Emergency Vet Hospital Valuation
Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Hospital Valuation Calculator & Exit Planning Built for Veterinary Hospital Owners
We built one platform that tracks your emergency/specialty hospital's value monthly, identifies exit gaps early, and ensures your personal finances align with your exit timeline.
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Most Emergency Vet Hospital Owners Have No Idea What Their Hospital is Actually Worth
Current Emergency / Specialty Veterinary Valuation Multiples (2026)
Emergency/specialty vet valuations command premiums due to barriers to entry and growth. Here's the market:
Every business is different. That's why you need to track your value.
Included in Your Exit Value is a complete Exit Planning Assessment where you track your progress quarterly against your results from the previous quarter.
Know your number and watch it grow
Most business owners guess at their value. You'll know it with precision.
Our platform uses six proven valuation methodologies to give you a complete picture of what your business is worth today—and tracks how that number changes month over month. No more waiting for annual appraisals or paying $15K+ for outdated reports.
See your trends. Spot opportunities. Make informed decisions
What Actually Drives Emergency/Specialty Vet Value
Your clinical excellence matters, but sophisticated buyers evaluate these factors that determine premium pricing:
24/7 Emergency Capability
True 24/7/365 Operation
True 24/7 emergency capability is the foundation of value—it creates barriers to entry that daytime practices can't replicate. Hospitals with around-the-clock staffing, overnight doctors, and continuous operation command premium multiples. Partial hours or on-call models are valued differently than true 24/7.
Limited hours = lower multiple
Specialist Roster
Multiple Board-Certified Specialists
Board-certified specialists in surgery, internal medicine, cardiology, oncology, and other fields drive case complexity and revenue. Hospitals with multiple specialists across disciplines demonstrate depth and attract referrals that ER-only facilities can't. Specialist retention is critical—these doctors are hard to replace.
ER-only = limited capability
Referral Network
Strong GP Referral Relationships
General practice veterinarians refer cases they can't handle. Strong referral relationships with area clinics provide sustainable case flow. Track your referring clinics and cultivate relationships. Hospitals that dominate referrals in their market command geographic premiums.
Weak referrals = volume risk
Case Volume
Growing ER + Specialty Cases
Monthly case volume across emergency and specialty services indicates market position and capacity utilization. Track cases by department over time. Growing volume demonstrates demand; declining volume raises concerns about competition or referral erosion.
Declining cases = buyer concern
Facility & Equipment
Modern Hospital, Advanced Diagnostics
Emergency/specialty hospitals require significant infrastructure—surgical suites, ICU, advanced imaging (CT, MRI), diagnostic equipment. Modern facilities with current equipment support clinical capability. Dated facilities may require investment that buyers will factor into valuations.
Dated facility = capex needed
Staff Retention
Low Turnover, Tenured Team
Emergency and specialty veterinary faces staffing challenges—overnight shifts, high-stress environment, burnout risk. Hospitals with strong retention, good culture, and tenured staff demonstrate operational health. High turnover signals problems that affect both care quality and acquisition attractiveness.
High turnover = operational strain
How to Value an Emergency or Specialty Veterinary Hospital
The U.S. emergency and specialty veterinary hospital sector has grown rapidly, driven by pet owners' willingness to pursue advanced medical care. These facilities provide 24/7 emergency services, surgery, oncology, cardiology, and other specialties unavailable at general practice clinics.
EBITDA is the primary valuation method for emergency and specialty vet hospitals due to their scale and complexity. These facilities typically sell for 6.0x to 12.0x EBITDA, significantly higher than general practices, reflecting their higher revenue, specialized equipment, and difficulty to replicate. Smaller emergency clinics may use SDE multiples of 3.0x to 5.0x.
Revenue multiples for emergency/specialty vet hospitals generally range from 1.0x to 2.5x annual revenue. Facilities with multiple specialties (surgery, internal medicine, oncology, cardiology) under one roof command the highest multiples because they capture more revenue per patient visit.
The unique valuation driver for emergency/specialty vet hospitals is the specialist roster and referral network. Board-certified veterinary specialists (DACVS, DACVIM, DACVO) take 8-12 years to train and are extremely scarce. A facility with 4+ specialists across multiple disciplines has a workforce asset that is nearly impossible to replicate quickly. The strength of referral relationships with general practice veterinarians in the surrounding area directly determines case volume.
Corporate consolidators like Mars Veterinary Health (BluePearl), Ethos Veterinary Health, and NVA have been particularly aggressive in acquiring emergency and specialty hospitals. These facilities are the crown jewels of veterinary M&A. Use our free calculator above to get your instant estimate, then track your value monthly with YourExitValue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What multiple do emergency vet hospitals sell for?
Emergency/specialty vet hospitals typically sell for 5.0x – 10.0x SDE or 10x – 18x EBITDA—among the highest in veterinary. True 24/7 operations with multiple specialists command premium multiples.
How does 24/7 capability affect value?
Dramatically. True 24/7/365 operation creates barriers to entry that daytime practices can't replicate. Full emergency capability commands significant premium over limited-hours models.
Who buys emergency veterinary hospitals?
National veterinary consolidators (NVA, VCA, Pathway), PE-backed specialty platforms, regional veterinary groups building emergency networks, and strategic buyers seeking geographic expansion.
How important are specialists?
Very important. Board-certified specialists drive case complexity and revenue. Multiple specialists across disciplines demonstrate depth and attract referrals. Specialist retention is critical.
Does referral network affect value?
Yes. GP referrals drive case volume. Strong relationships with area clinics provide sustainable flow. Hospitals dominating referrals in their market command premiums.
What's the fastest way to increase my emergency vet value?
Three high-impact moves: 1) Ensure true 24/7 capability with overnight doctors, 2) Add specialists in high-demand disciplines, 3) Strengthen GP referral relationships throughout your market.