Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital

Expérience fantastique: One Sunday evening my dog came down with a pretty sudden onset UTI so we brought him to Central Island. Their treatment was stellar - they managed to catheterize him comfortably without sedation, provided the test results pretty promptly, and sent us home with antibiotics so he would have relief ASAP. They followed up with us on how he was doing and the results of the full urinalysis. It was such a comfort to get great care when my pup was feeling poorly.

Expérience fantastique: *update* Dr. A wasn’t sure if our dog would regain full mobility due to severing and then attaching back artery and tendon. I’m happy to report he’s back to running/jumping living his best life. Our vet also commented how well and neat the procedure was done.. Thanks Dr.A and team. Our dog cut his paw very badly on a Friday late afternoon we needed to find an emergency clinic. I called my regular vet who suggested this clinic which we have used in the past. The staff from the first phone call onwards were amazing and kind. Dr. A was wonderful explaining the surgery required. We saw a different Dr. the following day who was also amazing. Communication was great. The lovely technician cleaned him up and put a cute Xmas theme bandage.. a nice little extra touch. The clinic does have limited hours though, I would recommend if your pet requires emergency medical services. Thank-you to all the staff from Charlie’s family

Expérience fantastique: They showed up for my mom when she needed it the most after her cat was showing signs of distress from being in an apartment fire.

Expérience négative: WORST vet experience ever. Waited for 6 hours… no update… nothing. Not one person talked to me to keep me updated. They just took my dog in the back…and that’s it. Finally I asked… and was told it would be another hour… 7 hours to be seen…and then probably another hour to pay the bill and get meds…for an ear infection. The only thing they told me after 6 hours of waiting… his vital signs are stable. Took my dog and left as I had to catch a ferry back home. I would highly advise going elsewhere for your pets medical concerns. This place is a joke. PS… the prices they charge for care are beyond ridiculous for the service they provide. I am at a loss. I am just so disappointed. And the one left to suffer… my dog.

Expérience fantastique: Just want to say a big thank you to Dr. Catherine Daniel for helping us figure what was wrong with meeka and giving very thorough detail. Being super professional and sympathetic. Also I want to thank the other staff the next morning for setting up a nice cozy spot for meeka to be put to rest. We have been going to this hospital for years and every time we walk out we’re happy and confident that our dogs got amazing care. Thank you again for your service.

Expérience négative: Terrible place that has terrible people that answer the phone, I called about my sick cat last night and I was met with a dismissive worker who told me to call poison control and spend $100 for a poison control phone consultation, what is the point in being an emergency veterinarian clinic?

Expérience négative: Part of being an emergency facility is open access. Well, CIVEH tries their best, I guess. I have NO IDEA who is running this show. Their hours vary and even the outgoing message on their voice mail says they are open 24/7 when they AREN'T. Also their website has contradicting hours. Will someone take responsibility for this? It's NOT just bad business...it's confusing and could (and probably has,) cost people their beloved pet. UNETHICAL? When Dr. Karsten left things went downhill...If they paid their staff what they are worth, likely they could retain them.

Expérience négative: If you're not open 24 hours, why don't you change your hours here? Don't you realize how much of a burden this puts on pets in distress?

Expérience fantastique: My dog got a hold of a very toxic medication of mine on accident and they saved his life! My little dog would not be here without them!

Expérience fantastique: An amazing place with the most amazing staff - I have no words to explain how grateful I am for them

Expérience fantastique: The staff are kind and welcoming, and they genuinely care about both your pet and the nature of your emergency. The veterinarian who saw our dog clearly explained the situation and walked us through all of our options. We were so happy with the care and service we received and wouldn’t hesitate to go back if the need ever came up again.

Expérience fantastique: Thorough and extremely kind staff. Our vet Dr. Vanderlee answered all my questions with compassion and thoughtfulness, all the front desk staff were amazing as well. Mike took our call and was well spoken and concise.

Expérience fantastique: The Staff and Dr were extremely gentle, professional, kind and humane with our emergency end of life care for our dog. I highly reccomend them

Expérience fantastique: A huge thank you to the amazing team at the emergency clinic. We had to rush our mini doodle there as he was having seizures. They were so caring, professional, and overall simply fantastic from my call, to arrival, and to taking care of my furbaby, Benji. Thank you ❤️

Expérience fantastique: I would like to mention the kindness of an employee called Michael. You went above and beyond to check on my dog when she was unwell because you could see I was not okay. Thank you for what you do. Your kindness and patience will not be forgotten. Thank you for the care my dog received.

Expérience fantastique: I had to bring my cat here in a crisis and everyone was so incredibly lovely. They were kind and sensitive the entire time, including during the financial stuff, which I know can be a hard subject for a lot of people. Would absolutely recommend to anyone with a furry friend in trouble

Expérience fantastique: Great staff. Thank you so much for all you did for our dog.

Expérience fantastique: Fastest trip to the vet emergency that we’ve ever had! They had us in and out quickly and efficiently. Our dog ate two earplugs and they induced vomiting and got them out. We were very lucky to have this positive outcome!

Expérience fantastique: We took our 1 year old Ridgeback here when he developed severe pneumonia. We were very happy with the treatment he recieved. The staff were very friendly and informative, arranging several visits for us. They were willing to discuss options to keep our costs down. I recommend this clinic for emergency care for your pet.

Expérience négative: Absolutely disgusted at the lack of availability of this "emergency" clinic. I am not talking about the staff here (don't actually know who any of you are) but this review is for your OWNERS and MANAGEMENT. Your whole purpose is to be available when beloved pets NEED you. You are NOT MEETING minimal expectations - not even close. I had a VERY SCARY, devastating injury happen to my dog on a trail yesterday, and guess what? YOU WEREN'T OPEN. Blood gushing from my poor pup, blood all over me, all over everywhere, and ZERO HELP from you. The option, in an emergency, is to drive 2 hours to Victoria - this is NOT SAFE, NOT PRACTICAL, NOT GOOD MEDICINE, NOT ACCEPTABLE! This is NOT an option. I am so disappointed with the way you run your clinic - do better!

Expérience fantastique: Everyone was top notch and took excellent care of my sensitive dog who was in distress and very sick..they took her to the back for tests but brought her back out to me in between, resolved the issue with a week of meds and change in diet. Great balance of compassion and professionalism.

Expérience fantastique: We can’t thank this team enough! We had to bring our dog into the clinic to induce vomiting after he ingested a toxin. We felt really well taken care of from the moment we called! They were extremely knowledgeable, compassionate, and understanding of our dogs reactivity. They took the time to answer all of the questions we had, and made sure we left feeling informed and reassured. While I hope no one ever has a reason to have to visit the emergency vet, if you do, you’ll be well taken care of here.

Expérience fantastique: I can't rave enough about how amazing the staff was at this hospital. Brought in our beautiful pom boy and were pretty scared about what was happening as he was acting strange (turns out he is fine) but the kindness and patience and not feeling judged helped calm our nerves. They were truly amazing! If I could give more stars I would.

Expérience fantastique: “Truly the most compassionate and trustworthy veterinary clinic. Thank you for your tireless dedication to keeping our beloved furry family members safe and healthy.”

Expérience fantastique: I had the pleasure of talking to Sue via email regarding a very concerning injury my dog has. The email was professional, prompt, compassionate, encouraging and supportive. I am monitoring my dogs injury over night and hope to not have to bring her into the emergency - but if we do, this will be the place for us to go!

Expérience fantastique: I can’t say enough good things about the incredible team at Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital. From the moment I called in, I was greeted with compassion. Mike and Sue at the front desk were both kind and patient. Sue was incredibly calming during what was a stressful time, getting me water and tissues and listening to my fears. She truly made a huge positive impact to a stressful situation and it’s obvious she’s got a big heart. They made check-in seamless, explained the process clearly, and treated both me and my cat with care. Dr. Vanderlee was patient, gentle, friendly and took the time to really explain everything in a way that felt reassuring and honest. You can tell she deeply cares about both the animals and their people. She didn’t rush us, and I left feeling confident that we had made the best decisions possible for my cat’s health. I felt supported and respected every step of the way. Thank you, Mike, Sue, Dr. Vanderlee, and the whole staff for going above and beyond our expectations and also taking our financial concerns into consideration. After reading some poor reviews regarding pricing, I was concerned about getting taken advantage of and by no means did they try to make money off of me unnecessarily. If you’re ever in need of emergency veterinary care, I wholeheartedly recommend this hospital.

Expérience négative: Staff here are excellent and have helped us with our animals on numerous occasions. However, they're no longer open 24 hrs as a result of a corporate buyout. On top of being extremely expensive, the clinic no longer serves central/North Vancouver Island in an emergency capacity 24/7. This is apparently due to a staffing shortage caused by policies implemented after this buyout. Extremely disappointed with a local business known for is community oriented care being hollowed out for corporate profit.

Expérience fantastique: What an amazing Veterinary hospital I brought my pooch in after he started having bloody diarrhea while we were out camping and they were so compassionate and kind! They calmed me down and took the time to explain everything and the vet didn't order a bunch of unnecessary tests or meds. Within 24 hours he was back to his normal self!

Expérience fantastique: Back in January, our beloved dog was rushed in, unfortunately we had to make the hard choice of letting our dog cross the rainbow bridge, the compassion given from all the staff was amazing, they gave us all the time in the world, and made sure our dog was as comfortable as possible. Thank you, to all the staff

Expérience fantastique: I had to rush my little Pittie, Alma, to them after she ingested a bunch of grapes that can kill a dog. They gave great respect to me having PTSD. The same care given to Alma. My emotional support dog from Mexico. I lost my last support dog suddenly 2 years ago and ended up in NRGH after the police took me there. I do not remember any of it till I woke up in a hospital bed the next day. Lost an entire week in my memory. Needless to say I was freaking out over Alma to the extreme inside !!!!!!!!!!!! They were so caring to Alma. So caring to me. I greatly respect them. Wonderful Vet and wonderful Vet Tech.

Expérience négative: PET OWNERS BEWARE> Horrible management, they have been bought out and only care about money. Not the wellbeing of animals. Very sad to say this is the "Emergency clinic" for the city of Nanaimo. Thank goodness for the other vets who are working to bridge the gap that management has made with their decisions. They will not even recommend you to other vets who are open and able to help your pets in the area because they are not owned by Vet Strategy. Hammond Bay Animal Hospital, Mahalo and Fantastic Beasts all have extended their hours in an effort to help pet parents, but they wont tell you that since they are privately owned. Greedy and shameful

Expérience négative: The current staff, as well as the 10+ who have been fired without reason are all incredible. The clinic has been kind to myself and my pets in the past, and for that we are extremely grateful. It's a shame that Vet Strategy has taken the hospital and run it into the ground, leaving pet owners all over our island without a source of emergency care. Because of Vet Strategy's incompetence, folks North and Central island are forced to drive hours to the only other emergency clinic in Victoria. Pets have died on this drive, and more will continue to die if Vet Strategy doesn't change. They are encouraging people to drive to Victoria when other locally owned clinics have offered to step up for the community and extend their hours and care. Not only this, but they won't even acknowledge the other clinics (Mahalo and Fantastic Beasts) that are picking up CIVEH's pieces. Why is this? Because Mahalo and Fantastic Beasts are not a part of the corporation- if they recommend these clinics rather than their own child clinics in Victoria, they lose money. Disgusting behavior on their part. Vet Strategy is a UK based corporation buying up Canadian vet clinics, owning over 30 on the island alone. They do not care about your pet, they do not care about your feelings. They care about lining their pockets and they clearly have no qualms in hurting our community in the process. Shame on them. Please be kind to the remaining staff at CIVEH during this stressful time. They are overworked, abused, and they are doing their best with the resources they have. They don't deserve everything that this corporation is doing to them. CORPORATIONS AND MEDICINE DO NOT MIX.

Expérience négative: The staff is lovely. The corporation who fired all the staff and upped the prices deserves this 1 star. They fired all the staff without cause and are shortening their hours due to "staff shortages".... This was the only emergency vet in central van isle and now we don't have one thanks to a big greedy corporation changing everything and letting GOOD people go without cause.

Expérience fantastique: We brought our beautiful, sweet, big male German Shepherd in because he was 12 and living with pain, very weak hind legs, unable to walk very far or get into our car without assistance and he had developed incontinence of his bowels. He was eating only his liver treats. We had a long drive home to Calgary and knew we couldn’t take him and stay in motels en route. It was a difficult and painful decision we made to put him down. He did not want to leave us quite yet but we were out of options. He weighed 95 lbs. We were hurting, but a staff member talked with us for 20 minutes while Milo was being sedated. He was a dog lover too and got us laughing about his two dog’s quirky behaviours. We shared some Milo stories as well. This man’s kindness and emotional support was an enormous help on an awful day. He took time to help us and yet he had experienced a significant loss himself recently. I’ll always remember that man when I think of Milo’s passing. It makes the memory so much more meaningful. Thank you.

Expérience négative: The staff on the floor are doing the best that they can, but vetstrategy has created a workplace with a lack of psychology safety. Every staff member on the floor is doing their best to care for your pet, but managment is horrendous. If you MUST visit a vetstrategy clinic, please be kind to the staff that are in the building; management is torturing them enough.

Expérience fantastique: Dear Wonderful Team at Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital, We wanted to express our deepest gratitude for the exceptional care and attention you provided to Harriet during her recent emergency. Your prompt response, skillful treatment, and genuine compassion made a truly difficult time more bearable. We were so impressed by your professionalism and the way you kept us informed every step of the way. It was clear that Harriet was in the best possible hands, and that brought us immense comfort. Thank you again for your dedication and kindness. We are so grateful to have such a caring veterinary clinic in Nanaimo. Sincerely, Gloria, Ted and Dave

Expérience fantastique: our family dog had unfortunately been experiencing some health problems that were overlooked by her regular vet, and sadly she took a turn for the worse one morning. CIVEH were very quick in answering our (frantic) call and were incredibly informative and compassionate. they immediately helped us bring her in and started her care within seconds. sadly, we did lose her that morning but through the patience and compassion that the staff (specifically Mike and Jess, i believe) provided us during our visit, we were provided closure and so much empathy it made the experience easier to handle. they talked us through every option we had and made sure we had enough time to process everything before answering. the staff here were so helpful and caring throughout the entire process. hopefully we wont have to return anytime soon, but we know we will be in good hands if we do.

Expérience fantastique: I cannot express enough gratitude for the outstanding care my cat received at Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital, From the moment we arrived, the staff was incredibly compassionate and attentive. They quickly assessed my cat's condition and provided the necessary treatment with expertise and kindness. The veterinarians took the time to explain everything to me, answering all my questions with patience and clarity. I felt truly supported throughout the entire process. Thanks to their exceptional care, my cat is now on the road to recovery! We are so lucky to have access to this special service on our island. They treated my furry friend like family, and I am forever grateful!

Expérience fantastique: I was on the ferry to the Island for a vacation when my dog got into the bag of Road-Trip-Treats and ate a large amount of trail mix that included chocolate and raisins. Two items that can be toxic for a small dog. I googled emergency vets near where I was headed and am thankful I ended up at the Central Island Vet Emergency Hospital. The doctors and staff who took care of him for a few days were wonderful and I found their explanations and communication eased my worrying mind. This hospital would be my first choice should Jock or any future animal of mine need a vet while I'm on the Island. I hope residents nearby know how fortunate their animals are to have a facility like this nearby!

Expérience positive: Compassionate care. Recommended for that absolutely. Aftercare the provision of paw prints can only be obtained by the pets owner unfortunately retraumatizing them when they were not provided as we were told they would be. Be certain to get them when you are there.

Expérience fantastique: I am so so grateful this service is available to us. They have always been very kind and reasonable considering they are an emergency vet. Unfortunately, people dont understand that private medicine is very expensive, which is exactly what pet care is. These guys dont get enough credit for the incredible work they do, not just emergency triaging for our best friends and family members, but also, social work and care for their humans. Cannot express how relieved I am that they are still available, they are a luxury many of us would suffer greatly without.

Expérience négative: If I could leave zero stars, I would. I understand medical is not black and white and ever changing. This is the second time they have done me wrong. The first, was when my boy that just passed was about to be born. Long story. This time. My shredder. My sweet boy. Was showing signs of toxicity. He had been missing for a couple of days. I found hum and he was wobbly, thin, and quite unresponsive. I tried to just snuggle and feed him for a few hours....but very quickly knew he needed more than me. I brought him in here because it was my only option at that time of night. The did a "full work up exam" on him. Did blood work, fluids, couldn't get a urine sample. At the time I brought him in...his dizziness immediately sparked toxicity to me. His previous ear injury did not cross my mind. I took him home with no answers. After spending almost 1000 dollars....I couldn't financially push for more tests. His ear started leaking....as was his eye on the side of his ear. I did my best to syringe fluids and small amounts of food. He did not improve. I brought him to my old regular vet after his ear seemed even worse. Partial facial paralysis. Because the ear had gotten so bad. I think my boy gave up at this point because he was partially if not fully blind in that eye. Nevermind what was going on with his throat on that side or the rest of his body. After having him there off and on for over a day and lots of fluids, he was not improving and I had to make a devastating choice because he was suffering. I filed a complaint with this vet because....give me a break, you gave him a full exam and didn't notice his ear?! Maybe if they saw it and we treated it, I would still have my boy here today. I got a call today and it was nothing but "I'm sorry but I wasn't there" Next time I have an emergency, I will drive to Victoria or else where. I know this doesn't matter to this facility because you gouge enough people and also your services are emergent. I'll post my first story tomorrow. I continue to grieve this loss of my sweet baby forever. It possibly could have been prevented if an ACTUAL thorough examination had been done. Do better.

Expérience fantastique: I am so grateful to Dr Catherine and staff members Sue and orhers whom I don’t know their names. I went there a few times in my dog’s last 2 months pondering the most difficult of decisions. Because of the staff I got extra time w my dog Rupert who was 16 and a half years old. They delicately approached the subject but told me I had more time if we wanted it. Eventually I took him to a dental specialist in Vancouver who confirmed my boy had an oral tumor in his mouth. But my boy was still eating. I knew when the day to day my last good bye came that I wanted to have it done here. The staff were compassionate and caring and I cannot say enough great things about the whole team. Sue had walked me through what to expect about a month and a half before the dreaded day came. I had extra time w my boy because the first doctor I saw Dr Catherine confirmed his vitals were still good. I am forever grateful for the extra time and care my Rupert received. I would have no hesitation recommending this place for your furry companions.

Expérience fantastique: My little dog damaged her shoulder and could not weight bear - she's old and in her final days. We were seen promptly, and every single member of the staff were friendly, supportive and very competent. Highly recommend this hospital for animal emergencies. Thanks so much to all!!

Expérience fantastique: Our little baby Boston (12 years old) deteriorated quickly with kidney disease over the weekend and we had to head into CIVEH at 3am Monday morning. The clinic was peaceful and clean, and the staff were very attentive and compassionate. We were met with empathy and understanding and advice for our little guy. Unfortunately we had to say goodbye to our little boy at that time, but the vet was very compassionate and helpful. They gave us time with him and walked us through the process. We were pleasantly surprised that we were able to get his ashes only 4 days later. They were very professional and "efficient" (if that is the appropriate word). While we hope we don't need to access this type of service again, we are very thankful to have the option. Thank you to everyone at this clinic for making it possible to have this service available for our beloved pets.

Expérience négative: I took my dog in due to a pancreatitis attack and saw Dr. Schmah yesterday. I have never had such an unpleasant and unhelpful experience with a veterinarian- until this one! She didn’t listen and continually interrupted me. My dog has had this condition for his whole life and normally what happens is they get an IV going for hydration and nausea and pain medications. He got nothing. She insisted on waiting for a diagnosis which cost me 860.00 and we walked out with no relief of my poor boy’s symptoms. She tried to force my dog to take liquid medication despite me telling her it is not possible as he bites me. Finally I said no to the liquid medication and she left me at the counter in tears.she was cold and detached and had no compassion for my boy. Do not see this doctor.

Expérience négative: I made a review regarding my friends dog that had died hours after coming here after the vet told her her dog was fine, and we would have never chosen to come here but it was the only vet open 24/7. My mom and I had to bring our 2 year old French bulldog here to relieve her bladder, through out this process, the vet we had to deal with was just disgusting. Throughout the process, the way she talked to us was so sarcastic and degrading I couldn’t believe it, anytime we asked her a question she talked to us like we were stupid. The way we were treated while we thought our dog was dying was traumatizing and I truly don’t understand how you come to hire people that don’t care about animals or people. However, the receptionists we dealt with were extremely kind and caring, so I don’t know what went wrong while hiring this lady

Expérience négative: This clinic misdiagnosed my dog and treats patients horribly. I’m soooo happy I found a vet who is always there when I have an emergency. I wouldn’t even consider bringing my dog back here if it was the only option. Not worth it for them to risk your dogs health and cost you HUNDREDS of dollars. Never in my dogs 10 year of life has he had care as horrible as he did here. I almost lost him because of the misdiagnosis.

Expérience négative: I called to ask if my cat possibly consuming a grape or two was emergency. I was told to come in immediately as she could get extremely sick and could be life or death Only to arrive to wait 4 1/2 hours. I got up twice to ask how much longer only to be dismissed by Paige, and I quote says it’s up to you to stay but if you leave and she gets any symptoms it would end with me having to put my cat down. So now I’m thinking while if that’s the case, why am I sitting here watching my very small window to get help close in your waiting room? Finally I get to see a vet who when explains they have very little evidence to support if grapes are serious to cats like they are dogs. I was then given two estimates one for $3,000 and the other for $4,000 I’m a single mom and do not have that kinda money. So then the vet comes up with a $700.00 option and believes that will be at least 80% chance of survival. So of course I took that option. I get told that my cat has a little bit elevated blood work which usually indicates that she is most likely de-hydrated, well that makes sense as you just administrated something to make her vomit. So I was given another estimate for an additional $1,200. To bring her back tomorrow to redo blood work etc. Now at this point I’m exhausted and feeling extremely worried but now a new feeling of is this place just here to make money? I asked Paige if I could ask the vet a couple more questions as I’m trying to process all this information, I was told you can ask me and Dr. Daniel will answer if she feels it’s valid questions, because why some questions aren’t worth answering after a 6 hour experience and I still don’t know if my cat is safe? At that point I asked for my cat back and left. I’ll never go there again and if the manager reads this please rethink your front end staff as I was there for so long I got to witness others being treated as poorly as me.

Expérience fantastique: Sadly this is the the third time we've had to use Central Island Vet Emergency Hospital over the years. This time it was for our senior citizen dog who tore a nail out of his paw and was bleeding profusely. We went in on what was undoubtedly a very busy night. The place was packed with people continually coming in the door but the staff maintained a professional and calm demeanor with each owner. They took our dog to the back and into what I assume was a triage area. Well we waited for an hour with zero information which is a little disconcerting but understandable given the volume of patients they had. Unfortunately because of a condition my dog has, I felt it necessary to go to the desk and ask how long our dog was going to be. I explained that he was on heart medications and it's important that the gets this medication as close to time as possible. I also explained that he was already 40 minutes behind. Which while not optimum was still within range. The girl at the desk said she'd check where he was on the triage and came back and told us it wouldn't be long now. And low and behold a Tech brought our dog out about 10 minutes later. The tech was very thorough and explained exactly what she'd done and how to maintain the wound to prevent infection. She also explained the pain threshold and what should happen for his recovery. I thanked her and then said I'd put him in the truck and come back and pay, she amazingly told us it was no cost because he his treatment didn't require a vet consultation. This was amazing and we were beyond thankful because, we'd been at our regular vet just hours before and we'd paid a kings ransom for a regular checkup, annual shot and medications. For an emergency services clinic this is a clean, well organized and well run place with the staff (that I dealt with) being extremely professional and caring. And after 3 visits to this clinic over the years I can unequivocally say that even though the prices are higher than other vet clinics, without them the emergency care for our pets would revert back to the dark ages. The only complaint I have is that the triage system doesn't allow for a flow of information between the clinic and the owners and if they kept people more informed it would go alongway in alleviating their anxiety.

Expérience fantastique: We had an excellent experience here. We are from out of town and on vacation when our 11-year old Shiba Inu, Rafi, suddenly could not walk without intense pain. We got him in at 11 pm, and were able to have him diagnosed effectively and discharged by 3 am, after receiving many pain meds and an X-ray to confirm the issue. It was found he had a slipped disc in his lower back. The vet also shared some additional information about spinal arthritis and other relevant info. The vet was extremely competent, and communicated to us clearly, assuming correctly that his back was in pain and that he needed the X-ray to confirm a diagnosis. We also received clear care instructions and medication instructions for the following days. A few days later, our old pooch Rafi has been getting out for walks and appears to be recovering well. We appreciated the prompt and effective service we received from the emergency hospital.

Expérience fantastique: On Saturday Sept. 7 we were on our way home from a short vacation when our house sitter informed us that our retriever Oliver, wasn't his usual self. she did mention that he may have fallen down a short set of stairs. She left him lying on the lawn and left! We arrived home from Vancouver 4 hours later and found him in severe breathing distress. I called CIVEH and was told to bring him in right away but that they work on a triage system and there might be a wait. This was expected. When we arrived two young ladies carried him from the car into the clinic ,weighed him, and took him straight into an examining room. It was quickly determined that his condition was critical and he needed treatment immediately. Within 15 minutes Dr. Jodie informed us that an ultrasound exam showed he had a tumor, most likely cancerous, that had ruptured and was causing him to bleed out into his abdominal cavity. Sadly there was nothing that could be done for him and we had to let him go. We would like to thank everyone at the clinic for their kindness, compassion and help, from the receptionist who took our call, the help getting him into the clinic, and the medical staff that we didn't see. Most of all we thank Dr. Jodie Wilson for her quick diagnosis and explanation of what was the cause, her compassion and her understanding. We were given as much time with Oliver as we needed to say our goodbye. We cannot speak any higher of the staff at CIVEH. Peter and Mary Lynne, Crofton

Expérience fantastique: Our Golden had been having some tummy issues and was very lethargic. We were at a loss of what to do. I called in and spoke with a super kind vet and he assured me that if needed, they would be there to help. We monitored her and decided to take her in the following morning. The staff at the front were so welcoming as well Dr Mathew Geunther. He did not push any type of tests and allowed us to make a decision we felt most comfortable with. After having the anti nausea, our little love was finally starting to act like herself again. Thank you to all the lovely staff at Central Island Vet. We are so thankful you were there to help!

Expérience fantastique: This past Saturday evening we were at the clinic with our elderly pug Elliott for critical respitory issues. Thank you Dr Wilson and team for saving our boy. Words are small for how HUGE the care, compassion and quickly you worked on him. Forever grateful.

Expérience négative: They told me wait times would be 4-8 hours when I have a cat that just gave birth to kittens. My cat may have a neurological condition as her one eye is dilated. Every thing I read told me to take her in to emergency. But apparently potential brain injury or a neurological disorder is not emergency enough as they wanted me to wait around for potentially 8 hours just to get her triaged. Not impressed. They couldn't even give me a potential eta so I could go home and have her with her babies until she could be checked. Terrible service. Extremely disappointed.

Expérience fantastique: Unfortunately we had to put our cat down last night. The staff at Central Island Vet were so unbelievably caring, patient and compassionate. Even though their door is constantly revolving, they took the time to sit with me and my cat and patiently explained every step. Thank you ❤️

Expérience fantastique: The veterinary team demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise in saving my dog's life. From the initial phone call, the receptionists handled the situation efficiently, and the medical team provided outstanding emergency care over the weekend. I express my sincere gratitude for their prompt and effective response during a critical time for my dog.

Expérience fantastique: Tonight I took my very constipated cat into Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital. So glad they are open 24/7. She received excellent care. Both the vet and the staff were exceptionally caring. I would highly recommend them.

Expérience négative: We brought our dog in who had a hole in his eye with fluid leaking out. We asked if they could have a quick look at him. We had to catch the ferry to return to work and had medication and vet access on the mainland. We sat for 6 hours while they looked at dogs with issues like; “may have eaten some chocolate” and another with a sore paw. When they finally brought our dog in for an examination it took less than 10 minutes and returned saying there was nothing they could do. (The dogs eye was repaired in Vancouver). To add insult to injury they charged us $325.00 for the 8-10 minutes of work.

Expérience positive: Absolutely so happy with everything about this place! My grandma and I came in because of my grandmas sick cat :( but the wait wasn’t too long and the lovely vet, Jodie was absolutely amazing! She did everything she could do and was the nicest vet I had ever met. Receptionists were very informative and so nice! Thank you guys for everything you did for my grandma :)

Expérience fantastique: I had to take my cat here three times and they were just amazing. All of the staff were kind, understanding and very respectful. I had to let my cat cross over and they made it as easy as possible. I’ll never forget how hard they worked to help him, and how good they were to me. I felt like he left this world in the best way possible. They took care of everything. I highly recommend this emergency vet and if I ever need to take a pet somewhere for an emergency I would absolutely go back here.

Expérience fantastique: The night I had to unexpectedly say goodbye to Rusty at CIVEH was the hardest night of my life, but the staff here treated us so well and helped me make the right decision. Both the receptionist and Dr. MacIntyre were patient and compassionate, and it was obvious that they understood the pain and shock I was experiencing. Dr. MacIntyre was very knowledgable about Rusty's condition, and she helped me feel confident in my decision to let him go in order to save him from pain and discomfort. I appreciate your professionalism and care during this time that I will never forget, and I would not hesitate to bring my pets here for care in the future.

Expérience négative: I was recently traveling abroad with a friend whose dog got sick and died while she was away. Her experience (over the phone) with Central Island Vet was so upsetting to witness, that I had to write a review. Two things stood out to me: - Shortly after the dog's arrival at the vet, the vet counselled my friend and her husband to put their dog to sleep, without doing any tests or giving her any time to try to stabilize, despite their dog having gotten through a similar episode previously. The vet kept going on about quality of life, as if my friend were trying to keep her dog alive far too long (it had barely been a couple of hours). - The absolute worst part was that after her dog passed, the vet, on the phone, said that they had taken her paw prints after she had died, and my friend could buy them for $10. First of all, this was done without asking my friend or her husband, without their consent. Second of all, in what world is a veterinary clinic so greedy and opportunistic to spring this on someone who's beloved pet has just died?! My friends spent thousands of dollars in a matter of hours at the clinic, and they still want to charge for the paw prints? I've never come across anything so tasteless in my life. How shameful.

Expérience fantastique: We felt so close to having lost our dog. Whether it was marijuana possibly in the park or food poisoning, we don’t know. We came within minutes of my dog being put out of agony. Then, x-rays showed abnormalities, medication was prescribed, and he improved greatly. Thank-you so very much. You care!

Expérience fantastique: I want to extend my gratitude towards the team for taking such wonderful care of Dante, my parents’ 11 year old whippet, during his unfortunate amputation. You all made such a stressful time so much easier on my parents and your dedication to Dante’s health was apparent, without any pressure and constant communication. Thank you ever so much

Expérience fantastique: I have had to bring my toy poodle in twice in the past 2 years..the staff and vets are efficient, caring, professional, sweet with her, and do their best to advise you according to your needs.. We are so lucky to have a wonderful facility here in North Nanaimo. Thank you for your patient support! Miss Tilley is doing better every day...

Expérience fantastique: I took my kitten, Biscuit, in for lily poisoning, and came home with her 3 days later. I cannot thank CIVEH enough for taking care of my baby. Dr. Daniel was phenomenal and I would absolutely recommend her to anyone. She was very patient and answered all of my questions, and always called to check in when she started her shift at the hospital. It was so difficult to hear that Biscuit had such low odds of survival, and Dr. Daniel was very compassionate throughout without making false promises. The receptionist staff Kalli and Paige were very kind and supportive when I was at the emergency for over 3 hours crying my eyes out waiting for her to be admitted. The hospital let me leave my sweater with her so she could have something familiar. I really appreciate that. Thank you too to Daniella and Nicole for reassuring me that I could call anytime to check in on how Biscuit was doing. Those calls every 4-6 hours really helped keep me sane. My baby is now home and healthy again, and we're both catching up on some much needed sleep (which for her is just her usual 18 hours). My immense gratitude to everyone at CIVEH for everything.

Expérience fantastique: Dr. Lauzon's care and compassion is unforgettable. During our sudden goodbye, she compassionately explained everything to us, giving us all the time and patience we needed. The entire team we met showed care, understanding and you can tell they care for their patients.

Expérience positive: I went to this emergency hospital with my senior dog who had a grand mal seizure. My pet was provided medical care immediately and we were in and out within a few hours. There was good communication from the treatment area staff with regards to what was needed from me to provide him with the best care possible. Dr Catherine Daniels was the vet on and she was an absolute god send! She was compassionate and empathetic while being clear and concise. She made a point to touch base with me and update me on my dogs condition as often as she was able. Dr Daniels does real credit to the profession. I struggled with writing the remainder of this review as I understand and respect the importance of policies. However, my experience with the front desk staff left me feeling that compassion could be integrated better into their policy implementation. I arrived visibly distressed carrying my dog in my arms. Despite clearly communicating his poorly condition, on admit I was asked by the receptionist to place my post seizure dog on the ground so he could be leashed and walked to the treatment area. While waiting in the reception area, my dog could be heard howling in distress. So I asked the receptionist if they could check if an IV catheter had been placed. I felt they prioritized checking in a stable patient before following up on my dogs condition. Once I had spoken with the vet and agreed to a treatment plan, I let the receptionist know that I had driven over in such a hurry that the gas tank in the car was empty. So, I just needed to step out for a moment to refuel. They spoke to the vet, then let me know that a deposit was required before I was able to step out. In moments of medical emergencies, pet parents are under significant emotional stress. At such times, I feel that strict policy enforcement should not supercede the human aspect of care and a more empathetic approach would have made for a better overall client experience. Feb 8, 2024 I want to take a moment to clarify my previous review. Upon further reflection and communication with the practice manager, I realize that my assessment was erroneous in certain aspects. Firstly, I must correct my portrayal of the situation involving the other pet that presented that night. My understanding was incomplete, and I regret any misunderstanding my initial review may have caused. Additionally, it was unfair of me to comment on the staff's empathy without knowing the full context. Every individual's experience is unique, and my perspective may not have accurately captured the efforts and intentions of the clinic's team. I want to emphasize that my pet received the necessary care, and I remain grateful for the expertise and dedication of their vet. I appreciate the opportunity to revisit and revise my review, and I hope this clarification provides a more balanced perspective for future clients of this practice.

Expérience fantastique: The staff we encountered have all been amazing! Our dog suffered a dog bite and they were so understanding and patient when I came in upset! We unfortunately had to see them one more time due to my dog getting at a few of his stitches and again, the entire staff were lovely! They may be a little bit more expensive but I think that’s completely justified in the cost it takes to run an emergency vet clinic, and I would pay it again to have their service available when I needed it (both times). Thank you to the staff that have to endure the stress that they do, easily 5 stars!

Expérience négative: Its sad you guys say you love animals, but in reality yous love money. You guys over charge for emergencies and pull at heart stings knowing owners will pay for it in that time to save their fur baby. I had to pay for my brother dog to be out down a few months ago and yous wouldn't even consider a payment plan for him. When he was broke. I had to fork up $400 to put him down then a week later I came up with another $300 just so you can release the ashes Shame on yous for taking advantage of loving animal owners who actually loves animals

Expérience fantastique: All the staff were so amazing, when our sweet girl was hit by a car they gave her the best care and were so attentive to me in my distress. Very thankful for you all, highly recommend taking your pet here!!

Expérience fantastique: Very appreciative of the service from this vet clinic. I called for some guidance on what to do if I suspect my dog is experiencing sand impaction in his digestive system (vomiting and unusual subdued behaviour following a regular day at the beach). The representative whom answered my call was polite, sympathetic, and direct with her questions that would help determine next steps. I decided it would be best to bring him in for an exam. I live over an hour away and made my way there right away. They were able to take him in immediately (this may not always be the case as they operate as a triage, we were lucky that day), and an emerge vet was able to speak with me soon after. With no way to really know without x-rays, I consented to sedation to proceed with the x-rays. The quote given to me by the vet was bang on when it came time to settle the financial side. I waited about an hour before the vet returned and confirmed my suspicions were correct - sand and small stones in his digestive system. The vet answered all my questions and never rushed me. We decided I would take him home and monitor symptoms, and to bring him back right away if he started vomiting again. They gave him anti nausea meds and some fluids to help any dehydration, I also opted for the liquid meds for his throat to give some comfort there as well. All in all, yes it was an unexpected, expensive bill - but that is the price we pay for the animals we love. I wouldn't change a thing and I appreciate how quickly and professionally they all handled the situation. My dog is also VERY timid, absolutely terrified of vet clinics and they did the best they could to comfort him, as pawrents are not permitted to accompany their animal in the back. I struggled with this but I trusted they would treat him well and get him back to me as soon as they could. He was very happy to see me and go home when it was all done. TLDR: fast service and kind professionals from all angles. It's unfortunate they are only emergency, as I would certainly return for annual exams and regular vaccines. Dr. Emma was the vet whom assisted me that day and Chelsea was the rep whom took my call and transacted with me in office at the desk. Lovely ladies. Thank you.

Expérience négative: Because of your negligence of not thoroughly checking over our dog He passed away at a very young age. Shame on you guys this review is a zero. We will definitely be in touch.

Expérience négative: We are beyond upset and very angry. Our family dog passed away today. It was our 2nd visit at central island emergency vet 8 hrs apart. We took him in the middle of the night the first time and there was CLEARLY something wrong. His breathing didn’t seem right and he seemed in a lot of pain! At first we thought it might be his incision from getting fixed 4 days ago. I was very clear on the phone and said he had surgery 4 days ago and specifically told them he was fixed as well as had BOAS surgery. Central Island Emergency Vet clearly DID NOT check him over thoroughly. They said there was nothing wrong and sent us on our way home. He was clearly in distress, pain and was very wheezy with his breathing when we brought him in.There is absolutely no excuse for them to not have checked his throat especially after I mentioned on the phone he had just had boas surgery! We brought him back 8 hours later to find out his sutures on his soft palate fell out and it completely blocked his airways. He passed away at the emergency vet. We were charged the vet visit anyways regardless of their complete negligence of them not thoroughly checking him over 8 hours prior! Theo was only 1 year old he didn’t deserve to suffer like this and his life was way too short! If I could give the emergency vet 0 stars I would but you can only rate 1-5 stars! We trusted them to check him over thoroughly! We will never forgive and never go back!

Expérience fantastique: Brought my 1 year old dog here with what ended up being a broken femur, with the break being in the growth plate. Was there for about 12-13 hours, and that's ok. It operates like an ER in a human hospital. Critical conditions are taken care of first, as they should be! This means you may get bumped down the list if something more urgent comes in. It also means if you're the urgent situation, you can know that they'll address the situation appropriately. They checked my little one in pretty soon after I got there to assess her and give her some pain control, which was the important thing. Then I could wait knowing she wasn't suffering all night. I ended up having a nap in my car. Communication was excellent and I could always ask how my little one was doing and where on the waiting list she was at. After the x-rays I was given a couple options. I opted to have her leg fixed surgically. They were VERY knowledgeable about the various clinics here and on the mainland that could do the surgery and they even called around to get different quotes for me. Way above and beyond and a huge stress relief for me. I ended up having her surgery on the mainland. To me it is clear the people who work here care for the well-being of the animals first and foremost. Everyone was very kind and knowledgeable. This is an emergency clinic, and I believe I was billed very fairly. I was there all night, and saw owners come in with very sick pets or deceased pets, or pets that needed to be euthanized and I saw nothing but compassion and professionalism from the staff in these difficult situations. I would not hesitate to bring either of my pets here again in an emergency.

Expérience fantastique: My senior dog became seriously ill very quickly in the middle of the night, so I had to rush her to the emergency vet. She’s been followed at home by a vet for years because she’s so terrified of going to the vet that she would have seizures when we brought her. We had planned to say goodbye at home but unfortunately things don’t always work out the way you had hoped. Thank goodness Dr. Daniel was working the evening I brought her in. She was so compassionate, empathic and really listened to my concerns regarding my dog’s anxiety. She recommended numerous ways to keep her calm, and did everything she could to make her last moments peaceful. I honestly couldn’t have asked for better staff and care for my old girl during such a difficult time. Huge thanks to Dr. Daniel and the person working the front desk that night as well.

Expérience négative: They over charge and don't even treat pets properly. It seems almost intentional so you have to bring your pet back in and spend more money. My mom's cat got worse after being "treated" here. After calling two reputable vets they where shocked with the meds given and what information was given. My moms cat got severely worse due to this it almost seems like they did that so she would come back and pay over $3000 instead of actually helping and treating the cat properly. They also gave her wrong information about food. Making it seem like she could only buy food from them. They also stated her cat was a healthy weight when she was pretty sure it was over weight. Her regular vet informed her she was correct and that her cat should be on the weight control food as she thought. What kind of vet office can't even tell if an animal is over weight. People come here due to emergencies trying to save their pets life and these people pray on that. They take advantage of your vulnerable state over charge don't treat correctly and give you wrong information. Having two different vets agree that what happened here was not correct and that the wrong medication was giving should tell you something. How is it that two vet offices that don't know each other gave the same treatment plan and told her that's what would have helped while this vet office did the complete opposite. Her cat could have died due to this. But in all honesty it seems like they where banking on her cat getting worse so she would have to pay them $3000 for a surgery that can be avoided if they gave the right meds.

Expérience fantastique: We drove down from Courtenay around 11pm because our dog was getting increasingly more and more sick. Refusing to eat, dry heaving, it was scary. I called ahead and got the loveliest person on the phone, she asked for an approximate time we would get there, and took all our info. They didn't do unnecessary tests, or keep us any longer than needed. My dog got x-rays quickly, and on to a solution. Forwarded everything to our local vet, and their diagnosis was right on the money.

Expérience fantastique: The clinic was jam packed when I got there. I waited for 6 hours to be seen...and that was okay. My cat had an abscess that needed to be dealt with but was not life threatening so he got bumped down the list as more other, urgent cases came in. All the patients waiting were fine with what was going on, as was I. The staff was clearly busy but spent all the time that was needed with owners when their patients were discharged. There is a remarkable team working at this clinic and while I hope I never see them again (because it would be an emergency) I would not hesitate to return in future if my pet needed after hours care. Well Done.

Expérience fantastique: Had to bring my cat in on Saturday as she was having difficulty with birth. Dr. Nick was amazing as were the rest of the staff we encountered. Happy to say that M and baby Uruz are doing really well. Thank you all for the care you showed my fur baby

Expérience fantastique: Taking the time to write my first ever google review after such a great experience. I called them after my dog was bitten, and they were able to provide immediate advice on the phone to help put my mind at ease. After bringing him into the hospital, all the staff were so helpful, and updated me throughout the entire process. The vet presented me with all of my quote options before anything was done, and took great care of my dog. He was patched up and ready to go home within the hour, with antibiotics ready and further instructions already in my email inbox. Can't thank them enough for how great they were in a stressful situation!

Expérience fantastique: Words can't express our gratitude for the exceptional care our little boy received when we had to bring him here unexpectedly last week. We were traveling for vacation from Vancouver where when he suddenly became acutely unwell and rushed him to CIVEH. We were away from home and our regular vet and this was our first scary experience with our 15week old pup. We were beside ourselves worried for our sweet boy. Sara, who was at the front desk, was so calm, gentle, and reassuring. She was communicative about what was happening and what to expect and gave us so much comfort. Dr. Jodie Wilson was incredibly compassionate and we felt like she was caring for our pup the way she would care for her own. She walked us through our options, and was so communicative and patient. She reassured us throughout and was emotionally response. We knew both our pup and us were in good hands. I also know there were so many staff behind the scenes whose names I don't know who were giving our little guy amazing TLC. As guardians of our sweet boy, we couldn't have asked for better, kinder, more compassionate care from this team and we're so happy to say he has made a full recovery!

Expérience fantastique: Our experience here was magnificent. We brought in our cat who was having some difficulty breathing. They took him right away and started treating him. He was pretty much okay and has a bad cold but we panicked a bit lol. Jodi was the vet who spoke to us. She was amazing, very kind and patient with our questions and explained everything to us in an easy to understand manner. She eased my anxiety about our cat! He’s doing much better today. We did not need to leave our cat overnight or anything but if we did I 100% believe my cat would have been taken care of and loved. All the staff were kind and so informative. Thank you all so much!!!!

Expérience positive: We've had several visits to CIV over the last few years. 3 with our old dog and 1 with our rotti who needed emergency surgery for Pyometra. We brought our beloved dog in 2 days ago for after a stressful event triggered our boys CHF and he was struggling to breathe. The vets got him stable enough to go home and provided another medication on top of the 5 he was already on. We took him back the next day for a recheck due to him not wanting to eat even his favorite foods and he was struggling. The vet came in and explained possible outcomes with me and Apologized profusely because it was in front of my 9 year old daughter and it was extremely upsetting for us. The staff was understanding when I was leaving to go get the rest of my family and needed to sign a CPR form before I had gone. I could barely talk I was so upset and the staff was so understanding. Once my entire family was with us they allowed us to have as much time with out pet as we needed and made sure he was comfortable for his last minutes.The vet was so compassionate and understanding of the deep love and bond we had for our boy. She even cried with us on her knees. When it was time she explained everything and allowed us to take our time with him. We purchased paw print frames and ink before hand as we knew it was coming and they did that all for us. The only reason I gave 4 stores was due to the fact we weren't offered an Urn for our boy instead they asked if we wanted it in a box or cedar box and no option or photo of any Urns. Another thing that upset me was that they don't directly deal with the Vancouver Island cremation center and send our boy across the water to be done. I asked if he was privately cremated and the staff didn't really understand what I ment and just said yes. The vet that was on site during our boys last minute deserves 5 stars for her compassion and understanding and for sharing such a hard moment with us. It ment alot that she cried with us and showed us not every vet only cares about the money.

Expérience fantastique: I was away and my dog Kya was with a trusted friend. Kya started vomiting and it went on for 3 days, it was very worrying. My friend took her to the clinic on Sunday morning and the attention and compassion she and Kya received was amazing! I can’t thank you all enough. To be far away was so hard but I could tell from talking to the receptionist that Kya was in good hands and she was! My thanks to all involved. Kya was checked out thoroughly and required no surgery and no extended care. I will try to make sure she doesn’t get into garbage again! Leslie Liston, Duncan BC

Expérience fantastique: The staff was kind and compassionate! They got my dog coco in for surgery to fix her stitches quickly! They explained everything in detail, and there was no judgement or blame. I would definitely recommend going there for any pet emergencies!

Expérience fantastique: I have a very large, very elderly dog and have needed to seek emergency care for her on a few occasions - most recently in the last week. Without fail, these folks are beyond wonderful. Caring, dedicated and effective. We are so incredibly lucky to have this facility within an accessible distance, many areas are not so fortunate.

Expérience fantastique: I just had to send my beloved cat Angel on to his next journey. I can't praise the staff enough. They were so kind and understanding. This situation could not have been handled in a more compassionate way. Thank you so much Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital.

Expérience fantastique: Today we had to do one of the hardest things as a pet owner, we said goodbye to my first puppy. He lived a long full happy life and the staff here made the goodbye so peaceful and non stress. I am so impressed with all of their staff and the comfort they give to the patients and they give you all the time you need with your animal for goodbyes and explain to you what’s happening. A big thank you to the staff for your hard work and making one of the most heart wrenching experiences a little better.

Expérience fantastique: C.I.V.E.H. staff are incredibly professional and kind in unfortunate times. Emergency vet appointments are never the highlight of your day, but they make the process as manageable as possible, given the circumstances. We appreciate the attentiveness and level of care provided by everyone involved. Thank you

Expérience fantastique: We have had to lay 2 of our pets to rest in the last year. Both times we had Dr. Guenter. All I can say is he is in the right place doing the right job! He is so caring, kind, gentle, empathetic and makes you very comfortable with the whole procedure. I couldn't be more happy with the way pur pets and we were treated.

Expérience fantastique: Took our sweet 11 yr old dog in this morning. Was greeted by Chris who met us at the door. He took our info and while the doctor checked my dog, kept me in conversation which helped me calm down. Thanks so much to all.

Expérience fantastique: Unfortunately we ended up through the doors of the CIVEH over the weekend. I am thankful for the staff as they were so kind throughout everything. The Dr’s were swamped with cases and still managed to call me with updates when they could throughout our stay, if I called they were prompt in calling back. Special thank you to Dr. Jodi Wilson who was the initial Dr on our case. She was extremely kind and compassionate with us. Thank you to Dr. Daniel’s who took over our case and treated our little Bo. This job is unimaginably hard so shank you everyone for making this visit smooth and stress free as possible.

Expérience fantastique: I want to thank everyone at Central Island Vet for helping take care of our dog Cardi tonight. We were taking a ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo when a cyst ruptured on her back, causing bleeding and discomfort. Given the timing (Friday night on a holiday weekend), we would not have been able to see another vet until Monday at the earliest. The staff were professional and extremely gentle/patient with her, and the vet gave us a detailed diagnosis of how to treat and monitor the cyst (fortunately surgery was not needed). Coming here made a stressful situation much better. Thank you!

Expérience négative: NOT HAPPY. My pup and I showed up with her ear split open. Bleeding a lot. The vet tech said she would be out shortly to assess. Waited 9 hours and I asked them to at least assess her. After 9 hours and repeated requests to see someone, I saw the vet. Determined surgery and antibiotics to prevent infection as it was a dog bite. When I arrived to grab my pup with a different vet on site, there were no antibiotics prescribed. I asked 4 times for them as I told them it was a dog bite. The vet refused to speak to me and didn't explain why they are not prescribing antibiotics. The front desk staff just said "there is nothing we can do." Two weeks later, my pup had a massive infection in the ear. My current vet said at times the infection could open the wound. I told them what happened and my vet was shocked my pup didn't receive antibiotics after a dog bite. My puppy went underwent the same surgery again at a different vet. I was shocked that it was half the cost even with prescribed pain meds as well as antibiotics. I contacted the team and their programmer refunded me the money which is appreciated. I emailed the medical director and no apology or acknowledgment of what took place. No accountability. Hiding behind the idea that things are never black and white referencing the use of antibiotics. The challenge here is that the other vet that originally assessed my dog was so clear that my dog really needs antibiotics because of the bacteria that exists in a dog bite. Changing a treatment plan without consultation doesn't sit well with me. I have to say... I know places like this are never malicious... yet what I experienced was extremely frustrating and has put my pup in the same situation which could have been avoided. The picture was taken at the new vet before she underwent the same surgery.

Expérience fantastique: Very friendly doctor, assured me twice when I was having a panic attack over my kitten. Fully could have done every optional test to run up the bill but didn't. They were quick, so friendly and helpful. Everybody buy vet insurance!

Expérience fantastique: I cannot thank you enough for the incredible support you provided for me and my sweet boy before he passed. He was a vibrant 14-year old pug who went into respiratory distress on a Saturday night on Gabriola island. We were stuck there until we could catch the ferry on Sunday morning. Your guidance over the phone to help keep him as comfortable as possible, your responsiveness, knowledge, care, and compassion during an incredibly difficult and distressing time will never be forgotten.

Expérience fantastique: On Friday June 2, 2023 I had to take our cocker spaniel in for emergency care after a horrific dog attack - we received the best care possible and were treated in a very very respectful and compassionate manner from the front end staff and technicians and the vets Dr. Durocher who did her primary surgery and Dr. Luo on her follow up. Kudos to all staff involved - you are AMAZING - thank you thank you and thank you

Expérience fantastique: My dog was in distress and after an exam, they presented with the prognosis that she needed a surgery and hospital stay that was very expensive. While I was trying to figure out what to do, they contacted my vet and got him to agree to do the surgery for a fraction of the cost. They were amazing! Thank you CIV!