VSC at Illinois/Veterinary Specialty Center

I cannot say enough wonderful things about this place. In September, one week after adopting him, my 4 month old kitten, Tom Petty, became very lethargic and had a very high fever. I frantically searched for a vet but it was a Saturday on Labor Day weekend and most places were booked or closing. I was recommended an emergency vet by one of the veterinary hospitals, but upon reading reviews, I was really nervous. I did more research and feared I’d never find one that had a good review.
After doing some more searching, I found VSC at Illinois and immediately rushed Tom Petty to their facility.
They took amazing care of him for 2 full days. He was pretty critical and they were extremely empathetic and patient with me as I called nearly every two hours to check in on him. The doctors there kept gave me in depth information about potential causes for his symptoms and talked me through treatment options, always making sure to VERY compassionately outline the pricing for any recommended services.
I must also add, veterinary care in general is quite expensive. Emergency vets are even more. Sometimes the costs are too much for people to be able to afford, and the staff here was very kind and supportive in letting me know that if care couldn’t be afforded, there was nothing wrong with humane euthanasia for my very, very sick kitten. Luckily through Care Credit, I was able to afford his care that trip. But not being judged for possibly being unable to in such dire circumstances was just plain amazing bedside manner.
His prognosis wasn’t great and he tested positive for feline leukemia, but they continued to work with me and him to get the best care possible. And at the end of the visit, for ALL that they did, while it was expensive, it was incredibly reasonable, and less expensive than some other emergency vets in the city — based on experiences my friends have had at other places and reviews I’ve read online.
I mean, it was MORE than reasonable for the level of care, empathy, compassion, and information I received.
Because Tom Petty was so sick, and even though they nursed him back to health on that occasion, we made a few more trips to VSC at Illinois over the next 4 months for other issues. (We also took him to Medical District Veterinary next door for his routine care with Dr. Brett Grossman — which made it really easy because both places could easily share records since they are connected – AND if he needed emergency care, he could be transferred there immediately. I also HIGHLY recommend the doctors and staff at Medical District Veterinary).
A few days before Christmas, I woke up to Tom Petty looking very confused and drooling; Medical District Veterinary managed to squeeze us in right away and it was determined that something serious was going on.
Tom Petty stayed as VSC overnight and the staff was so kind when I came in for visits and called to check on him. The next day we met with an Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Adam Mordecai, you confirmed our suspicions that Tom Petty likely had a Portosystemic Liver Shunt.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only issue, as his fever would not break, so we transferred him to the main VSC office in Buffalo Grove (which is ALSO amazing. And there is a hotel across the parking lot — which I stayed in on Dec. 23 & 24). He received such impeccable care and the doctors and techs at both locations literally did every thing they could to make Tom comfortable and to make sure I was okay.
Tom Petty began having seizures on Christmas Eve, and while everyone kept hoping that he would pull through, the seizures grew stronger and more consistent. I had to make the incredibly hard decision to end Tom Petty’s suffering on Christmas Day at around 7pm.
Again, the level of compassion and the care and respect the doctors and staff had. They time they allowed me to say goodbye, before and after he passed. It was incredible. The VSC network is amazing.
Upon picking up his ashes the receptionist brought them out from the back room and walked up to me to present them to me with the most importance. Then made sure to give me a hug and condolences.
You guys, I really mean it when I say these people are the best.
And even though this visit was much longer than the first time we were ever there, again the cost in relation to the services rendered and the care and compassion received was incredibly reasonable.
Additionally, after his passing not only did we receive cards from VSC and Medical District Veterinary, signed by the people who knew him — but our vet as Medical District Veterinary called me on the phone to send his condolences.
If you’re EVER in an emergency pet situation, VSC is the place to go. Hands down. No question. I am so very grateful that even though he only lived to be 7 months old, we found this place and were able to give Tom Petty the best 4 months of life and care possible.

We felt very comfortable here. Staff was nice on the phone and in person. There are three free parking spots right out front and street parking is mostly free. Dr. Robbins reviewed our dogs records, did his exams, and we talked about treatment. He explained everything thoroughly, thoughtfully, and with respect. He was exactly the way you’d want your vet/​Dr to be. We were able to leave with 2 of the 3 new meds. Five stars!

You should take your pets here. I’ve seen 12 or so vets in Chicago and the area over the years and this is easily the best experience for a few reasons.
We saw Dr. Grossman and he was everything you want in a vet. We brought our 10-​year old dog in after our (now former) local vet and a VCA hospital were unable to diagnosis or effectively treat some rapidly progressing issues with lameness and pain. He gave us a detailed summary of the three likely causes and their long and short-​term prognosis, striking the right balance of compassionate and realistic. He was mindful and upfront on treatment costs vs. their effectiveness, which was a huge help in making difficult decisions at a stressful time. We received a very thorough discharge report as well, which we’ve never had, and that has been so useful as we consider next steps. He was also the first and only vet to do anything that helped her; for now, her pain is under control and she’s far closer to her old self.
The price of all this was appallingly reasonable as well — ¹⁄₃ lower than what we had paid at VCA and we actually saw results this time. Because of the attention we received, we were able to make smarter decisions about what was actually worth doing too. Sometimes with more affordable vets, the exams can be a bit more rushed to just find something and move on and that is not the case here. We got a very comprehensive and thorough exam; the excellent care here is a steal.
The techs were also so kind to my dog and me during our visit. Getting there was a snap as it’s right off 290. Drug pick-​up was quick and easy. There’s free parking in the lot. There are discounts for UIC students, staff, and faculty. Everything is super clean. They took great care of our dog, they took great care of us — our pets are and will be patients for life.

Great place and great help. Our 8 month old puppy was struggling with the dog flu and ended up collapsing and passing out. We rushed him to a different ²⁴⁄₇ hospital and were turned away due to overcapacity so we rushed to VSC.
VSC treated our dog and helped bring him back to his crazy rambunctious self. They not only constantly updated us throughout his overnight stay but they also informed us of any additional costs that were occurring (or could occur).
In the end I regret not going here first and strongly recommend VSC.

My weim, Rocky suddenly became very ill, not holding anything down. I took him to our regular vet, Dr. Barb Royal who then did barium X-​rays. She sent us right over to the Chgo Vet Emergency Center on Clybourn. She called them, spoke to the ER Doc, saying we were on the way, sent the X-​rays, and said, it appears Rocky has something in his stomach and NEEDS to have an endoscope done ASAP. They admitted Rocky ALL day, they performed an ultra sound on him. Called me to pick him up and gave a DX of «Gastritis/Enteritis”(inflammation), giving 2 injections to help the acid and vomiting. Ignored Dr. Royal’s request, and never even presented me with the option or reason for not doing it, opting for the ultra sound.
Rocky declines, next morning he begins to spit up & vomit FOUL smelling (like poop and sewer back up odor) brown/​yellow fluid. And he’s very weak. I call Dr. Royal (reg vet) who makes some calls, and tells me to get Rock over to this emergency center, which is now known as VSC-​Vet Speciality Center at Illinois. And tells me of the excellent internist & surgeons whom she knows and WILL help Rocky.
We arrive, meet the super nice staff, meet with Dr. Rob Armentano (internist), as Rock was having more pics done. This Doc was very very bright, compassionate, straight up & informative. We reviewed treatment options & procedures– at this point everyone involved in Rock’s care thought the object was no longer in the stomach, but we could opt for the scope vs. surgery right away, but if the object went to intestines he would have to have surgery. We opted for surgery right away, why put the dog thru more procedures & costs and still end up having to be opened up. The surgeon was Dr. Mitch Robbins, who is known to be one of the best around. In fact we had used him for Rocky once before, and he had saved Rock-​the surgery was extremely difficult. We adopted Rocky, he had a serious infection (encapsulated)unknown to all, but manifested later on after we got him, secondary to surgery on a diaphramatic hernia (intestines strangled & pushed up to lungs) from being hit by a car and the owner not seeking timely medical help. Which by the way, led us to this surgical decision because of his history of damaged intestines.
Rocky was found to have what looked like some kind of smaller fruit pit, nut, or acorn in the upper section of the sm intestine, closer to the stomach. I was told that any other dog his size could have passed it, but due to Rock’s history of damage & adhesions it got stuck.
As I type this Rock, my sweet boy, is still in the hosp.-he’s stable, its only been 24 hrs since the surgery. But I am welcome to call to check on him at anytime of the day, and I can also visit him if we think it won’t make him upset & anxious. He is calm, drugged and resting right now. Thankfully! The doctors & techs have been EXCELLENT at calling me with updates thru out the day.
If you have the choice between the Clybourn Emergence or this one, VSC at Illinois on Harrison St, south & west of downtown-​GO HERE.
I am immensely grateful to my vet Dr. Barb Royal, and the doctors at this emergency center, VSC. The outcome could have been grave & with more suffering had I listened to the Clybourn Emergency people and had not called Dr. Royal again who nailed the problem from the start.
It’s too bad they’re not located on the Northside. And the other location is out in Buffalo Grove, where we took Rocky once before to see Dr. Robbins, the gifted surgeon who saved Rock. Much gratitude to these people.