Route 66 Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center

3.3 (771)
3601 Central Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108, USA

Hours:

Monday: Open 24 hours

Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 AM

Thursday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Friday: Open 24 hours

Saturday: Open 24 hours

Sunday: Open 24 hours

How to Save Money at Route 66 Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center

Schedule Regular Vet Visits

One of the best ways to save on vet bills is to prevent expensive health issues before they develop. By scheduling regular wellness checkups, your vet can detect health issues early, helping you to avoid costly treatments and surgeries down the road.

Price Shop for Pet Prescriptions

Oftentimes our fur babies are prescribed human drugs off-label. Your vet is apt to charge more for these medications than you would pay at your local pharmacy. In fact, big-box or chain pharmacies can offer steep discounts. So it’s best to price shop.

Pet Insurance

Most pet insurance providers will pay between 80% and 90% of the vet bill. You can even get coverage for routine care and things like vaccinations and dental cleanings. If you do the math, you’ll most likely find that pet insurance makes financial sense in the long run as well as gives you peace of mind.

How Do You Choose the Right Pet Insurance Provider?

Pet Insurance Review makes it incredibly easy for pet parents to select an insurance provider they feel good about. You can use our handy comparison tool to get the gist of what a company offers. We’ve also collected over 150,000 reviews of insurance companies from real pet parents like you to rank the top providers in the market. Here is the current ranking of each:

Top Pet Insurance Providers of 2025
Rating Provider Total Review
4.4 AKC 891
4.5 ASPCA 11,777
4.9 Embrace 17,271
4.9 Fetch 21,459
4.2 Figo 2,602
4.7 Hartville 165
4.9 Healthy Paws 10,011
4.9 Lemonade 805
4.6 ManyPets 2,344
4.0 MetLife 657
4.8 Nationwide 21,407
4.3 Pet Assure 12
4.5 PetPartners 113
4.3 Pets Best 12,248
4.6 Pumpkin 1,476
4.6 Spot 7,084
4.9 Trupanion 75,837
4.8 Prudent Pet 125

Or, you can simply get a fast quote from multiple providers and go from there.

Thinking of insuring your pet?

Get Quotes & Compare

Getting to Know Your New Vet: Essential Questions to Ask

Choosing a new veterinarian is an important decision for any pet owner. You want to find someone who is competent, compassionate, and a good fit for you and your fur baby. To help you get the most out of your first appointment, here's a list of essential questions to ask your new vet:

Tell me about your experience with [pet type].

Different vets have different areas of specialization. Some are experts with cats, some dogs, some pocket pets, and some horses. Knowing that your vet has vast experience treating your specific type of pet can bring you peace of mind.

How do you handle emergencies?

You must know what to do in case of a pet medical emergency. Inquire what after-hours policy the clinic has, whether they have on-site emergency care available, and if they have a relationship with any nearby emergency animal hospitals.

How do you communicate with pet owners?

Good communication is key to building a trusting relationship with your vet. Ask how they prefer to communicate (phone calls, emails, online portal) and how often you can expect to hear from them.

Are there any breed-specific health concerns I should be aware of?

Some breeds are predisposed to certain health conditions. Knowing what to watch out for can help you catch problems early and get your pet the treatment they need.

Do you have any questions for me about my pet?

This is a great question to ask because the answer will show that the vet is interested in getting to know your pet as an individual and is willing to listen to your concerns.

Bonus question: Can I take a tour of your facility?

Getting a feel for the clinic's environment can help you and your pet feel more comfortable during your visits. Remember, you’re not just looking for a veterinarian, you’re looking for a partnership. Do not be afraid to ask these questions and any others you can think of. Any vet worth their salt will be happy to answer them. Because the more informed you are, the better equipped you'll be to make decisions about your pet's care! And that should be every vet’s top priority.

Reviews from Google

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Geisha Jasmine (MissPincushion)

Our 14 year old chihuahua had a really concerning cough, it got worse over night and this morning we just did not want to wait it out with her age. We contacted Route 66 and brought our dog Newbie in immediately. The staff were so sweet and compassionate and the Veterinarian was very empathetic and straight forward. My husband I absolutely loved the environment. After our dog was examined we were give our options and left with some medication that has already made a big difference. I've already started recommending this place to friends. Keep up the great work! ♥️

posted: 06/23/2024

Rebecca Valles

My dog had got overheated and started showing signs of bloat. After about an hour her symptoms started to fade. We took her in to be look at anyway. (Just in case) The receptionist was very helpful and honest. A wonderful lady named Kelcy came to assess the situation. She took her back to visit the doctor and a few moments later my dog came out with a clean bill of health. They offered this service at no cost to us. We appreciate their guidance, time, and care. We will forever come here for all our fur baby needs. Thank you route 66! You guys rock!

posted: 07/13/2024

Autumn Sparks

Our Yorkie Mia was admitted and we just picked her up to take her home after being there for about 28 hours. The staff met their promises of when they would give us updates and when we called randomly to check on her the receptionist would take time from their busy lobby to check on her and give us an update. The vet was very nice and helpful when explaining what was wrong. The techs were great with answering our dozens of questions. One of the techs we hadn’t talked to came out to the lobby to pet and say bye to Mia. We are very grateful to the staff for healing our fur baby and for taking good care of her. Thank you!

posted: 06/02/2024

Ivanka Kim

I took my beloved Princess Kitty there a week ago. She was in critical condition and the doctor had to put her down. I was very distressed so I’m sorry I don’t remember the names of the staff. The 3-4 people who were helping me, including the doctor, were absolutely amazing. They took her in right away and were so professional, kind and caring the whole time. They also made a nice box for her with her name beautifully written on the top. I really appreciate their kindness at this terrible time for my family. I’d recommend this place to anyone who wants excellent care and professionalism.

posted: 04/27/2024

Raven Meadow

Friendly, upbeat, and helpful staff. Super automated booking tool. I felt cared for and received regular updates. Clinic is clean, comfortable, and we were welcomed immediately. The vet tech was helpful and friendly. The doctor was careful to answer all of our questions and not make us feel rushed. And the charges seemed reasonable for the services provided. Thank you for being here. Wish you were in Santa Fe!

posted: 06/16/2024