Business Details
27 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Compassionate Veterinary Care for All Pets in Tucson
Orange Grove Animal Hospital has been providing compassionate veterinary care to Tucson, AZ since 1999. Our experienced team of veterinarians and technicians delivers comprehensive medical, surgical, and preventive services for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and exotic animals. With over 10 decades of combined experience, we specialize in optimizing animal care for Arizona's desert environment while maintaining a family-centric approach.Our hospital offers same-day emergency appointments, advanced diagnostic tools, and tailored husbandry consultations. We prioritize preventive health education for pet owners and maintain 24-hour staffing for hospitalized patients. As a locally owned practice, we emphasize community trust through transparent communication, competitive pricing, and ongoing professional development in veterinary medicine.
Services
Preventive Health Care
Emergency Services
Dental Procedures
Surgical Treatments
Exotic Animal Care
Avian Medicine
Diagnostic Imaging
Spay/Neuter
Husbandry Consultation
Boarding Services
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of specialized experience in desert environment animal care
- Veterinarians with combined experience exceeding 10 decades
- Offer same-day emergency appointments for urgent pet situations
- Provide tailored care for exotic animals including reptiles and amphibians
- Maintain 24-hour staffing for hospitalized patient monitoring
What people say
Compassionate care
Knowledgeable staff
Exceptionally proficient
Trust completely
Efficient service
Services
Canine & Feline Preventive Health Care
Our preventive health programs protect dogs and cats through vaccinations, dietary planning, and dental care. We educate owners on age-appropriate nutrition and prophylactic measures to avoid costly treatments later. Regular checkups help detect potential issues early, ensuring pets maintain optimal health throughout their lives while reducing long-term medical expenses.
Reptile and Amphibian Health Care
Specialized care for desert reptiles and amphibians includes species-specific diagnostics and treatment plans. Our veterinarians provide pre-hibernation exams, diet consultations, and emergency medical services for native Sonoran species. We address unique husbandry requirements through personalized guidance for maintaining reptile and amphibian health.
Emergency Medical Services
We offer immediate treatment for pets experiencing medical crises six days weekly. Our team handles trauma cases, acute illnesses, and critical conditions with diagnostic imaging and laboratory support. Same-day appointments ensure timely interventions while maintaining continuity with ongoing treatment plans for hospitalized patients.
Dental and Surgical Procedures
Routine and complex surgical services include spay/neuter operations, dental prophylaxis, and specialty procedures. Patients receive comprehensive pre-op consultations, anesthesia monitoring, and detailed post-operative instructions. We offer surgical planning consultations and follow-up care coordination for optimal recovery outcomes.
Avian and Exotic Animal Care
Our team addresses unique health needs of birds and small exotic mammals through specialized diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols. Services include annual checkups, nutritional counseling, and chronic condition management for avian species, rabbits, ferrets, and rodents in Tucson's climate conditions.
People
Dr. Holly Merker
Co-Owner / Veterinarian
Board-certified veterinarian with UC Davis training, specializing in small animal medicine. Co-owner since 2022, bringing 15+ years of Arizona desert veterinary experience and a commitment to compassionate care.
Dr. Walter Merker
Co-Owner / Exotic Animal Specialist
Graduated from UC Davis in 2010 with exotic medicine focus. Published reptile care expert, author of REPTILES magazine articles, and active Tucson Herpetological Society member specializing in aquatic medicine.
Dr. Sophia Valdez
Veterinarian
Colorado State University graduate with Fear Free Elite certification. Specializes in low-stress handling techniques and combines zookeeping experience with service dog training background to improve animal care approaches.
Dr. Tallon Hawkins
Veterinarian
Midwestern University graduate with exotic animal medicine focus. Brings extensive reptile husbandry experience and strongman athletics discipline to patient care while managing 80 personal reptiles.
Krystal
Senior Veterinary Technician
Supervises weekend operations and specializes in reptile care. Combines 15+ years clinical experience with hands-on management of hospitalized exotic patients in Arizona's desert climate conditions.
Questions
What exotic animals do you treat?
We care for reptiles, amphibians, birds, ferrets, rabbits, and other small exotic mammals. Our veterinarians have specialized experience with desert species and aquatic animals.
Are emergency appointments available?
Yes, we offer urgent care six days weekly. Our team provides immediate attention for critical conditions while maintaining regular business hours for non-emergency cases.
How can preventive care benefit my pet?
Preventive measures like vaccinations and dental care help avoid costly treatments. Our programs reduce disease risks through tailored nutrition plans and early health issue detection.
Do you offer surgical services?
We perform routine and complex procedures including spays, neuters, and dental surgeries. Patients receive pre-op consultations, anesthesia monitoring, and detailed recovery instructions.
What sets your clinic apart?
Over 10 decades combined experience treating desert-specific conditions, award-winning care, and family-focused service approach while maintaining 24-hour patient monitoring capabilities.
