The Veterinary Specialty Center ("VSC") is amazing and I highly recommend them. They definitely saved our dog's life. The Critical Care Team is phenomenal, including Doctors Vietti, Montaque and Sharpe and their amazing group of nurses Barb, Jamie, Megan, Brittney, Brit and others. We brought our dog in while having significant respiratory distress. They tried to get him to breathe on his own by using High-Flow Oxygen, with no success, and had to put him on a Ventilator. Our dog was able to breathe in oxygen but was unable to exhale the carbon dioxide as it was getting trapped in his lungs. After numerous tests, they determined that he had Eosinophilic Bronchopneumopathy (EBP), a respiratory condition that was attacking his lungs, causing inflammation and an excessive amount of secretion build-up. Because of the inflammation, the secretion build-up was partly blocking his airwaves, preventing him from being able to expel the CO2, which is very toxic and dangerous. Although they were familiar with the EBP, they never saw an instance in which it impacted a causing the airways to get blocked. Long story short they did an amazing job identifying a very unique situation and saving our dog's life. They provided great care during the week our dog was at VSC and communicated very well throughout the process. Not many dogs make it off a ventilator once they are put on one; we were one of the lucky ones. I would never go anywhere else if my dog was critically ill. read more

I do not recommend this Veterinary Speciality Center for surgery. In my experience, they treated my elderly dog poorly and made an already difficult situation traumatic. Seeing my dog left unconscious on a cold floor without what appeared to be proper attention or care was heartbreaking. What should have been a procedure to help my dog ended up costing both his life and over $12,000. No amount of money can compare to that loss. The way my dog was treated felt deeply disrespectful, and it has caused long lasting pain for my family. I understand that not every surgery has a positive outcome, but I do not feel like this facility took accountability for what happened, and that has only made the situation more difficult. I will never forgive this place for the pain it has caused my family. My dog deserved better. If you are considering bringing your beloved pet here, I encourage you to carefully research all of your options before making a decision. read more

With how quickly things can take a turn in the blink of an eye, we were so fortunate to have a 24/7 specialty center so close to home. Last week we had a major scare and were transferred over to VSC from VEG, and upon our arrival they were already expecting us and were able to take our pup in and get her situated since she was in so much pain. Once we were in the room they walked us through best case scenario, and worst case scenario. To admit, they require the deposit for the minimum amount. The staff made sure to explain and present our options after evaluating the severity of our girl. We were able to walk out knowing what will and could happen. Before we left we were taken to the back to see our girl, and were offered visiting hours and the ability to call and check in with updates at anytime. The nurses were so nice and treated our girl so well that when it came time for us to say good night or bye for now she walked off without hesitation knowing they were going to take care of her. We've been in and out for a few different reasons since this trying to figure out the right dosing to help our girl heal, and to keep her comfortable and healthy. We were able to call in the middle of the it with questions and if we should bring her in or if there was something we could do at home to keep her comfortable. Each time we came in we were welcomed, headed and taken care of. We worked with a few different doctors over the course of the last week and were really glad to see how much attention and care they put into each pet and our girl. Overall, we had a pleasant experience. You never know what could happen until it does. They will talk through all the possibilities and give you your choices. You'll never have to feel silly about deciding what's best for you and your family. read more

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I took my baby into the e.r for shallow and labored breathing. While the place was huge and clean, I did appreciate the quickness that my dog was seen given his crucial circumstance- they took him right away. I entered the establishment around 9am and didn't leave until sometime in the afternoon. My baby had a provisional diagnosis of chf and was prescribed medication to help him. We were given multiple options of how we wanted to proceed which is nice. We ended up choosing to have him come home on outpatient meds and had some X-rays done. I'm not gonna lie--this place is pricey and the way they do things is...interesting. We opted to get our medications within the community rather than through the e.d directly and the e.d doctor we worked with, Dr. Jacob Fischer, was kind. However, there was an incident which made me a little frustrated and not trust this place when the doctor wrote the script for the medications and when we went to get them filled at an outside pharmacy, the dosage that the doctor wrote was incorrect. Dr. Fischer wrote for a 1.5mg dosage when he meant to write 2.5mg dosage. Thankfully, the pharmacy tech at the outside pharmacy recognized this error as they didn't carry 1.5mg tablets for that particular medication, only 1.25mg, 2.5mg and 5mg. The pharmacy tech called the e.d and spoke to Dr. Fischer to gain clarification in which Dr.Fischer confirmed that he meant to prescribe 2.5mg rather than 1.5mg. Learning that Dr. Fischer made this mistake was alarming because I am paying this place for their services and if they are prescribing medication that would potentially save my baby's life then I would hope and actually assume that the doctor would be doing his job correctly because guess what? If it's incorrect, it could have cost my puppers his life. Thank God for the community pharmacy technician catching this error. Otherwise, I am grateful for the medications that were prescribed for my baby as they are helping him but I am not happy with the error that was done by the e.r physician. Maybe they need to give more critical cases to more seasoned veterinarians who have more experience on all forefronts instead of those who just graduated veterinarian school from 2023 and more recently. Allowing more seasoned veterinarians to work on critical cases like my baby's can ensure that our animals are properly taken cared of and the mediations that are prescribed to them are done so accurately. The pharmacy tech who took care of my baby, I forgot her name but she was amazing. She was the one who had told me to check out other places in the community for his medication because you could definitely get it cheaper than what they charge there and I love that. This techs heart was definitely in the right place. The receptionists in the front were decent but at times, it seems like they were more interested in talking to each other instead of taking care of those that were walking in. For those of you who would like to go here, they do have a plethora of services but i would definitely do your research. Again, I am grateful that they were able to take care of my baby but as for follow up care, I think I will be sticking with our normal vet. Please enter this establishment at your own risk and don't say i didn't warn you. read more

Veterinary Specialty Center - Office where the doctor and I talked. Clean and sterile. - Veterinarians Near Me - Bannockburn, Illinois

Super long wait - 3 hours and counting - very little communication - no sense of urgency or compassion for this lengthy experience.

The staff here is amazing, caring and always goes above and beyond. They are patient and always willing to take you step by step through everything from medicine to care to emotionally navigating your specific situation. They care about pets like they are family and that's how it should be! I know my cat is in great hands whenever I'm here. read more

Used them in Lincolnshire. They were great. Clearly the volume has increased. Their strength was that you could get someone on the phone at any time for direction. They had a full staff. Last few times, it took 4x thru the system to get a human. This time was not a 911. Paying mom's final bill for her dog (who'd just died.) They sold our info to Trusted Journey. Company called us post death to offer us a variety of marketing items for our deceased pet. (Without my permission) Capitalism---gotta love it. read more

I also posted this on Google - I need this to be seen on both platforms. This pains me to write. I suppose for most places like this you take your pet there due to an emergency and you don't have time to read reviews. My dog arrived on Feb 5th for an emergency surgery for a hernia. He goes into surgery that night, and makes it out and is in ICU for two days. The send him home on Feb 7th, and within a few hours he passes away. My dog was 7. His breed lives sometimes up to two decades. He was lively, healthy, and a happy go lucky guy. This was so shocking to me. He was a little whiney for two days prior to showing real signs of problems - vomiting and lack of desire to eat. Once he started throwing up I immediately brought him into my local vet, who took x-rays then referred me to VSC. I do not know how he got a hernia, whether he was born with it or it came later. All I know is that I did everything I could once I realized something was wrong. I suppose here's where rating stars is a difficult thing to do. I am thankful for the nurses that took care of him prior to surgery. I hear they were carrying him around and were really loving on him. I'm sure he loved that. I'm thankful for the surgeons. They did what they needed to do, and followed up after surgery to update me. Here's where things failed. I do not think a surgery where they need to completely reroute his organs and staple him stomach and stitch up the entire underside of his body should only have a 2 day ICU period. He shouldn't have been sent home so early. Maybe they needed the space. I don't know. But my baby should have been watched longer. He may have still been here with me. Instead I had to hold his body as he had trouble breathing and go limp in my arms, spitting up blood and other fluids. This was a tragic moment that I will live with forever. We had called the vet only two hours before he passed saying that his breathing was faster and deeper - they said he's fine, don't worry. I should have brought him into a hospital then. They made me think everything was fine and I was overreacting. We called again once he died - well we actually called before he died but by the time a human got on the phone he was dead. Their response "well do you want to bring him in to get cremated?" My dog had been dead for 30 seconds and you bring up CREMATION!? We never once got a call back from the surgeons, any of the doctors, anyone that was on Enzo's case. They got the $8500, sent my dog home early, and didn't seem to have a care in the world that he passed away hours later. Here's my advice. If you're reading there you might already be there. Your pet may be in the waiting room or in surgery. I don't explicitly blame the surgeons. They obviously did what needed to be done. But here is what I suggest. Keep your pet there longer during healing. Have them put down in writing that you request that your pet STAYS monitored. If they have a drain, tell them to keep the drain in until there isn't a drop of fluid for hours. Had I done this, or at least had known any of this could have happened, maybe he would still be here. I would have required them to keep my dog a week longer - at least. They rush the healing process. The moment your pet is done with surgery it feels like they have moved on to the next "customer" - one in, one out. There seems to be little concern for what happens next. read more

I live about 5 minutes from this place and my vet, who I like, recommended I go here for my French bulldogs potential BOAS surgery. The space is large and looks nice when you walk in. It was very busy when I arrived. I was there for a consult at the time for BOAS surgery, my puppy was 6 months at the time. The surgeon and a trainee saw me and my dog and evaluated him. They recommended BOAS surgery when my dog turns 1. The surgeon explained the surgery and risks following the procedure which I found to sound serious so I asked what percentage of dogs don't do well after this surgery. She replied about 25%. I was very uncomfortable with that number. Since French bulldogs have obstructive airways they are at higher risk for complications. She did not make me aware of any pre op care to minimize risks. She did not make me aware of any post op care to minimize risks. I asked if the surgery could be modified to be less risky, she said no. Needless to say I took my puppy and left and would never opt for an elective procedure with such poor outcomes. I was surprised they had no protocol in place to maximize results and minimize complications. I would not recommended doing BOAS surgery at this location. I also got a second opinion and had a completely different experience and will be going with a different location. It seems like they may not be best for emergency situations. I've heard many issues and sadly people who have lost healthy puppies. It seems their outcomes need improvements. I would urge you to do research before putting your pet in this facilities care. read more

Dr. Kruckman is amazing. She and her staff did wonders by our dog. We couldn't recommend them more.

Wonderful Staff but Lacking Safety Protocols. On 11/1/24 we brought our dog Tyson to VSC as he was unable to hold down food. Our primary vet had seen him earlier in the day, taken an X-ray, & recommended VSC for a same-day ultrasound. The staff at VSC was friendly & conveyed a genuine focus on helping him. The ultrasound was completed w/no conclusive findings, so we were provided w/meds, bland diet instructions, & sent home. The attached pic of Tyson was during the ride back. The following Monday, we returned as he was still unable to hold down food. VSC took a 2nd x-ray. Afterward, we were informed Tyson bit the vet tech during the process. They said it was one puncture wound which likely occurred as they had to hold him in uncomfortable positions to obtain the x-rays. The x-rays revealed his esophagus was 4x the size it should be. Tyson was admitted & received treatment for mega esophagus, which included medications along with attempts at using a Bailey chair in the hopes that this would enable him to successfully transfer food to his stomach. The following day, a doctor at VSC informed us the meds & Bailey chair were not successful & they were going to try a different med, but if that didn't work, the next options would be much more difficult & invasive (surgery). Given his age & the fact he had been struggling with other health issues for some time (high liver values & suspected Cushings), we agreed euthanasia would be the most humane option if the other meds didn't work. It was at this point that the doctor shared that because the bite incident had been reported to the County & it occurred less than 10 days ago, if we decided to euthanize, they would be required to remove Tyson's head & send it to a lab so his brain could be tested for rabies. She apologized for having to inform me of this & said VSC could lose their license if they did not abide by this requirement. She said we could obtain & choose the disposition for the rest of Tyson's remains, but not his head as the lab would not be able to return it. I informed her Tyson was current on his rabies vaccine & she explained the 10 day observation period is for all dogs regardless of vaccination status. She added that while they were "100% certain" Tyson didn't have rabies, they must abide by this requirement or could lose their license. Here's my question: Since the following was known: 1. Tyson was an old dog in a strange environment 2. He had been unable to hold down food for several days 3. The needed x-rays would require staff to place him in uncomfortable positions Why weren't any safety protocols in place to prevent the risk of a bite from occurring, such as the use of a muzzle or bite resistant gloves? Unfortunately, the second round of meds didn't work & a day later we had to say our final goodbyes to Tyson. Thank you to the staff at VSC for their compassion on that incredibly difficult day. You were wonderful. The following day, I asked VSC to contact the lab on our behalf to request the return of Tyson's remains. VSC replied that the lab agreed to send their portion of his remains to the crematory once they completed their testing, however, to expect this process to take some time. Every day since, I check my email to see if there is an update from the crematory so that we can bring Tyson back home. The waiting is preventing my family & I from being able to work through the grieving process & obtain needed closure. VSC is in many ways an excellent animal hospital with a wonderful staff committed to providing exceptional care. However, due to the absence of safety protocols described above, I cannot provide them with a positive review. I will update this to a positive review if VSC commits to implementing steps & PPE measures recommended by the NIH & AVMA to minimize the risk of their staff being bitten so that no other pet owners have to face the situation we find ourselves in today. Our memory of Tyson will forever be marred by this tragic yet preventable event. Gary Earnest read more

Veterinary Specialty Center - Veterinarians Near Me - Bannockburn, Illinois

I am incredibly grateful for the exceptional care my dog Lola received at the Veterinary Specialty Center under Dr. Mimi Noonan and her tech, Kathryn. When we first brought Lola in January 2021, she was in very bad shape, and our local vet was unable to diagnose the issue. Dr. Noonan quickly identified a complex condition and started treatment. Although her initial prognosis was 3-6 months, she advised us to cherish each day. Lola stabilized by April 2021 and went on to live another four wonderful years. Eventually, Lola developed Trachea Collapse and Syncope fainting spells, which sadly led to the difficult decision to euthanize her. Kathryn, who had become so dear to us, waited past the end of her workday to be with us during this heartbreaking time. I cannot express enough gratitude for the care this practice, Dr. Noonan, and Kathryn provided over the last four years. The kindness Kathryn showed by holding my hand as I said my final goodbye to my best friend and loyal companion meant the world to me. I would give them 100 stars if I could! read more

Veterinary Specialty Center - Our sweet Lola - Veterinarians Near Me - Bannockburn, Illinois

I brought my senior dog in during a medical emergency, my dog was declining, fast. While I appreciate that some care was given (bloodwork), the experience was devastating. Dr. Ida did not allow me to be with my dog for over 40 minutes. By the time I was finally brought back, he was lying lifeless and unresponsive on the table. I was robbed of his final, possibly aware moments -- a loss I can never get back. No vitals or clinical notes were entered in his chart before she administered euthinasia. The doctor claimed he still had a heartbeat, but I wasn't brought in until he appeared completely gone. Adding to my concern, she labeled him "aggressive," which was simply not true. My dog had always been friendly, and in his weakened, dying condition, any reaction he had was likely due to pain -- especially in response to what the doctor described as "deep palpations," which seemed inappropriate given the internal bleeding noted in his bloodwork. If your pet is gravely ill and you want to be with them in their final moments, I would strongly urge you to go elsewhere. I wouldn't wish this experience on anyone. read more

Overall, I would highly recommend VSC for anyone needing a specialist or emergency care for their pet. The advanced technology, equipment and training give you almost immediate answers for your pets health. Bella my BFF needed a specialist as her breathing was extremely rapid even at rest. My vet had already ruled out blastomycosis and pneumonia, but unable to determine further after x-rays & blood work that her lungs were not working properly, & needed further testing however only appointment was in June. I never had any indication that she was ill or anything else was possibly wrong prior to her vet visit on March 25. Her BW showed minor inconsistencies and we re-ran tests plus a couple specific and X-rays. The only indication I had was her breathing started becoming very labored and fast shortly after vet appointment . . prior health over the years had bouts of chronic pancreatitis and colitis which were always treated immediately..never showed any signs that anything else was wrong. Bella was getting worse with her breathing & my vet made arrangements to have her seen immediately through the ER at VSC. Dr. Fayth Kim was very caring and understanding and treated Bella like her own pet. VSC runs the numbers for you ahead of time so you know what types of charges you are looking at and helps you understand what tests are needed initially and what may be extra if further analysis is necessary and it's accurate. Unfortunately after ultrasounds and BW it was determined Bella had cancer that metastasized not only to 3/4 of her lungs, but also the heart, kidneys, liver, intestines, stomach, and bladder, and lymph nodes ...basically to every internal organ. Everyone from receptionists, vet techs scribe, & the vets were patient and asked numerous times if there was more questions.. I felt all cared deeply that you understood your pets issues along with treatment options. Bellas remaining time on earth was very limited and VSC home hospice program along with fluid support from my vet gave us the means to keep Bella comfortable at home hospice for 11 days until Bella showed she had enough on a Sunday evening.. we took her into VSC ER and even though short staffed and full with emergencies, they were still very compassionate and caring and supportive. Both visits the vet techs were wonderful and very caring... I wish I had gotten their names.very grateful to them. They were amazingly calming especially on the night. I had to let my sweet Bella go to the Rainbow Bridge while she lay on my lap. Dr. Kylie Sobota eased my BFFs pain and sent my angel Bella to the Rainbow Bridge so she no longer had to suffer. The mortuary VSC partners with to entrust your beloved pet to is wonderful as well. While this is a very hard personal loss, and we are still devastated by the sudden onset, worsening of her disease, and her loss; both my vet and VSC helped us understand the severity of Bella's illness, how to best help and support her and to know I made the right choice in my decision to release her from suffering further. PS : Previously, I have been a client @ VSC in 2010/12for my yorkie Shamus and in the late 1990s a couple times for my mother's vizsla Freddy. Only once with Freddy was there a minor issue and it was promptly rectified. Dr Claude Gendreau was the founder of VSC in Riverwoods/Buffalo Grove at that time. Dr Gendreau, Dr Noonan, Dr Feinmahl & Dr Armentano came highly recommended from Dr Richard Blazer of MVC & Northlake AH. read more

Veterinary Specialty Center - Bella 04/27/2025 - Veterinarians Near Me - Bannockburn, Illinois

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I feel for all the people who had bad experiences @ VSC. I ended up there only because I'll never go to Blue Pearl again due to their "care" for my previous dog. All I can attest to is my experience @ VSC & Dr. Bagheri (neurology) was wonderful with both King (10 yr old Malinois/Boxer Mix) & I when we showed up there to get her opinion of King after a vaccine injury the year previous & his disoriented, sad, confused & exhausted tendencies. Dr. Bagheri dealt with his exam and my questions with astonishing honesty & compassion & handled our goodbye moments delicately & professionally that very day. She didn't try to upsell or make promises she couldn't keep & is very good at her job. Thanks Dr. Bagheri. See you down the road King. You're a good boy. read more

Veterinary Specialty Center - King - Veterinarians Near Me - Bannockburn, Illinois

5+++++ This place is amazing. Definitely not cheap, but the best coordinated care for your pet... one stop shop. They keep you informed every step of the way VIA PHONE CALLS, provide detailed explanations of what is going on with your pet, and offer options for recommended treatment. We were referred to VSC by our regular vet and I can't say anything other than we feel very reassured by their care. DVMs, specialists and techs are all so kind and caring. read more

PLEASE REFER TO THIS WEBSITE FOR VETS THAT TAKE FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS SERIOUSLY - UNLIKE VSC: https://www.fipfriendlyvet.com/ KNOW THE SIGNS OF BOTH (2) TYPES OF FIP! PLEASE EDUCATE YOURSELVES AT THIS WEBSITE: https://www.sockfip.org/ ATTENTION CAT OWNERS. VSC'S INEXPERIENCED EMERGENCY VETS REFUSED TO TREAT for Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) in my kitten and she died as a result. Of the three (3) possible diagnoses given to us, FIP was the only one that was imminently lethal. They FAILED to competently triage the possible diagnoses. INCOMPETENCE KILLED MY KITTEN. The drug GS-441524 (remdesivir) was AVAILABLE at VSC but we were told it would NOT BE ADMINISTERED without extensive, invasive, and completely unnecessary testing: a spinal tap and MRI. Ridiculous when simple treatment with GS-441524 would have served as PROOF OF DIAGNOSIS - AS IS RECOMMENDED BY FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONITIS RESEARCH. Google it yourself. GS-441524 is almost 100% CURATIVE against Feline Infectious Peritonitis - it was AVAILABLE ON SITE - a positive diagnosis-in-fact of FIP infection is borne out by marked improvement within 24 hours! - waiting for testing makes no sense and is IRRESPONSIBLE AND INCOMPETENT - MULTIPLE VETERINARY MEDICAL PAPERS advocate to TREAT BASED ON ODDS ALONE that the cat has FIP due to the unreasonably high standard and difficulty of a definitive diagnosis, its lethality and the very fast-acting and overwhelming efficacy of GS-441524 - VSC said their treatment, "..was appropriate and aligned with current veterinary standards." THIS IS A LIE - the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) - the ACCREDITING BODY that sets veterinary STANDARDS - says the following re GS-441524 (June, 2024!): "[the availability of GS-441524] allows veterinarians to prescribe medication for their patients and hopefully carry small amounts of the compounded drug on their shelves to allow their sick patients to START TREATMENT IMMEDIATELY." - the availability of GS-441524 is available LOCALLY through Wood Dale Pharmacy, a veterinary compounding pharmacy SAVE YOUR CAT'S LIFE AND DON'T TRUST HER HEALTH TO INEXPERIENCED CHILD EMERGENCY VETS. My kitten didn't have to die. She could have been saved but for VSC's INCOMPETENCE. read more

Years ago, this place used to be great, but the last couple years they have massively deteriorated. They don't respond to emails, do not return calls left on their phone system, the phones are not answered and left to ring (gave up after 50 rings). Finally had to drive over to the hospital to get a question answered about bloodwork. Asked to have our prescription refill called in and a week later the pharmacy hasn't gotten the refill order. Sad to see a facility that used to be so good go downhill. I dont' know if Mitch Robbins owns VSC any longer, but when he took over, it all seemed to be about the $$$$$ read more

I'm writing this review with a heavy heart and a warning to all pet owners: avoid Veterinary Specialty Center at all costs. My experience here with my English Bulldog, Eddy, was nothing short of a nightmare that ended in his premature death. Eddy went inn for routine surgery and died less than 48 hours after discharge.The postoperative care Eddy received was dangerously inadequate. Despite Eddy showing clear signs of pain and distress, his symptoms were continuously ignored or trivialized by the staff. He was brought inn 2x in 24 hours and concerns were dismissed as anxiety. Communication was disastrous. We were misled about Eddy's condition, the risks were never clearly communicated, and our repeated pleas for comprehensive treatment were dismissed. It felt like they were more interested in minimizing their efforts and costs rather than saving my dog's life. This clinic's lackadaisical approach and blatant disregard for our concerns directly contributed to the loss of Eddy. They failed him miserably, and no pet owner should have to go through what we did. If you love your pet, do not take them to this facility. After all this they still call me and email me weekly for $600 after receiving $9000+ without knowing how he died (they claim that's on me for not paying for a necropsy) and the $600 bill turned into a $2000+ bill. $1798 in April when he died 2/22! No contact from admins as promised but billing dept has no problem calling and emailing even texting for payment! read more

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Worst experience ever, long wait, no update and unqualified vet and staff! Don't waste your pet welfare, your time and money read more

After my primary vet located a small mass on my dog during a routine physical exam, I called two animal hospitals to determine what course of treatment to take and how much it would cost. Based on my preliminary research, I chose VSC. I'm very glad I did. They scheduled Casey, my beloved lab-mix, for surgery within a week to remove the mass, do a biopsy and send it to a lab for testing. Dr. Hybki was very good and answered ally questions. They performed the surgery the same day as the consult and kept him overnight. Because ASC is open 24/7, I was able to bring him in on Easter Sunday to address my concerns about the surgical wound opening due to my dog "scooting" on the rug. They took pictures and had me bring him back the next day so the surgeon could take a look. There was no charge for either visit! And I got a couple of great recommendations to help keep my dog's butt safe. Great, professional care. Very clean office. And we'll be returning next week to see the doggie oncologist to discuss treatment options. I feel like my dog is receiving exceptional care and I'm getting wonderful, compassionate service. I highly recommend VSC for emergency vet and great surgical care. read more

Veterinary Specialty Center - My lab-mix, Casey, wearing the cone of shame at home after VSC removed a cancerous mass from his anal gland. - Veterinarians Near Me - Bannockburn, Illinois

Terrible experience at Bannockburn Veterinary Specialist Center. Brought my dog in for what we thought was a blockage and was told within minutes it was aggressive cancer and a ruptured spleen. They insisted I make a life and death decision immediately. They led me to believe we only had seconds or minutes. You can imagine my shock at this news. I asked for time to get my daughter so she could say goodbye to her best friend and was told I "didn't have time." I got my daughter anyway and when we returned they locked us in a room with my dog like prisoners while we waited. The whole process felt rushed, cold, and all about money -- not compassionate caring or kind. To top it off, they even messed up the cremation and I never got my dog's ashes. One of the worst, most heartless experiences I've ever had. read more

We had a very good experience with Vet Specialty Center. What a beautiful, modern, state of the art facility! Love the bistro with food and drink options while you wait for your furbaby. The staff are kind, friendly and helpful. We brought our dog in to get 2 masses removed. Everything was explained in detail, including all costs. They took very good care of our dog, and he is healing wonderfully! read more

Veterinary Specialty Center - Veterinarians Near Me - Bannockburn, Illinois

All they care about is the almighty buck! $1500 for an overnight stay (not including any care). I guess they have to pay for that beautiful new building somehow. Their alternative to not being able to afford their outrageously priced care? Euthanasia. read more

I am NOT happy about the staff's attitude. They were rude on the phone. Not really willing to listen to my questions. They were pre-judgegged before figuring out my questions. What kind of people to deal with when it comes to answering a client's concerns or questions? I would not recommend this hospital. Withoughtly understanding the client's what I was asking, how you guys proceeded to treat animals? read more

I had a horrific experience at the VSC. My 12 year old Labrador Retriever, who had mobility and kidney issues, was coughing, gagging and unable to keep down her food for a couple of days. Given it was a Saturday evening, we took her to VSC as we were concerned she was dehydrated. After an unsympathetic check in, we met with a vet who, without using the words directly, intimated that our dog's mobility issues and other health concerns would probably best be addressed by putting the dog down, despite the fact that no tests had been performed at that point. I requested, after further discussions, that a chest X-ray and blood panel be done. After being left in a room by ourselves, not being able to stay by our dog, and waiting, the Vet returned some time later and stated our dog had a pneumonia, and that some white areas on her chest X-ray "could be" nodules that "could be" cancerous. We were never shown any of these things, nor did we ever view the X-ray. I was told my dog's blood panel, which I believe showed the protein levels present in her kidneys, was very high (100 when 30 was normal). The Vet added that she wouldn't feel comfortable sending our dog home with us and stated that if we wanted to treat her, she would need to stay there "at least a week" ($$$$) for treatment. After my wife and I discussed our options, we made the difficult decision to euthanize our dog. Shortly thereafter, we were presented with a bill for $1116, which included a $155 charge to euthanize our dog which we paid at that time. We were also presented with a brochure from a different company that allowed you to obtain your dog's ashes or get the dog's footprint if you so desired. I was infuriated that I was presented with something that seemed to allow another company to profit from my dog's demise. I was told to take the brochure, log in, and choose "if I wanted any of their services" within a couple of days or they would contact me. Our dog was then brought into a room with us so we could say goodbye. She now had a port in her leg so they could administer the chemicals to euthanize her. After saying goodbye and obviously heartbroken, the Vet attempted to inject the chemicals through the port but was unable to do so. It turned out that they botched putting the line in and a tech had to come in and redo it causing even more heartbreak to us and more pain to my dog. After my dog was euthanized, we left. The following day I logged into the website from the brochure given us to let them know I wasn't interested in their services. To my surprise, there was no option to reject their services. I then said to my wife, is this another charge we have to pay regarding our dog? I contacted the company (Eternal Memories) and was told I needed to at least choose a "communal cremation" for $150 to dispose of my dog 's remains. I couldn't believe it and told them I had paid a euthanasia fee and that included the disposal of my dog's remains and hung up. The next day, the Vet Specialty Center contacted me and told me that I needed to pay to dispose of my dog's remains. I told them that NO ONE ever mentioned there would be another charge to us for euthanizing our dog. I told them when I had to euthanize my previous dog that my vet included everything in the fee I was charged. I expected them to apologize to me for the terrible treatment we received but was shocked when I was told to pay the money or I could "come pick my dog up" as they told me she was still there even though four days had passed since her being euthanized. To say we were treated cruelly is an understatement. To use our dog as a bargaining chip (pay up or pick her up) is so cold and callous that their license should be revoked. The only thing they care about is MONEY. I'm still shocked that this actually occurred. On the other end of the spectrum, while typing this review, Chewy, a pet store delivery company we used to buy our dog's food, just dropped off flowers with a condolence card for our loss. I will NEVER use VSC and I encourage anyone to go elsewhere to avoid the treatment and heartache we experienced from them. read more

Could be a one off case but in the event you don't want your pet to be part of the "unlikely" cases. Writing this because bad process can happen with beings we love but it's never talked about until it's too late. We have gone to MedVet with our other dog but Veterinary speciality center was recommended by our physical therapist because our dog wasn't getting better post CCL surgery. 6/10/2024- appt to find out he has an infection in his leg to which they recommend almost immediate removal of his suture 6/11/2024 - was told drop off 8am. Literally said "cannot confirm timeframe of surgery time". Nothing is exact but MedVet definitely set SOME expectations. Finally heard they are going into surgery with him at 1:30pm. Called and said everything went fine, overnight stay and no news is good news. Said he threw up once but is stable. 6/12 - met for discharge. I had to ask about throw up because it was not addressed. Turns out-- he threw up 4 times. If you had a child and they threw up 4 times, would you be upset if they didn't call you? I, again, had to ask about giving him cerenia (anti nausea med I knew all too well from my recently passed dog) and they said.. sure you can give that if he is still throwing up. Charged $800 in addition to $2200 because he had to stay overnight based on recovery observations .. (what would be the time line if you started earlier and also how much more do I have to pay for you to tell me he threw up 3 more times you told me)..? 6/13 - my dog started having uncontrolled defecation starting the day. We called at 10am to try to see if this is normal, medication causation, and most importantly if this something we need to be more alarmed about. My dog continues to defecate unknowingly through out the day. No call backs. On his last one, I called again and they told me I should email them. They said they are really busy right now. They went through the script about doing a bland diet, tried to blame it on certain medications but I explained he has been on most of them. I did want to know if switching antibiotic would help. They said I should call back on Monday, a day and half away, because at this moment the doctors are busy. Not sure if they were when we initially called at 10am but 14 hours later I guess they couldn't answer us about a dog who was just in their care 1 day ago. The nurse hung up at the first instance she could because she didn't have an answer on why they didn't call us back, and why they wouldn't address our issues. Take this review for what you will but aside from the next check appt, I wouldn't touch this place with a 10ft pole and the only reason I would go for the next appt is because they know the surgical procedures they did. There was supposed to be a follow up surgery and I rather pay twice to go to somewhere who cares about the family members of mine they work on. Animals are family too, even after you charge the cc. read more

Veterinary Specialty Center - Veterinarians Near Me - Bannockburn, Illinois

Do not take your pet here. They only care about money. Towre are not follow up appts after surgery. I've called twice to ask a question about my dogs recovery and no one has yet to call me back. I called to speak to a supervisor on Dec 30. I am still waiting for a call. They released our dog and washed their hands. I hate to think about his care while he was in there. Go anywhere else but here! read more

Do your pet a favor and keep looking!!! Staff is negligent in service, professionalism, and credentials. If pet owners only knew what happens (I should say doesn't happen) behind closed doors or after hours, this place would no longer be in business. If your pet needs a something simple like a nail trim or vaccine, they're probably safe. Anything more or requires an overnight stay, I wouldn't trust them knowing 2 of our pets never made it home alive in within a 3 month span from each other due to things unrelated to their diagnosis. read more

VSC has an amazing group of doctors who are top notch and board certified. The first time used them was about 20 yrs ago when one of my dogs had a cancer that returned following a surgery by my vet. I was thinking my dog would have chemo, but the oncologist brought the head surgeon into the consult. We ended up doing surgery and the tumor never returned. I've been back with other dogs for internal medicine, surgery, and oncology consults. VSC is expensive, and sometimes I have some issue with getting calls back. But the care is very good. read more

It's like the Mayo Clinic for animals! So far I have heard from other Akita parents with dermatology issues that Dr. Ness is the best in the state! Hopefully he will get our dog back to normal. Prayers! read more

My cat became critically ill with a liver infection and bile duct blockage in early January. We initially sought care at MedVet, but when they recommended a major surgery in March, I decided to get a second opinion and transferred care to VSC. That turned out to be the best decision I could've made--Dr. Kahn saved my cat's life! Her expertise and experience were exactly what we needed, and thanks to her, we were able to avoid surgery altogether. As it turned out, MedVet had misdiagnosed our cat, which unfortunately delayed his recovery. Dr. Kahn quickly identified the real issue and knew exactly how to treat it. Throughout the process, she gave us confidence and reassurance. I have only positive things to say about our experience! read more

My dog had serious health issues and was referred here or he wouldn't have made it. The facility and staff is top notch. It looks like a smaller version of a real hospital. They gave my guy 24/7 care and helped him. Very thankful for their help. Not in expensive but really one of a kind level of trauma care. read more

Can you score a zero? Because that is what I would do as a 1 star is too high a rating. I was sent over to VSC for just an ultrasould on a possible blockage for my cat. My primary vet wanted to make sure before doing anything too intrusive. I was send an email saying the cost would be $750 and nothing else would be charged without my knowledge. After the appt I was told my options on how to proceed (with them) and the bottom number for a scope to get out the foreign object was $3500 with no guarantee of removal and could cost double if they needed to proceed with surgery. I told them I wanted to bring my cat to my primary vet for the procedure and return her to me so I could bring her home. What I got back was an additional $200 charge for a medical assessment (that I did not consent to) and my cat with a catheter in her leg as if they were prepping for surgery (another procedure I never consented to). They gave me a song and dance on how they wouldn't wait til morning for the procedure. The costs of the services they charge are above and beyond the average. They are more than double on what vets in the area cost. I suggest NEVER going here no matter what. Its all about the bottom line and not about the care of your pet. read more

I have brought both my fur babies here during emergency and they were taken in. Within a matter of seconds. I will definitely recommend this place for emergencies. read more

The doctors at Veterinary Specialty Center (VSC) really know their craft!!! In September, my dog Coco swallowed a large piece of chicken bone. He was misdiagnosed at another facility. By the time we got him to VSC, the chicken bone has been stuck in Coco's esophagus for almost 4 days. Dr. Sharpe was the internist who performed the endoscopic removal. The bone was almost the size of a human palm. She saved Coco's life! We can't thank her enough for her excellent skills. We highly recommend VSC and Dr. Sharpe for emergencies of our hairy friends. read more

Veterinary Specialty Center - Veterinarians Near Me - Bannockburn, Illinois

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Expert care and good follow up. Would take my dog there again if we need further surgeries.

It's really nice to see a business so open about their turning such a large profit. I love how much they've invested in architecture, interior design and paint. So much more important than addressing the dearth of quality and compassion in their care. It's incredible how beautiful the lobby is! It's a stark comparison to their compassion levels for the humans and pets facing hard decisions. Love a good contrast, Bravo! Bonus- here's a list of Emergency Vets nearby! All have low cost associated for the same procedures and medications. Animal ER of Arlington Heights - ervets.com Elk Grove Veterinary Specialty & Emergency- thrivepetcare.com (24 hrs) Golf Rose Animal Hospital (Schaumburg) golfrose.com (24hrs) Thrive Pet HealthCare Specialists Hoffman Estates - thrivepetcare.com (24hrs) VetMedic Veterinary Urgent Care (Libertyville)- vetmedic.co (8am-10pm) Affordable Vet in Villa Park - no website, 24 hrs +1 (331) 255-3520 read more

The incredible, best of the best Dr Mitch Robbins (surgeon) saved my precious love-of-my-life furbaby Angel's life with a risky, complicated surgery that only the highest skilled surgeons do!! I was first referred to Vet Specialty Center's internal medicine dept by my regular vet after it was determined that Angel had an adrenal tumor that invaded her vena cava vein (very serious). The awesome Dr Robert Armentano (internal Medicine) & helpful team, took excellent care of us, were always patient, honest and caring during this incredibly stressful time (to say the least), as they worked for several weeks to diagnose & stabilize her for upcoming major abdominal surgery. I was given straightforward information, treatment recommendation & options so I could make the best decision for my beloved Angel. My consultations with both Dr Armentano & Dr Robbins were thorough, friendly and very informative as they explained treatment options in detail. I didn't feel rushed as they patiently answered a list of questions through thousands of tears! Once meeting Dr Robbins, I knew he was the surgeon I trusted and we were gifted with for my sweet Angel. Before knowing about Vet Specialty Center, I was told that I needed to go to a university teaching hospital for this kind of risky complicated surgery that most veterinarians don't perform. I even had my appointments booked at two universities, but again after learning of Vet Specialty's excellent reputation for specialty services and after having my consult, I knew I was at the right hospital to help Angel. Once Angel was stabilized for surgery, the extraordinary Dr Robbins performed his incredible surgical skills, (to me, a miracle!), and an absolute blessing! Angel then spent a few days in ICU where they continued to take the best care of my beloved fur-child during this critical time. While in ICU, the skilled & caring team also provided updates, visit option (which I declined for her best healing), so they offered me facetime videos! There was a huge comfort knowing she was being monitored closely and cared for 24/7! I appreciate all the wonderful staff, nurses, techs, assistants etc., (too many to mention), who take care of us and they certainly are not taken for granted. We are still early on Angel's healing journey, yet infinite gratitude doesn't even describe fully how I feel now that she is home recovering very well these past 3 weeks. Due to the nature of her surgery, we return soon for an oncology consult, so I continue affirm positive healing thoughts for Angel & immense gratitude & trust to the doctors for helping to give her more life. I am truly beyond words that my Angel is next to me and I pray we have the amazing gift of several more healthy years together. Infinite love & gratitude! read more

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The Veterinary Specialty Center should be ashamed of the way they disregard anyone that can't afford their inflated and medically unnecessary services. There was a $225 charge for a vet visit to evaluate a mass on my dog's ear. We only saw a vet tech for an evaluation, which I question because the ear was never cleaned for the exam. The visit was abruptly ended when they provided a $9,200 estimate that we couldn't afford, which included a $2,600 MRI. There was to be a follow up call, which never happened. There was to be an alternate treatment method recommended, which never happened. No calls were ever received in over six weeks. We were ignored after leaving. My daughter was in tears and inconsolable that she didn't think we could provide care for her newly adopted dog. We found another vet that provided great care and mass removal for $700, which tells me this vet cares about the money and not the dog. The services provided were never completed as promised. I wanted to add this review hoping that other families can be protected from these predatory practices. read more