We had to bring our 5-year-old, 15-lb Pomeranian to the clinic after he started gagging and…read morevomiting bile--possibly from eating something questionable around Central Square. From the moment we called ahead to say we were on our way, the staff were incredibly responsive and ready for us when we arrived. They quickly assessed the situation, diagnosed the issue, and carried out the necessary procedures. The clinic itself was very clean, welcoming, and well equipped. Dr. Estes explained everything clearly--what was happening, the prognosis, and what we should do next. The techs / nurses--Kim Nguyen, Kendra Baker, and Jennifer Ducharme--were also wonderful: professional, patient, and very caring. They were attentive throughout the entire process while our Pomeranian was undergoing sedation, and you could tell they genuinely cared. I'm sure they see situations like this every day, but they still treated our dog with the attention and care he needed. Small things like that matter. These are clearly very capable people who could work in many different fields--including human medicine--but they choose to care for pets, and it shows. I would absolutely recommend this clinic and would return again if needed. My one tip: call ahead so they can prepare for your arrival.

I brought my cat in two weeks ago. My bill was $5000. They kept her overnight. I went to my regular…read morevet today and they told me half the test that they ran on my cat was unnecessary. I had to open a new credit card. I am grateful that my cat is doing OK. And they helped her, but I truly believe that they took me for a ride.

Dr. Ben Shryock and his tech were very kind and friendly and handled my pup, Raleigh, very well and…read moregave him some meds until we can get to our vet to have the growth on his gum removed. Also, Barbara was great to work with to get his appointment scheduled.

They always take you in right away they make you feel like your pet is the most important thing…read moregoing on at that moment. And they are very knowledgeable and accommodating. They don't rush you and they let you be part of the diagnosing process. They are amazing.

FINALLY found my local vet. I knew from 5 minutes into the visit that they were the ones for me…read more You're treated as a friend as soon as you walk in. Unlike other places I have gone in the past, they do not push unnecessary procedures on you. They give you their best advice and let you know if they think something is truly necessary. The other thing that sold me on them is their willingness and availability to see you last minute. My dog had an overnight emergency and they ushered me in bright and early with no appointment. Places I've been in the past are booked for months and refuse to see you without an appointment.

We appreciate Apple Country so, so much! We have two dogs and two cats, so we're here a lot; and…read morewe've been so grateful for how well Apple Country has adapted to the pandemic. Our interactions with the staff have been unbelievably positive, even when conditions are too risky to go into the office and we're just talking on the phone with them from the car. They're all wonderful and put us and our pets at ease during every interaction with them. I also love that they use PetDesk to let us request appointments and order prescriptions via app - so much better than having to call for every little thing!

I've taken two cats to VEG in the past 3 years and have had consistently positive experiences. I…read morelove that you can speak to a vet before you come in and that you can stay with your pet the whole time. Staff are kind and compassionate. I also really appreciate that they offer free snacks and beverages. They have a basket of coloring books for kids and feminine hygiene supplies in the bathroom. It feels like they took a thoughtful approach to providing things to make the visit a little easier, knowing that urgent care visits are often sudden and stressful. I'll always bring my pets here for emergencies!

On Saturday evening I brought in my shih tuz dog with a very severe eye injury. From the moment I…read moreentered the door I was greeted by a wonderful staff from the receptionist to the Veterinarian. They were all wonderfully supportive and caring. The doctor treated her with a highly aggressive course of action which actually saved her eye. I was kept informed of every step they were taking and why it was being done. I was impressed with the care and treatment and strongly recommend VEG to anyone in need of emergency care. We were referred for a follow up at the Eye Center across the way and the specialist there was very impressed with the course of action taken and how well Rosie was doing. Thank you to all involved.

Absolutely shocking and deeply disappointing experience with Dr. Rebecca Schwartz at Boston West…read moreVeterinary Emergency & Specialty. She was cold, condescending, and completely dismissive, presenting every decision as if it were hers alone and speaking down to us rather than guiding or consulting us as the pet's family. There was no compassion, no kindness, and no sense of understanding during one of the most terrifying moments of our lives with a very sick dog. Her explanations were nonstop, filled with complex medical jargon, as if she's reading from a clinical textbook and offered no pause for questions or clarification. We were left so frustrated and distrusting that we had to use ChatGPT on-site just to research possible causes and try to understand what might be happening -- something no pet owner should ever have to do while in an emergency veterinary clinic. Adding insult to injury, the prices were outrageously high, completely disproportionate to the level of care, communication, or thoughtful evaluation we received. The interaction felt rushed, transactional, and almost robotic, prioritizing speed and cost over empathy or genuine concern for our pet's wellbeing. Additionally, it looks like she recently graduated from vet school yet she was the only vet on staff when she was there. Worse, reading other reviews on both Yelp and Google Reviews revealed a clear pattern: multiple pet owners describe the same condescending, intimidating, and confusing behavior from this particular veterinarian, with alarming recommendations delivered abruptly, leaving families feeling pressured, unheard, and unsupported. This is not an isolated incident -- it is a repeated pattern of behavior. Pet owners deserve honesty, clear explanations, and true compassion when their pets' lives are on the line. Dr. Schwartz fails on all counts, treating owners like they have no voice and prioritizing her own authority over guidance, empathy, or care. Warning to all pet owners: avoid this practice if you value compassion, trust, 2 way communication, and the wellbeing of your pet.

It hurts me to see what this place has become, because years ago they were a much better and more…read morereliable outfit. Now, they have become the Jiffy Lube of pet care. I trusted them last night as I drove over an hour at 1 AM with a sick dog. If I had known the level of service, care and compassion I would have received I never would have made the trip. First they have in the room, what they feel is a comforting level of care that will determine when and/or whether you pet will be seen by them. This is new, maybe not brand new, but I haven't seen it as I haven't been here in years. Then they came in and basically offer you a tiered system of care. Do you just want meds, or do you want us to actually have a look at your animal? I chose the latter option, and then they told me what the minimum price would be. After a wait, they came in with a general diagnosis, some meds and of course the bill. They said to check in in the morning to see how my dog was doing, and how he was reacting to the meds. As there was another level of service they could do if she wasn't reacting to the meds well. So I did call approximately 12 hours later and was helped by a relatively nice woman. She took my info and phone # and told me they would call me back soon. Hours later, the call was returned to my wife's phone not mine. Even though I specifically said to call me. This resulted in my wife having to put the phone on speaker in a noisy environment. This person then complained why I was speaking so loudly!!! At this point I was getting ready to pop so I let my wife handle the rest of the call. And basically they said it was too early for any meds to start working and what did we expect them to do. At this point it was about 15 hours past my visit. I will never recommend this place to anyone ever again! I don't know what has happened here. Maybe the practice is circling the drain, but no animal deserves to be treated as a bargaining chip, and that's how this place made me feel! Do better!!!

I have been going to Sager Animal Hospital now for almost 20 years. I recommend them to everybody…read more There is no vet anywhere that is so knowledgeable and reasonable. Pauline and Mickey, who work there also, are super friendly and caring. I have peacocks and it is hard to find a vet to care for them when problems arise. Dr. Sager's knowledge of all animals, including exotics, (peafowl), is vast. I also have brought my cats to him. He never rushes through an appointment, spends lots of time explaining his diagnosis and treatments. Sager Animal Hospital is the best animal hospital anywhere. I am lucky to have them as my vet/ hospital.

When we moved to Acton 12 years ago, our neighbor across the street, a long time dog owner, and…read moredaughter of a vet, raved about Dr. Sager. We've used him for both of our dogs; find their office, and the doctor himself, very easy to work with, very knowledgeable, kind, straightforward and very reasonable, price-wise. Feel lucky to have him as our vet! (Used to belong to a large vet place in Arlington,, they were good, very good, but always prefer that the vet gets to know the animal as well as possible.)

I made one of the hardest decisions of my life today. I adopted my dog from a shelter in Southern…read moreCalifornia on March 10th, 2010 and they estimated he was 1-2 years old at the time. He saved my life many times over, I adopted him when I was still active duty in the Marine Corps. The last few months were tough, I'd equate it to hospice for a dog. I dreaded making the decision, and I came close at least 6 times but every time I said give it one more day he would bounce back, go for a walk, do his business, eat, drink, ask for treats. This morning I woke up and I felt something was different. He wasn't moving well, he didn't finish his food, and then his head was stuck turning to the left at almost a 90 degree angle and he fell on the floor like that. I picked him up and laid him down on his other side on my lap hoping he just had a bad cramp, but after an hour I tried putting him down in front of his water and he collapsed. I held him for another 30 minutes and then he had an intense seizure for at least a minute, his whole body was tensed and stretched out, and his mouth was wide open gasping for air. He came through the seizure but he had no strength in any of his legs - even at his worst in the months prior when he bounced back he could at least support himself on his front legs, but he had no strength and his breaths were long and slow. I dreaded making this decision, but I couldn't allow him to suffer. I called a few vets in the area and no one could take us. One of the last vets I called recommended I reach out to VEG. I called them, they said they could help. I walked in and was immediately brought into a private room with my dog. The receptionist, the nurses, and the doctor were so comforting during one of the hardest times of my life. I'm going to bed tonight without my best friend for the first time in 16 years, but the compassion that the staff shared with me knowing it had to happen was above and beyond. I don't know if I'll ever have another dog, but if I do this would be my go to veterinarian for any issues. And I hope no one has to make the decision for your animal, but if you do, I give the VEG staff the highest recommendation I possibly could. Thank you and your team for your compassion on one of the worst days of my life. God bless you all.

Excellent care here,incredible staff . This clinic is an excellent option very clear communication,…read morethey go above and beyond with giving our dog a bed to lay on while they wait , snacks for two legged people too ! It is an open concept that allows you to remain with your dog at all times. It was a pleasure to see such caring staff. Highly recommend I have been to four urgent vet centers in my life this was the best experience .

Still true. Our dog is now old in addition to being insecure and reactive, and he'll still take…read moretreats out of Dr. Baigelman's hands after he's been wrestled for nails. Trust. A billion extra stars.

Dr. Baigelman and Dr. Bleck are by far the BEST vets we have EVER used. Over the last ten years we…read morehave had numerous dogs and my cat that I brought home from Iraq be managed by Family Friends, and there is no one I would trust more with our pets. Any time one of our dogs is ill, the office staff ensures we get an appointment ASAP. When our recent dog, Fiona, was extremely ill and in the ICU, both Dr. Bleck and Dr. Baigelman did a full review of all of her lab work/imaging and full ICU stay to help us come up with the best way to manage her care moving forward. On top of both vets being amazing, Julie and Shawn are two of the kindest people I have ever met! Thank you all for everything you do!

I was running late to an appointment for my cat, and was called to see if I would arrive before a…read morespecific time. I told the person over the phone that my partner, who had been en route with my cat, had already arrived at their location after she checked back in with me, but she did not even check to see whether he was there. My partner had already let everyone at the front desk know about his arrival and appointment time. He had been waiting about 4 minutes. But the person I spoke to did not even bother to check the waiting area, and still called me back to talk about their late policy, and that they would not accommodate us next time. To note, we live about 20 ish minutes away, in Cambridge, and this was the first time we were a bit late. I will not be returning to the Waltham location. The people working the front desk are very rude as well.

Called to inquire and set-up a dermatology appointment, and the staff was very friendly and…read moreaccommodating.

This place is such a bad place to take your pets, they are so unprofessional and bad costumer…read moreservice. They cut our cooker spaniels feders without authorization, we didn't even call us to confirm or said anything.. it will now take for ever for hair to grow!!! So upseting i wish we had taken my pets somewhere else

This has been my go to spot to groom the furry members of our family. Patricia and her amazing team…read moretreat my dogs as one of their own. From our quite elderly dog to our hyper puppy they have been taken care of perfectly with consistent grooming and care.