Veterinary Emergency Clinic of Central Florida | Villages , FL

You don't always get to choose what day to help your dog across the rainbow bridge; our boy decided Thanksgiving Day was the day. Service here was exceptional, every staff member treated him with love and respect like he was their own. Pricing was reasonable, especially for a holiday. Very nice warm, comfort-minded room to spend your last moments with your loved one. My experience here made the process suck a little less The photo is him sleeping while waiting on the doctor

Christmas Day we Took our cat in he was vomiting and eliminating. Never got to see the vet. They said it wasn’t as urgent as other cases so I took him home as I had to take care of my medical needs as well but took him back up again. They sent me home with some medication he got worse. I took him back again. They kept him in and have worked diligently to get him better. Unfortunately he’s still is not well but they have tried and done everything they can do. They’re going to transfer him now to Gainesville, but I would like to commend Dr. Shields, Dr. Marc, Dr Sweeney, Manny and Courtney For their help. These people are very, very busy one emergency after another. Pooh Bear is my emergency and I have been very grateful for their help.. Update: today five days after He took ill I was able to take Pooh bear home… He’s getting better! Dr. Shields told me A couple of days ago she was going to try and tweak the medication one more time to see if it could help and it did! He’s home tonight, sitting in his favorite condo in his favorite room and making me hand feed him! That’s his new game and I don’t care how long it takes to feed him, I am just so grateful that he’s getting better! I know I wasn’t an easy client, I was so worried but I am so very very grateful to the staff.

Our dog, Ray, had some stomach issues and we were sent here by our regular vet! Manny did a great job of examining our dog and gave us the best options moving forward! Absolutely love finding someone who puts their patients first above anything else…he even called us back to check on our dog after everything and you could tell he genuinely cares.

Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to our 15.5-year-old Poodle, Dude. While this wasn’t the first time we’ve faced such a difficult decision, this experience was different in a way that made it more bearable. Nick, the vet, helped us navigate this heart-wrenching moment with compassion and kindness. He gave us all the time we needed to say our goodbyes, walking us through the process and reassuring us that we were making the right choice, even though it was so hard. We all wish we could keep our pets forever, and this was no exception. But Nick made sure Dude stayed with us for as long as we needed. I was able to hold him until the very end, and it was painful, but Nick understood and allowed us to grieve in that moment. His kindness made a difficult situation a little bit easier. In the past, our experiences have been different, with our pups being laid on a table for their final moments, while we stood by. But this time, Dude was in my arms, and I could feel his presence the whole way through. I don’t know if all goodbyes are handled with such care, or if this was a reflection of Nick’s exceptional approach, but if we ever have to face this decision again, I hope it’s as loving and compassionate as it was this time. Goodbye, Dude. See you at the bridge.

Navigating an emergency veterinary clinic can be a harrowing experience, especially when you're faced with a sick pet. Recently, I found myself in such a situation when I took my senior cat, who was suffering from a urinary problem, to an after-hours clinic. In what I expected to be a straightforward visit, I encountered a scenario that left me questioning not only the procedures of the clinic but the very essence of compassion in veterinary care. I was desperate to find the most affordable option that could accommodate us on short notice. The clinic assured me that their base price for an exam was the lowest I had come across, leading me to choose their services in hopes of alleviating my pet’s discomfort. I patiently waited for four agonizing hours while my cat (who, like all pets, deserved immediate attention) was subjected to a seemingly endless ordeal. During this time, a technician came in twice to relay the same message: they were swamped with more critical cases and I would need to be patient. While I understood that emergencies happen, the prolonged wait, particularly for a senior cat presenting with an urgent health issue, was disheartening. Finally, after expressing my growing concern multiple times, a tech offered to take my cat to the back to be seen by a veterinarian who, it appeared, had been too busy to look in on us during our lengthy wait. In my anxiety over my pet’s condition, I reluctantly agreed, but it was then I became increasingly uneasy. Unknown to me at the time, blood and urine were taken from my cat without my consent or prior knowledge — a significant breach of trust that would later amplify my alarm. Minutes turned into an eternity, and as I waited, my apprehension grew. I decided that enough was enough; I had done my research and had read numerous reviews about clients who faced similar predicaments. It became abundantly clear that my cat’s well-being was not the priority at this clinic. When I asked to leave, the technician informed me that I would incur no charges since no examination had technically taken place. However, as fate would have it, the veterinarian then came in — and suddenly, everything changed. The previously promised free visit transformed into a demand for payment of $140 instead of the expected $85. My intention to leave without incurring costs was quashed, and what ensued was a spectacle I never anticipated. The doctor, in an unprofessional display, raised her voice, asserting that my cat was at risk of dying from sepsis, while the tech had just assured me it was safe to seek care elsewhere. As emotions ran high, I found myself the target of a verbal onslaught, not just from the doctor but in a very public manner that drew attention from other clients in the clinic. Not only was I feeling the stress of my sick pet, but I was now being banned from the establishment, with an urgent situation escalating into a distressing confrontation. This experience has raised essential questions about emergency veterinary care. While we trust medical professionals with the lives of our beloved pets, it’s crucial for clinics to engage in compassionate, clear, and ethical practices. Transparency, consent, and understanding during such stressful times should be paramount. For those seeking emergency veterinary care, remember that your voice matters. Trust your instincts, ask questions, and never hesitate to seek another opinion. In the end, our pets depend on us to advocate for them, even in daunting situations. We all hope to provide our animals with the medical care they need, but it should never come at the cost of our dignity or their safety.