There are not enough wonderful things to say about  Dr. Carmichael and Dr. Ardolina.  I work for an AH but  the specialized & intricate  surgery that my rescue dog Captain Jack Sparrow needed could not be done by the DVM's where I work .  Dr. Carmichael was highly recommended by the DVM's and staff where I work .  They went above an beyond.  I was greeted by Jen (the pretty blonde) at the front desk early in the morning.  She was helpful kind and put EVERYONE coming in at ease. I know first hand how emotional owners can be. A tip of my hat to Jen. The vet assistants were wonderful and caring  at intake and discharge as well as the front desk.   The surgery was a success and I am very grateful.  Dr Carmichael is a God and Dr Ardolina isn't far behind. They performed nothing less then a miracle. Captain Jack Sparrow now can enjoy her food and is happier than ever, a far cry from a little abused pup with trauma injuries  pulled off the euthanasia list  Thank you a million times Read Less

I can honestly say that in the case of an emergency we will not be bringing our dog back to the VMCLI. The only reason we did in the first place was because our usual round the clock Vet was by chance out sick. My dog was disoriented, panting, just not herself, so much not herself that it scared us enough to want to bring her in. Thinking that she had gotten into something or eaten something in the backyard (ie:mushrooms, etc) that would make her sick. This was around 11-11:15 Saturday night, it was busy but not crazy busy. A handful of people ahead of us, nothing crazy. We were seen almost immediately by a vet tech who told us she'd get us a room to be seen, but that's where the attentiveness just all out stopped. A little after midnight we were brought into a room, our dog glanced over by two young girls and told they'd send the vet right in. Within five minutes of that one of the girls came back in and told us that they were backed up and it would be at least an hour before we'd be seen by a vet. We stupidly chose to wait, after the girl told us she'd come in and check on us in about half an hour and see if we wanted to proceed with seeing a vet, when asked about what it could be, if it her condition could be serious, she had no answers By then our dog had calmed down. A half hour came and went, nothing, an hour came and went, nothing, then one of the girls from the front walked in with another patient surprised to see us even sitting in the room, even going as far to say "oh, I didn't know we had a patient in here" guess we hadn't been seen because no one even knew we were there? By then my dog had calmed down enough that we decided to just leave (not that anyone noticed) and take her to our primary vet in the morning. I get that my dog wasn't a quote un-quote emergency case, but we were treated like hypochondriacs from start to finish, because all she was doing was panting and we couldn't show physical symptoms we were continuously brushed off and obviously forgotten about. Owners know their fur babies, we knew when we left our house, she wasn't okay. What did my dog have to do? Throw up blood? Have a seizure?, for our case to be taken seriously? First do no harm clearly didn't apply here, and there is no chance in hell I'll ever bring my dog back. Read Less

If zero stars was an option, that's what this place deserves. I'm writing this review in honor of my beloved dog who died while under the care of veterinarians at this facility. Bottom line, do not bring your animals here, even if it is an emergency. Go somewhere else, it will be worth it. ANYWHERE BUT HERE! On paper Dr. Barone sounds like a highly educated and knowledgeable veterinarian. However, as far as I'm concerned, I blame her for the untimely death of my dog, who was a patient of hers. He was under her care, monitored by her and seen by her 1 month before we had to bring him in for cluster seizures, which ultimately killed him after 5 days in this hospital. I had to suggest a medication for her to try with him (which is supposed to be one of the most effective ones), do my own research everyday while I was at work, suggest blood work and urine be tested, all while watching my dog deteriorate. But to top it off, we had to listen about how her mother had Alzheimer's and how she was preoccupied with that. I think anyone would agree that if she was unable to work due to having a sick family member, she should have taken time off to deal with it rather than working and not being mentally present to deal with people's sick animals. Read Less

I am beyond saddened by this place.  I found a baby bird with a broken leg (a sparrow I think).  I kept it over night in a cage and fed it wax worms and water.  The bird ate every time I offered it food and wandered around my dining room while signing and chirping.  He had bright eyes and his bathroom habits were normal.  When I was ready to bring him to this "hospital" he had climbed back into his cage and snuggled up in a blanket.  Before we left, I fed him again, and again he ate.  I brought him in as a wild bird but said the Star Foundation was going to rehab the bird or I would.  If it was unable to live in the wild, I would have kept it.  I called back three hours later.  At first they didn't even know what I was talking about, as if they didn't give him a second thought.  When the girl remembered she said "oh yeah, they had to euthanize him".  There is no charge for wildlife, however apparently there are no services offered either.Update:  they told me the bird had severe organ damage, which surprised me based on its behavior. It was singing, eating and flying.  The dx definitely did not fit the behavior.  I can't help but feel if it was a pet, it would have gotten treatment instead of discarded.  I guess ill never really know. Read Less

Today we had to make the heartbreaking decision to put our cat to sleep. The entire staff was so kind from the moment I walked in in tears to explain why we were there to when they gave us Shades' diagnosis to spending the last minutes of his life with him. As much as my heart aches right now, I knew I had to give them a 5 star review because of their thoughtfulness, understanding and sincere kindness. Thank you for all you did to make this hard day somewhat easier. Read Less

My 5 year old bullmastiff was emergently transferred to the veterinary medical center of Long Island. She was diagnosed with a bowel perforation and sepsis and was going into shock. All staff from docs to receptionists were extremely compassionate however they had to tell me the prognosis was poor, 50% chance of survival. Dr short, an intelligent caring young female surgeon quickly stabilized her for surgery and repaired the perforated bowel. After surgery she received an extremely high level of care from dr short and associates as well as a 24/7 intensivist.   I believe it is because of the care she received here that we were able to miraculously beat the odds. over the course of just one week she improved day by day and on day 8  I was able to take her home. currently she is at baseline and will go on to live a normal Life. I am So thankful to all the doctors and nurses at Vmcli and highly recommend this specialty group. Read Less

We brought our 10 1/2 year old Chihuahua here after him having a few seizures one morning and found out that he had a mass in his stomach and had to be put down. They were the most passionate caring staff they let all my boys come to say goodbye and also my other dog and put us in a private room and let us spend hours with him. Never bothering us it was so nice to have that time with him and for all of us to be in the room when he passed. Thank You and God Bless you all. Read Less

Staff is nice, management is horrible. This place is a factory, about as far away from your local caring country vet as you can find...After spending about 7500 dollars at this vet over a three week time frame...we needed to take our girl back for blood work to recheck her platelets....and they tried to funnel us through another department...Simple blood work and they want to milk as much as they can out of you. It could be that each practice is a separate profit center. Management is unpleasant to deal with, I felt she did not have any compassion for me, just company protocol and profit. I ended up just taking our girl to our local vet for blood work which I oh so wish they would have recommended in the first place. They put you through unneeded stress here.On another note we found the surgeon Dr Carver to be highly professional, helpful and nice.But another issue is a lack of communication between front of house and Drs...they rarely get forwarded the emails or messages you send them.Poor management. Read Less

If I could give this place no stars I would.  We made an appointment to see a doctor there for my dog with cancer.  I was confirmed and I took off a half a day from work to bring him.  When we got there we were told "oh the doctor was called to jury duty"  Number one how could you not know your going to jury duty?  Number two..I asked why didn't you call me to reschedule?  That's when I found out that the girl at the desk did something wrong when putting me in the computer and they lost my reservation.  So I was never called.  I lost a half day of pay and upset my dog by traveling all the way there for nothing.  I made another appointment for three days later and saw the doctor.  I thought for $160 that he would have all the information on my dog.  Only to find out that he doesn't read ultrasounds, never really looked at his xray and barely read the report.  Immediately started talking about chemo and radiation which I didn't want to do.  I wanted a second opinion.  It was a waste of money, time and added stress to us and my dog.  I asked if they can do a chest xray to see what that says...they said sure...$350.00!!!!  I got an xray at West Hills Animal Hospital for $150.  When I asked if they would waive the $160.00 for the mishap that happened since I lost time at work and money..they responded.."well you saw the doctor right, then you have to pay"  Pay for what...he said and did nothing.  We walked out and I would never go there again.  To add insult to injury, while I was paying the doctor wanted me to come back in so he could do a rectal exam on my dog.....there is no caring at this place at all...its a mess at the desk and in the back.  Stay clear of this place for sure.  What a sin, that these people take care of animals. Read Less

PIA my rescued Coton de Tulear senior rescue  suffered spinal injury from nasty fall. Dr. Ned Horowitz Veterinarian and owner of Massapequa Vet had me rush the the Hospitals Neurology Despartment where Dr. Gina Barone Neurosurgeon, dedicated Nurses and commtted staff saved her and quality of life. Read Less

Worst worst worst experience of my life. I took my 10month old GSD in for an emergency visit for a hotspot infection on his paw. I ONLY went here because my normal vet was closed and my boy was in a lot of pain. Wait time was long which is completely understandable as they are an emergency hospital, no problem with that. My main problem was that they took my dog in the back to trim the hair on his paws and he was gone for OVER AN HOUR. I kept asking what was taking so long and the receptionist kept brushing me off. Then I finally found out they gave him double pain meds than they told me they would just to calm him down and I can imagine that they had kept him in the cage until he was calm!!! Excuse me??? I was furious. My shepherd is for protection so when he's not around me, he's VERY anxious. I explained this before they took him as I wanted to stay with him while they calmed him down. That didn't happen and he was gone for what seemed like forever. (Actually 1.5 hours)! Just to trim hair!!!My second problem was the vet techs. They actually seem to have zero knowledge. First, the vet tech was trying to listen to Max's heart. And he was just sitting and she was so nervous so I asked her what was wrong and she replied "I just get so nervous around them" what????? You're a vet tech, how are you nervous around dogs??Second, when they came to give me Max's medicine, she didn't know any of the answers to my questions. I asked the side effects and what would happen if he accidentally licked the powder on his hot spot and she replied "oh I don't know". Which just tells me a lot about a professional. Wouldn't you think to do your job before coming out? Never in a million years would I ever go back here and I HIGHLY suggest going somewhere else for your pet. Read Less

I can only say good things about this facility and everyone who works there. They were able to diagnose my dog with a rare condition and she is responding very well to her treatment -- something that will be lifelong. Yes, it is expensive and yes, things take time but I am so appreciative of the expertise and kindness of Dr. Hillock and how much everyone there genuinely cares about every animal. Read Less

My 6 month old kitten was acting very ill. I brought him to my primary vet who took x-rays and said that it looked like something was in his intestines (which ended up being a nerf dart) and we needed to get emergency surgery right away. They referred me to VMCLI and we took my kitten there right away for surgery.  I was a little bit nervous because as I was waiting for my kitten to come out of surgery I was reading reviews on Google that weren't so great. That is why I felt inclined to write this review. My kittens major surgery was a success and after one week, he is back to him old self. We had great interaction with the staff and doctors and everything turned out great. It was expensive but so worth it! Thank you VMCLI for saving my cats life! Read Less

Brought my cat for a non emergency cut on his back, turns out the doctor could not see him because she claimed he was biting, I offered to help by holding him but the technician brought him to the back of the room where I don't really know if my cat was seen by the doctor. The doctor came and told me she won't be able to see him unless he is sedated. I decided to bring my cat back home and she recommended me some medication. None of the staff seem caring, all were chatting and paying no attention to the customers. I had to wait more than 30 minutes to get his meds, when I asked how long it will take the receptionist said she didn't know. Very frustrating visit. Definitely I should have waited to bring him to his regular vet. Read Less

Their surgeons and their care are really great. I drive almost an hour to get there, because I have that much faith and trust in their doctors, and the quality of care. They do wonderful work, and I've always had confidence in them. Have been there many times. The one thing I have found tough is the wait on off hours in Emergency. It can be pretty long- stressful when your fur baby is sick. Don't wait until the situation is dire if you know something is wrong. Go at the first sign of trouble. Read Less

Do not go to this veterinary medical center believing your pet will be receiving the very best of care and attention.  Most of the veterinarians on ER call appear right out of veterinary school.  The primary respiratory specialist Dr. Sean Hillock couldn't find the time to see my dog who was admitted to the emergency room with breathing difficulties.  This in itself is a violation of the PMVE.  Instead of doing his job, Dr. Sean Hillock  pawned off his responsibilities to the ER vet on call, who doesn't have the same expertise to treat animals with respiratory disorders.  I wasn't informed until late in the day that Dr. Sean Hillock would not be personally treating my dog, long after my dog had already admitted into the hospital earlier in the day.  The ER vet told me that my dog would be in the hospital four days, but they discharged him only after 3 days stay.  He relapsed 48 hrs after his being discharged and was readmitted to VMCLI.  He died while under VMCLI's care.  All I got from VMCLI was heartache and a large medical bill. Read Less

I highly recommend VMCLI. My husband and I took our 8 year old Boxer ,who looked like she had a stroke. We went there Sunday 11:00pm. They were wonderful from the minute I walked in. We needed help getting my dog in as she was a heavy dog. They came out immediately and put her on a stretcher and wheeled her in. They made us wait till they looked her over. The emergency doctor that night had discussed what she may have thought it was. She highly recommended to see Dr. Barone, the neurologist there in the morning. We were so upset our baby was sick, we went to see her before we went back home. They had her in a cage with warm blankets and a pillow for her head. My baby was very sick. We left and came back the next morning to see dr. Barone. She suggested MRI and even though it was expensive we needed to give my baby a fighting chance. Dr Barone was very realistic and compassionate in all the details to know.  We left again and received a call about 4 hours  from Dr. Barone herself and it was not good news. She was patient on the phone and told us she would do anything we wanted for our baby. Her professional opinion was hard to hear but compassionate at the same time. Unfortunately our baby had a massive brain tumor and it was hard to say goodbye. Dr Barone showed us and explain the images from the MRI. We saw exactly was was going on with our babys brain. All I can say is that it is never easy to say good by, but the staff and Dr. Barone made it smoother to see our baby one last time.  I have never been to a hospital with so much tenderness. If I decide to get another pet and have emergencies that is where I will go. Read Less

Our third time here.    Each time we've been impressed with the care and very happy with the service.   Expect a wait for an emergency unscheduled visit, unless it's a serious problem, but what can you expect when others have appointments.  Thanks to dr Kim for the latest visit.  Good, caring place, highly recommended Read Less

The worst.  We sat in the waiting room for over an hour with our senior dog. People coming in after us  and going right in.   Tech comes out only because I complained to pacify us and told us he was okay to wait.  They even brought a stray that someone found in while we were sitting there waiting. Guess if he wasnt bleeding out or half dead, he wasnt worth it. Furthermore, there was no communication from the staff to let us know that there would be a long wait. No one would have even come out to check the dog if I hadn't complained. By the way, the only reason i gave the 1 star rating was because you cannot post a review without a star.  You don't even deserve that.  Just shameful. Will be letting my regular vet and as many people I possibly can know about how shoddily this place is run. Read Less

I can't believe all the negative comments I am seeing so I'm gonna say this , THANK YOU VMCLI! Honestly you guys have been truly amazing , Dr Carver you are fantastic and to all the staff and surgical team for caring for my baby . My fur baby hope was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and the quick action of the VMCLI and the care they showed was truly amazing . I am so happy we had the chance to be touched and cared for by such a warm and accommodating staff. I'm sorry for all these people who have taken out their heartaches and loses In blame on your facility ..... you are a facility that truly dose all you can to care for these loved fur babies. As for price I feel i saved money going to VMCLI. They were fantastic and only trust this facility now with the care of my baby . Thank you all, Hope and I are forever great full Read Less

Unfortunately I have had two medical emergencies that required a trip to VMCLI in the middle of the night. Fortunately this place is amazing. The front desk, the techs and the docs are all wonderful. They are pleasant, keep you informed and don't push procedures that are not necessary. Last night I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Danielle Hein. She was sweet ,reassuring and spent time to answer all my questions.  And frankly I would have paid more at my Vet than I did for an emergency visit. Thank you. Bella was In excellent hands!! Read Less

If you're here, you are likely not dealing with a good situation. We had been here a couple years ago when our dog developed urine crystals and was sick, they were fair and compassionate then and we luckily made it out with our dog on the mend. We weren't so lucky yesterday. Our beloved dog passed away yesterday en route to VMCLI. Instead of turning us away or making us feel guilty for not getting there on time, they asked if we agreed to life saving efforts and they took our dog in the back to confirm his death/possibly resuscitate him. This time wasn't a happy ending for us. However, each member of the staff was kind, gentle, compassionate with us and our sweet dog. I'll never forget their kindness. They have a bereavement room where you can say good bye that is unlike the sterile, cold examination room I had always envisioned (I've never lost a dog in these circumstances before). It was such a gentle way to say good bye and so much better than seeing our dog in his state in the back of our car. They also asked our wishes with his burial/cremation and asked if they could create a paw print impression for us to take home. All of these small things make a difficult situation easier. They can't bring him back, but their presence in our lives yesterday was still valuable and I can't thank them enough. While I am devastated and still crying every hour, I am still thankful that going here in the future or passing by it won't be a painful experience. Read Less

1 star for the policy. I filled out the precheck in form online which required my date of birth which I did not fill it in. Checking in I was told they needed a copy of my license and when i asked why I was told it is policy. If this is a cash/debit transaction there is no need for that information. A human medical doctor office I can understand because you need to verify insurance information, etc. The staff was courteous when I questioned the policy and at no time did anyone cop an attitude. Read Less

I loved this place until the tech Kristin Elane decided to insult me over nothing, telling me I’m stupid (and more) for bringing in my dog when I thought she had an issue, but it was minor. I’d rather be safe than sorry. I waited patiently and never complained. I was nothing but nice too. Whatever. No business from me or my family anymore. At least not until she’s gone. Geez Read Less

VMCLIThis veterinary center saved my dog, Jemima's life!!Immeadiately after a benign exploratory procedure, at a local veterinarian , my 2 year old Tibetan Terrior became seriously ill. The primary vet could not help her and referred her to VMCLI. The doctor on staff Bryan Greenberg, was quick to identify her problem. He was honest and compassionate.giving Jemima a 50 percent chance of survival. He and his staff did everything possible to promote her life. The Critical Care and communication with specialists was bar none. I cannot say enough regarding The quality of care and attention she received. She is now back home with her family and back on track with her life.Thank you for reading this.Bonnie Garelick, Roslyn. New York Read Less

While we sadly had to say goodbye to our 2 year old labradoodle, Denali, earlier this week, we had to share this post to commend EVERYONE at VMCLI and how they helped and treated us throughout our pup's care.  Sadly he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and had his leg amputated last July by Dr. Short.  She was wonderful and compassionate in breaking the news and expediting his testing, as well as getting him in for the surgery, all within a week.  From there we went under the care of Dr. Brodsky and his wonderful nurses and assistants.  He was always open and honest in his recommendations for our pup.  As Denali's prognosis worsened, not only were they compassionate towards us, but all the staff that knew Denali truly seemed upset by his prognosis.  Over our final weekend with our pup, we had to seek the help of the emergency care team and met Dr. Yaz.  He, too, was caring, compassionate, and honest with us and took excellent care of our dog.  We always knew the odds were against our dog, due to his diagnosis, but everyone at VMCLI gave him a wonderful and fun filled 8 more months with us that we will be eternally grateful for.  On our final visit, this past week, a wonderful gentleman at the front desk immediately recognized that we were in a rough place when we entered and he immediately brought us a box of tissues.  A short while later, he quietly escorted us into a private room for us to be with Denali while we waited to see Dr. Brodsky.  When we decided that it was time to let our pup go and no longer suffer, many of the nurses, as well as Dr. Yaz, came by to see, and kiss, Denali one last time.  It was obvious that he was not just a dog to them and that they were truly saddened by his change in health.  Even Dr. Brodsky sweetly sat on the floor with us during our final moments with our dog.  While we are heartbroken over our loss, we cannot say enough kind words about Drs. Brodsky, Yaz, Short, the nurses, and the rest of the staff at VMCLI.  You all helped give Denali an extra 8 months of fun and life that he otherwise would not have had and you helped make a very difficult day a little easier on me and my family. Read Less

We had to say goodbye to our dearest Grady-a 14yr old Cockapoo and took him to VMC without knowing them prior, our regular vet was closed.  Well, they were absolutely amazing, so very kind and gentle with us.  We came in, all 5 of us carrying our dearest dog whose time had come.  They were exceptional in every way.  The doctor-Capobianco- was so compassionate and reassuring.  I can't thank them enough but I thought the least I could do was give them an outstanding review. Read Less

I brought my furry baby red tabby cat there a few days ago, which my Vet recommended. Scamper had some strange blood disorder she developed. Unfortunately we had to put her down. The Veterinarian, Dr. Amanda was informative, compassionate and supportive. It was a very upsetting time but the Dr and staff were very kind to my kitty cat and to us. Thank you for being so compassionate. Read Less

Just brought my dog in after finding him eating some ant traps. Staff was very friendly, took him to the back right away. The doctor determined that the trap would not be toxic to my dog. Tech brought him back to me and explained the good news. I wasn't even charged for the doctor's time. Read Less

We've used the same vet for 34 years and trusted them when they referred us to Dr Brodsky. We've since come to realize what we've been missing in that 34 years - outstanding service, heartwarming staff, and genuine comfort from everyone that tried to save our beloved Kiwi. Everyone we came in contact with, including when we needed emergency service, was so helpful and compassionate that we couldn't have ask for better vets. Unfortunately we found them too late for her diagnoses and we lost our precious kitty but after only 4 visits they sent a lovely card and left a very nice message on our machine sending their condolences. Top notch professionals from day 1, we would highly recommend anyone to them and know they would get the best help available. Read Less

I would give them zero stars if i could. They killed my English Bulldog this past weekend. They knew he was getting stressed and breathing heavy and should have sent him home with me. No they kept pushing and prodding, and testing this and that. Finally he contracted pneumonia, and between the breeds heavy breathing, and the now fluid in his lungs he could not take much more. I should have just brought him to my regular Vet as his issue of distention (food bloat) wasn't that serious. Well we put him to sleep last night and I cannot believe the chain of events. Let's not even discuss the final bill of $3600. My Vet looked over all the tests and treatments, and agreed that things were done improperly. I am going to sue this facility for a good amount of money as well as the individual DVM's that saw him. There is currently a large lawsuit going to trial this June in Supreme Court against these criminals. I am disgusted the way they snowballed his issues into euthanasia. Trust me, they will pay for this they are thoughtless pieces of s___! Read Less

If I could give this place no stars I would. My fiance and I brought our dog there due to distended abdomen and lethargic behavior. He did not eat dinner and kept extending his neck. That afternoon we had taken him out and he was given many treats, some of them he had never tried before. When we walked in we expressed our concerns and our pup was taken back by one of the techs. After about 10 mins we were called back to speak with the vet, Lindsey. After examination and an ultrasound the Lindsey said our pup had a condition called GDV, which is only cured by surgery ($7,000 to 9,000). She wanted to perform an X-ray, but in order to do so she needed to sedate him because he was in extreme discomfort. We asked what other options we had and she responded that we could go to another facility or she suggests we "put him down, otherwise he will die a very painful death." Now my Fiance and I are in shear panic and disbelief. We continued to express that our dog had eaten an abnormal amount during the day. The Vet said "He would've had to have eaten a bag of dog food to have food bloat and there was no food seen in his stomach during the ultrasound.'" While this conversation continued, one of the techs stops in and says "I just wanted to let you know he threw up a very large amount of food." So this DEATH SENTENCE was turned around immediately due to this Vets lack of investigation into my dogs history and a faulty ultrasound reading. I can not imagine what would have happened to my pup if I said to sedate him and take an x-ray or even worse, decided to take her advice and put my dog down FOR NO REASON AT ALL! My perfectly healthy dog who happened to eat too many treats. I will NEVER return to this facility again. This visit caused my family unnecessary distress and almost the loss of our beloved pup who had food bloat. These reviews really do speak for themselves. Take the advice and go elsewhere. Read Less

If I could give this place no stars I would.  My fiance and I brought our dog there due to distended abdomen and lethargic behavior.  He did not eat dinner and kept extending his neck.  That afternoon we had taken him out and he was given many treats, some of them he had never tried before.  When we walked in we expressed our concerns and our pup was taken back by one of the techs.  After about 10 mins we were called back to speak with the vet, Lindsey.  After examination and an ultrasound the Lindsey said our pup had a condition called GDV, which is only cured by surgery ($7,000 to 9,000).  She wanted to perform an X-ray, but in order to do so she needed to sedate him because he was in extreme discomfort.  We asked what other options we had and she responded that we could go to another facility or she suggests we "put him down, otherwise he will die a very painful death." Now my Fiance and I are in shear panic and disbelief.  We continued to express that our dog had eaten an abnormal amount during the day.  The Vet said "He would've had to have eaten a bag of dog food to have food bloat and there was no food seen in his stomach during the ultrasound.'"  While this conversation continued, one of the techs stops in and says "I just wanted to let you know he threw up a very large amount of food."  So this DEATH SENTENCE was turned around immediately due to this Vets lack of investigation into my dogs history and a faulty ultrasound reading.  I can not imagine what would have happened to my pup if I said to sedate him and take an x-ray or even worse, decided to take her advice and put my dog down FOR NO REASON AT ALL!  My perfectly healthy dog who happened to eat too many treats.  I will NEVER return to this facility again.  This visit caused my family unnecessary distress and almost the loss of our beloved pup who had food bloat.  These reviews really do speak for themselves.  Take the advice and go elsewhere. Read Less

I will never forget the compassion, kindness, professionalism, and great medical care my puppy received at this hospital.  Two days after I adopted him, he was diagnosed with a severe case of pneumonia.  We were referred to this hospital by my regular vet after another emergency hospital recommended I euthanize him.  When we arrived, I was devastated, but when two staff members raced up front to take my puppy and immediately get him on oxygen, I became more hopeful.  Afterward, I met with Dr. Dring who was optimistic that my puppy could recover, though the treatment could be lengthy.  Dr. Fondacaro treated my puppy for the next few months and he was able to make a full recovery.  It wasn't cheap, but good, life saving medical care never is.  You can't put a price on life.  Thanks again to the Dr's and staff at VMCLI, you truly are the best of the best.  FYI: Snoopy is thriving and loving life! Read Less

Our dog was diagnosed w/insulinoma in late Feb after being in an emergency room in another hospital. She was maintaining on her regimen, but we needed an internist  and was referred to Dr. Hillock (March 29th). I had been managing her meds and feedings for 5 wks.  She was a bit weak, but hanging in there. No seizures, walking on her own, no in home accidents...just a little weak in her hind legs (she was a 10 1/2 yr old Lab)  On 3/29 we saw Dr. Hillock, he examined her, and was concerned about hazy x rays of her lungs and wanted to do new ones.  Which he did. In retrospect, he should've called her vet that she'd been seeing for 10 yrs, and he would have told him they were the same as 2 yrs prior.  Dr. Hillocks instructions:  "keep doing what you're doing,lower her meds (prednisone) and bring her feedings down to 3 meals a day, and come back in 2 wks" (somewhat similar to "take 2 aspirins and call me in the morning"). The following day, our dog was trembling, weak and we took her to her regular vet.  He called Dr. Hillock, left an "important" message with the receptionist, and we waited almost TWO HOURS for him to call back. When he did call, he was matter of fact, didn't ask the symptoms, if she'd eaten, did we up the meds...nothing other than..."well, this is the disease". Then why did you prescribe more meds, take x rays and charge me $600.00 the day before.  Was it to teach the interns/residents that accompanied you in the room how to make money? Because, it certainly wasn't teaching them to be a doctor. Fairly, this disease does not have a "forever" cure.  But! It certainly doesn't have a 24 hours death sentence.  I would NEVER go back. Read Less

To be clear, many of the negative reviews about VMCLI are simply because the owners are being unreasonable. The unfortunate part about animals is that they cannot tell you exactly what is wrong but that does not mean everyone at VMCLI does not go above and beyond. We brought my Great Dane here on two serious occasions. Once for bloat when he was 3, another for infections in his joints at almost 7. On both occasions not only did my pet receive incredible care but every single employee could not have been anymore accommodating or compassionate toward our family. This place deserves more than 5 stars for saving my dogs life, it is because of them that he is still here today Read Less

Had an emergency situation where my pet had a stick lodged in her throat. First time at this vet. They took her right away and were able to remove the stick quickly. Very happy with this place compared to my other vet. Will definitely be coming back for my pets yearly checkups. Place is extremely clean to. Staff is very kind and polite. Read Less

VETINERY EMERGENCY IN WEST ISLIPI would not recommend this hospital at all. It is simply a money grabbing establishment with no compassion for your pet. My dog had just spent 3 days at a pet hospital under observation as well as intravenous treatment for dehydration.  She could not eat nor hold anything down as well as being very weak. The original Vet was honest enough to let us know they didn't know what the problem was. They suggested we see an internist named Dr. Hallock . We promptly made an appointment. Dr. Hallock briefly glanced at the papers we bought from the other Vet. Never looked at the two disks with the X-rays on it but immediately decided she needed an endoscopy to the tune of $3,500.00.  Never examined her at all. I asked if there is anything else they could test her with before we went to the endoscopy. They of course said no.Had they done an exam and showed some interest or compassion I would have had it done. PS. My bill for this suggestion was $200.00.I then went to the Twin Bros. Vet in Bay Shore mainly because they had the facility to do the endoscopy if needed. He took the papers from the 1st vet and he actually read them. He gave the dog a thorough exam. The blood tests results were included. He noticed an unusual spike in her white blood cells which implied some sort of an infection was brewing. Gave her antibiotic, nausea medicine, more intravenous fluids and an ant-acid. PS. This bill was only $190.00. Did not recommend an endoscopy right now.Maybe a sonogram next week if no improvement.One week later my dog is eating everything in sight and holding it all down. Is as perky as can be and running all around with my other dog. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU....TWIN DR. VET Read Less

We brought our dog to VMCLI because he could not breathe. They brought him in right away to give him oxygen. We were told he would get a chest x-ray to assess his condition. They were very quick to collect $600 before any services were rendered and we were then left to wait for six hours without any other care being rendered to my pet. When I asked the front desk staff they were rude and dismissive. I inquired if he had his x-ray (after 5 hours) and was told "Nope". My dog then went into cardiac arrest and could not be saved. It was only after this, that the staff became concerned and compassionate, when it was already too late. The following Monday I called Erin, the "customer service manager" (had to call twice since she did not return my first call) to voice my concerns. She said that she would email the attending staff and get back to me. She never did and I had to call her twice the following week. I trusted this facility to care for my pet and not let him languish alone in a cage for six hours. I will never step foot in this facility or recommend them to anyone. Read Less

This was honestly the most helpful and best visit I have experienced bringing my dog anywhere. For a 23 year old who has no experience with being a full time pet owner due to my father always helping, they guided me in the right directions and were so pleasant. Dr Hut and Aaron Thomas were extremely understanding and helpful and is taking amazing care of my little Coby! Couldn’t have asked for a better place to bring him to! Read Less

Honestly totally shocked by the negative reviews. Reading through all of the reviews it's like everyone is talking about two totally different places. We, like the other 5-star reviewers, had an experience there for which we're very grateful. Our dog had been suffering with epilepsy, and it turns out, despite being a patient at a top rated vet practice in our town, was not being treated properly. The vets he saw were nice, but didn't understand current approaches in epilepsy care. The neurologist here and her assistant worked tirelessly with our ginormous, aggressive dog to try to save his life. He was too big for a crate there, so they set up a mattress and blankets in the shower stall for him. Even after he was discharged, they called multiple times a day to discuss how he was doing. And when he took a serious turn for the worse, which we knew was a possibility given his serious condition, they dedicated significant time to talking us through our options over the phone and providing incredible personal support. It was crystal clear that they cared about our beloved dog, as well as our family. I've had dogs for decades and seen many vets across Long Island, and have never experienced this level of care for our pet or for us as a family before. We will always be grateful for their attention, dedication and care. Read Less

Adopted a rescue puppy a yellow lab, he is 5 months old.  I picked him up from the foster he had been with at 12:30 today and all seemed well.  He was a little nervous and rightfully so but curious and eating and drinking.  Around 9:00pm I noticed he was scratching inside both ears and whimpering and rubbing his head along my floors and clear mucus from his nose.  He is having sneezing fits too.  He seemed very agitated and in some pain.  Being that it was only 9pm I figured I'd go to the 24 hour veterinary hospital since it was early in the evening and he seemed to be uncomfortable enough that I was concerned waiting too long would just make it worse.I got to vmcli at 10:20pm and was brought in the exam room at 10:38.  I know the exact time because I was texting with my husband about what was happening.  I told him when I got there and when we were brought back.  A vet tech looked in my dogs ears and took his temp and said the dr will be in soon.  At 11:45, yes over an hour later when no one had ever come in, I poked my head out to ask if it would be much longer and was told there was a "dog brought in dead" and that they had to tend to that situation but she'd call the dr.  Ok I understand that's an upsetting thing to deal with and deserves its time but why did they call me into the exam room then?  The waiting room has a tv and cushioned chairs.  So another person comes in 30 seconds later and says the dr stated it's going to be a few more minutes a stat patient came in.  So I waited another 1/2 hour.  At 12:18 I left without my dog being seen.  He had fallen asleep and was no longer crying.  The person at the front desk said "well it's an emergency room". Yes I'm aware I wouldn't have come here unless I felt my dog seemed significantly uncomfortable.  But what I can't understand is why did someone let me sit in an exam room for over an hour and not communicate with me or offer for me to go back to the waiting room where I'm not sitting on rock hard chairs and honestly I wouldn't go back here if my dog was having a life threatening emergency because if there was already a life threatening emergency happening at the same time they clearly can't handle more than 1 at once.  People always complain that people wait too long to get their sick pets help and don't go till they are so sick and here I am trying to be proactive and feel like I was shamed for showing up with my dogs petty issue.  Just communicate with people, don't leave them in a room for almost 2 hours, be honest and move them to the waiting room with the cushioned chairs and tv and coffee.  No one was in the waiting room upon me leaving I could have hung out there instead.  My pup is asleep and will go to a regular vet in the morning. Read Less

We had been to VMCLI a couple of times last year and went there to have my Buddy boy put down Saturday. The vet and staff at VMCLI were not only compassionate, but they were superb at the time we were there. A vet examined Buddy; while Buddy did lose more weight, the vet explained that Buddy also had conditions internally that we were all unaware of. I commend VMCLI for giving us relief in this very difficult decision and for us to have as much time as possible with our baby. Buddy had been with us for 15 and a half years, and VCMLI helped us to be okay with putting him down as he was likely to be worse internally than what is realized.After Buddy had passed, VCMLI were extremely nice enough to put his body in a box for my family to give him a proper burial, snip off some hair, and make a paw print on clay. We will continue to use VCMLI when we get a new fur baby! Read Less

PET OWNERS: DO NOT EVER TAKE YOUR PET TO VMCLI ON SUNRISE HIGHWAY IN WEST ISLIP. We took our 3 month old bunny there on Sunday. They told us something was wrong with our digestive tract and they had to keep him. They kept him for 5 days giving us multiple different theories as to what was wrong. They led us to believe if we moved him from the hospital he would die. We finally got him back on Thursday and he looked sicker than he did when we dropped him off. We immediately took him to another vet and he has pneumonia, coccidia, skin burns because they let him just sit in his own urine and diahrea, those burns are also infected and he has two other infections. So not only did they not treat any of these things they sent him home with us leading us to believe he was ok. I would give negative stars if I could but it won't allow me too! Read Less

I took my golden doodle for an emergency visit and was not pleased with the level of care from the doctor nor the front desk staff. The doctor was somewhat condescending and the front desk was not professional. I hope to not have to visit er again however not sure I would return. Read Less

Not too pleased with the level of care for my cat at this West Islip animal hospital that's open 24 hours.  Had to rush my cat in tonight because he was dangerously impacted.  I met with Dr. Furusawa who was pretty vague when asked questions about my cat's condition but she seems to have made him feel better so that's what counts the most.  The staff at the reception were very nice to us and we were helped immediately.  What I wasn't happy with was the fact they put my cat in an awful looking (and reeked of dog poop) kennel with other dogs and people all around which caused my cat a great deal of stress to the point he had to be sedated!  It took forever to get a fee estimate for them to even do any procedure on him and the cost was shockingly expensive, well over $1,000.00!!  When it was finally time to take him home, it took over a half an hour just to get his discharge papers.  After being in pain, then going through this terrifying ordeal for 5 hours, I just wanted to bring my cat home for him to recover comfortably, not wait and wait and wait for discharge papers.  Look, they took care of my big orange buddy and that's what matters the most but, they need to snap it up with the paperwork and go a little easier on the wallet.  Hopefully I won't have to come back here. Read Less

My puppy woke up and was acting erratic. Upon observing him his eye was swollen his mouth was swollen and his entire belly was full of raised puffy hives. I wasn't too nervous, I decided to wait it out for a few hours to see if it would subside but it got worse. I called the nearest vet and they were booked and recommended VMCLI. When I reached, I signed all of the necessary papers and sat down for all of maybe 5 minutes before I was taken to the back with my dog. Amazingly fast service! The vet came in after examining my dog, described the treatment plan and talked casually about his medical history. As a health care professional myself, I am very attentive to the way I am treated in health care settings. I never felt rushed while discussing treatment, in fact she bestowed a wealth of information to me in the short time we talked. Best of all, I got the bill and was pleasantly surprised. I know for veterinary care, especially emergency care, nothing comes cheap. However, this was not an astronomical bill, granted he only had a shot of Benadryl to help his allergic reaction.While I wouldn't want to visit again because I hope my pup stays healthy, I would absolutely recommend this location to anyone with a pet who needs emergency care. Read Less

I have to say I was reluctant because of the negative reviews which I read about this place and I always read reviews for everything and I don't usually write reviews. My dog had rectal bleeding for a few days and I was advised to take him to VMC..He was lucky enough to be seen only after after 20 minutes by Dr. Aryazand and I can truthfully say I had a great experience. He was very knowledgeable and took all the time and care needed for my dog. I got a phone call the next day at home by the same doctor with his BW results and was asked how he was doing.. On the downside I can understand why people get very upset when they walk into an emergency place with their hurt/sick pet and they're faced with money issues..My dog still needs things done and I know how expensive it is...the place is pricey as my bill was high but, I also understand that everything my dog had done needed to be done and it was discussed and I was asked first. I was able to see my bill before I agreed to anything. So, I was ok with that.. Also, the place was clean but there was hair EVERYWHERE..My sister and I had hair all over us from the chairs in the waiting room and exam rooms.. and, there were bulks of it on the floors.. All in all, I had a good experience and loved the doctor.. Read Less

Everyone at VMCLI are amazing. I can't thank these people enough!! They saved my dogs life and I am forever grateful for the love and care they have not only given my dog but me as well! They are the best!! Read Less

We brought our six-year-old Labrador retriever to Dr. Hillock on the advice of our local veterinarian. Our dog was diagnosed with Lyme disease and lupus, so we wanted advice on a complex and possibly fatal illness. Tests were done on Monday, and I called on Tuesday to find if there were any results. No response. I called on Wednesday to see if any test results had come back. Again, no response. This is Thursday, and I called again, to see if my dog was dying or had a chance to survive. No response from the veterinarian. Not even A quick call to say " I'll have the results and how is the dog?" Nothing. What kind of veterinarian does this? We paid up front, and I'm wondering if that wasn't the most important thing to them. Meanwhile, my dog has trouble even getting on her feet and I don't know what the future will be. Read Less

My cat, Linus, had a large lump in his lower stomach/groin area. VMCLI was the third facility I brought him to because both the previous ones recommended them as more knowledgeable. I knew the procedure would be pricey, but I had been paying insurance for him since he was 7 months old (he was 11-1/2 at the time of the operation) so I had most of the money to pay for the procedure.The doctors at VMCLI understood my concern and were patient with my many phone calls, the procedure went well, and Linus was in the hospital for only a couple of days. Dr. Puccio and Dr. Jay made sure he was well enough to come home and made it a point to get back to me when I called with concerns about pain medication and convalescent care.The frontline staff were also great, as were the vet techs who checked out Linus' post-op wound. Sometimes it can get a little crazy in the waiting room, especially when an owner is distraught about their pet, but I have to say the receptionists I saw managed to handle the tension and stress without getting angry or nasty. I highly recommend VMCLI, and thank all the doctors and staff involved with making sure Linus got the best treatment possible. Read Less

My cat was leaking fluids and after meeting with Dr. W. (she was great) she advised me to have my tabby receive several tests. It was later found out that she had an infected uterus and needed an emergency spay. Their charge for the procedure was $6000.00! I had the money to cover such a bill but gasped at the fee. I was lucky to find a vet to perform the surgery at the last minute for 1/4 the cost of VMCLI. Dr. W. did a fine job but I was still saddled with a $344.00 bill for the visit and tests. When they found out the cause of her issue they did refund me and halted the other tests so that was good. However, $6000.00 for an emergency spay seems to me a bit extravagant! Read Less

I brought my Maltese here after she suffered a very bad dog attack. Huge chunks of her skin were ripped off, and I based off of how she looked, I didn't think she was going to make it. Veterinary center of Long Island took her in right away. Addy's wounds were so severe that they prepared me for the worst, and thought she might need multiple surgeries. Her surgeon Dr. Jay did an absolutely amazing job and definitely saved Addy's life. Addy was in their care for about a week. I visited her twice a day, and every single time I saw Addy she had fresh bandages, and well hydrated. I could tell they took very good care of her. All the women at the front desk were so friendly and helpful. They were so accommodating every time I came to visit, and never acted like it was a nuisance. Dr Jay is definitely skilled bc Addy wound up only needing the one initial surgery and is healing perfectly! Yes the prices are steep, but I expected that. I'm sure it's expensive having staff 24 hours, 7 days a week! They have to make up for the cost somehow? A lot of people complain about it, but I'm happy to pay the premium as this attack happened late at night. Thank you for helping my little girl! Read Less

If you have an exotic pet this is the place to go. Dr. Mehlrose and his assistant Erika are the best of the best. Dr. Mehlrose is very compassionate and professional in his job. I have been bringing my Chinchillas to him and Erika ever since my own veterinarian recommended them. Even when one of my Chinchillas had to stay overnight the staff was very nice and accommodating at all hours of the night. I thank God for having such a well trained and knowledgeable doctor for my exotic pets. Dr. Mehlrose and Erika are a wonderful team and I would not trust anyone else with my pets. If you need anything for an exotic pet from surgery to just a check up, he's you guy. Read Less

We came because our 4.5 pound poodle was lethargic upon waking up. The staff was amazing with us and our tiny puppy, Dr Tang was great, we would have mortgaged the house to take care of the puppy. Dr Tang was wonderful and directed us to a couple of shots to rehydrate the puppy. Thou we like the place must say we hope not to be back any time soon. Read Less

Does any animal in need of help deserve a response such as "let nature take its course." ? That is the response I was given in response to a baby squirrel in need of help this evening.  After bringing this animal to the hospital and being told it was "okay to return this baby back to its home as it was displaying natural survival behaviors" I did as instructed.  After an hour and of following instructions from these "medical professionals" and bringing the baby squirrel back to the tree where it fell from, it was laying on its side taking few shallow breaths.  I called the animal hospital back and received this exact response "let nature take its course if it is still on the ground in the morning call our office back".  This is when I took matters into my own hands and found a rescuer who took the animal in and appropriately cared for it.  As a medical professional IT IS UNETHICAL no matter what the circumstance is to respond to anyone in need of help with "let nature take its course" and for that I am writing this review.  No matter what the circumstance is or what animal is in need there are ethical values that health care workers should take into consideration and none of them were exhibited today in this situation.  I do understand that nature does need to take its course in certain situations HOWEVER when anyone is looking for help it is our duty as "professionals" to exhaust any option to help any person or animal in need.  I am unhappy to say the least and could only hope this review will help to educate these employees of basic human ethics and morals as well as educating the staff on how much a little could go a long way.  It was never brought to my attention to seek help from volunteer rescuers or how to help this baby squirrel survive the night.  Instructions such as to leave it on the ground by the tree overnight.  Hopefully this review of my experience will enlighten the staff of this facility on the basics as health care professionals that no animal or person seeking help for such animal  is to be so easily dismissed. Read Less

I couldn't possibly believe that this amazing place is only rated 2.9 stars. We turned to VMCLI when no one else could tell us what was wrong with our dog. The experts here were not only able to diagnose him, but took time to answer questions, return calls at all hours and knew our dog if we had to bring him in for quick care. His life was prolonged because of the amazing staff and doctors here and we could not be more thankful for what they were able to give us. Read Less

HORRIBLE ! HORRIBLE ! HORRIBLE ! My gut feeling was to leave ! But ! I didn't ! My cat had to have an intestinal biopsy.Their priority was my signing the release form ( $ 4100 ) before anything was done ! That was their concern. Very unprofessional, uncaring and totally disconnected ! THEN !!! The obnoxiousness ! arrogance ! and condescension of the" Chief of Staff "should have been another red flag. AWFUL ! AWFUL ! AWFUL ! After the operation he never came in to discuss anything. Sent in a runner to discharge us who didn't have a clue on anything that was done. And, when we insisted on seeing the doctor, he sent in his assistant! He never came in. Disgusting behavior! AND !!! No one ever called to see how she is managing or any follow up. Our own vet has taken charge and is guiding us through this. If you love and cherish your little ones !? Do not use this VET !!!!!!!!! Read Less

The Long Island Veterinary hospital staff is awesome! The doctors, nurses, techs, reception... Everyone we came across was so nice and so helpful. They saved our pups life! Shout put to Dr Scaglione!! You are amazing! Thanks for being so great and caring to Marvin, and so informative yet empathetic towards us! It was a tough week, but they made it bearable!  lauren, joe and Marvin Read Less

Probably okay if your animal is involved in an accident for rapid care... going there for a specialist appointment is a major rip off!  They recommend many tests that really aren't needed at high cost and make you feel terrible that you aren't willing to pay thousands of dollars.   I had a friend who told me that but I went anyway hopeful to get help.  Instead I realized it was all about expensive testing.. Read Less

Taking on the responsibility of a pet includes their health and accidential incidents. It is not easy, convenient and is costly. Folks that desire pets fail to factor in the cost for medical care for their pet. I came to VMCLI because of the top notch surgical components this facility offers. Board certified surgeons, highly skilled scientists. But again, the costs are high because you are paying for quality. I am in health care and I can state, person, cat, dog, alien - medical care costs will be high. The attention and care Mima has received has been comforting and successful And the WONDERFUL Technicians... Mima LOVES ALL of the gals that have assisted in her visits. My English Bulldog had 3 Separate procedures 1. Cherry Eye Surgery- Dr. La Croix ( Love her! ) IS AMAZING!!!! Pure Pedigree Surgeon. One look and I knew, Mima was truly in the best hands across NY State. Surgery was a success. 2. ACL Surgery- Dr. Puccio. I put this poor surgeon through the ringer asking her a text book amount of questions. Puccio is a highly skilled. board certified surgeon, performing sport injury procedures on dogs for years. Surgery was a success 3. Puncture wounds from Pitbull attack- Dr. Jay. Extremely transparent, explained in detail of all pros and CONS. Procedure was a success. Very happy Read Less

There is no question that Dr. Carmichael is a top dog dental specialist. There is also no question that this place, in general and as an emergency facility, specializes in separating people from their money via multi-thousand dollar charges.  I would just skip the place if your dog can survive til the next day when you can take him/her to your regular vet. In my case, it was not an emergency.  We planned for a dental procedure:  our dog needed two teeth pulled (maybe), and a hole from a prior extraction closed (gingival flap).  He had his teeth cleaned 6 weeks prior. We thought Dr. Carmichael could operate to close the hole from the old tooth extraction; this was all planned with our vet who did a blood test and provided a referral for the dental. So the estimate was $3,900. Wow. And ridiculous. It included cleaning his teeth, staying the day $121, charge after charge for anesthesia, fluids., and on and on with charges. Then they whittled it down to $2,900. Since of course he needed neither an echocardiogram nor his teeth cleaned.  Technically, I can send him on a Caribbean trip with his dogsitter for that kind of money. We paid the $160 consultation fee and left. DON't GO if you are not wealthy. Total waste of time and money and we waited months for the appointment for the dental eval. Read Less

It is more expensive, but the care they give is impeccable. Dr. Puccia is so knowledgeable and caring, she realized I was very nervous and did all she could to make me feel at ease. However, her surgical assistant Albert was the best. He understood how frightened I was and made me, an ordinary person of ordinary means feel like the most important person in the facility. He is the best. Thanks again, Anne Vignola Read Less

We had a wild rabbit that was injured by a cat or possum over night. They took the wild rabbit in immediately, free of charge. Opened 24/7 for emergencies. Will bring my dog here in the future upon emergency. Everyone was very kind and welcoming. Read Less

After waiting for 2 hours and 45 minutes for a doctor to see our dog, we were told that they still could not tell us how long it would be for someone to see him. Previously, after waiting for an hour and a half, they had told us it would be another 20 minutes to an hour. After waiting another hour and asking again, we were once again told it would be 20 minutes to an hour. Then we were told that they couldn't tell us how long it would be. I understand that if they're busy, a wait may be unavoidable. They could have been honest about the wait and not had us sitting in their facility with our sick dog for almost 3 hours, causing him more stress and discomfort. After all of that, we left without our dog being seen by a vet. Read Less

My cousins dog Princess was dying and the doc said they were using the only good stretcher putting a dog to sleep. That was their excuse. Then princess died after in the car for an hour waiting. They got her after about 15 minutes after she died. She could've been revived or death could've been prevented if they got her right away Read Less

Well I brought my dog in for a procedure and the dr was very professional and good bedside manner but quite honestly for the price I would expect nothing less. I went in early morning and surgery wasn't started until after 2:00 when I was told I could pickup around 530. Couldn't go till 645 to pickup and was told there was a shift change . Waited another 20 minutes and was basically told they didn't know how long it would be and to have a seat !! Or do I want to come back ??Very discourteous and no consideration for other people's time . They could use some work on their manners . Not very comforting staff at all . Read Less

I took in my 1 year old German shapard on New Year's Eve with severe vomiting that then developed into diarrhea as well. I was extremely upset and scared not knowing what was wrong with my baby I was greeted by a welcoming face and the night shift receptionist was the nicest person I've met. The doctor I saw was very good she explained everything to us and informed of that my dog may need emergency surgery she noticed I got upset and comforted me and allowed me to say goodnight to my dog. I called at 6am and spoke with the nurse that was assisting my dog and she was so sweat she let me know everything she did and how the medication was helping and that she was doing much better. Having such sweat people made me more comfortable knowing I had to leave my dog over night. The next morning the new Dr assigned to my dog was also very professional lucky my dog did not need the surgery. Over all my experiences was amazing I went in with a true emergency and everyone made my experience as painless as possible. Read Less

I have no words for the staff and Dr.s at VMCLI.Amazing, kind, compassionate don't even measure up to how wonderful these people are.Dr Barrone saved my 5year old Shepard mix from being paralyzed for life. My dog Penny ruptured a disc in her back wich lead to paralysis in a matter of hours. I was told when they were going into surgery that Penny would not walk out of there, that it would take months of rehab and therapy to get her going again. Dr Barrone spoke with me at great length and answered all my questions with great compassion and confidence. My Penny not only stood by the second day she actually walked out of the hospital 4 days later. She's still recovering but making great strides. Dr Barrone is simply amazing and I was blessed to have her do the surgery.As for the rest of the staff it didn't matter what time I went to see my dog they were always very accommodating and shared in my joy in getting Penny better. They took such great care of her.Thank you VMCLI I am forever grateful!!!! Read Less

One of the reviews stated that this was the "most amazing place in the entire world"!  I most heartily agree, but would have to emphasize that it is staffed by the most amazing, compassionate, loving and medically knowledgeable doctors, veterinary assistants, and client care coordinators ever assembled under one roof!  Dr. La Croix was the attending physician and her expertise is only matched by her gentleness, concern and attention to detail, so that a very positive outcome will be achieved!  The empathy that emanates from her for both the ailing patient and the all-to often very distraught "pet parent" is genuine and exceptional!  Dr. La Croix's veterinary assistant, Kathleen, displayed that same care and concern demonstrated by the doctor, which emphasized, in my mind, that all phases of diagnosis, evaluation and treatment are held to exceptionally high standards!  Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not indicate the very important part that the Client Care Coordinators take in the wonderful care dispensed at the Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island!  They are the 'first responders", so to speak,  to        the very distressed "pet parents" and their sick babies,  so their compassion and asssuredness that the problems will be addressed with the very best medical care is a wonderful comfort!  Debbie and Pegi were the coordinators when I brought my baby girl in, and they were just wonderful! Thank you to all at the wonderful staff at this outstanding veterinary medical center! Read Less

Originally I wanted to give VMCLI a better review for taking care of my rabbit during her emergency, but There are definite pros and cons to consider before bringing your pet in - especially if you have an exotic pet!Pros:-----The night I took my rabbit in, the receptionist and doctor on call were very caring and friendly. It was suggested that my rabbit stay overnight, because she was not eating or drinking. An estimate followed shortly, and I was given time to decide. I requested to see my rabbit before leaving her for the night and was given time to say my goodbyes. The doctor in charge followed up as promised with a call at 6AM to reassure me that my rabbit was able to eat and drink normally and would be ready for discharge at around 9AM.Cons: -----* I was given only critical care to take home for my rabbit - no medication to aid her stomach. * As for exotic pets, I don't believe the general staff at VMCLI has adequate experience. They seem to be more familiar with dogs and cats, which is understandable. Be aware that the regular exotic pets vet may not be in at all times. He was not in the day of my visit, and the next earliest availability was during middle of the week after. * My rabbit had stopped eating and drinking again 2 days after discharge. I called in that night and the receptionist, Danielle was extremely cold and treated me as if I was a nuisance. After explaining the situation, she simply suggested that I bring my rabbit in for ANOTHER overnight stay. I had to press for her to reach out to a vet, and asked if the vet who took care of my rabbit that night was available. I missed the 1st callback and was told by Danielle that the vet would call again. No call or follow up ever happened. Seeing that I had already visited,  I was extremely disappointed and shocked at the cold demeanor and difference of service. Possible Concerns Before Your Visit:------------------------------------* The price can be slightly costly for the amount of care that your pet undergoes. However, if your regular vet is not available or your pet is sick at an odd hour, it is better to seek help than to wait it out.I hope that in the future, VMCLI has a staff that is caring and friendly at all times. Sadly, my last encounter with the receptionist definitely left a terrible impression that they care more about making profit than about your pet. Read Less

Dr. Barone and Dr. Cohen were wonderful to my Boston terrier, they're very caring and took time to explain everything. They confirmed my dog's diagnosis of encephalitis and thankfully the treatment is working. They even followed up with phone calls, checking to see how he was doing. Getting him diagnosed wasn't cheap, that's for sure, but you get what you pay for, this is a highly trained, knowledgeable staff. If you can afford to pay, I would bring your pet to them. Read Less

When my poor dog who is like my child was suddenly walking like he was drunk, barely eating, and couldn't stand straight it was scary. We had been here before for his eyes and knew it was a good place. So we hopped in the car in rush hour traffic and brought him in. They quickly took care of him. Now whether he had an inner ear infection or something called old dog disease? Either way since he got meds he's now turning back to his normal self. He's back to eating, walking normally, and being just happy. I can't imagine how scary it was for my poor boy who is blind btw to go thru this. But he's good now :) so yes if I could give this place 50 stars I would. I highly recommend them and the second we can were coming back for his eyes again since its been about a year... I feel like this place gave us our dog back. He's a diabetic btw so him not eating was very scary. It means he can't get insulin. Of course having what he had and room spinning in his head who would wanna eat? Also the prices here are very good. We went to another er vet one night and they charged way more. I rather take the longer drive for the best place along with cheaper... Read Less

Despite the unfortunate circumstances of my visit to the vet medical center, I wouldn't have chosen another hospital to have taken my cat when it was time to put her to sleep. The techs and Doctor were extremely compassionate and understanding when it came time to saying goodbye. They provided us with a clay impression of her paw printed with my cats name stamped in it -which was an amazing gift to always remember her by. Not only that.. A few days later I received a card in the mail from the vets office with their condolences for my loss. I'll forever be grateful for that and it's goes to show that the love for animals at this hospital is genuine! Read Less

This is the Mayo Clinic of Veterinary Medicine. I just wish I had known about it sooner. I had brought my dog for two months to vets while he lost body weight from vomiting and diarrhea. His stomach became swollen and I was told he was ok "give him these pills and bring him back in a few weeks". I was referred to VMCLI by my primary vet when he was very ill and clearly was close to death from a perforated intestine. I was so desperate to get him help and VMCLI came to the rescue. My dog first saw Dr Hillock, Internal Medicine and LeeAnn who diagnosed his issue. They sent me to the surgeon, Dr Brower in the same facility who did emergency surgery immediately and has hopefully saved his life. I can't say enough praise for this place and highly endorse it. The cost of the treatment was discussed in full before I moved forward. I really can't express my gratitude to this group of professionals. Read Less

I had to rush my ferret here a few days ago for vomiting and rapid weight loss. The dr (Dr. Hutt) who took our case was an emergency vet but not an exotic vet. She kept in contact with the exotic vet on staff who was unavailable at the time and came up with a treatment plan for him. She was wonderful and took great care of my baby. She let us know every step they were going to take to help him, she was very comforting and professional. She showed us his xrays and explained everything she saw on them as well as explained the bloodwork results to make sure we knew what was going on. We had to leave him there that night and she let us say goodbye before we left and kept us posted through the night. Once we brought him home, she followed up the next day to see how he was doing. Although we didn't find out what was wrong I wouldn't hesitate to go back there again. Yes they are expenisve but any emergency you go to will be expensive, but who cares if they're saving your beloved pet?? Would definitely recommend Read Less

Horrible experience. They tell me one price then do the procedure and all of a sudden it's more money. When I ask why they go in the back and make me wait 30 minutes for nothing. SO I ask where is my receipt and the girl is says "we gave it t you." I informed her that they did not and 5 minutes later they finally give me one. I will never come here again and my credit card company will be getting a dispute for this transaction! Read Less

I unfortunately had to come here with one of my grandmother's dogs. My grandma was old fashioned and never spayed her little maltese. So I met my grandma at night at VMCLI for an ER exam. The vet explained to us that the dog had a pyometra, which needed emergency surgery or my grandmas dog will die. After walking in the door the "diagnostics" of bloodwork, X-rays and fluids cost us $1200. Then the vet comes in with a $5000-7000 bill for the surgery. My grandma explained that she only has her social security and that her husband has just passed away and the expenses had drained her savings. They told my grandma that she would have to euthanize or find the money and then left the exam room. Luckily I was there to use my credit cards for the surgery. I couldn't see my grandma lose her dog after all the stress of losing my grandpa. On top of the rudeness over money, they had us waiting for blood results for 2 hours and then when we progressed to surgery we waited another 2 hours for a surgeon to get in and start. For an emergency issue its nice to see that our dog was sitting in a cage for 4 hours and nobody was concerned.... We had asked to speak to a manager regarding our experience in the ER and all we heard was "he's not in today" or "he's with client" call back later. So we gave up on speaking to him. While our beloved baby was recovering from surgery for 3 days we called for updates and waited on hold for anywhere from 15mins to 45mins before someone would tell us "the doctors are busy" call back. The famous line of call back later was too frequently used. I started to feel that we should have gone to anywhere but there. The staff just didnt care about our pet and it was completely obvious. Lastly i just want to mention that I did call my old animal hospital I used for my own pets and got a quote of $1200 for the same surgery I had done at VMCLI....... The place is just there for the money and I would recommend people to go anywhere but there.Read Less

Okay, look. Fortunately, I have no other experiences with animal hospitals. However, I have, of course, heard how expensive they can be because people love their animals and will take out second mortgages to ensure their good health and safety. With that being said, and prices aside (since I have no comparison), here is my review: One fine, normal, uneventful morning, I saw my puppy looking absolutely suspicious. I walked closer to him then realized he had an outlet cover in his mouth, and sure enough, he got scared that I would take it away so swallowed it whole, NATURALLY! We have been down this road before, and if I have learned anything from this dog, it is that he can pass just about anything and everything through his system. This time though, I knew it was different. The outlet cover was a weird shape, hard plastic, I knew he swallowed it without crunching it up first, and I could not bear the thought of what was going to happen next. So, I called my vet who told me to take him immediately to this animal hospital. As soon as I walked in, the very personable receptionist paged someone from the back to come up and retrieve my dog as this was considered an emergency. I asked to be informed before they made any decisions, and they made sure that is what happened. Dr. Hutt talked me through every step/procedure, gave me price estimates, and had me sign papers after receiving my consent. I appreciated that this gave me a ballpark estimate for how many bulk packages of ramen I will need to pick up for the next year or so. Law school debt= not as cool as it looks. If you find yourself in an emergency situation, I highly suggest you bring your pet here. All the doctors were trustworthy and professional, the prices did not seem astronomical, and my sweet Tino is now back to his regular scheduled programming: wreaking havoc and chasing his female friends while swallowing outlet covers in his downtime. Read Less

On Saturday my cat Zena was referred here for an emergency ultrasound and to have fluid drained from her lung. We arrived at 1pm, and she was brought right in... to be put in a cage in a procedure room with a cone around her neck and wait for 4 1/2 hours. The doctor met with me, then provided estimates to do the aspiration and ultrasound. They said it would be an hour or so before these procedures would happen so i went home. I was on my way out the door to go back (about 2:20) when the doctor called to say they wouldn't be able to do the ultrasound since they were overbooked and there were other emergencies that day. I called at 4 and left a message. Left another message at 5:30, then kept calling to find out what the heck was going on! I was finally told that they did the procedure to remove the fluid, and that the doctor would call me back. At 6:45 I called again and finally got the doctor who said i could come pick her up in about an hour to an hour and a half. We finally got out of there at 8:30.Monday I called to make an appointment for the ultrasound. Just what i wanted to do... put Zena through more trauma of going to the vet, but since they didn't do it Saturday, i didn't have a choice. My appointment was at 2:30, and i was told (since I called beforehand), that there wouldn't be a wait. Well, they lied, and we were stuck there an hour and a half before she was brought in... both of us totally stressed out. Several techs kept coming in to check on us, and one was actually annoyed with ME that I wanted Zena seen!Unfortunately, my little Zena is terminal, with tumors in both lungs, and is day to day. I will never forgive this place for the unnecessary trauma they put us both through. Use them only as a last option in the middle of the night, or go to Twins in Bay Shore. Read Less