Ivens Bronstein Veterinary Hospital

I’ve been a client at Ivens for years and, while I agree with some posters that the building could use some updates, I can’t agree with anyone who faults Ivens on their customer service.
The money that’s saved from cosmetic updates is put toward employing caring staff who make it their business to really look after your animals the way they would their own pets.
I have never been treated with anything less than utmost respect and I expect nothing less than exceptional medical care for my animals while they are boarding or being examined at Ivens.
While some other commenters may doubt the «expertise» of the staff at Ivens, I have to say that I respect the opinions, advice, and guidance given to me by any of the staff there – from vet tech to doctor to office manager – because, truly, any staff member with enough experience and care can give an «expert» opinion.

Wow, I’m shocked there aren’t more horrible reviews for this place based on the smell alone and decrepit state of the office. Nothing charming about a run down filthy vets office.
The vet I saw couldn’t seem to follow a word I was saying and couldn’t grasp that there were a few different issues going on with my dog. Although I came in primarily with concern my dog had a uti, she seemed to have forgotten that and was going to send me home telling me everything looked fine. I had to beg for her to do a urinalysis on site as they usually send them out to a lab where you have to wait a day for results (how antiquated). Amazingly after being told everything looked normal (despite me telling her my dog couldn’t stop licking that area and it was bright red) my dog did in fact have a uti and I was given antibiotics. I then had to ask them if I needed an e collar. Oh right yes, that’s a good idea. Three vet techs «fitted» my dog with a collar. Sure enough I was up all night because it was too big and she could lick where she wasn’t supposed to. This was incompetence at its best. When I called three days later to say I didn’t think the antibiotic was working and my dog was still incredibly uncomfortable, the receptionist told me «it should work» and I needed to give it time. No vet bothered to call me back but I appreciated hearing the receptionists expert opinion.
I could go on and on from the vet tech who complained about my dog shedding on her black fleece (yes, a vet tech) to the final joke of bringing my dog in to get a new collar that fit (omg, forty minutes later and she’s got a cone three times her size) to her peeing on the floor and the vet saying oh that’s not normal, she needs an X-​ray, she must have bladder stones… cuz it’s so weird when a dog pees on the floor at the vets office??? And then finally getting to a great vet and her being baffled at some of the things I was told from my dog having a «horrific» heart murmur, «alarming» blood work, and because my dog is 15, I should expect cancer. Not to mention she did the most rudimentary urinalysis that of course had to be redone a week later. (Oh and it took my new vet literally two minutes to get my dog into the right size e-​collar).
I only wish someone had posted this review for me to read. It would have saved me and my dog a week of discomfort and $ 200 to boot. The smell of the office alone…

We were previously at the Ardmore animal hospital and had a few bad experiences there. My friend recommended Bronstein’s to us because he had taken his dogs there for years. Our dog is pit mix and is a lot to handle. Bronstein’s has always been very friendly and kind to us, despite our dog’s bad manners. They will always call to check up following an appointment, and the prices aren’t too bad considering its in the main line.

We tried Ivens Bronstein Veterinary Hospital after relocating to the Mainline area. I have been a dog owner for many years and never had such a poor experience with a vet. We took our dog in for a routine exam and vaccine. My husband and I saw Dr. Israeli. I have not seen other vets in the practice, so I cannot speak to their bedside manner, but Dr. Israeli’s was poor. First, we felt bullied into having our dog tested for heartworm and tick-​borne diseases, despite continuous heartworm prevention. The vet and the technician pushed the test and Dr. Israeli was condescending and rude until we finally consented. The wellness exam was not as thorough as other vets. She only listened to our dog’s heart and felt his glands. She did not take his temperature, palpate his stomach, look in his eyes, or his ears — all aspects of typical annual wellness exams. The worst part occurred when she gave him the vaccine. Usually he doesn’t even seem to notice when he gets a vaccine. This time he flinched and when he did so Dr. Israeli let go of the syringe while it was still in his flank. She eventually grabbed it again and dispensed the vaccine. In short, we will not be returning to Ivens Bronstein Veterinary Hospital lest we have the misfortune of seeing Dr. Israeli again.

What a great staff. recommended to us by a friend after a disappointing experience at another vet almost 3 years ago. our neurotic boxer gets vocal when nervous and they don’t have an issue with her. (prior vet in Paoli asked if I could calm her down because she made the vet nervous? She is a very small boxer and was less than 2 at the time) When bringing her there, if Nina sees her she walks her back, and our boxer adores Nina. Cathy and rest of the staff are incredible as are the vets we have seen.
Wouldn’t hesitate to take a pet here.

I wanted to thank Ivens staff once again because I still have my dog. Every pet I have had as a child came here– Dr. Bronstein treated all of my parents’ dogs as well as my aunt’s dogs. He helped me select the breed of dog I currently own. Well, him and Cathy–
she remembers when I was 5! Cathy has helped us all so many times. Dr. Bronstein was an phenomenal veterinarian who decided to staff his facility with amazing people before he left us. I am still grateful for Mrs. Bronstein’s donation to my school last year. Holly is an amazing groomer– even when my cocker is disgustingly matted. All of the doctors at this clinic are wonderful! I really want nothing more than to thank Dr. Young– he has saved Cinder Bloch’s life twice now! My mom and I brought her in with a bowel obstruction, numerous times before we realized the issue. Dr. Young operated on my dog at Ivens so I did not have to go to Penn. Three weeks ago he saved her life when an anal tumor burst on her way to get groomed. Once again Dr. Young rearranged his schedule to perform emergency surgery on my dog. I (and Cinder) am both grateful and thankful to be apart if the Ivens family.

Omg, I didn’t realize that Dr. Bronstein passed away. He and his staff always took beautiful care of my sweet Lhasa Apso Max until the day that he went to heaven. Cathy, and everyone knew that Max was my little baby and I miss him very much! I am very sad to hear about this, wishing everyone my best and thank you for all that you did to provide my little Lhasa a happy and healthy existence.

My parents have been taking their pets here since before I can remember. Sadly, Dr. Bronstein passed away a few years ago, but his replacement vet (Dr. Young) has always been wonderful, and the vet techs are always competent and friendly. I also saw Dr. Israeli, who looked at my pet rats a few months ago, and she was great too. I think they’re both graduates of Penn.
They really care for animals, which isn’t always apparent in some animal hospitals, and I trust them enough to keep going.
Their prices are always decent, and the staff members are always helpful.

Well I am on a roll with my veterinary reviews so why stop now? My main veterinary hospital is of course Ardmore Animal Hospital but when I have an emergency for one of my furry friends or can’t get a quick appointment at Ardmore AH, I head over about a mile to Ivens Veterinary Hospital.
The interior of the hospital looks a bit dated but the care and service is one of the best and certainly makes up for it. They lost their main vet last year due to an illness but the practice is still thriving.
Another great veterinary practice on the Main Line.