Business Details
20 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Care in Tucson
Founded in 2006, Southern Arizona Veterinary Center Specialty & Emergency Center (SAVS) is locally owned and operated, driven by a singular mission: providing pets with the highest standard of veterinary care. As an AAHA-accredited facility, we combine cutting-edge medical expertise with compassionate service, operating two state-of-the-art clinics in Central and East Tucson. Our collaborative model mirrors human hospital practices, uniting board-certified specialists across seven disciplinesincluding emergency medicine, oncology, and ophthalmologyto deliver comprehensive, multidisciplinary care. With 24/7 emergency services at our East Side location, we serve Southern Arizona's growing pet population through advanced diagnostics, innovative treatments, and personalized attention.Our team of veterinary professionals maintains rigorous continuing education standards, ensuring we remain at the forefront of veterinary science while treating every pet and owner with empathy and respect. This commitment to excellence extends to our client communication, transparent pricing, and community outreach programs, reinforcing our position as Tucson's trusted leader in veterinary specialty care.
Services
Dentistry
Dermatology
Internal Medicine
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Surgery
Emergency Care
Details
- Year established: 2006
Highlights and features
- 24/7 emergency services available at East Side location
- AAHA-accredited facility ensuring hospital excellence standards
- Collaborative team approach with board-certified specialists
- Specialists in seven veterinary disciplines under one roof
- Locally owned with 18+ years of community veterinary experience
Associations and certifications
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
What people say
Compassionate staff
Excellent emergency care
Reasonable price
Skilled specialists
Empathetic end-of-life support
Services
Emergency Care
Our 24/7 emergency veterinary department provides immediate care for critical conditions including trauma, poisoning, and acute illnesses. Trained emergency specialists utilize advanced diagnostics and stabilization techniques to treat pets during after-hours crises, offering life-saving interventions and triage assessments for referral to specialty departments when needed.
Oncology
Board-certified veterinary oncologists develop personalized cancer treatment plans using chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted treatments. We offer comprehensive diagnostics including biopsies and imaging, along with palliative care options to maintain quality of life for pets with malignant and benign tumors.
Ophthalmology
Specialized veterinary eye care includes cataract surgery, glaucoma management, and corneal disease treatment. Our ophthalmologists use advanced diagnostic tools like tonometry and ocular ultrasound to address complex vision problems and preserve ocular health in companion animals.
Dentistry
Advanced veterinary dental services encompass root canals, oral surgery, and periodontal treatments. We utilize digital dental radiography and specialized surgical techniques to address tooth fractures, jaw fractures, and complex oral infections in pets requiring specialized dental interventions.
Internal Medicine
Our internal medicine specialists diagnose and treat complex systemic diseases affecting multiple organ systems. Services include endoscopy, advanced imaging, and management of chronic conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, and autoimmune disorders through evidence-based treatment protocols.
People
Shannon Cochran
Veterinarian
Dr. Cochran provides compassionate veterinary care with expertise in emergency medicine and critical patient management at SAVS' East Side facility.
Leah Dawson
Veterinarian
Dr. Dawson specializes in urgent care treatment protocols and contributes to SAVS' 24/7 emergency service excellence through advanced diagnostic approaches.
Raj Joshi
Veterinarian
Dr. Joshi combines technical skill with patient-centered communication, earning client trust through clear treatment explanations and compassionate decision-making during critical care situations.
James Tuttle
Veterinarian
Recognized for compassionate end-of-life care and emergency interventions, Dr. Tuttle maintains high standards in both clinical excellence and client support.
Dawn Bachman
Internal Medicine Specialist
Board-certified in veterinary internal medicine, Dr. Bachman leads complex case management for multi-system diseases using advanced diagnostic and treatment methodologies.
Questions
What emergency veterinary services are available?
Our East Side location provides 24/7 emergency care for pets with urgent medical needs, including trauma, poisoning, and critical illnesses.
What specialty veterinary services do you offer?
We offer seven specialty services: dentistry, dermatology, internal medicine, oncology, ophthalmology, surgery, and radiology with board-certified specialists.
Are your veterinarians board-certified?
Yes, all our specialists are board-certified in their respective veterinary disciplines through recognized specialty colleges.
Do you accept routine veterinary appointments?
We specialize in emergency and advanced specialty care rather than routine wellness visits, focusing on complex medical cases.
What areas do you serve?
We primarily serve Tucson and surrounding Southern Arizona communities from our two centrally located veterinary facilities.
Reviews (4)
Amy Acton
Jun 20, 2022
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My husband and I recently had to make the hard decision to put our dog Lola of 14 years down. We preferred to use an at-home euthanasia service but we had to make our decision on a weekend and everybody was booked. Therefore, we decided to take her to Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center. I was so pleased that they could take us back right away. They had a comfortable, family-friendly room where euthanasia takes place.
My sweet girl was placed on a comfortable large ottoman that they had in the room. They wheeled her out to start the IV, otherwise she was with us the whole time. The vet (I believe it was Dr. Dawson) and staff were so sweet and sympathetic. Lola was my baby girl for 14 precious years, so this was an incredibly hard day for me and my family. But this place made the process easier. I appreciate the sympathy and comfort they provided us. Even on the day I went to pick up her ashes. They were so kind. Thank you for all you do Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center!
My sweet girl was placed on a comfortable large ottoman that they had in the room. They wheeled her out to start the IV, otherwise she was with us the whole time. The vet (I believe it was Dr. Dawson) and staff were so sweet and sympathetic. Lola was my baby girl for 14 precious years, so this was an incredibly hard day for me and my family. But this place made the process easier. I appreciate the sympathy and comfort they provided us. Even on the day I went to pick up her ashes. They were so kind. Thank you for all you do Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center!
Jacob Keith Robishaw
Jun 20, 2022
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Very helpful and caring. There was an employee (I think her name was Precious?) who was very compassionate and helpful, asking if we needed anything while we waited and assisting those animal owners who's pets had passed away. I did have to pay a $125 "exam fee" when I first arrived, but because my animal was fine and didn't require anything past initial triage, the fee was refunded and my visit cost nothing. Overall would recommend
Mariah C.
Apr 12, 2022
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I think these people are really kind, very understanding and patient, the only thing is they are a bit expensive, I wish they weren't because they are great. They helped us with are fur baby was really sick and had to be put to sleep. They let us stay with her and gave us a small mold of her foot prints. I would give them 5 stars if they weren't so expensive. Thank you for all of your kindness and understanding. You are awesome.
Karen Gutierrez
Mar 21, 2022
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Unfortunately because I didn't have the money to pay up front for the office visit my dog didn't get seen! The lady there told me to surrender my dog to get her help! Never going to do that my dogs are like my kids I'm not going to get rid of them! I feel they could've done something for me but chose not to after all the business I've done there, I'm just saddens me they wouldn't help me out and the guy there was so worried about getting there clip board back like I was going to take it! Guess I'll be looking for a different place to take my dogs when I have an emergency maybe someone who has a heart and not greedy for money!
