VCA Shoreline Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center

A vet tech friend recommended (from her clients’ experiences) this place to me. I expected it to be pricey (it is an emergency center after all), but it would be nice if they made it clear that they charge you $ 140 just to be SEEN beforehand. The staff was very friendly and answered my questions. They went over what options they might have to do to treat my cat. In the end I wound up paying less than what they initially said might happen and I don’t feel like they tried to have me do any unnecessary steps. Overall it was a fine first experience, I just wish places like this weren’t so expensive

Nothing makes you feel more helpless than when your young child who can’t communicate why they are in pain and sick. That’s what we were up against when our dog fell very ill in the late evening. We called our vet who told us to immediately take him to VCA Shoreline. From the moment we walked in there was immediate and trusting concern and we were quickly ushered in where they began an evaluation of Bumper. The staff kept us informed of what was going on and what their plans were. It turned out that more testing had to be done and he needed to see a specialist. after an overnight stay and treatment like I would expect at Yale Medical center the problem was identified, surgery was done and he is recovering nicely. I just wanted to take this moment to thank the entire staff of VCA for their kindness and expertise. Because if they weren’t there at that moment Bumper would have suffered unnecessarily and there would have been a whole different outcome. 10 stars to you guys, thanks

The cost is incredibly astronomical !

We brought in our almost 14 year old dog on a Sunday morning because I thought he was having a stroke (he has heart problems which are controlled through medication) and our Vet is closed on Sundays. Understandably I was an emotional wreck. The front office staff were very kind to me and my husband. After just a short wait we met with a young female veterinary doctor who told us that our dog was having a vestibular episode which as she explained is like Veritgo and that it could be caused by something as simple as an ear infection or he might have a brain tumor. Then she tells us they could perform an MRI right there and then to «rule out» a brain tumor and the procedure would cost $ 2800. My husband responded «why don’t you rule out an ear infection first» This vet gave my husband the stink eye and then checked his ears and took a swab sample. She told us it did not appear that he had an ear infection and did we want to do the MRI. W said we would like to follow up with our own Vet the next day and could she give us counsel on what we needed to do to keep our dog comfortable for the next 24 hours. She was alright in that respect– she gave us script for vertigo and nausea and gave us instructions for comfort care. We went to the front desk to pay — $ 300 for the visit, the vet we had seen came out and in an annoyed tone told my husband that the ear infection results were negative. I was not as upset with the cost of the visit — I understand it is a 24 hour emergency hospital and they have overheard costs that other vet offices do not. I was upset with her attitude and tone she immediately took when we declined doing the MRI.
The next day we took our dog in to our vet — and shared our experiences with VCA with him. He explained to us that it is a teaching clinic and the young doctors want to show the seniors doctors that they do a comprehensive work up. Out vet also told us that an MRI was unnecessary to rule out a brain tumor — that there are other less invasive methods. Without coming out and directly saying this point blank, our Vet reminded us that there is another emergency hospital in New Haven and if we were ever in an emergency situation again that we «might want to check them out» That spoke volumes to me. Unless it is a true critical emergency, I won’t be back at VCA Shoreline.

Brought my dog for a consultation with the neurologist. She wasn’t very friendly and didn’t explain what she was seeing in terms I could understand. She seemed to be in a rush and jump to conclusions that further testing needed to be done to try to diagnosis the problem. I asked what would be the next steps if she found certain things and they could not provide me with that. So before I spent $ 3300 I brought her for a second opinion in which I was told that what she would have been tested for isn’t what is going on and is not a emergency and not to worry. I was referred to a neurologist in Middletown I would check out that place before going to shelton.

If there were more stars I would give them. Our little girl Heidi was 13 years old and down in her back to where she could barely walk. We took her here as an emergency and then they did all they could for her and then she didn’t get better so we had to have her put to sleep. Dr. Celeste came in and talk to us and sweet talk to Heidi and was just the greatest doctor. She really doesn’t realize how much it helped us with this difficult decision. We had had Heidi since she was a baby and she’s going to be missed very much. We got a condolence card in the mail yesterday from Dr. Celeste. isn’t that just wonderful. Wonderful job thank you very much for helping us through this terrible situation.

Words can’t express how great this practice is to both pets and people! We have worked with Dr. Aquaviva and Dr. Nolte many times and they have been exceptional in providing state of the art care for our 2 labs. The staff are also exceptional and treat our girls like their own. We are grateful for all they have done for our family.

Dr. Berkwitt is the brains here. He’s the most intelligent, most competent vet in the county and one of the top internists in the country — always, but ALWAYS nailing the diagnoses. He does not gouge your wallet as well, and is appropriate with all tests and recommendations. However, I wish Dr. Berkwitt had his own practice b/​c this hospital charges extortion prices. Additionally, this is a teaching hospital and they will try to have the underlings do neuro exams, etc on your pet, but still charge extortion prices. If you’re there on the weekends, do not expect to have anyone senior — you’ll get the tripping underlings, but you’ll still pay dearly for it.

We took my dog here about 2 years ago because she was in alot of pain walking. They took ultrasound of her back and said it was a disk issue that needed surgery asap. Just for the tests and consultations, etc, it cost $ 5,000. We were scheduled for back surgery and then my regular vet looked at her in the meantime and said it was her anal sack. He expressed that and within a day or so she was fine. I cancelled the back surgery. She has not had a problem since. I was out of $ 5,000 from Shelton Emergency Vet Center, but was glad I didn’t go with their faulty diagnosis while possibly subjecting my dog to very risky and unnecessary surgery.

Originally, I would have given 5 stars and I still really want to give them 5 stars because my initial experiences at VCA were wonderful but my last experience with VCA was heartbreaking.
The good experiences: I brought my (now passed away) beloved, 21 year old cat «Ivory» to VCA twice when he was very sick. The entire staff (2^nd shift) was amazing and took wonderful care of Ivory. After those 2 visits even after his diagnosis and 3 month life expectancy, he lived 3 more happy, lively years which I truly believe had to do with the care given at the time of the visits and after-​care, medications and new diet. I recommended VCA to all my friends and family after that.
My mother brought our family cat «midnight» (Ivory’s brother) to VCA when he had a stroke in her living room. The staff really showed my mother and I how much they cared. Midnight ended up having to be euthanized at VCA that day and the vet who administered the euthanasia was wonderful. She allowed my mom to sit on a couch in a private, dimly lit room with Midnight (sedated for his comfort) wrapped up in a blanket in my mom’s arms until I was able to arrive from Hartford. When I arrived they gave me as much time as I needed with Midnight and when my mom and I were ready, the vet put Midnight to sleep in my mom’s arms and allowed us alone time with Midnight afterward. The vet hugged my mom and I, stroked Midnight lovingly and spoke with my mom and I like we were all friends. A very nice women spoke to us about cremation and billing and gave us her condolences as well as the staff who were in the lobby on our way out. They also mailed my mom a special clay print of Mid’s paw and a card along with his ashes.
The bad experience: On the last day of Ivory’s life he spent the entire day and night suffering and sleeping on my chest. I wanted to see if he would pass on his own, in my arms at home but I finally had the realization that he wasn’t going to pass away on his own. At 1AM I decided to bring Ivory to VCA to be put to sleep. I arrived at VCA with Ivory and understandably, I was a total mess. After Midnight’s euthanasia experience, I TRULY expected to receive support and compassion from the VCA staff which I did not. The women at the front desk was nice enough but didn’t seem compassionate or even understanding when I told her I was there to put my cat down. The vet tech brought me and Ivory into an exam room immediately and went over Ivory’s history (End stage renal disease) and asked If I wanted him treated instead of euthanasia. I said «Ivory has been through enough medical procedures, this is the right thing to do. He’s suffering so much, 21 years is a long time for a cat» and the tech nodded and said the vet would be in shortly to discuss what would happen next. Meanwhile, I waited 10 minuets for the vet to come in and Ivory was getting antsy, I got teary and upset because I couldn’t keep Ivory calm. The vet was very cold and impersonal. She told me what would happen, took Ivory out of the room to insert the IV line and came back with Ivory and the medicine. She didn’t sedate Ivory to calm him, she didn’t put me in one of the comfy rooms with the dim light and couch so I could hold Ivory or have some time with him during his last moments and she had not one kind or reassuring word to say to me. Under the bright fluorescent light she held Ivory down on the cold, metal exam table with his face and back to me so I could only stroke his back while she administered the drugs. I tried so hard to angle myself so I could look into Ivory’s eyes, so he could see me and know I was still there for him. I could not believe the Vet didn’t offer to let me hold Ivory and I couldn’t believe her complete lack of heart. Before I could even say anything she had the syringe in the IV line. After the drugs were administered she sort of made a sad face in my direction which I assume was her attempt at being compassionate and took Ivory out of the room. Those were my last moments with my 21 year old cat who was like my child. I sat in the exam room with tears rolling down my face because that was not the way I had expected everything to happen. The vet came back into the exam room and told me someone would come in with billing and cremation papers for me to sign. She told me «good luck and I’m sorry» and left the room again. The billing women was very business like and didn’t really seem to care. Everyone was very cold and impersonal. I don’t know if It’s because it was the night staff and they just don’t want to be there but whatever the shift, there is no excuse for the way myself or Ivory were treated. I received an urn with Ivory’s ashes but they never sent me Ivory’s clay paw print or kind card like they did after Midnight was put to sleep. This experience was like night and day compared to my previous experiences. Shocking almost.

There is no way around it, they cost more than anyone else in the area but the service, expertise and care they provide is worth it especially in emergency situations. They are also very willing to work with you on treatment options and give you a choice in what they do and do not do. The entire staff is wonderful regardless of whether or not they’re working with you directly.

We’ve brought both our French Bulldog and English Bulldog here for health issues and it’s obvious that everyone who works here has both compassion for pets AND their owners. The doctors always explain treatment options clearly. The center has a large waiting area and is very clean & accommodating. Our family feels extremely lucky to have such an elite veterinary resource available for our boys!

In a difficult situation, the professionals here clearly have an organized approach to assessment, providing care and informing the pet owner of the costs and circumstances — without being either overly callous, focused or cold as it relates to the cost details.
They’re clearly caring and passionate, and they lay out all the choices. I brought my Weimaraner in with an unclear yet impactful breathing problem on January 29 (a Sunday, mind you), and they immediately got him in for triage. The front staff was helpful w/​the paperwork aspect, and I was updated as soon as possible on course of action and care. The physician then reviewed key details and options with me before proceeding with further non-​emergency care.
As my pet was transitioned from doctor-​to-​doctor over two days, the communication was clear and consistent, and the follow-​up w/​my dog’s regular vet was spot on as well.
This is a great team in a great facility — much better than what they worked with previously when it was located in Stratford.

Our boxer Clyde first went to VCA four years ago suffering from a major heart attack and after being misdiagnosed by another Vet. We are back every six months for a cardiac checkup. The entire staff was and always has been wonderful to both us and Clyde. It is true that they are more expensive but they are wonderful at what they do. My other dog Lola was also seen here when after she was spayed the incision was not healing correctly and our previous Vet would not see her. Once again we were all treated wonderfully and Lola was given great care. It makes a real difference when the Vets interact with the dog and are happy to be there, instead of just running through the motions and doing their job. That extra pet or treat or kind word directed towards the animal really does make a difference. I have and continue to recommend VCA anytime there is an emergency situation. Next time you are there, check out the poster of the Boxer in the Echo room– that’s my baby boy that VCA saved.

We have had to bring our boxer to VCA a few times. All the vets and vet techs are wonderful. They are very thorough and will give you different options for care and prices. They are very pricey, which is to be expected for an emergency vet.

I’m not going to sugar-​coat it, this place charges A LOT. I had to bring one of my beasts here to see one of the veterinary neurologists (she is currently a resident) — Dr. Crook. She was really kind. I was a mess when I brought my dog in, and she was extremely patient and gentle with the dog… and with me! She also clearly laid our our expenses and options.

When our dog, Biscuit, became ill over a weekend, we brought her immediately over to Shoreline. They had formerly been located in Stratford, but moved to Bridgeport Avenue in Shelton which was closer to our home. The staff was kind and helpful — all the way from the receptionist to the nurses to the doctors. We were back several times over the next few weeks, and different shifts and combinations of staff were always kind, gentle, and helpful. Services were provided for immediate diagnosis, ongoing treatment, tests, and radiology.
The one issue with Shoreline is they are rarely the «inexpensive» choice. But the skill and service is worth it.