Iowa Veterinary Specialties: Appel Portia DVM

For pet owners across the Central Iowa region, **Iowa Veterinary Specialties (IVS)**, which features skilled professionals like Appel Portia DVM, stands as Des Moines' premier destination for advanced and around-the-clock veterinary care. IVS is not a standard daytime clinic; it functions as a critical **24 Hour Emergency Vet** and a comprehensive specialty hospital, ensuring that highly-trained staff and specialized resources are available precisely when a pet needs them most. This dedication to continuous care is a cornerstone of their service to the community.

The hospital is staffed by experienced emergency doctors and veterinary specialists who work tirelessly to provide immediate and critical care to animals facing unpredictable or severe health crises. Day or night, weekends or holidays, Iowa Veterinary Specialties is ready to serve, operating on a triage basis to prioritize the most critically ill patients. This crucial role in the local veterinary ecosystem often involves partnering with a pet's primary, referring veterinarian, ensuring seamless communication and an optimal, coordinated treatment plan.

While the atmosphere in an emergency hospital can naturally be stressful, the team at IVS is frequently praised for their **compassionate staff** and professional demeanor during difficult times. Pet owners, like those who had to bring in a beloved pet rabbit for an emergency visit at midnight, express deep gratitude for the kindness and support received, even in the most sorrowful circumstances. This commitment to empathy, paired with their medical expertise in areas like **Internal Medicine**, makes Iowa Veterinary Specialties a trusted partner for referral and emergency cases across the state.

Beyond emergency services, IVS is committed to **Continuing Education** for its doctors and staff, ensuring that the care provided is the finest and most progressive available in the field of **Veterinary Care**. The dedication to excellence and ongoing learning allows them to utilize advanced diagnostic and treatment modalities to improve the health and relieve the suffering of their patients whenever possible. As a specialty and emergency referral center, IVS is positioned to handle complex cases that require a depth of expertise and resources often not available in general practice clinics.

It is important for pet owners in Iowa to be prepared for the costs associated with specialized and emergency care, as the initial emergency consultation fees and subsequent services can be significant, reflecting the constant staffing and advanced technology required to run a 24/7 facility. The hospital helps clients manage these unexpected costs by accepting various treatment financing solutions, such as CareCredit and ScratchPay.

Location and Accessibility:

Iowa Veterinary Specialties is conveniently situated to serve the greater Des Moines area, positioned for accessible transport during emergency situations.

The physical location is:

6110 Creston Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA.

The facility is designed to be accessible for all pet owners, prioritizing ease of entry and comfort, especially during stressful visits:

• **Wheelchair Accessible Entrance:** The entrance is designed to accommodate everyone, making it easier to bring in pets who may be injured or require assistance.
• **Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot:** Designated parking ensures convenient access directly into the hospital.
• **Wheelchair Accessible Restroom:** Accessible restroom facilities are provided for client comfort.
• **Amenities:** A **Restroom** is available for client use.
• **Planning:** While the emergency department is open 24/7, for specialty services, **Appointments recommended** is the standing policy to ensure you are seen by the appropriate specialist without delay. Calling ahead for any emergency is always advised to allow the staff to prepare for your pet's arrival.

Services Offered:

Iowa Veterinary Specialties operates as a multi-disciplinary facility, primarily focusing on emergency and specialty services that support general veterinary practices throughout Iowa.

• **24 Hour Emergency Vet:** Provides immediate and critical care services around the clock, 365 days a year, for unexpected illnesses, injuries, and life-threatening conditions.
• **Veterinary Care:** Comprehensive services focusing on the medical and surgical treatment of small animals, catering to both emergency and specialized needs.
• **Internal Medicine:** Specialized diagnostic and treatment services for complex, non-surgical conditions affecting a pet’s internal systems, often requiring advanced diagnostic tools and in-depth expertise.
• **Continuing Education:** A strong commitment to ongoing professional development for the entire team, ensuring that pet care is based on the most current and progressive medical knowledge and techniques.
• **Specialty Consultations:** Services for pets requiring care that extends beyond general practice capabilities, with board-certified or residency-trained staff.

Features and Highlights:

As a specialty and emergency hospital, Iowa Veterinary Specialties offers several unique advantages to pet owners in Central Iowa.

• **Always Open, 24/7:** The most significant feature is their continuous operation, providing a reliable safety net for pet emergencies when primary veterinary offices are closed, including overnight, weekends, and all major holidays.
• **Dedicated Emergency Expertise:** The hospital is fully staffed by experienced emergency veterinarians who are skilled at immediate triage, stabilization, and critical care management for urgent situations.
• **Specialized Focus (Internal Medicine):** The availability of specialized care in areas like **Internal Medicine** means pets with complicated, chronic, or undiagnosed conditions can receive advanced consultation and progressive treatment options locally.
• **Commitment to Education:** The priority placed on **Continuing Education** ensures that the entire IVS team remains at the forefront of veterinary medicine, translating into high-quality care for every patient.
• **Compassionate End-of-Life Support:** Reviews highlight the truly compassionate and patient-centered approach of the staff, particularly during highly emotional and difficult times, such as the natural death or emergency euthanasia of a beloved companion. The offering of keepsakes like clay paw prints is a noted touch of empathy.
• **Affiliation with Referring Veterinarians:** IVS serves as a key component of the overall veterinary care system in Iowa, working closely with general practitioners to provide specialized and after-hours support, which is critical for complex patient management.

Contact Information:

For immediate or critical needs, it is always best to call ahead to Iowa Veterinary Specialties to ensure the staff is fully prepared for your arrival.

• **Address:** 6110 Creston Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA
• **Phone:** (515) 280-3100

What is Worth Choosing:

When an unexpected medical crisis strikes your pet, you need immediate access to expert care, and that is precisely what makes **Iowa Veterinary Specialties** worth choosing for residents of Central Iowa. The singular most compelling reason is its status as a dedicated **24 Hour Emergency Vet** and specialty center. This is not a facility that simply fields emergencies after hours; it is continuously staffed with experienced emergency doctors and equipped with the resources to handle high-level trauma and urgent medical situations at any moment. While the costs associated with this level of specialized, round-the-clock care are necessarily high, the option to work with treatment financing solutions like CareCredit and ScratchPay shows a commitment to making this vital service accessible. Choosing IVS is choosing the peace of mind that comes from knowing a team dedicated to progressive **Internal Medicine** and ongoing staff education is ready to provide compassionate, expert care—whether the need is a late-night emergency or a specialized consultation for a complex, ongoing health issue. Their role as a support system to your primary veterinarian ensures the best overall care continuity for your cherished companion.

Iowa Veterinary Specialties: Appel Portia DVM

6110 Creston Ave, Des Moines, IA 50321, USA