An absolutely wonderful facility and team. I came in with my cat at 11 pm, and even with my constant sobbing, they were so helpful and KIND!! And I was able to get her surgery done. They were so awesome to take care of my baby and had wonderful bedside manner, wonderful receptionists and techs and vets- 10/10. I would recommend this place to anyone who is panicking and needs a team who listens, calms you down, and ACTS in the best possible care for you AND your pet. read more

I cannot recommend VVSE highly enough. My cat had surgery in November for his ears at VVSE. It was extremely cost effective and the doctor was actually able to not only salvage the ear flaps which we initially thought would be impossible but was also able to avoid operating on the second ear entirely saving my cats hearing and ultimately us a huge expense. Our cat came home happy and healthy and recovered beautifully. Our experience was fabulous. Unfortunately, due to unrelated issues, our cat ended up in the ER back at VVSE this weekend. He is 12, so he is elderly. He unfortunately had lung and heart problems and we had to make the really painful decision to put him down today. Every step with VVSE was handled so professionally and we are so grateful our cat was treated with the upmost care and dignity during his last 2 days with us. They were prompt and thorough with the emergency treatment, extremely transparent with pricing and communication was exceptionally handled. When the time came to decide euthanasia vs treatment (which ultimately would've prolonged his suffering) the staff were empathetic and supportive of our decision. The euthanasia process itself was dignified and professional. We were allowed to take lots of time to spend with him and his passing was peaceful and painless. It was genuinely everything I could have hoped for given how terrible and unexpected the situation was. We even had a family member show up after our cat had passed and they allowed us to come back in to let our family say goodbye. Their funeral options for his body were also touching and we felt like the process was easy and met all of our needs considering how little time we had to plan for this to happen. Obviously you don't want to see your cat pass away. This cat was my soul cat I will never love another animal like him and I am devastated by his loss. But genuinely the experience with VVSE has eased my grief so substantially I am so so happy and grateful they were able to provide his end of life care. I went home feeling completely at peace and we have a sense of closure I NEVER expected to feel so soon and I really credit their team with providing him exceptional care and dignity in his final days. Thank you to everyone who worked with my baby this weekend - I cannot express my gratitude enough. read more

We had a very stressful experience at the emergency side of this veterinary service on July 16, 2026. We were sent their by our vet due to our senior dog having a 104 degree fever. He had already been diagnosed by our vet with pancreatitis and needed further fluids and treatment. Our vet called ahead and spoke to the vet on duty to insure that they knew were were coming and what he needed. Once we arrived they took in back pretty quickly to assess him. This is the only good thing I have to say about this place. We sat and waited for ANYONE to speak to us about our dog for 3.5 hours. We had no idea if he was ok or what was going on. At about the 3.5 hour mark of waiting were were finally taken to a room, we still hadn't seen our dog at this point, and the vet came in. The vet asked us if we knew he had cataracts in both his eyes and asked if we had noticed he had been coughing. She said nothing about his fever. We told her he had the cough for a while and yes we knew about his eyes. The vet then left and we waited some more in the room still without news on Remy (senior dog). After about 10 minutes a vet tech came in with a "treatment" plan. It was over 5,000 dollars worth of tests. The vet tech explained that he would have to stay overnight because they couldn't do all the tests today because they were busy with other patients. Still no mention of the fluids he needed or his fever. I told the vet tech I did not want to leave Remy there. The vet tech then left. After about 10 minutes they moved us to another room and asked if they could do xrays on his chest for his cough. We allowed the xrays. After about 30 minutes the vet can back and showed is the xrays. They said without the other diagnostic tests they couldn't tell if his lungs had fluid in them or if it was something else, like cancer. Since we had refused the other tests that was all the information they had. We had to sign a paper saying we refused the "treatment plan". They way that we were spoken to by the vet, lead us to believe that we would be "losing" our boy in the next day or two. It was devastating. We were sent home with antibiotics and told to "keep an eye on him" and to bring him back when he starts being unable to breath as he would need oxygen at that stage. They never gave him the fluids our vet said he needed. Nor did they treat his fever. The antibiotics were for the lung issue they discovered. After getting home I was reading though the discharge papers and realized they did not give him fluids. The paperwork stated we "declined the offered fluids". However, were were never asked about fluids just diagnostic tests. I called back about 9pm to find out why he wasn't treated the way our vet had recommended. I was put on hold for 30 minutes. Once they took me off hold they asked again why I was calling and what my question was. Then put back on hold for another 15 minutes. The person on the phone said, "They didn't give Remy fluids because he had fluid on his lungs and so they didn't want to add more fluid to his body." My problem with that explanation is that they didn't know he had fluid in his lungs until about 4 hours into our visit there. So, that means he was sat in the back untreated and suffering for 4 hours. Also, the discharge paperwork said we declined fluids when we were never asked. I am very disappointed in this emergency vet and feel like they did not care about my senior dog. Luckily, he is feeling better now but, it could have turned out a lot different. I will never bring any of my animals back here and will never recommend their services. It was a traumatic experience for my family and my senior dog. read more

Absolute rip-off and preys on vulnerability - Avoid at all costs My wife brought her beloved animal here during a terrifying and uncertain diagnosis. In a moment when she was already distraught and sobbing uncontrollably, the staff saw an opportunity, not a patient in need. Instead of calmly explaining all our options, they exploited her emotional state to aggressively upsell us on unnecessary and immediate treatments. We walked out with a bill for $1,500 for procedures that should have cost closer to $600. A key part of their scam was a $300 glucose monitor they insisted was essential. They installed it while our pet was still in their care. When we got home, the device fell out on its own, revealing it wasn't even installed properly in the first place. When we called to address this incompetence and the blatant overcharging, they didn't apologize. They had the nerve to be dismissive and offered no refund. Now I acknowledge that even the girl that answered the call said that a refund was above her level and that she would have someone contact us back. We have since had the records reviewed by two separate, trusted veterinarians who both confirmed that this clinic's approach was far too aggressive and should NEVER have been handled that way, nor should my visibly distraught wife have been bombarded and made to feel like this was a life and death situation (It was not the case, the animal is doing quite well, not taking the advice of this animal clinic. It has been 48 hours and management still hasn't had the decency to return our calls. They are clearly more interested in profit than in honest communication or the well-being of their patients. Do not go here unless you want to be taken advantage of while you are at your most vulnerable. We are now considering legal action to address their unethical practices. read more

We took our mother's cat here and had to wait 1.5 hours because there were no doctors but were assured she would be seen by 7:30.Our cat was a stray our mother had taken in and had never been in a carrier so in addition to having a medical problem, she was freaking out in the carrier so we had taken her outside to wait. At 8:00 an assistant came out and looked at her through the carrier and said she "looked ok" so she would be seen as "low risk" which could be hours from then or we could take her to Richmond or Verona. We took her to Verona where she was seen within an hour. The vet informed us she had an inoperable tumor under her tongue and had been in pain for quite some time. So, our "low risk" pet was put down that night. We thought it was odd that Vet Specialists had a sign asking that pet owners not be belligerent to the staff. We thought that was odd at the time, but now know why people may get belligerent. That poor cat was in a carrier for over 4 hours, in pain, considered low risk (I suppose because she wasn't bleeding) and had to be put down that same night. if you have a pet that is suffering, please consider a drive to the emergency vet in Verona. I wouldn't take a goldfish to the one in Charlottesville and they should be ashamed of themselves! read more

I would recommend VVSE to anyone needing either specialist or emergency care. Our sweet boy was a feline oncology patient for about 6 months until things took a turn and we had to say goodbye in their emergency department. The staff are professional, patient, knowledgeable, and compassionate - both during regular hours and nighttime emergency hours. My only complaint is that when it was time to insert a catheter for medication administration, they made several attempts before asking us if they could sedate him. It was distressing to hear him vocalize like that, needless to say. I'm not placing any blame - probably a breakdown in chart notes or communication or a fluke somewhere. The actual staff corrected course very quickly once they got it straightened out. They made everything as easy as one can in that situation. Shout outs specifically to Dr. Mallett, Dr. Abernethy, and receptionists Becca and Courtney. We appreciate the help you gave us and our boy. If any needs arise in the future, we'll be sure to seek this practice out again. read more

I would never take any animal there again. I had a sick cat who needed to go home. At first they could find no record though my Lovington Vet had called only 30 minutes ago and confirmed. I was ready to leave when they said they could take out his IV. I was considering a very low probability of survival treatment for a supposed Bobcat fever. I saw how incompetent they were and how strong my cat was and stressed from the previous vet and wanted to take him home. They said they could take out the IV, but he had to go back without me. They said while I waited I had to fill out paperwork. I did it but said I just wanted to take him home. They said go ahead and leave any pages blank so I did. Then they asked why the resuscitation page was blank. Then a dog started barking and I said I wanted to go back and be with me cat because he would be scared and they said no. They took an hour to do what could have been 5 minutes. Then the receptionlist said I had to pay $82. It was unfair but I wanted the cat back so I payed. They showed me a sheet where they had taken my cats temperature which I did not want. They were unfriendly and mean. I took him home and he was a completely different cat after being tortured. He was not weak as if he had Bobcat fever but instead showed signs as if he had been beaten and poisoned by antifreeze. He died a day later. read more

Well, I came in with my dog on Saturday, November29th, because she was lethargic, squinting eyes with mucus and wouldn't eat. Dr. Johnson told me there was nothing wrong with my dog and she was over weight and I need to stop feeding her human food. WOW, was he serious? Yes, and sad thing was I DON'T FEED HER HUMAN FOOD. She was actually overweight due to the illness she is going through, maybe fluid, Ultrasound tomorrow. Dr. Johnson has no bedside manners and multiple people was upset the way their selves and their pet was being treated. He sent me home and I had to go back to ER Sunday morning, which her fever was 106 (organ failure fever) after being there for 6 hours yesterday and paid a high bill for nothing! Of course I called the manager, will she do anything? IDK. But I will say Dr. Hanson seen Ivy Sunday and she was great! She said she can tell my dog is ill and admittedly gave her fluids and started running test. She's a little better but not eating much and not as active. The nurses and front desk were very kind and understanding of why I was upset. read more

Virginia Veterinary Specialty & Emergency - Veterinarians Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Dr. Ryan was terrific when my dog needed an ultrasound and some blood work for suspected pancreatitis. She kept in constant contact and was always willing to answer any questions or concerns that I had over that time, thank you! read more

Avoid Dr Purnell. Very poor bedside manner, and marginally competent at best. She had a very poor reputation in a clinic in North Carolina and had complaints filed against her with the state vet board. If you need to see an internist at Vvs Dr Miller is good. read more

The staff here are beyond amazing and I'm so grateful to have found them. We had the unfortunate need to visit this office on 2 different occasions for my chocolate lab, Riley. The first time for cancer surgery. The surgeon and staff were wonderful. The surgeon was thorough and patient with me, explaining everything about the type or cancer she had and all my options. We went forward with surgery and the staff were so kind (putting up with my check in calls all through the day of surgery and the night Riley had to spend with them). Riley was a very shy girl yet she immediately loved them (I even caught her wagging her tale and prancing her way back with them during her follow up appointment while I sat waiting an anxious mess lol) which helped put me at ease. The second time the cancer (a different more aggressive kind) had metastasized and it was just too late. Again the staff was thorough and talked me through what they found in her scans, the extent of the cancer and all my options as I was a hysterical mess. They were patient and empathetic and I'm so grateful for it. They took such great care of Riley and never once did I feel rushed through as we said our goodbyes. A few weeks after her passing I received a condolences card with handwritten notes from staff and was told that they had made a donation to a local shelter in Riley's name - this genuinely meant so much to me. Riley was my companion and best friend for 9 years; that day was one of the hardest I've experienced and the grief was so strong I felt like I couldn't breathe, but everyone here was amazing and helped me through. While the circumstance that brought me to their office sucked, I am so glad it was them that we saw. As wonderful and kind as they were with me, I know they were that tenfold with Riley and I couldn't be more appreciative of how they cared for my sweet girl! read more

This review is on the Oncology practice only. Given three options at first visit for my dog diagnosed with cancer. 1. Make comfortable for end of life. 2. Euthanize. 3. Chemo. At no point did the Dr. recommend anything else. No holistic or alternative approaches. No recommended reading etc. Sobering interaction to say the least. Chose chemo and our dog lived ~4months post diagnosis and over a month post Chemo. We had a few times where we needed to talk to the Dr. regarding issues (cancer) with our dog and were referred to our regular vet. You will typically interact with a technician (they were great), but accessibility to the Oncologist Dr. was poor. Follow-ups to see how our dog was doing did not happen. Pawside manner was not great. If you are looking for a compassionate, empathetic Dr. who will present you with more than 3 options you will want to explore other practices for second opinions. If you want spend $5K + and not feel great about the Dr. experience, this is your place. BTW - never received a call to say sorry your dog passed away. read more

my dog was bitten by another large dog and that resulted in him needing surgery. i could not find anywhere to take him; i called everywhere where i lived at and even other states, i was about to give up i didn't know what to do. I found out about this place and i called them...still feeling defeated i explained everything and all my troubles trying to find a hospital for my dog. i was told i would receive a call back and in that moment i just thought it was over, but it wasn't. i received a call shortly after and i was told that they could do his surgery the NEXT DAY! I was so excited especially after being told by another hospital that they would have to amputate! i drove 3 hours to this hospital and my dog was so well taken care of, they kept me updated on every step! They even allowed me to call through the night to check in on my baby! This place is great! And i am so thankful for all the help i've received! My dog is now back to normal! read more

Virginia Veterinary Specialty & Emergency - this was the first day after surgery! - Veterinarians Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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Our regular vet referred us to Virginia Veterinary Specialist for an ultrasound on our cat. He had elevated liver enzymes & wasn't improving with antibiotics. Our Bet called early Fri AM and they could work him for an additional fee. We were not allowed to go in because of COVID. Clinic staff could come out to get our money but their Vet could not come out to speak to us. She advised that it was more than likely pancreatitis but they wanted to keep him over the weekend & perform biopsies on Monday to the cost of $4K+. And we might have some answers. Primary vet that spoke to us & another vet tech never looked at the records from our previous Vet. I confirmed with her front office that they had received those records. In the end it cost us $740. We took him back to our original (the BEST) Vet. She kept him over the weekend. Monday we transferred him to VA Tech animal hospital. They repeated the ultrasound & found nothing wrong with his pancreas. My original vet had noticed something abnormal in his bladder and sure enough he has bladder stones. Virginia Veterinary Specialist didn't even see (or check apparently). Very disappointed & would NOT recommend. read more

Dr.Stiffler and his team saved our dogs life. He had been battling a rare bacteria not typically found in our region. It had been going on for a over a year and a half by the time we made it to Dr.Stiffler. Due to Covid, we were looking at minimum 6 weeks to several months to get seen by a specialist in or out of state. His team called us when they had cancellations moving us up the list. We were fighting the clock and were concerned the bacteria would spread. They got us in within one week. The bacteria had spread close to his chest wall and ribs. As a result surgery was more involved then anticipated and he had to stay the night. They took excellent care of him despite his horrific attitude with them. They removed all the bacteria and treated him with medications to further fight it while he healed. They truly were amazing. We wouldn't have our boy if it wasn't for this practice. They worked with our local vet and kept him up to speed, which was a huge help. To make things easier they also billed our pet insurance which gave us one less thing to worry about. It's worth the drive. read more

Dr Kevin Stiffler was great with my dog Max. Max was attacked by the Neighbors dogs. The dogs tore a big area around his neck and dislocated his hip. Dr Stiffler and his staff did a wonderful job repairing the damage. The care and compassion they showed me and my little guy was over the top. Dr Stiffler is. A top notch surgeon and Veterinarian. I cant say enough good things about him and his staff. This was not the first time he has repaired my Max. He fixed Max's broken leg 2 years ago. I am thankful for a great veterinarian surgeon in our area. read more

VVS is a multi-disciplinary, multi-doctor practice. My experience was primarily with Dr. Wheeler, the canine orthopedist, though the other orthopedist (Dr. Stiffler) also helped me out when Dr. Wheeler was on vacation and I had a concern about post-op care. My dog had TPLO surgery on both of her knees to alleviate the effects of torn cruciate ligaments (CCLs). Short version: My 10-year-old dog is back to acting like she's 2. She hasn't been this spry and happy in over a year and a half, and I couldn't be happier with my experience at VVS. Dr. Wheeler is personable and willing to explain anything you need to know in detail. He did a beautiful job with my dog's surgery and made me much more relaxed about the whole thing. You can get someone knowledgeable on the phone 24-hours a day during the week and bring your dog in for an emergency appointment any time if you have to. The reception staff is wonderful and accommodating. There are virtually no wait times both in the office and on the phone. I got all of my appointments quickly, too. The building is recently renovated, and their reception area has all sorts of nice little refreshments. It's easy to get water for your dog, too. The whole place is bright, feels clean, and really makes you feel like you're doing right by your pet. As for costs, they weren't any more expensive than the other practices I priced out, and I feel I got a lot more for my money. The long version, including info on costs: A quick point of comparison. I saw a different orthopedist in Manassas first and was totally unimpressed. That doctor was cordial, but he was also rushed, dismissive, opinionated, and despite having "built his practice on dealing with CCL tears," he couldn't manage to do the drawer test (preliminary diagnostic for CCL tears) on my dog. He refused to discuss any option but TPLO and missed the fact my dog had torn her CCL in BOTH legs despite how common that is. If one goes, the other usually will, too. Big oversight. VVS was my next stop, and I was happier from the first. Dr. Wheeler in a nutshell: - He performed the drawer test on both of my dog's legs in about thirty seconds and told me she had torn both ligaments before I ever got into the history of the situation with him. - He then listened patiently while I prattled on anyway and explained everything to me in depth. - He didn't assume I was clueless, a for any doctor. - When I asked, he went through every surgical and non-surgical option in great detail. - He cited exact sources of his information. - It was obvious he spoke from experience, observation, and careful weighing of extensive, ongoing reading and research - When an unrelated issue made him worried my dog might have a complicating illness that would preclude surgery, he waived the fee for the test. He didn't even tell me he doing so- I found out when I was examining my bill. He's just a great guy. I eventually decided on TPLO, and I felt GOOD about it because of his explanation. Dr. Wheeler was also willing take care of both knees at once (only one instance of anesthesia with half the pain, recovery time, and worries about rehabilitation) and advised doing so. Not all orthos will do this. He used dissolving stitches for my pup, too. No extra appointment for stitch removal, no added discomfort. They gave me plenty of literature about pre- and post-op care. I never felt like I was bothering them when I called with question, got great answers every time, and never had a problem when I was forced to reschedule follow-ups. I live pretty far from Charlottesville. The one time I was worried about my dog's incision, they let me e-mail pictures in to make sure there was something to be concerned about before I made the drive. I was fit in right away. When the problem turned out to be nothing, the staff was apologetic about me making the drive even though the double-check was a good idea. Now, costs. They charge the same amount as the other respected orthos I looked into for consults and surgery. The consult fee is high but was deducted from surgical costs. Taking care of both legs at once also saved me a sizable chunk of cash. In July of 2015, everything came out to roughly $5500 for my dog's size. Included was: - Double TPLO with all pre-, peri-, and post-op needs included - Follow-ups with x-rays - Free emergency appointments They do require a down payment when you schedule the surgery, but as far as I can tell, most orthos do. They also accept CareCredit. Fast-forward three months and I just about cried the first day I noticed how much happier my dog is. By midway through her recovery, she was chipper and kept trying to play. Now, she's chasing my sister's puppy around, jumping up on furniture she hasn't tried to jump on in ages, and generally being the pushy, bright-eyed handful I remember her being before the first tear. I can't recommend Dr. Wheeler enough, and I won't bother to consider another canine orthopedist in the future. read more

I found the clinical service prompt and thorough and the support staff friendly and helpful but otherwise concur with Karin S. on Dr. Miller not as a clinician but as a personality, e.g., she was very cold and aloof at very much the wrong time. read more

Our dog fell ill and was given a chest x-ray by our local vet who diagnosed her with lung cancer. Our vet referred us to Virginia Veterinary Specialists (VaVS), saying VaVS could give her a blood transfusion that might help make her feel better and extend her life a few weeks. It cost us $800 just to walk in the door of VaVS. We did not see a vet but were called at home later that day. In the end the transfusion (which VaVS said was 75% likely to work) did not help at all, and 12 hours after taking our dog there, we had to put her down. The whole bill came to well over $3000. Any work VaVS does on your pet--from overnight stay to medications to diagnosis--costs at least four times as much as your own vet will charge you for the same service. I had s similar bad experience at VaVS some years before when our dog (same dog) had a swollen paw she was limping on. I had brought her to two vets, both of whom took x-rays (among other diagnostic tests) and said they could find no apparent cause for the swelling or the limp. We were referred to VaVS, who charged us $800 for a brief consultation, a review of the tests done by the other vets and then treated us to the same conclusion--no idea what was wrong. (FWIW, she eventually got over the limp, but her paw remained oddly swollen till the day she died,) I should have learned my lesson then. VaVS vets are not any more skilled at any branch of veterinary medicine than other vets, they just charge four times as much. If you are wise, you will avoid VaVS like the plague. read more

Compassionate, thorough care of your fur babies. They helped our sweet boy through his most difficult times. Fantastic communication and did everything they could to put our minds at ease and helped us make the best choices for him. read more

We have a chocolate lab puppy that had an oral tumor and needed a partial mandiblectomy. The staff was great. The Dr did a marvelous job on our moose. We couldn't be happier read more

I would like to give an amazing thank you to the staff at Virginia Vet Specialist. At the beginning of April our beloved German Short-Haired Pointer who is our daughters' world was diagnosed with cancer. From the time we spoke with the staff at VVS they were extremely helping and nice about scheduling an appointment for consult and walking us through the initial steps of getting him in. He saw Dr. Kevin Stiffler who told us that he would need surgery. He would be unable to perform the surgery until the next day yet, recommended his colleague to preform it as she was open to do it THAT DAY! Dr. Sara Schillinger is who performed the surgery and I could not have asked for a more professional doctor. She realized while in surgery that he would not only have to have mass cell tumor removed on one leg but both and called us immediately to see the direction we would want to take. We picked him up the next day came home and he had some adverse effects due to the medication. We called immediately and spoke with the staff (8pm at night). The staff called every day to check on him and see how he was recovering! When we had questions about how his sutures were healing in his legs. Since we lived an hour and a half away, they allowed us to send photos of how he was progressing with healing! He to this date is doing absolutely amazing! I would recommend this staff to anyone who has a pet needing treatment! read more

I wasted money and time on my appointment with the internal med vet at VVS. I dropped off paperwork/x-rays for Dr. Miller ahead of time, and despite assurances from the front desk staff that they would be given to Miller before the appointment, they were not. At the appointment the vet, with very little examination, declared that my dog had a brain tumor. Miller based the DX on the fact that my dog's head tilted and she had a picky appetite. Subsequently I took my dog to the primary care vet, who diagnosed an ear infection and prescribed antibiotics. Originally I wanted Miller to give me guidance and insight into my dog's kidney disease. She refused to take my dog's blood pressure, yet she prescribed an ACE inhibitor. I'm not a vet, just a consumer, and my thought is that I could have done just as well sticking with my primary care vet on this issue. The head tilt disappeared after two weeks worth of antibiotics. So the DX was wrong and I didn't get the guidance I wanted when originally making the appointment. Also, she never returned my second email asking about steps needed to DX a brain tumor. Finally, I was told the paperwork/x-rays I dropped off were never given to her because I was not an actual client at that time, only someone who had made an appointment for a first visit. Sounded as bogus to me as the diagnosis of a brain tumor. Just sloppy. Oh, and the name appears to be an attempt to make people think it's related to Carolina Veterinary Services; it is not related to the practice in North Carolina. read more

This is a great Veterinary Facility. Our dog Cooper is 11 days post op. We were referred for a consult and surgery was need. Dr Stiffler was great! He took a lot of time to explain in detail about the procedure. The doctor and his assistant Brittany were very caring and supportive. I highly recommend this facility and knowledgeable veterinarians. read more

They are very VERY expensive!! They have a monopoly on the area, and charge accordingly. My dog had been referred to this place for surgery - fairly straightforward - actual procedure took less than 60 minutes. The expenses started off that morning with a five minute "consult" with the doctor on the procedure, for which we were charged $110 - for FIVE BLOODY MINUTES! Come ON! There were seven line item charges for anesthesia - when totaled up, they worked out to be almost 9 times as much (yes, 900% more!!!) as what the dog's normal vet charged for anesthesia. They turn an obscene profit in every single line item (30 plus line items) that they do. Including pills (2 to 3 times what my vet charges for the exact same pills?). The dog was in and out in less than a day (no overnight stay), and yet the total bill was just ridiculous. A line item for "Oral Medication Administration"??? WOW! Sure, there is usually something to the adage, "you get what you pay for", but this establishment is WAY beyond that! This may sound silly, but I had a terrible feeling the second we walked in the door that morning with my dog. The amount of branded marketing swag (giveaway crap) sitting in the waiting area? It makes sense that all that stuff is there, given how much they charge for the actual medical work done! If you have the luxury of a little time, and have options, I would certainly recommend finding another establishment! read more

My parents were recommended to use this vet by their local town vet, as they didn't have the equipment that was needed to investigate their dog's nose bleed for 4 days. So they made 8:00am appointment, drove 40 minutes for the appointment getting there on time. They had to pay $300.00 up front, making them not able to just walk out and leave. They had to waited 5 hours for the dog to even be seen. BEWARE OF THIS VET. Do not use unless you want to waste money and time. They will never use this vet for any future visits or emergencies. read more

This practice, from the doctor's to the front staff, is beyond superb!! My Shar-pei had two TPLO surgeries on both knees and due to her body rejecting the inplants, had both plates removed. As a pet parent, my primary concern was my dog's health and happiness. I felt truly at ease that my dog was being cared for round the clock by skilled staff. Dr. Stiffler performed all of the surgeries and I also had Dr. Wheeler for post-op visits. If your animal is your child, and you want only the best in every aspect of their care, this is the place to go. read more

I experienced the most heartbreaking event one could imagine when, out of the blue, my healthy, happy, 3 year old Malinois, Finn, was diagnosed by his primary vet with hemangiosarcoma on Sept. 8, 2020. He had just had his annual check up in August and was absolutely fine. By the end of the day, he was gone. This is a horrible, fast-growing aggressive cancer and the doctors kept reassuring me I couldn't have known until it was too late. Needless to say, I was beyond hysterical and inconsolable and I know I didn't make a lot of sense when I spoke to the doctors and vet techs. Because of COVID, I wasn't allowed into the clinic but they went above and beyond to let me see him and be with him. They postponed surgery until I could get back there and see him before he went into the operating room and when they called with the news that there was nothing they could do, they agreed to keep him sedated until I could get back there and allowed me to be with him in a closed exam room. I don't want to remember him that way, but these caring professionals did all they could to help me through this horror. I held him in my arms as he left me and I want to thank the doctors and all the staff for making that possible. I can offer no higher recommendation although I would hope and pray the interactions of others with this practice don't have the same outcome as mine. Bless you all, on behalf of me and my bff, Finn. read more

They are awesome in every way. We recently had the misfortune of our dog blowing out his right knee. We used them to get a TPLO surgery done. The list of why they were awesome goes on and on. First and foremost was the feeling of care and personnel experience each and every one of the staff gave us and our dog, Z. Dr. Wheeler spent 40 minute plus detailing out our surgical options, the pros and cons. We got a VERY fast surgery date (as we were moving we needed it). They have visiting hours if your furry friend needs to stay over. Sadly due to living 50 minutes away we couldn't but they told us to call as many times as we'd like overnight. The night folks were super nice and gave us VERY detailed updates. And taking a call the night we had him home ad he was hyperventilating in his e-collar. I'm happy to stay at just under 6 weeks out our biggest problem with Z is keeping him still. The leg is moving well. And just look around on line at all the charity work the place does. Great people, great surgery and an awesome vet. read more

I've had a fabulous experience with VVS for my dog's TPLO knee surgery. I have an 85-pound, 2-yo black lab who is a bundle of energy. I was informed that VVS would not be able to know for certain what exactly was torn in my dog's knee until they opened her up for surgery, and thus there were several possible courses of action that could be taken. Dr. Wheeler was incredibly professional and friendly from the start, taking time to explain to me in-detail the potential procedures and calling me before the surgery to get my go-ahead. I was allowed to come visit my dog at VVS during visiting hours the night after her surgery, and the vet techs were happy to let me stay up until the last minute to comfort my pup. Between scheduling appointments and prescriptions, I've probably had to interact with VVS a dozen times in the past month, and their front desk staff and technicians have always been very knowledgeable and able to answer all of my questions. My dog's recovery process, while cumbersome, has been going well, and I am thus far (three weeks out) very pleased with the results of the surgery. My family had a negative experience with a vet specialist in Richmond recently, and I have been more than pleased with how patient-focused and thoughtful VVS has been. read more

Virginia Veterinary Specialists is an amazing place! Dr. Anna Paling cared for our dog who was suffering with a heart condition. She was professional, compassionate and is very competent! Her staff was always responsive. Cannot say enough good things about this wonderful place and Dr. Paling! 10 Stars!! read more

We were very pleased with Virginia Veterinary Specialist. The office is very clean anytime you go in. The staff is always friendly, ready to help, and they are very organized. They have coffee and a variety of drinks free in the lobby while you wait. We were dealing a difficult situation and Dr. Ryan sat down with us to explain in detail and go over our many options. When we decided to go through with surgery, they were very thorough in checking everything and making sure surgery was safe for our kitty. They do require a deposit for any drop offs, but it is taken off the total price and I see no problem with this. We've never had to wait long when we go in a tech comes out almost immediately. During his surgery they kept us updated well, and Dr. Wheeler called immediately after surgery to fill us in on how it went. They have techs there around the clock, so your pet is never alone after surgery while recovering. They have a 24/7 phone number so that you can call and get directly to a tech that's back with your pet to get an update on his recovery anytime, even at night. When we picked him up they gave us in depth care instructions and answered all of our questions thoroughly. Anytime I call, with questions or concerns, they address them quickly and it really seems that they care. The prices are really not that high considering the experience and schooling these specialists have been through and for the quality care they give, it is worth the cost. The cost has always been less than we were quoted so that is a nice surprise. We've been very pleased with the care our pet as received here. read more

I was out of town in Virginia with my dog who was terminally ill last week. Her primary vet and emergency clinic were in New York. I called Virginia Veterinary Specialists early in the morning to see if we could get an echo-cardiogram for my dog since she began having difficulty breathing and I was concerned the sac around her heart was filling up with fluid as I had been warned that it might. I gave the receptionist all of the medical information pertaining to my dog's disease. I was concerned she was dying and that I may need to put her down. The person I spoke with gave me a quote of around $400 for the exam and test, and I asked if we could get it scheduled. She informed me the only person who could do the echo-cardiogram would be out of town for the remainder of the week but that she was in the office that day. I asked if we could get in that day for the exam. I was told that my vet in NY needed to be contacted so that they could decide whether or not it was urgent enough to have it done that day. I waited close to 2 hours without hearing back, and called back to ask if this had been approved. I was told that it was approved, but since my dog was not on the schedule they were going to charge me double the price (between $800 and $1,000). This was extremely appalling as this was during normal business hours, and there was time available that day for this exam. I was tormented that my dog may suffer a painful death if I didn't act appropriately, but I did not want to bring her somewhere that seemed like they were going to extort during my time of crisis. I felt like I was being taken advantage of financially in what was a critical moment affecting my dog's life. I declined help from this vet, and ended up driving hours and having my dog put down at another vet later that night as she was in fact suffering from pericardial effusion (the sac around her heart filling with blood). I will never recommend Virginia Veterinary Specialists to any family or friends in Virginia after my experience last week. read more

4 months, 2 states (while on vacation), 3 vets, and a 3 day stay at a specialty clinic in South Carolina and my dog was still throwing up and visibly in pain. I ended up at the emergency vet next door to VVS on a Monday(holiday) night with all his paperwork and test results. He stayed the night and was transferred to the Specialty clinic first thing (7am) Tuesday and was in surgery by 8:30 with a complete gastric obstruction and inflamed small bowel. 9 months later he is chasing his ball and eating everything that doesn't eat him first. Still on some medication and a special diet, but doing great. He stayed at the clinic for 4 days and was NEVER alone. Someone is there 24/7 and they answered every question we had when we called. He still goes for check ups every 2-3 months and I couldn't be happier with his care. Great staff too! Thanks to his vet, Dr. Jones, and his surgeon, Dr. Wheeler. read more