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Business Details
48 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Open 24/7
always available
24/7 Emergency & Critical Care for Pets in Louisville, KY
Since 1978, Jefferson Animal Hospitals has been a trusted leader in veterinary emergency care, providing 24/7 critical care and wellness services for pets across Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. Our hospital is staffed by highly trained veterinarians, surgeons, and critical care specialists who deliver compassionate, evidence-based treatment using advanced diagnostic tools and lifesaving technology. We maintain a nationally recognized blood bank program to ensure timely access to transfusions, and our team collaborates closely with regular veterinarians to provide seamless follow-up care. With over four decades of experience, we combine deep expertise in emergency medicine, dentistry, and pain management with a commitment to ethical treatment and community education.

Our facility is fully equipped for surgical interventions, diagnostic imaging, and intensive care monitoring, reflecting our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of veterinary medicine. As an AAHA-accredited institution, we uphold rigorous operational and clinical benchmarks to ensure optimal patient outcomes. Our mission extends beyond immediate care through preventive wellness programs, client education initiatives, and community outreach efforts that emphasize long-term pet health.
Services
Emergency Care Blood Bank Diagnostic Testing Dental Care Pain Management Critical Care Wellness Exams Surgical Services Pet Pharmacy End of Life Care
Details
  • Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
  • We operate 24/7 with experienced veterinarians on-site for 45 years
  • Our nationally recognized blood bank ensures timely transfusion access
  • We maintain AAHA accreditation for rigorous veterinary care standards
  • We provide seamless communication with primary veterinarians for follow-up care
  • Our facility includes advanced diagnostic equipment and surgical suites
Associations and certifications
  • AAHA
What people say
24/7 availability Compassionate staff Advanced diagnostics Critical care expertise Blood bank access
Services
Emergency Care
Our 24/7 emergency services address critical pet conditions including trauma, poisoning, and acute illness. With dedicated ICU facilities and oxygen therapy capabilities, we provide immediate stabilization through intravenous catheters, fluid administration, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Our team handles urgent surgical interventions and maintains continuous monitoring for critical patients, ensuring timely response to life-threatening situations while coordinating with primary veterinarians for ongoing care.
Blood Bank
As a nationally recognized pet blood bank, we maintain a reliable supply of canine and feline blood products for emergency transfusions. This program supports treatment for severe blood loss from trauma, surgical procedures, or illnesses like anemia and parvovirus. Our rigorous donor screening process ensures blood safety while our distribution network supplies emergency centers nationwide. The program includes educational resources for pet owners about donor eligibility and benefits of blood donation for animal health.
Diagnostic Testing
Our in-house laboratory provides rapid diagnostic results for critical decision-making, including complete blood counts, chemistry panels, and coagulation profiles. Advanced imaging capabilities encompass digital X-ray, ultrasound, and endoscopy for comprehensive internal assessments. We offer specialized testing for infectious diseases like heartworm and tick-borne illnesses, with reference lab support for complex analyses. These services enable accurate diagnosis of conditions ranging from metabolic disorders to internal injuries requiring immediate intervention.
Dental Care
We provide comprehensive dental services from routine cleanings to complex oral surgeries. Our preventive care includes professional plaque removal and periodontal disease management to prevent systemic health complications. Advanced treatments address tooth extractions, oral tumors, and trauma repair using modern anesthetic protocols. The program emphasizes client education about home dental care and early detection of oral pain indicators that could affect pets' overall well-being and longevity.
Pain Management
Our evidence-based pain management protocols address acute and chronic discomfort across medical and surgical cases. We employ multimodal approaches combining pharmaceutical treatments with supportive therapies to minimize stress and promote recovery. The program includes client education about pain recognition signs and safe medication administration. Specialized protocols exist for post-operative care, dental procedures, and chronic conditions like arthritis while emphasizing the importance of regular veterinary assessments for pain control effectiveness.
People
Dr. Patricia Kennedy Arrington
Veterinarian
Dr. Arrington brings extensive emergency medicine experience to our 24/7 critical care team, focusing on rapid patient stabilization and complex trauma management.
Dr. Ken Isherwood
Veterinarian
Dr. Isherwood specializes in advanced diagnostic imaging and internal medicine, contributing expertise in complex case evaluations within our emergency setting.
Dr. Linda Sayre
Veterinarian
Dr. Sayre focuses on surgical interventions and post-operative care, applying her skills to emergency procedures and critical patient recovery protocols.
Dr. Sarah Cheever
Veterinarian
Dr. Cheever specializes in dental care and pain management, developing comprehensive treatment plans for patients requiring oral surgery and chronic discomfort relief.
Dr. Katie Nau
Veterinarian
Dr. Nau contributes expertise in critical care monitoring and blood transfusion protocols, ensuring optimal patient support during intensive treatment phases.
Questions
What emergency services are available after regular business hours?
Our hospital provides full emergency services 24 hours daily with experienced veterinarians on-site for critical care, trauma treatment, and urgent surgical interventions.
How can my pet become a blood donor?
We maintain specific donor criteria including health requirements and blood type compatibility. Contact our blood bank program for detailed eligibility information and scheduling.
What diagnostic capabilities exist for urgent pet conditions?
Our in-house lab offers complete blood analysis within 30 minutes, supported by digital X-ray, ultrasound, and endoscopic capabilities for immediate diagnostic evaluation.
Do you provide follow-up care coordination with regular veterinarians?
We maintain detailed medical records and provide comprehensive updates to primary veterinarians for seamless continuity of care after emergency treatment.
What pain management options exist for post-surgical pets?
We employ evidence-based multimodal pain control strategies tailored to individual patient needs, including pharmaceutical and supportive therapies for comfort optimization.
Are specialized dental services available for emergency cases?
Our dental care team handles urgent oral trauma, extractions, and periodontal treatments using modern anesthetic protocols and pain management techniques.
Reviews (4)
Samantha Davis
May 26, 2022 Report
I am so thankful to this animal hospital. I lost my cat here not at their doing. I want to thank all of this team working so fast and being so caring and being very supportive and loving my baby just as much as I did and do. Thank you for trying to save him thank you for caring for him and helping him. Thank you for running test and being honest with me about his prognosis and doing your research on his history.

I have no worries taking him here in his time of need thank you all for the love you provided and care. It's hard to express my appreciation to all of them I am at a loss of words on how wonderful this place is.
Kristina Meecha
May 08, 2022 Report
I have been taking my cat here for 18 years, since her very first visit at 4 weeks old. The doctors and staff are the best! My cat started getting sick about 1.5 months ago and all the doctors she saw and staff that handled her treated her like she was their cat also. Unfortunately, due to age and circumstances, she passed away last night. Though very sad, I felt like my family was taking care of her while grieving with me. Shout out to Jennifer, Dr Fowler, Dr Isherwood and the person on duty at 1:30am this morning (sorry I didn't get her name) for doing their best for my sweet 18 year old!
Casey Kendall
May 07, 2022 Report
We had to make the difficult decision to put our sweet Lily to sleep on Saturday night/early Sunday morning due to increasing frequency of seizures. We called in advance, and the staff at Jefferson Animal Hospital were very professional and advised us of the cost and helped us with any questions that we had about the decision making process for our dog. It was comforting to us when the Dr. asked us about Lily's behavior pre and post seizures and that she agreed with us that Lily was telling us that it was her time.

The Dr. (I am not sure if it was Dr. Sayre) was amazing and handled the process wonderfully. She complimented my wife on the great condition that Lily was in despite her struggles with frequent seizures, and walked my wife through Lily's final moments perfectly. Today, we received the personalized card in the mail signed by Dr. Sayre. Thank you all for caring about our beloved Lily and making sure that her life was honored and understood, even in a brief 30 minute flash of time. We are forever grateful to you all.
Mara Butcher
Apr 28, 2022 Report
My dog is dieing and in need of surgery. At first they told my dogs vet that the estimated surgery cost would be so and so amount. I'm not rich but I took out loans for this amount only to find out later when I called they raised the cost to double that and even went so far as to claim they never spoke with my vet. I asked if there was any other alternative they could offer because she was dieing.

They simply said no. That they offered no billing and no other options. They don't care about how you're grieving and they definitely don't care about your animals. When it comes down to it all they care about is getting money from your pain. I do not recommend if your beloved animal is dieing and you don't have money. They've made it very clear they will NOT work with you.