Iowa Veterinary Specialties Introduce
For pet owners across Central Iowa, particularly in the Des Moines metro area, knowing where to turn during a pet health crisis or for advanced specialty care is paramount. The Iowa Veterinary Specialties (IVS) facility, located in Des Moines, serves as a critical resource, functioning as a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary animal hospital and surgical center. It is not a typical local clinic, but rather a vital hub offering 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (24/7) emergency and urgent care, ensuring that expert help is always available when Iowa pets need it most.
IVS is highly regarded for its specialized focus, providing medical, surgical, and diagnostic expertise that goes beyond routine veterinary practice. It is recognized as a small animal emergency and urgent care hospital, dedicated to handling unforeseen medical issues, severe injuries, and specialized internal medicine cases. The hospital’s reputation is further bolstered by its strong connection to high-level veterinary education—a detail that deeply impresses local clients, who are pleased to have a local option with a "great reputation" that is perceived as being associated with the caliber of care expected from institutions like Iowa State University. This connection assures local users of access to advanced medical standards and procedures.
The professional team at IVS is frequently praised for their outstanding balance of medical expertise and genuine compassion. As one emotional review highlights, the staff provides a kind, attentive, and welcoming atmosphere even during the toughest of times, demonstrating professionalism while ensuring comfort and privacy for families making difficult end-of-life decisions. This commitment to both medical excellence and empathetic patient service is a distinguishing characteristic of the facility.
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Iowa Veterinary Specialties is strategically located in Des Moines, Iowa, making it accessible for urgent situations across the region.
Address: 6110 Creston Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA
Understanding the stressful nature of an emergency visit, the facility has taken steps to ensure convenience and full accessibility for all clients:
- Parking: Free parking lot and ample On-site parking are available directly at the location.
- General Accessibility: The facility offers a Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, and a Wheelchair accessible restroom.
- Amenities: Onsite services and a clean Restroom are provided for client comfort during what are often stressful, extended visits.
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Iowa Veterinary Specialties operates as a multi-type medical center, functioning as an Animal Hospital, Emergency Veterinarian Service, Surgical Center, and Urgent Care Center. The range of services is specialized and extensive, addressing everything from sudden accidents to complex, long-term health issues.
The hospital is uniquely equipped to offer a broad spectrum of care, including:
- 24-Hour Emergency Vet Services: The facility operates as an Emergency Pet Hospital, providing continuous care for life-threatening conditions and severe trauma, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Urgent Care for Pets: They offer Urgent Care for conditions that require immediate attention but may not be life-threatening, with services also available 24 hours a day.
- Specialized Internal Medicine: Addressing complex health issues, Internal Medicine services provide advanced diagnosis and treatment plans.
- Advanced Diagnostics: Utilizing cutting-edge technology such as CT (Computed Tomography) and Endoscopy for Pets to achieve precise and detailed diagnoses.
- Specialty Surgeries: Operating as a Veterinary Surgical Center, they handle specialized surgical needs for various complex cases.
- Exotic Animal Care: The clinic offers dedicated care for a wider range of pets, including Birds, Reptiles, Snakes, and other Exotic animals, providing essential wellness checks and treatment.
- Alternative Medicine Practitioner: Incorporating Alternative medicine into treatment plans to offer a broader approach to pet wellness and pain management.
- Pet Boarding Services: For certain situations, the facility offers Pet boarding services, likely focused on medical boarding for recovering or specialized-care patients.
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The reputation of Iowa Veterinary Specialties is built on several key features that resonate strongly with pet owners throughout the region, particularly those needing non-routine or critical care.
Distinguishing features of IVS include:
- Unmatched Availability: The 24 hours/7 days a week operation for both Emergency and Urgent Care ensures that no pet health crisis in the Des Moines area goes unaddressed, even during weekends and holidays.
- Exceptional Staff Interaction: Clients consistently praise the front desk staff, veterinary technicians (techs), and doctors for being kind, attentive, professional, and welcoming. The staff takes time to explain the registration, exam, and treatment processes thoroughly.
- Transparency in Treatment and Cost: Doctors are noted for being "outstanding," very thorough, providing several options for treatment, and explicitly explaining the associated costs, allowing pet owners to make comfortable, informed decisions.
- Advanced Technology and Specialization: Access to state-of-the-art diagnostic tools like CT and Endoscopy, alongside specialists in Internal Medicine and Exotic Animal care, offers Iowa families local access to high-level veterinary services.
- Compassionate End-of-Life Care: The hospital provides a peaceful and comfortable environment for euthanasia, with well-decorated rooms and sensitive staff, offering premium memorial packages (ashes in a beautiful wooden box with mementos) that exceed expectations during a difficult time.
- Value and Fairness: One client noted that the final cost was "actually better than I anticipated for the option I decided on," indicating a commitment to clear communication and fair pricing for complex medical situations.
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When time is of the essence, or when seeking advanced specialty consultations in Des Moines, Iowans can reach the hospital directly using the following information:
- Address: 6110 Creston Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA
- Phone: (515) 280-3100
- Mobile Phone: +1 515-280-3100
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Iowa Veterinary Specialties is an indispensable resource for the Iowa community, and its worth is rooted in its role as a regional safety net for pet health. While local family veterinarians handle routine wellness, IVS is the critical facility that Iowa families can rely on for the unexpected, the urgent, and the highly complex.
For Des Moines residents and pet owners across the state, IVS eliminates the stress of searching for a facility that is open after hours or on weekends during a crisis—they are always open. Their comprehensive service model, which incorporates emergency treatment, specialized internal medicine, advanced surgical capabilities, and high-tech diagnostics (like CT and Endoscopy) under one roof, means a pet is less likely to need immediate and costly transfers between facilities. This not only streamlines the pet's care but provides peace of mind to the owner.
Furthermore, the clinic's commitment to diverse species—including birds and exotic animals—fills a significant gap in regional veterinary services, providing specialized wellness checks and treatment for companions often overlooked by general practices. The consistent positive feedback regarding staff kindness, thoroughness, and cost transparency proves that they maintain a professional yet compassionate standard, even in high-stress emergency environments. Choosing Iowa Veterinary Specialties means opting for a facility with the expertise and commitment to be there for your pet's most critical needs, 24/7, right here in Central Iowa.
Iowa Veterinary Specialties Services
- Veterinarian
- Birds
- Exotic animals
- Birds, Reptiles, Snakes and more wellness checks
- CT and Endoscopy for Pets
- Emergency Vet
- Internal Medicine
- Small Animal Emergency and Urgent Care Hospital
- Urgent Care for Pets
- Urgent Care for pets 24 hours/ 7 days a week
- Veterinary Care
- Your Emergency Pet Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa
Iowa Veterinary Specialties Details
- Service options
- Onsite services
- Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Amenities
- Restroom
- Parking
- Free parking lot
- On-site parking
Iowa Veterinary Specialties Photos










Iowa Veterinary Specialties Location
Iowa Veterinary Specialties
6110 Creston Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA
Iowa Veterinary Specialties Reviews
deskunderstandingx-raysIVdollarsestimatecremationemergency careaggressivedehydrated
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1- So impressed with this hospital! I was uneasy about my 16 month old’s Symptoms and, of course, pricing and payment methods. I called to discuss and was treated so well by staff on the phone who gave me some options to look into and explained everything thoroughly.Upon arrival the front desk, staff was kind, thorough, took time going through everything with the registration process.The tech was friendly, took time with my dog and explained the exam process and consultation nicely. The doctor was outstanding very thorough, Gave me several options for treatment, took her time, explained cost and answered my questions so I felt comfortable making this decision I did. Cost was actually better than I anticipated for the option, I decided on. Check out was smooth and staff that brought him out to me We’re so friendly!I will 100% use this office moving forward and found out they were Iowa State University based which made me even happier that we have a local option with a great reputation! Keep up the great work! July 13 · Suzanne Shawver
- Last week my father and I had to bring our poor baby into this hospital and unfortunately made the tough decision to euthanize our pup. The room which the euthanasia took place was well decorated and very comfy🩷 The staff is very kind, attentive, professional and welcoming! We were fortunate enough to get in a room quickly. This was the only vet/hospital that was open during the weekend when this occurred and I have zero complaints. I couldn’t thank this vet and their staff enough. I went to go pick up my babies ashes today and the premium package is everything I could’ve hoped for. The ashes come in a beautiful wooden box inside a high quality velvet draw string bag along with plenty of mementos. Thank you so much ❤️🩹🥺 August 21 · shaylah lou
- I was impressed! Everyone - receptionist, tech, doctor - were all very compassionate. They provided care options and opinions. We were not pressured or rushed to make decisions. Is it expensive, yes! But once we knew our Riggins was not going to make it, they provided a relaxing private room for us to spend time with him. They even sent us home with a clay paw print impression. They were all very kind and caring. I was dreading picking up his remains - they really did good by him and we felt he was honored. How the remains are returning is soothing. Then a couple days later we received a card in the mail signed by the staff. It shows you guys really care! Thank you for the care you provided Riggins and his humans. April 12 · Tracy Patterson
- It was past 1am, yet the staff remained incredibly warm and welcoming, never hurrying us along. They took the time to listen to our worries about Bella, showing genuine care and a desire to assist us. Carrie at the reception was particularly friendly and approachable throughout our experience. The entire team recognized that Bella was a cherished member of our family 💗. April 20 · Marie Warner
- Iowa Veterinary Specialties has provided the most compassionate and professional care for our dog, Rocky, after he was seriously injured in an unprovoked pitbull attack.From the moment we arrived, the amazing front desk staff was calm, kind, and efficient—which is what we needed in this traumatic situation.Dr. McMurray and the amazing team went above and beyond in treating Rocky. Their expertise, communication, and genuine care gave us much peace of mind during a very emotional time. We always felt that Rocky was in the best hands.We are so grateful for IVS. They really cared for Rocky like he was theirs and supported us throughout his recovery. May 14 · Sara Weis
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