Salem Veterinary Hospital

Small business change personality every couple years. Salem fell out of favor for not listening to me. Dr Sheffield has always been good and a favorite, but I have been unable to see her last few times there, seeing someone else.Staff perceived as dont listen to me seeking profit first. Cat ernie didnt like vet tech last time which is unusual. He loves all. Made me wonder how he was treated when out of my sight with tech.Constantly wanting unnecessary and expensive work done against my wishes and refuse to listen to me. Held me hostage to repeat visits to refill Rx instead of providing more refills lasting longer saving revisits and costs. Not listening. Math for a 90 day Rx inaccurate, rather it was only 45 days but staff wont listen to me.I vote with my feet. In a couple of years I may revisit Salem to see if staff has improved. Read Less

We recently moved to the area and Dr. Sheffield spent more time with me than any vet I've ever had for my boxer. She was very caring and thorough with her exam and I know he'll get great care here! The staff handled confusion over past medical records extremely professionally and got it taken care of immediately. Read Less

I take all three of my dogs here and never have any problems with any of the staff. However, I will caution everyone to be careful about extra expenses. They will recommend a lot of services that are not completely necessary and their prices are definitely not the cheapest. A regular checkup with basic shots always costs me over $250, not including heat worm meds. A little steep in my opinion, but the location is what keeps me coming back. Read Less

This might be too soon! The staff was very understanding of our feelings as we saw our dear girl "Molly" off. They have a room set up with a couch and plenty of Kleenex for a respectful send off. They were helpful even though this was decided at the end of their day and caused them to stay at least an extra hour. Thank you so very much. Read Less

Terrific doctors and wonderful staff. I don't trust my babies with just anybody. Salem Veterinary Hospital has taken care of my Dobermans so well and they've even saved one of my Dobermans from dying. With their dedication wonderful bedside manner and knowledge of animal health and well-being I couldn't ask for more. Read Less

I have been taking my 2 pets there for about a year. The staff is always super polite and friendly and appear to love their jobs. They have helped them through medical issues including one that involved them referring me to a specialist even though the vet said she could attempt the surgery if I wanted. The fact that they are more concerned about my furry family than making a $ is amazing. Read Less

My fiancé Melissa brings her "furry girl" here (whom I am convinced she loves more than me), so when I was in need of a new vet I brought her in today for a nail trim. They took great care of her, found an abrasion on her leg and trimmed around and cleaned it up at no extra charge, but did so with gray care and compassion for my girl who does not like her feet touched at all (hence the vet for a nail trim). Got to spend a few minutes talking to the doctor and and just observing the staff. I am a manager at a large medical practice and we offer great care to our patients, my puppy got that same treatment today and as a pet owner and dog lover, that is extremely important. Read Less

I have trusted Dr. Sheffield with my cats and horses for 30 years. Her passion and love for animals is greater than anyone I have known. If you want a Vet who is honest, caring, and experienced to treat your animals I highly recommend Dr. Sheffield and the Salem Veterinarian Hospital. The Virginia Beach / Norfolk area is fortunate to have such an outstanding doctor! Read Less

I love the sincere way in which the clients are approached. You may have to wait a bit, but it's always worth the wait. The vets spend the time to get to know your pet and they truly listen. So glad my pets are cared for there. Read Less

Location location location...This is conveniently located for us.  We've had very good service by friendly staff with each visit.  On a cautionary note, be aware you may well be recommended excess services.  The staff was fairly straight forward in identifying the "nice to have" items but listen carefully or else your bill will be very high.Ask about refunds as well.  Doing so got us a $10 rebate for the heart worm pills. Read Less

I was looking for a vet because the two other places I was at did not meet my standards after a few incidents that happened and they were not accommodating.  Salem Veterinary Hospital is in my neighborhood but I needed to do research before I decided to use them (this was in November 2014).  I sat out in the parking lot a few days and approached customers who were going in or out of the office to ask why they chose Salem Veterinary Hospital.   I walked in myself (without my dog) and asked questions.  Since it was the first visit my greyhound was going for his annual checkup, I figured I would try them.  I was pleased with our visit.  On March 18, 2015 at around 8:23 am, my greyhound got a bad tear on his skin (greyhound skin tears easily and runs like a pair of nylons) I called my new vets and was told that the doctor is in surgery all day (my thought was great I'll need to find a new vet) hold one moment.....she came back on the line said "bring him right in".  I just had knee surgery (February) so when I walked in with a cane frantic needing help to get my greyhound out of my truck, two tech came out and one just swept up my dog (90 some pound) and in she walked.  I was very emotional due to the situation going on and everything I was dealing with in my personal life.  They wanted me out of the room but I asked if I could just stay long enough until they gave him something because I could see in his eye he was possibly going into shock.  (My greyhound is blind in one eye and the tear was on the side he was blind on). I was apologizing and explaining why I was being such an emotionally basket case, that when I did finally go to the lobby Dr. Hundley came out with a cold bottle of water and said "I will take good care of him, it will be ok".The tear was worse than at first glance.  Dr. Hundley had to do surgery; the tech came out updating me and showing me pictures of what was going on.  I told them I was staying all day, didn't care how long it took. About 3 hours later Dr. Hundley came out said he is doing good, resting well and even has a little snoring going on.  An hour later they brought him out to me with a blanket and we were on the floor until my greyhound woke up enough to go home. Over the next 3 weeks we went back to get draining tube out, 2 more stitches back in (due to dog bothering it), another draining (due to fluid building up) and finally all stitches removed.  I can only speak about my experiences but to me Dr. Hundley is very caring and compassionate person not only with my greyhound but with me as well.  The staff is friendly and informative and I look forward to a long relationship with them caring for my greyhound. Thank you,Cindy Clark Read Less

Worst vet experience ever. Nice people but completely took advantage of us- we brought our sick dog here who had kennel cough and left with a $480 bill just for a 30 minute exam and some meds. None of which I assure you should have totalled anywhere near that. I asked other vet friends and they said half of what they charged would have been reasonable and they couldn't believe it. I wrote them an extensive complaint and never received a reply or even the slightest concern.  We live less than a mile away and I now drive over an hour to our old vet in Elizabeth city just to see someone with reasonable prices. Salem- you should be very concerned withy unhappy customers because it affects your reputation and your business. Fixing the situation could do a lot. Read Less

I had been taking my two doggies to Salem for a year and loved the staff and the service was good.  Then last Friday I brought them in for boosters and a new vet was there whom I have never met before.  She was so incredibly disrespectful to me trying to lecture me about not getting all of the shots my pups needed and looking over at the assistant and rolled her eyes and said this is going to be a long appointment. I was trying to explain that I receive post cards in the mail from them with reminders and I had gotten one last month that I got two more different reminders for separate immunizations this month and I do what they recommend as they arrive.  She wouldn't stop ranting long enough to allow me to finish explaining.  Treated me like an ignorant and negligent owner but never took a minute to let me speak.  I stopped our transaction and left the building and announced that I will be finding a new vet.  This is a business and we have choices as consumers where we spend our money and I could not have been more offended by the unprofessional abuse of a customer.  Please do not waste your time at this place. Read Less

Although I think this place has the potential to be a great vet hospital, they should really get a new main doctor. My husband and I had a very bad experience here. After 2 years of constant vet visits  at another clinic, trying to save our 17 year old cat, we finally made the very painful decision to put her down. She was sleeping all day, except to eat and when she did get up she was in pain, walking very stiffly and moaning. Many times she would cry out in pain. She wouldn't use the cat box anymore and she seemed so sad and in pain all the time. We had recently discovered Salem Vet Hospital was right by our house, so we figured we would go there, to save her the long car ride on her last day on earth since she did not enjoy car rides. The helpers and staff were very nice and compassionate and asked if we would like to get her tested to see if there was something else they could do for her. (We had already been through this for 2 years at another clinic when we thought about putting her down 2 years ago, and we knew she was ready to go.) We respectfully said no thank you, and she said she would honor whatever our request was. I wish Dr. Sheffield had an ounce of compassion that the rest of her staff does. When she came in, she clearly saw that my husband was crying and very emotional, but she proceeded to try to convince us to test her and treat her so that she could be around longer (and in my mind so that she could get to the  bill to be higher). Between sobs, my husband relayed all we had already been though with her and how much she was in pain and how hard this was for him, since he'd had this cat since he was 21. Dr. Sheffield didn't show any compassion and persisted in trying to convince him that testing and treatment was a better option. I spoke up and echoed what my husband said and added that this was not an easy decision or one that was made lightly, but that it is what we came to do. The doctor had the audacity to continue to persist and actually said that we should at least do the testing to make THEM feel better. Ummmm, excuse me??? We didn't come here to make YOU  feel better. I was outraged, but had to stay under control to be there for my husband and daughter who were openly crying and emotional. Before leaving the room she said she would write up an estimate of how much the testing and treatment would cost and then we could make our final decision. The whole time I'm thinking ITS NOT A MATTER OF MONEY, WE ARE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING BY OUR CAT THAT WE LOVE VERY MUCH AND YOU ARE TRYING TO GUILT TRIP US JUST TO ADD MORE NUMBERS TO THE FINAL BILL.  When she went out of the room I told my husband I'd be right back. I spoke to the receptionist at the front desk and told her I was very upset because my husband and daughter are very emotional and Dr. Sheffield keeps trying to shove this testing and treatment plan down our throat after we have several times politely refused and is only making an already hard situation even worse. She told me she would take care of it. I went back to the room and after a few minutes one of the helpers came back with an estimate for testing and treatment and we were required to sign it and say that we were refusing treatment - I mean we ACTUALLY had to write out the words!!! I have never in my life heard of such a thing! I have had my share of pets growing up and have had to put a few down and I have never in my life been treated so rudely or in such an accusatory  manner. I don't care that this place is right down the street from us, we will not be coming back here again. Read Less

My dog has been a patient here for the past few years. WE LOVE SVH! We've seen both Dr. Sheffield and Dr. Hundley over the years - they are both so personable, really take the time to explain things to you and answer your questions, and show care for you as well as your furbaby. My dog is getting older and has a bad back, so they always have a towel on the table to give him traction when we go in. Little things like that show that they truly care for your pet. Recently my little buddy blew a disk in his back; I was afraid to take him in because I thought we'd have to euthanize, but they started a fairly new technique called laser therapy and in less than a week of treatments he is back to acting like himself and feeling good. The techs all love on him when we go in, and he actually adores going to the vet! I've had a number of vets over the years due to moving but he has never enjoyed going to any of them until now. The staff feel more like friends than doctors, but you know you are in good hands and can trust their judgment completely. I CANNOT recommend them highly enough!! Read Less

My puppies have been patients (and fans) of Dr. Hunleys since they were born. We followed her to Salem Veterinary because my dogs couldn't phantom a new doctor after they had such a splendid one already. I have been very happy and pleased with the entire office and we love them!! They are amazing doctors and they have an equally amazing staff. They are worth the drive and I don't hesitate to pass 4 other vets to get to them. Read Less

This was yet another first for us so didn't know what to expect but everyone was extremely informational which is a good thing. Benji loved everyone their as well. The first visit was free with a price run down for all the vaccinations the were recommended. We have an appointment next week so we are definitely going back. Read Less

I have been taking both of our cats to Salem Veterinary Hospital for 10 years and they are absolutely wonderful. They are always professional, friendly and work with my budget. Our cat, Blackie, has some medical issues with IBS and Salem Vet has helped with medicine and she is getting better.  Our cat, Silver, was sick (she was 15 years old) and they did everything they could to find a cure for her after multiple tests, but her Kidneys were failing and unfortunately, we had to help her cross the "rainbow bridge".  The hardest decision to ever make, but she was failing and lost so much weight and had no strength so it was her time.  The staff was caring and understood how painful it was.  We got a wonderful sympathy card signed by every staff member and it was so thoughtful and of course brought tears to our eyes.  Silver was a special cat and we have so many memories of her. Thank you Salem Vet for taking care of our precious animals.  Karen Clements Read Less

I've been taking my English Bulldog here for a few years now.  The staff are very friendly and helpful.  They obviously love animals which is a plus.  I've been to vet offices before where the staff appears to despise working with animals, which always makes me uncomfortable. Typically it doesn't take long to get an appointment and they send reminder postcard updates for your next appointment and what your animal is due for, shots, exams, heartworm, etc. So that is a plus. Prices are reasonable.  Or as reasonable as vet costs get... Read Less

I needed treatment for a Boston Terrier, I adopted from Virginia Beach Animal Control. I walked in SRVH and the staff took great care of "Riley" and the process was in my opinion, better than a human doctor visit. These guys are great. Read Less