Kempsville Veterinary Hospital

We’ve been going to this vet since moving here a couple years back. In the last month, our husky has been in and out at least 1-2 times a week trying to get a fix on what’s been going on with her. Super frustrating to go 4 weeks with no answers and only doing symptomatic treatments. That being said, Dr. Spencer and the rest of the staff we’ve interacted with is amazing. Dr. Spencer went above and beyond calling after hours after she returned from time off after thanksgiving to talk me through options due to being unable to get an ultrasound through them for a few weeks. Because of that, we were able to get answers a lot quicker, and potentially saving her life. While we’re still unclear on what the issue is, our husky ate for the first time yesterday after a month of eating next to nothing, on top of diarrhea and vomiting. Her procedure hadn’t even been done at Kempsville, but Dr. Spencer still followed up twice the next day to check in on our girl and to recommend some additional medications to help her eat. It seems that those have worked. From the bottom of our hearts, regardless of what the diagnosis is on Illyana, we absolutely want to thank the team at Kempsville. Their endless patience with our visits and questions, last minute scheduling or rescheduling, and just the fact that even staff I’ve never spoken to knew exactly who I’d be calling about when I called in is beyond what we’ve experienced from any other vet. They truly do care and are grateful to have found this vet.

I was debating leaving this review but I decided to just do it in case someone has a similar experience. My dog mimo was taken to the emergency pet hospital, bay beach, on wednesday night at 10pm, we left around 2am denying the doctors recommendation to hospitalize him because I could not afford $8k to keep him there for two days, I am a college student who works at olive garden, could barely afford the $1,400 they charged me just for a couple exams, one round of fluids and antibiotics. After making the tough decision of bringing him home, we went to Kempsville in the morning to see if there was anything else I could do other than being in debt. Unfortunately the doctor at kempsville told me I should either hospitalize him or put him down, and that it would be a disservice to my dog if I kept him alive for longer than 24h. My dog had a kidney disease and they couldn’t tell me if it was chronic or if it was just something toxic that he ate, but that even if I did hospitalize him the prognosis was not good and there was a slim chance he would survive. The doctor at kempsville told me that there was no other alternative, he could give me all the meds and all the fluids but my dog would not survive unless being in intensive care. They gave me a couple of recommendations for in-home euthanasia and I left. I was ready to put him down but my mom and my aunt basically begged me to wait the 24 hours and try the meds at home, which we did. He slowly started to look better so I called kempsville and asked if I could pick up some fluids to give him at home, they said they would talk to the vet and get it ready for me but it could take 24 hours, I was already annoyed because apparently my dog did not have 24 hours but I understood there was nothing they could do. The next day I called again to check on the fluids and was told that the doctor did approve them but the tech or receptionist did not order them, so it would likely take another 24 hours. Luckily my mom had a friend that had a couple of IV bags that were unused and not expired, so there I went to pick them up and give them to my dog. My dog got so much better, started to eat again and I hated myself for even considering putting him down. On tuesday, about 5 days after the ER visit, I took him to another hospital and for my surprise the doctor that told me to put him down worked there as well. He said that my dog was a miracle and I should play the lottery. Now, my dog is 14.5 years old, but he’s a yorkie, which are known for living probably longer then they should, and he had never had a health issue before. Somehow I was convinced that I was torturing him by keeping him alive. I understand that due to his age and how bad he was, hospitalization would be necessary, but making me leave the hospital without any other type of solution or at least giving him fluids again before I left, just seemed like his life was not important at all. I am just so glad I didn’t make the decision to put him down and that I had a great support system helping him get better, because his hospital did not. I hope he lives til he is 20 years old. And we will never be going to Kempsville veterinary hospital again, not just because of the diagnosis but also because of the lack of attention of the staff who did not put the order in for my dogs fluids. Please look for a second opinion after going to this hospital and receiving a similar diagnosis.

We brought our girl here for years for her vet checkups and grooming and they took excellent care of her. Due to health issues that keep us at home right now we have had to use a mobile vet who is also great with her, but as soon as we are able, we will be returning and look forward to it. You guys are awesome!!! Thanks for all you do, the hard work and love and care you give to our Bella and all of the sweet babies. I hope Poppy is also there still. She would say Hello to me when I said her name. 🦜

They've been my vet for at least 20 years and always provide great care. This picture is of Calypso "Callie" and Ziva.

I visited this vet on a very bad day because i was referred to them by my vet at the time. The entire staff was kind, patient, thoughtful and professional. This is the reason why, when I got a new pet, I scheduled her appointment here. It has been years since I've had this level of veterinary care. The Dr took a minute to build a rapport with her, thoroughly examined her, and answered all my questions without making me feel rushed. This is what I remember vet appointments being like before the Dr retired at my previous practice. I am delighted to find that again and have officially switched my business here. 10/10 recommend.