, monitoring, IV therapy, pain management, oxygen support, cardiac monitoring, nutritional support, and intensive nursing care.

Routine and specialty services

UGA lists routine care, specialty treatment, surgery, emergency services, dentistry, internal medicine, lameness, ophthalmology, reproduction, rehabilitation, sports medicine, and diagnostic imaging.

Ambulatory field services

UGA’s ambulatory team can provide on-the-farm care in the greater Athens area, while production medicine may help cattle producers across Georgia. Not every procedure can be done in the field.

No referral required

UGA states large animal hospital care does not require a referral, although referrals are preferred. Call the Large Animal Client Care team at 706-542-3223 to discuss the case.

Transportation note: If your horse or farm animal must come to the hospital, call first. UGA notes hauler information may be available upon request, and some patients require in-hospital diagnostics or procedures.

Appointments, referrals, and scheduling steps

UGA’s hospital routing is different for emergencies, small animal specialty visits, large animal visits, and primary care.

Decide whether it is an emergency. If your animal is unstable, call 706-542-3221 for small animals or 706-542-3223 for large animals. Emergency visits do not require a referral.
For small animal specialty care, start with your regular veterinarian. UGA says many small animal services require a referral before the owner can make an appointment.
Send complete medical records. Records should include exam notes, imaging, bloodwork, medications, doctor notes, vaccine history, and the specific service requested.
Ask about wait times. Some services may have long waits for the first available appointment. If the case is urgent, have your veterinarian contact emergency service.
For large animals, call the Large Animal Hospital directly. Referrals are preferred but not required. Call 706-542-3223 to discuss the animal’s condition, transport, field-service eligibility, and scheduling.
Confirm deposits, forms, and arrival instructions. Ask whether a registration form, deposit, previous records, rabies certificate, trailer instructions, or parking direction is needed before arrival.

Medical records, referral documents, and RDVM portal

Records help UGA schedule correctly, avoid repeated tests, and coordinate with your primary veterinarian.

Owner records
Bring or send recent exam notes, medication list, vaccine history, lab work, imaging, discharge notes, and any referral documents.
Referring veterinarian records
UGA asks referring veterinarians to send complete medical records, including imaging, bloodwork, and doctor notes, to streamline scheduling and patient care.
Medical Records phone
Call 706-542-5000 for medical-record questions or assistance.
RDVM portal
UGA provides an online portal for referring veterinarians to access medical record information for referred patients.
Follow-up reports
For long-term cases, your primary veterinarian may need summaries, lab updates, medications, and the best contact method for clinician follow-up.

Billing, deposits, insurance, CareCredit, and online payments

Ask for estimates before care begins, especially for specialty diagnostics, hospitalization, surgery, ICU care, or large animal transport.

Billing topic What to know What to ask before treatment
Payment timing UGA client resources state payment is due at the time of service. “What is the estimate, deposit amount, and expected checkout balance?”
Upcoming cashless change UGA states the Veterinary Teaching Hospital will transition to a cashless payment system starting January 1, 2027. “Which payment methods are accepted for my visit date?”
CareCredit UGA client resources mention CareCredit payment support. “Can I use CareCredit for this service, deposit, or discharge payment?”
Pet insurance Veterinary clients commonly pay first and submit invoices to insurance, though UGA notes direct billing is available only in limited situations. “Can you provide an itemized invoice and medical notes for my claim?”
Online invoice payment UGA has an online payment page for invoices when you have your client number and amount due. “Will my payment be applied today, and can I get an emailed receipt?”
Large animal estimates Large animal client resources say the team can provide a rough estimate when you call or at referral. “Does the estimate include hospitalization, imaging, medication, surgery, farm call, emergency fee, and hauling?”
Billing safety tip: Teaching hospitals may involve multiple services, diagnostics, and hospitalization days. Ask for updated estimates if your animal is transferred between services or hospitalized longer than expected.

UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital vs UGA Pet Health Center

Many searchers confuse the specialty hospital with UGA’s primary care clinic. Use the correct location before driving.

Facility Address / phone Best use
UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital 2200 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30602. Phone: 706-542-3221. Specialty care, referral medicine, emergencies, small animal hospital, large animal hospital, ICU, advanced diagnostics, and hospital-level services.
UGA Pet Health Center 125 Veterinary Loop, Athens, GA 30602. Phone: 706-542-1984. Primary care, wellness-style appointments, vaccines, routine visits, and non-emergency pet health services.
After-hours primary care issue UGA Pet Health Center directs after-hours emergencies to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Call the Veterinary Teaching Hospital emergency number if your pet cannot wait for normal clinic hours.
Before driving: Double-check whether your appointment is at 2200 College Station Road or 125 Veterinary Loop. Both are UGA VetMed locations, but they are not the same appointment destination.

What to bring to a UGA Veterinary Hospital visit

A little preparation helps the hospital team move faster, especially for specialty and emergency cases.

For dogs and cats

  • Previous medical records and referral form
  • Medication list with dose and frequency
  • Vaccine history and rabies certificate
  • Recent lab results, X-rays, ultrasound, CT, MRI, or reports
  • Secure leash or carrier

For exotics and wildlife

  • Safe transport container with temperature control
  • Diet, enclosure, lighting, humidity, and husbandry details
  • Photos of enclosure or injury when safe
  • Call first for wildlife instructions

For horses and farm animals

  • Trailer and transport plan
  • Vaccination, deworming, and herd-health records
  • Feed, medication, and recent treatment history
  • Insurance information, if applicable
  • Call for hauler guidance if needed

For all patients

  • Owner ID and contact information
  • Primary veterinarian contact
  • Payment method
  • Insurance claim details
  • Questions you want answered before discharge

Parking, entrances, and arrival tips

UGA notes client and visitor parking is on the west side of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital building.

Hospital address
UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 2200 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30602.
Visitor parking
UGA states client and visitor parking is on the west side of the building, while faculty and staff parking on the east side is by permit only.
Small animal arrival
Keep dogs leashed and cats or small exotics in secure carriers. Call emergency before arrival if your pet is unstable.
Large animal arrival
Call ahead for trailer, unloading, emergency, isolation, or hauler instructions.
Belongings
Label necessary patient items clearly and avoid leaving personal property unless the medical team requests it for patient care.

UGA Veterinary Hospital map

Use this map for the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, not the separate Pet Health Center.

UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital
2200 College Station Road
Athens, GA 30602
Main / Small Animal: 706-542-3221
Large Animal: 706-542-3223

Confirm your appointment location before traveling, especially if you are choosing between the Veterinary Teaching Hospital and the UGA Pet Health Center.

Official source checklist for UGA Veterinary Hospital information

Use these official UGA pages to verify phone numbers, referrals, records, emergency instructions, services, billing, and directions before visiting.

Independent guide notice: This page summarizes public UGA VetMed information for pet owners and animal owners. It does not schedule appointments, provide veterinary diagnosis, guarantee ER wait times, or replace instructions from UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital staff.

UGA Veterinary Hospital FAQs

Common questions about UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital address, emergency care, small animal services, large animal services, referrals, records, billing, and parking.

1. What is the address of UGA Veterinary Hospital?
UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital is located at 2200 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30602.
2. What is the main phone number for UGA Veterinary Hospital?
The main hospital and small-animal phone number is 706-542-3221. Use it for cats, dogs, exotics, wildlife emergencies, general routing, and small animal hospital questions.
3. What number should I call for large animal emergencies?
Call 706-542-3223 for horses, cattle, goats, alpacas, pigs, and farm-animal emergencies or large animal hospital questions.
4. Is UGA Veterinary Hospital open for emergencies 24/7?
UGA states the small animal emergency service is typically open 24/7, 365 days a year, and the large animal hospital provides 24/7 in-hospital emergency care. Always call ahead when possible because demand and wait times can change.
5. Do I need a referral to use UGA Veterinary Hospital?
Emergencies do not require a referral. Many small animal specialty services do require a referral from your primary veterinarian. Large animal referrals are preferred but not required.
6. Does UGA Veterinary Hospital treat exotic pets?
Yes. UGA’s small animal hospital includes exotic services and states it sees exotic species such as birds, snakes, turtles, fish, and other exotic animals. Call before scheduling to confirm the correct service and referral needs.
7. Does UGA Veterinary Hospital offer farm calls?
UGA Large Animal Ambulatory Services can provide on-the-farm care for many large animals in the greater Athens area, but not every service can be done in the field. Emergency field service is limited to current ambulatory clients within 30 miles of the facility.
8. How do I send medical records to UGA Veterinary Hospital?
Ask your veterinarian to send complete records, including exam notes, imaging, bloodwork, medications, and doctor notes. For medical-record assistance, UGA lists Medical Records at 706-542-5000.
9. Is the UGA Pet Health Center the same as the Veterinary Teaching Hospital?
No. The Veterinary Teaching Hospital is at 2200 College Station Road and handles specialty, emergency, and hospital-level services. The UGA Pet Health Center is a primary care clinic at 125 Veterinary Loop, Athens, GA 30602.
10. Where should I park at UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital?
UGA states client and visitor parking is on the west side of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital building. Faculty and staff parking on the east side is by permit only.