Anne Arundel Veterinary Emergency Clinic (AAVEC) Review

My dog got stung by a bee late in the night. They gave her shots and prescribed Benadryl. It did take a few hours but there were two critical cases that came in while we were there. They updated us on times and were very nice.

Great veterinary hospital! Wonderful knowing that they are a fully functional emergency hospital no matter what day or time it is. It is a bit pricey, but I assume that is because it is also an after hours emergency hospital. Not sure if pricing is different during "normal" business hours. I arrived around 8:30pm on a Monday and it cost $160 just to walk in the door and be seen.
Dr. Nightingale was fantastic!! She was very friendly and kind to my kitty Katie and myself. She provided a lot of information, as well as asking me questions and answering all of mine. She made me feel at ease about my girl's situation. The techs are also very nice and caring. Only issue that I had was the fact that there were 4-5 front desk personnel and there were virtually no other patients at the time. We were put in a room to fill out some paperwork and then wait for a doctor to come in. We waited for at least 20 minutes, possibly more before seeing anyone. At the end of the visit, I was given some info at checkout and had some questions, but had to wait again for assistance. But overall, given the nature of my visit, this place is an excellent veterinary hospital!

The people here are very professional and caring towards the pets they help. The doctors are knowledgeable and are great at balancing care for the animal with saving money on performing expensive tests that might not be necessary. There's a comfortable waiting room with vending machines and coffee, so even though there's sometimes a long wait, you can be comfortable and help your pet to be comfortable while you wait.

The front desk staff was extremely friendly and patient with my over excited malamute. They were able to explain the policies to me and get me back to an exam room in less than 5 minutes. The vet we saw was also very friendly and really took the time to look at my dog and examine her. I didn't feel rushed at all and felt very confident in the care being provided for my pet. I'm thankful to live near a reliable emergency clinic.

I had an emergency with my cat and was told by my regular vet to take him to your facility. We learned that he was very sick and had to be put to sleep. The vet was very caring and sympathetic. We received a packet to take home which contained a poem that broke my heart. A few weeks later, I received another packet with a "In Memory of Rebel" poem that contained my cat's paw prints. That was so caring and thoughtful.. I would recommend this clinic to anyone. If I ever face a similar situation, I would surely make the trip to the clinic again.

Excellent care, compassionate staff, very reasonable fees. A safe port in the storm!!

This is the second time in one month I have had to bring my father's dog here for him. BOTH times they would not allow me to drop off his dog without my promising to stay in the parking lot despite my having my cell phone with me for any consultation. THREE hours each time. I find this so rude. My time is just as important to me as their time is to them. This is a terrible way to treat customers. 6 hours I'll never get back. AND the temperature was 80 - 90 degrees so the car was on the entire time. There is absolutely no excuse for treating customers like this. Never have I ever.

In June my rotty showed serious signs of a problem. He was cowering at our hands to pet him he was whining and throwing up and dribbling urine. He was dizzy and couldn t get into the car and he loves car rides. I pulled up to the animal hospital around 11pm on a weeknight. The girl that came to the car was nice, at first. She got frustrated with my dog bc he wasn t stable enough to jump out of my car. Scariest night for me ever. My dogs are my children. I walked him up to the door and couldn t go in with him which I didn t like but I immediately wanted to take him somewhere else when I saw this same girl grab my dog and try to control his wobbles from dizziness. She was aggressive and frustrated. It took us literally a half an hour to get my dog into the facility and suddenly they decided a gurney would help but the girls were probably half the size in weight of my 120lb, solid dog that I can t even carry. I don t know how they thought they were going to lift him on the gurney. I didn t leave the hospital until 1pm and Miles ended up staying over night. He was fine the next day but I won t return if he ever has the same issues. He didn t understand what was happening and he was clearly scared. All I can say is the girl was lucky he didn t bite her when she pinned him down with aggression. And of course if he did, it would have been a lawsuit. I saw the entire thing. He wasnt coherent or in the right mind in the first place. If you don t have patience- caring for animals isn t your thing. I gave 3 stars bc they treated him and made him well but they lost 2 stars for the disgruntled employee that was clearly frustrated with my ill animal while I was in tears.

I called many emergency vets in my area and pretty much was telling me they couldn't help me with my 8 week old puppy. I called this place even though they were not that close to me and without hesitation they told me to bring my puppy in. She ended up being admitted for a few days day and yes it was pricey but they nursed her back. She is doing great thanks to them. I would definitely recommend bringing your pets here. I will definitely go back it the future if need be.

On Christmas day this past year I found my dog of 13 years on the floor unable to get up with labored breathing . After attempting to get him up he collapsed. We took him to the only Emergency Vet opened and near us. Upon getting him inside with their help it was determined he likely had cancer and some bleeding internally because of near white gums. After being consulted further on options we decided to have him put down. It was likely he wouldn't make it through any procedures and would be very costly otherwise. The Doctor and staff were so sympathetic and gave us as much time as we needed before saying goodbye. Following his death we received a hand written card from the Vet expressing her sympathies for our loss. Just yesterday we received a poem with his paw print stamoed at the bottom. It was very unexpected but a great gesture. I highly recommend this facility as they really seem to care about the pets and owners alike.

We have come here several times over the years with veterinary emergencies dire and minor. Care and procedures are similar to a human emergency room. We has been pleased with the care given to all 5 of our dogs. This is even when such care was to allow one of our dogs to pass peacefully when there was not much more that could be done for her.

The AAVEC also runs the veterinary hospital for companion animals that are hospitalized for various reasons. There is FULL 24-hour ON-SITE coverage by veterinarians and vet techs. This has been very important to us.

Wonderful staff; kind and compassionate with us while our dog was dying.

A good place to take your to after hours if they get sick, they open 24 hours

This place did nothing but charge 297 for fluid and 10 pills. Suppose to be the best in our area. Was referred for surgery but told 4 weeks WOW

My dog was having a digestive issue that our primary vet suggested we call the ER about as a precautionary. I spoke with Theresa over the phone and she was absolutely wonderful! She immediately gave me all the signs and symptoms to look for, told me all about the protocols and procedures at the hospital and eased all of my immediate concerns. I felt a huge relief after speaking with her since Google can be a living nightmare when googling symptoms! I am fortunate that she was so kind, caring and patient during our phone call in my time of need! Thank you Theresa for your absolutely wonderful customer service!!!! AAVEC is so lucky to have you! I included a picture of my pup you helped potentially save :)

I worked with another service in the building for years. Best er in the area. I drive past my local er thats 10 min away to come to aavec thats 45 away.

I highly recommend this clinic. After having Golden Retrievers and a cat for 32 years, I have been to a lot of vets. Although one never hopes to have to go to an emergency clinic, this one was hands down the best vet of any kind I've encountered. Whether emergency or otherwise. They were friendly, skilled and VERY caring to our cat who had cut herself badly on our fence. Be prepared for a couple of things: Amanda, a tech, sticks out like a sore thumb for her ill-tempered, unwelcoming treatment of us and our pet. She cost them a star. They also don't handle communication about timing very well. You will probably have to wait, and they will not alert you to this, or to how long it will be. Bring a book: they're worth the wait!

Everyone was very knowledgeable and kind. They took very good care of my dog.

Our 11 year old cat grew sick suddenly and we had to end her suffering. The Dr was very kind caring and compassionate.

This place is so wonderful to have in Annapolis. I have used the emergency clinic and the Cardiac Care for pets in the same office. They are amazingly helpful.

Amazing doctors and staff! The made an awful experience as good as it could be, and they saved my dog! You won't find a better more caring emergency vet.

Ended up needing to take my dog and my cat here within about a month. The doctors and nurses are so sweet and so awesome. Both of my fur babies are doing fine now because of them!

Sad day for our suddenly sick cat but wonderful staff, surgery/diagnosis, and euthanasia. Direct, courteous discussion and end result. Highly recommended.

My Sassy girl got attacked by a larger dog On 4/13. Thank you so much Anne Arunde vetanary hospital for saving her. We are so happy and grateful

I spent $900+ on xrays, blood tests, urinalysis and they still werent able to find out what was wrong with my dog. It seemed they were more worried about adding to my bill than helping my dog. Giving 2 starts because they were open on Sunday when everyone else was closed.

They take care of all pet problems and are open 24hrs.

Courteous personnel. Bit expensive in my opinion, less than half hour cost $146. ???

I first visited them when my dog needed surgery along with the follow ups. Then again unfortunately when I had to put my dog down. During all times the doctors and staff were wonderful, kind and understanding of all my needs. They would be my regular veterinarian if I lived closer.

I have to give credit to AAVEC. If you have an emergency I would recommend you go here. Had to rush my pet in the early hours if the morning. Even with us navigating through COVID-19 my experience was as if I was actually in there with my pet. Dr. Julie was very clear on the steps we needed to take so there was no confusion on the actions that need to be taken. This is a full veterinarian facility where in my city the 24hr Vet was not. Boujee says thank you for taking care of her.

Sad day for our suddenly sick cat but wonderful staff, surgery/diagnosis, and euthanasia. Direct, courteous discussion and end result. Highly recommended.

First time here with my dog Heinz. He wasn't feeling good . They came out and got him from our car and had to wait outside because of the covid-19. They did a excellent job handling my dog snd the situation with the covid-19. They gave him some meds and some fluids. They gave us a call when we could pick him up and they brought him back out to the car to take him home. Heinz is better now, might of been something that he ate or got into. But they impressed me.

I have at this point taken all of my pets to AAVEC for emergency care when I couldn t get them in to see their regular veterinarian. I have been very pleased so far and will continue to take them here for emergencies. On my most recent visit, both of my cats were being seen for ingestion of lilies which are very toxic to cats. I must admit that I was a bit disappointed with my initial point of contact with the veterinary technician that took my cats in (they were doing curbside) and the intake veterinarian but once I expressed my concerns, I felt that the team quickly adapted and that my concerns were heard. My two kitties were hospitalized for two nights and I received timely updates and felt that the veterinary team put in considerable effort to make sure I understood what was happening with their care every step of the way. I have always been impressed by the veterinary care that my pets have received here and equally impressed by the professionalism of the staff from the receptionists to the practice manager to the veterinarians! I will not hesitate to bring my pets here in the future.

Worst vet experience ever experienced. they called at 6 am the next morning to inform me they could no longer continue to treat our dog as our estimated 3 day deposit ran out in less then 20 hours. I insisted they continue to treat and I was getting dressed and on my way to pay more money. They said they would not to continue to treat until I arrived and signed for my credit card. On my way, I called Greater Annapolis and made arrangements to bring him there for treatment. After arriving I asked to pack my dog up for transport, they refused. They started making statements, it would be illegal to take him... The staff then found a multiple of 10 error in the charges for medication and reduced the bill. I informed it was not about the bill, it was about the aggressive tactics of not treating my dog and the aggressive attitudes towards their facility being the only place legally to treat my dog. I demanded, and left with my dog to Greater Annapolis.

Best decision I ever made. He did not sleep and was very streesed in this facility as the lights were on and procedures were performed all night on other dogs in front of him. I was there most of the night, to then be awoken for the demand phone call. Not sure who designed all the cages to face the lights and all the action, poor design in my opinion. We all need rest when we are ill.

Two days at Greater Annapolis for 1/4 the cost and our dog recovered from pancreatitis to live five healthy more years. Hope to never have to go back to this hospital again.

We recently brought our 9 year-old Weimaraner to AAVEC on a Sunday because she was acting very ill. We informed the vet that she had been diagnosed with kidney disease about a year ago. The vet performed a physical examination and diagnosed her to have an injury to her neck/back. She gave us pain meds and muscle relaxers and told us to contact our vet if she wasn t showing improvement within 48 hours. She was even worse after 48 hours and I took her to our vet who immediately ran a blood test and determined her kidneys were failing. We are dismayed that the AAVEC vet did not perform a blood test given our dog s history of kidney disease. We lost two precious days of treating her for her condition and she passed away on Wednesday. Also, no one bothered to follow up with a call to see how she was doing a common courtesy performed by most vets.

Our dog ate some cooked chicken bones, so I called to see if we needed to bring her in. The woman who answered the phone could not have been more helpful. She gave advice and assuaged my fears. I was more than ready to drive to Annapolis, but they helped free of charge. Also, if note, when my childhood pet was being put to sleep, they were just as helpful, and really made us comfortable after a bad experience with another local vet.

We were referred to AAVEC after our dog collapsed and needed emergency surgery. All of the staff were very attentive, helpful, and professional. My only qualm with this facility was with the surgeon that operated on our dog. While I applaud Dr. Burgess for the extensive surgery he did to save our dog, his professionalism, and efficiency...he needs to work on his empathy; or rather the language he uses when talking to fretful pet parents who are endlessly worried about their fur children. To be frank, every time we talked to him it was like metaphorically being hit with a 2x4. Do not get me wrong, I am not disparaging his "telling it like it is" and preparing us to make some hard choices, he needs to maybe be a little more empathetic. All in all, I would definitely bring our future pets to this facility if the situation calls for it.

Very caring and understanding of dog's (and owners') needs.

Dog had to have surgery. Friendly and took care of us. Not cheap, but no emergency vet is. Would recommend for those who unfortunately need emergency vet.

They have all the different specialists right there. You don't have to leave and make an appointment somewhere else.

100% recommend this clinic to anyone! Our dog broke his mouth and we rushed him to our local vet and who then referred us to Anne Arundel to get a second opinion on it. Very honest and caring people here. Although it is pricey, it is all worth it to give your furry baby the special care they need.

Great emergency clinic! They took great care of my puppy who had been vomiting all day. They kept us updated every step of the way and were able to get the obstruction out without surgery. A bit pricey, but that was to be expected (and they made.sure i was fully aware of the cost). Good covid protocols as well. Highly recommend!

My husband and I saw a wild bunny hopping in the middle of the road dragging its legs and fly surrounding her. After capturing her, our heart was broken to find this little bun to appear to have been run over by a car with shattered back legs and no fur on her back part. We tried going to the nearest pet hospital but it was closed already at 7/8pm. After some googling, we found that this place which is 30 mins from us is the only one open. We called and explained the situation and they said they can only put down the bunny to sleep. When we got there we filled out a one page paperwork that gives our info and the animal's info and where she was found. It was free to put down an animal as a "Good Samaritan" thing, which was generous of them. We asked if we can be with the bunny when it was put down and they kindly accepted our request even though they do not normally do it. It was heart breaking but the vets and the front desk lady was very kind.

After hours availability. Quick service and excellent veterinary support.

My cat Robbie was in very serious condition due to diabetes related issues when I brought him in. Within a week thanks to a very trained staff, Robbie was back home with me within a week. He is doing very well and I would like to thank everyone there for their professionalism, understanding, and caring they gave to him. I was very pleased as to how they were there for me to explain everything to me step by step. If I need to bring Robbie or my other 2 cats there I would do so.

The staff here is amazing.
We had to let or beloved dog go due to cancer was a very sad day.
The DR. never made us feel bad or tried to get extra $ by extending her life for 6 months.
We had her cremated and a few days later we receive a poem with her paw print, very nice way to remember her.

My husband and I would just like to thank Dr. A and the techs for an outstanding experience with them. Our Lab needed major surgery on a herniated disc that had pretty much made him lame. Dr. A was able to fix our Lab, Deek back. He is able to walk again and now is back home with us. Everyone from the Emergency area to the Neurological staff went above and beyond the call of duty. We can t begin to thank you enough and from the very bottom of our hearts. Thank you again and we HIGHLY recommend this Clinic for anyone needed emergency help or specialist care. They are the BEST!!!!!!

My dog Ginger needed TPLO surgery. They took great care of her and were very thorough in their expectations and discharge instructions. Thank you!

I was recommended I take my cat in for an emergency visit, so I made my first trip there last month. The staff and Vet took such great care of us and helped us through a very tough time. I would recommend Anne Arundel Veterinary Emergency Clinic to family and friends.

I would like to thank Dr. Kozek for his kindness and compassion toward my dog, Coconut, and me yesterday, August 15, 2018. I brought Coconut to AAVEC for a second opinion regarding possible tumors. Dr. Kozek could not have been nicer or more compassionate when he came out to the waiting room to tell me the bad news. He also was nice enough to contact my vet's office and speak with them directly, in addition to his staff immediately faxing results over to my vet. Dr.Kozek certainly made a terrible situation for me as painless as possible. Thank you!

Came in for emergency care on Sunday afternoon. They were very courteous and got the problem taken care of quickly.

We brought our 13 year old lab in for suspected blout
. He was restless all night and gagging. We had a very positive experience. The vet assistants were caring and efficient. Dr. Tanya Sommervile was wonderful. Very compassioate, competent, and informative. X-rays were negative. We were very relieved.

We feel very fortunate to have this facility nearby.

The vets here have saved our little elderly Min Pin's life, treating pancreatitis. She made it thru the night and released after two days of care. New building is BEHIND the old building, with all the construction.

The facility is amazing. The staff was kind and courteous, very helpful over the phone. The Doctor that treated our dog was gentle, informative, caring and very compassionate. We are very pleased to know this facility is close to home! Thank you to all!

Waited for over an hour without being seen. If your pet needs urgent care, this is not your spot.

Very clean. Front desk are pleasant people. Everyone is very friendly. The cardiologist doctor very caring.

Dr. Lynch was fantastic. Caring and professional, I highly recommend. The support staff was excellent, as well!

We always use them for our 24-hr emergency pet care needs

Everyone was great until we got to Dr. Kennedy. She has no kind of bedside manner for someone whose dog is dying. She does not like if you ask questions. She will let you know they are a waste of her time by answering them in a disrespectful and condescending way. This made a painful situation worse for us and we will make sure she is not the Vet on duty should we need emergency pet care in the future. I recommend pet owners ask for anyone but Dr. Kennedy when you arrive. No one needs arrogance when their heart is breaking.

UPDATE: I received a call from the clinic with a sincere apology for the way Dr. Kennedy acted. The fact that they reached out meant a lot to me and truly did help me come to terms with the situation.

Take advantage of people's love for their pets and over charge them. That's sad

The facility was super clean, friendly, cost conscious for me and communicated very well. I left my pup there overnight and they took very good care of him and gave me plenty of updates and I called various times as well for additional updates.

Today, I had to put my best friend to sleep after a battle with canine lymphoma. It was the hardest thing I ever did, but coming here made it easier. They allowed my husband and me to sit in a private side room. The room was comfortable and tranquil, and filled with appropriate materials about grief. They made sure they gave us all the time we needed, and when the time came to let go, they administered the euthanasia with extreme skill so that I had peace in knowing my dog felt comfortable as he transitioned. I will forever be grateful to Dr. Coles and Jennifer for the superb way that they handled such a difficult moment. I felt heard, seen, and respected. If every health care professional showed this level of care, I'm certain the world would be a better place.

All the vets and vet techs were super helpful accommodating.

The hours are convenient and the cost is high. The staff was very kind; however, the vet did not do any diagnostic evaluations on my dog and assumed the problem was muscle/spine related when in fact he had blood in his urine and failing kidneys. I had to put him down two weeks and an additional $1000 after going here.

They took excellent care of my puppy when she was suffering from a severe fever, foreign object in her stomach and intestinal parasites. They kept her overnight but once they reached the point where everything they were doing for her was stuff I could be doing at home they called me to come bring her home instead of using it as an opportunity to keep her longer and make more money. Though it is a business and money *is* one of their concerns, it's clear to me that the happiness, health and well-being of the patient animals is a higher priority than profit. Not only would I gladly take my four-legged family members to AAVEC again, I would also recommend them to anyone else that needs to get their pets immediate medical attention outside of their regular veterinarian's hours.

Attentive, compassionate staff. As with any emergency vet, visiting is not a minor expense, but the staff is mindful of the costs and help you to weigh the options for your pet without overstepping boundaries. Even a month after our last visit, the staff recognized our pet and seemed genuinely thrilled at the improvement in health. They have numerous specialty areas on site (billed separately), giving them access to some excellent specialized doctors like surgeons and cardiologists without having to refer you somewhere else. Also, their overnight and weekend care is exceptional, with fully qualified individuals doing routine checks of health status, as opposed to some offices where an overnight stay is only staffed by sometime qualified to do food/water/pottying.

The vet doctors here are amazing. I bought my little fat daddy Milo here because he was having some stomach issues. They took really good care of my little man and a week later he is doing great.

I took my dog here for their rehab specialist, and was met with absolutely horrible service. We had a dog who was waiting on a cast to be sent away to be turned into a brace. They forgot it, left it sitting for 10 days, no apology. Meanwhile my dog is stuck in a crate 24/7. They cancelled all of their appointments on a Monday, with one call at 7 am the day of, no email though all interactions prior had been through email and NOT over the phone. Your pet will not be treated as a priority, and neither will you. Take them somewhere else.

Extremely professional and very knowledgeable. My dog broke her leg. They set up an appointment immediately to see her. Surgery was done with follow ups every two weeks. Everyone I came in contact with was attentive and never rushed me through with anything. My girl healed very nicely. I would definitely recommend. Even my own vet agrees!

Friendly, caring, professional. Took great care of our dog who is doing great now.

Each visit has been great service and a friendly environment.

AAVEC did an excellent job diagnosing and managing our dog's immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. It's a tough and often expensive condition, but the vets here informed us well and helped us to make the best decision moving forward. Their communication was great. Tom Kozek is a fantastic emergency vet and I can't thank him enough for going out of his way to make sure all of our questions were answered and that April was well taken care of. Dr. Somerville recommended a local animal hospital for us to follow up at, and her recommendation was greatly appreciated as we have had great care over there as well.

Amazing staff and doctors. They really care for my girls.

Awesome vet! My puppy swallowed an acorn and they talked us through inducing vomiting from home, which worked! They didn't want us to have to come in for services if it could be done safely at home. Highly recommend them!

This is a great place. Staff is caring and so helpful. I never feel like I am being overchharged because it is an emergency vet. The doctors are awesome.

The 24x7x365 availability is absolutely critical for the emergency care they offer. While you pay a premium for this sort of care, it's well worth it to take care of your furry loved ones.

Wonderful care during a very difficult time. Staff are friendly, knowledgeable and willing to get you the help you need even when they don't have the answer. The veterinarians are honest and professional. I have had a lot of poor experiences with vet offices but I feel like here they truly care about my cat.

The doctors and the staff are very friendly. They saved my dogs life. He was overcome with a sudden case of severe anemia. He had a week long stay in the hospital as well as (3) blood transfusions. A good visit given the reason for it. Have your checkbook handy though.

We are so lucky to have this place so close by!! I have used it for there emergency services and have seen a vet neurologist here. It's truly a one stop shop and you and your pet will receive THE BEST care!

DO NOT USE!!! They frequently report their clients to animal control. There's a vet tech here who is angry at the world and reports people she doesn't like. If you bring your pet here, do so at your own peril because animal control may charge you.

I had to take my dog to the Emergency clinic when my regular vet had exhausted what they had to care for him. He had a two night stay, and was able to come home. The care AAVEC gave him was extraordinary, and when I would visit you could see just how wonderful they were treating him. Unfortunately, he didn't really get better, and after just one month I had to make that all to difficult decision. I want to express my gratitude to Dr. Allison Keil. She really helped me through the process, and treated my fur baby as if he were her own. She has a real passion for her profession and a real compassion for her patients and their parents. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Dr. Keil.

Thanks to you for making my dog's broken nail and nail removal a good experience. My dog is doing well now and it has healed up.

Got in and saw doctor quickly. Doctor could not identify the issue my dog was having. Very pleasant staff.

On July 4th my puppy had an allergic reaction, but I wasn't 100% sure. I thought she may have even swallowed a toy, I was so worried and of course our vet was closed for the holiday. I drove 20 minutes to get there and when I arrived, they asked why I was there and didn't waste a second. They took her back immediately. They did their best time wise, since they were so busy. Everyone was very nice and they took good care of Luna. Thank you!

The staff is professional and helpful. Registration was fast and the wait time minimal. If you have to end up in an E.R. w your animal companion this is the place to go.