Veterinary Emergency + Referral Center of Hawaii

Veterinary Emergency + Referral Center of Hawaii Compassionate care and client communication are the cornerstones of our practice. Hawaii's first 24-hour emergency + specialty veterinary hospital.

VERC is fully staffed for emergency care on a walk-in basis, around the clock, and our board-certified specialists see appointments by referral from your primary care veterinarian. VERC is an advanced diagnostic and treatment center, offering the most comprehensive and progressive patient care available in HI. VERC is a Ethos Veterinary Health hospital.

Happy pets, healthy futures.No-cost surgical consults through October 3rd!At VERC, we understand that choosing surgery f...
08/04/2025

Happy pets, healthy futures.
No-cost surgical consults through October 3rd!

At VERC, we understand that choosing surgery for your pet can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re offering complimentary surgery consultations with our board-certified specialists, Dr. Chen and Dr. Pitt, now through October 3rd.

Whether your pet needs a complex procedure or you’re simply exploring options, we’re here to help you make the best decision. Talk one-on-one with our expert, compassionate surgical team to get answers, explore options, and make the best decision for your pet without any added financial pressure.

📞 Call 808-735-7735 or visit verchawaii.com to book your consult today!

VERC is now OPEN!We’re back to providing 24/7 emergency care, and all specialty appointments are running as scheduled.Ma...
07/30/2025

VERC is now OPEN!

We’re back to providing 24/7 emergency care, and all specialty appointments are running as scheduled.

Mahalo for your patience and understanding while we took a short pause to keep our patients and team safe during the tsunami warning.

For the safety of our patients and staff, we are temporarily closed. We will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Plea...
07/30/2025

For the safety of our patients and staff, we are temporarily closed. We will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so. Please check back for updates.

Surgery Spotlight: Chi-Ya Chen, DVM, DACVSWe’re proud to have a team of highly skilled specialists, including board-cert...
07/27/2025

Surgery Spotlight: Chi-Ya Chen, DVM, DACVS
We’re proud to have a team of highly skilled specialists, including board-certified veterinary surgeon, Dr. Chi-Ya Chen. Her passion for surgery and compassionate approach to care help pets heal and thrive. We caught up with Dr. Chen for a quick Q&A so you can get to know the person behind the scrubs 👇

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in veterinary surgery?
Dr. Chen: I grew up around animals; my dad is an animal science professor, so we were always surrounded by cows, ducks, and eventually, two cats. One of our cats had surgery when I was in high school, and I thought it was the coolest thing ever. Growing up, I was one of those kids who liked to take things apart and put them back together (sometimes), and I like to fix things. I think that is one of the reasons that surgery is so intriguing to me.

Q: Do you specialize in a certain type of surgery?
Dr. Chen: I perform both orthopedic and soft tissue procedures and love them equally! I also specialize in minimally invasive surgery...what we often call “keyhole surgery”...using tools like arthroscopy for joints and laparoscopy/thoracoscopy for soft tissue procedures. Ortho cases are fun and precise, while soft tissue surgeries vary so much from case to case. All of it fascinates me, and I absolutely love what I do.

Q: How would you describe your approach to patient care and pain management?
Dr. Chen: I treat every patient like my own because I know how deeply loved they are. I take a multimodal approach to pain management, combining medications with options like acupuncture, shockwave therapy, and physical rehab when needed. Animals may be stoic, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t receive the best possible pain relief. In many cases, surgery itself is part of the solution to reduce long-term pain and improve mobility.

Q: What can pet families expect during a surgical consultation?
Dr. Chen: I know surgery can feel overwhelming, that’s why we talk through everything. I’ll explain all options, both surgical and non-surgical, along with risks, expected outcomes, and post-op care. It’s a collaborative conversation, and I encourage families to ask any and all questions. There are no bad questions, only the ones we don’t ask.

Need surgical care for your pet?
You can request a referral from your family veterinarian or call us directly at (808) 735-7735 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Chen.
Learn more at verchawaii.com

We asked for dips… and our team delivered! 🥣From sweet to savory, homemade to store-bought, every bowl brought the flavo...
07/25/2025

We asked for dips… and our team delivered! 🥣

From sweet to savory, homemade to store-bought, every bowl brought the flavor...and a little friendly competition! Whether you came to taste or came to win, this Dip-Off had it all.

Big mahalo to everyone who participated, small-kine prizes were awarded, but the real reward? Bragging rights for days and a delicious break in the action.

Here’s to team bonding, belly laughs, and full hearts (and stomachs).

Making tough decisions for your pet’s health isn’t easy, but having a trusted veterinary team can bring real peace of mi...
07/22/2025

Making tough decisions for your pet’s health isn’t easy, but having a trusted veterinary team can bring real peace of mind. This family chose to fly to VERC from Kauai for emergency surgery, and thanks to Dr. Chen and our surgery team, Jax is now on the mend. We’re grateful to support pets and families through every step of their healing journey.

Here’s what they shared about their experience at VERC:
"We were here for emergency surgery with our dog from Kauai, and frankly, it was the best decision we made. Thank you, VERC team, and thank so much Dr. Chen!! Jax is on the mend and it’s all because of you and your team."
--Liz L

If you are thinking of traveling to VERC for your pet's medical care, check out this helpful blog with travel tips: https://www.verchawaii.com/blog/interisland-referrals-steps-to-take-when-traveling-to-verc

July is Pet Hydration Awareness Month! Here in Hawaii, where warm, sunny days are the norm, keeping our pets hydrated is...
07/20/2025

July is Pet Hydration Awareness Month!

Here in Hawaii, where warm, sunny days are the norm, keeping our pets hydrated is especially important to protect their health and well-being.

💧 Just like us, pets can become dehydrated and it can lead to serious issues if not addressed.

💡 Tips to help keep your pet cool and hydrated:
✅ Always provide fresh, clean water, especially after walks or beach days
✅ Mix in water or low-sodium broth with meals for extra moisture
✅ Use a pet-safe water fountain to encourage drinking
✅ Offer ice cubes or frozen pet-safe treats as a refreshing snack

If you ever have concerns about dehydration or heat-related illness, our emergency team at VERC Hawaii is here 24/7 to help.
📞 (808) 735-7735
📍 345 N. Nimitz Hwy, Unit C, Honolulu

We had the sweetest visit from a client who stopped by with treats for our team and a heartwarming update we just had to...
07/19/2025

We had the sweetest visit from a client who stopped by with treats for our team and a heartwarming update we just had to share. 💛

Dawna brought her cat to VERC five years ago during an incredibly stressful time, not just for her family, but for the entire world. It was spring of 2020, and in the early days of the pandemic, she rushed him to us for urgent care. Thankfully, he recovered well, and all these years later, he's still doing great.

Her words meant the world to our team, and reminded us why we do what we do. We’re so grateful she took the time to stop in and share her story:

"No one likes to hear the words 'ER', especially if it affects their pets. The urgent care situation just isn’t fun for anyone. We were worried about our cat when we had to rush him to VERC in the spring of 2020. Even though we were all going through pure chaos with the start of the COVID pandemic, the staff at VERC focused on our cat and took such great care of him and got him back to his normal self. We’ve heard of many friends’ pets who have been cared for by the staff at VERC, all great comments, all very appreciative. Thank you for all that you do! - Dawna"

Mahalo to PetVet Animal Hospital, Aloha Affordable Veterinary Services, and Aloha Animal Hospital Associates for joining...
07/17/2025

Mahalo to PetVet Animal Hospital, Aloha Affordable Veterinary Services, and Aloha Animal Hospital Associates for joining us at our first roundtable discussion on pain management with our surgeon, Dr. Chen!

It was a night of great conversations, shared insights, and community connection. We’re looking forward to the next one in just a few weeks!

Compassionate care and a calm, healing environment can make all the difference when your pet needs medical attention. 💙 ...
07/08/2025

Compassionate care and a calm, healing environment can make all the difference when your pet needs medical attention. 💙 As a Fear Free Certified practice, our goal is always to reduce stress—for both pets and their people. We’re so glad this family felt that care and comfort every step of the way.

Here’s what they shared about their experience at VERC:
"We’d like to recognize the very kind, compassionate and caring staff at VERC. They gave us the best experience we’ve had at a pet hospital and took care of our dog like he was family. Very calming environment to help the animals heal!
Thank you, VERC!"
– Kelly S

🚨 Cat Emergency? Know the Signs 🐾Cats are naturally skilled at masking pain or illness, a survival instinct that makes i...
07/07/2025

🚨 Cat Emergency? Know the Signs 🐾

Cats are naturally skilled at masking pain or illness, a survival instinct that makes it hard for even the most attentive pet owners to spot when something’s wrong. That’s why small or sudden changes in behavior, appetite, or energy level can be important clues that shouldn’t be ignored. If you notice any of the following warning signs, it could mean your cat is experiencing a health issue that requires veterinary attention.

☑️ Eye injuries or pale gums:
Could suggest an underlying issue, such as minor trauma, blood loss, or anemia, that should be checked by a veterinarian to prevent complications.
☑️ Staggering, collapsing, or sudden weakness:
These changes in balance or energy can be signs of something affecting your cat’s health, such as a neurological or heart condition, and deserve prompt attention.
☑️ Toxin exposure or trouble urinating:
If your cat has eaten something unusual or is straining to urinate (especially male cats), it’s best to have them evaluated quickly, as these situations can progress if untreated.
☑️ Breathing difficulties or sudden paralysis:
Any changes in breathing or sudden loss of mobility are signs your cat may need a veterinary exam to rule out underlying issues.
☑️ Continuous vomiting or diarrhea:
Digestive upset that doesn’t resolve can lead to dehydration and should be addressed to keep your cat comfortable and healthy.
☑️ Seizures or severe disorientation:
Unusual movements or confusion may be related to a neurological concern; a visit to the vet can help determine the cause and best next steps.
☑️ Sudden loss of appetite or excessive hiding:
If your cat is eating less or hiding more than usual, it can be an early sign of discomfort or illness, and worth having checked to catch any potential problems early.

If your cat shows any of these signs, give us a call or bring your cat in for an exam. We’re always here when you need us. ❤️🐾

📍 Visit us: 345 N. Nimitz Hwy, Unit C, Honolulu
📞 Call 24/7: (808) 735-7735
🌐 Learn more: verchwaii.com

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345 N. Nimitz Highway Unit C
Honolulu, HI
96817

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Veterinary Emergency + Referral Center (VERC), part of Ethos Veterinary Health, is an advanced veterinary diagnostic and treatment center, offering the most comprehensive, progressive and compassionate patient care available in Hawaii. VERC’s team of highly-trained emergency doctors are on duty 24/7 to see patients on an emergency basis, and our team of board-certified specialists see appointments by referral from family veterinarians. We have recently partnered with Ethos Veterinary Health, and now operate with the support and guidance of a national group of veterinary experts who are equally focused on delivering excellence. The hospital is open and fully-staffed for emergency and critical care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Emergency Services + Critical Care + trauma care + emergency surgery + intensive care + blood and plasma transfusion + in-house laboratory diagnostics + post-operative monitoring + overnight care + digital x-ray + oxygen therapy + EKG Specialty Care + internal medicine + radiology + ultrasound + in-house CT scan + MRI + full-service endoscopy + laparoscopic liver biopsy + chemotherapy + oncology + melanoma vaccine + echocardiography + cardiac Holter and event monitoring + tracheal and urethral stenting + bone marrow, CSF and joint aspirates