Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service

My cat got out and was hit and killed in the street about 9:30pm a few years ago (before Unilocal). I posted signs in the neighborhood to find out what had happened to him. The Good Samaritan who originally found him told me she took him to TBVES. When I asked her if he still had his collar and tag with my phone number on it, she said Yes. I asked why they didn’t call me to ask me to come and see what I wanted to do? She said «I thought they were going to call you. I’m soo sorry.» So my beloved companion who I brought all the way back from Chile with me was put in a trash pile and burned. These people are in a «caring profession.» I felt betrayed and even after these last years, I’m still upset. I tell everyone not to take their pets there and why.

Whenever one is faced with a pet emergency, it is full of stress and fear. At 3:45a.m. we arrived at TBVE, with my 8 year old Chocolate Lab experiencing bloat. Dr. Davison and her only vet tech acted quickly and efficiently, explaining the risks of the surgery and in no way leading us to one decision or the other. That was the hardest part, I wanted someone to tell me what I should do. Nevertheless, my husband and I decided to go forward with the surgery and it was successful. Following surgery, we spent two days driving our sweet boy back and forth between our regular vet, and TBVE (due to his need to be monitored ²⁴⁄₇). The stress of post surgery care was so immense (for our dog and us), but the staff at TBVE was very compassionate and attentive, and although they are an emergency facility, they took the time to answer all of our questions and field all of the phone calls we made to check in (and in fact, encouraged us to call as much as we wanted). Additionally, their interactions and transfers of paperwork between their office and our normal vet was very thorough. Their estimates were on the high side, but each time we arrived, we either had to pay the lowest estimate quoted, or even less than the estimate. This was a great relief, as the cost of this «emergency» procedure was not anticipated and will weigh on our budget for a very long time.
With that said, my husband and I are so very thankful for the staff at TBVE and the work you do. Just like with people, you meet families and their animals during the most stressful moments, and your bedside manner and expertise is very much appreciated.
Two weeks post surgery, our 8.5 year old pup has healed very well, his surgery site looks great, his spirit has returned, and he is happy to be rid of the «cone»! I hate to think what could have been, but am really looking forward to many more years with my (puppy) kid!
Again, Dr. Davison and her staff on January 21^st, 2016 were a godsend to our dog and family. Thank You!
** If there is one piece of constructive feedback, have your younger or less experienced techs/​office staff shadow/​partner your more experienced ones. On one of my visits, I got a lot of, «I don’t know’s» and standing around chatting with fellow employees. During stressful times, nonchalance or being dismissive is disconcerting.

Fast, caring, amazing staff. Dr. Lentovich did emergency surgery on my Yorkie Ruby Christmas Day, and stayed by her side, taking all my calls and visits for 5 days. The owner, Dr. Lentovich, and the staff were understanding and went above and beyond for our family. I would recommend this establishment to anyone. I am so grateful they were able to save our sweet pup.

Awesome place, incredibly great people. The vet sat down and explained everything in a way that was easy to understand. Wish they were more than just emergency services. Will definitely bring all of my pets here for all further emergencies.

Run far far away with your beloved pet and go to Blue Pearl instead. They claim to be an emergency center but their time management proves otherwise. We took our sick puppy there Sat and waited to be checked in while the girl at the front desk counted $ out of her drawer. When I asked if we could check in while she was counting 20’s she simply stated «no.» After waiting an hour we were put in a dirty smelly room in which the vet tech said there was a smelly cat in the room before us. Rust and pet hair all over the vents in the ceiling. While waiting for our puppies test results, we heard someone in the back yelling, «how do you do CPR on a cat!» We also heard someone in the waiting room questioning if they were an emergency service due to the extended wait time. Our puppy had to be admitted to the ICU and we were told it would be for 4 – 5 days. They are only open ²⁴⁄₇ on the weekends, then 8 – 5 Mon-​Fri. We were told we would have to pick him up Mon morning and take him to Blue Pearl, so we just decided to take out puppy there for the entire coarse of treatment. Terrible service! One star for the Vet being kind.

I had the unfortunate experience of bringing my rabbit to this place when she was sick on a weekend. This happened last year, below is the review I wrote for another site at that time. I didn’t realize I’d neglected to post this review on Unilocal so I’m sharing it here so I can help other small pet owners avoid this place.
I had to take my bunny here this past weekend, it was between this and Blue Pearl and unfortunately I went with this place. She was not eating/​drinking/​urinating. We were seen very quickly, but the vet (Dr. C) barely spoke to us and was very detached. It seemed like we would talk for a couple of minutes, she would leave the room and come back with an estimate, and then repeat. While I appreciated that the costs were communicated up front, both my husband and I felt that it was just kind of like, «Okay, here’s what’s happening, now give me money.»
We had to leave our bunny there to have a catheter put in and to be given some fluids, which they said would take 2 – 4 hours (it took 6). When we were leaving her the one thing I asked both the vet tech and the vet was whether they had a separate area for small animals. If you have rabbits, you know they can be scared to *death* just from being around animals they perceive as a threat, and we could hear many barking/​crying dogs in the back. We were assured that she would be in a separate area. Other than this, the only things they really said to us of their own accord were related to money. We had to pretty much pry information out of the vet. Anyway, they said she had a UTI and possible stasis. We left her to be treated with the understanding we’d pick her up at 6PM to 8PM. Called at 6, not ready. Called at 8, not ready.
Fast forward to 10PM when we arrived to pick her up, and the vet was gone (understandable). Unfortunately, the receptionist and the vet tech present were not at all knowledgeable about our rabbit’s condition, but to their credit they were nice. I got the impression that they were kind of left to flounder and deal with us without having been provided with any information, not at all their fault and VERY unprofessional on the part of the previous shift. These were the issues:
1) We were provided with an antibiotic and told to give it to her every 12 hours. When we asked when last the antibiotic had been administered, the vet tech didn’t know. He went to look for this info, and *it was not recorded anywhere*. That’s just ridiculous. He told us to start it in the morning.
2) Her eyes were red and very swollen. When we asked about this, again, no answer. The receptionist said it was from the ointment they put in her eyes (What ointment you ask? Well, she didn’t know). Vet tech said it was «probably» from eye drops. My bunny is 8 years old and has never had a procedure done, so I had no way to know if this was normal. The vet tech clearly had no knowledge about rabbits. Again, not his fault, but they should not take rabbits in their care if they are not properly equipped and educated. When I asked at my vet’s office the next day (today) I was told it’s not really normal and that if it doesn’t go away in a day that would be alarming and indicative of a possible allergic reaction.
3) When they brought her out she looked very distraught. I chalked this up to the trauma of the catheter and all that, but the vet tech *joked* that she was freaked out because they had her in a cage next to a giant barking/​crying dog (that we could still hear crying, barking, howling, through two closed doors). I was seething mad at that point. Again, it was clear that he was not knowledgeable about rabbits, and that the vet we saw didn’t care at all about our inquiry as to where she’d be placed.
4) They didn’t have any critical care formula for rabbits and fed the rabbit sweet potato baby food. Not terrible, but to be an emergency facility without critical care formula on hand seems absurd. If you do not have the materials/​resources to care for small animals, it shouldn’t be advertised as such (we called many places that were honest and told us they were not equipped).
The total cost was around $ 420, which is not unheard of for an emergency visit, x-​rays, catheter, antibiotics, etc. I felt comfortable with the price, and I understand that had I not brought her in, my rabbit might be in worse condition. They did flush out the contents of her stomach and helped her to drink, urinate, etc. and for that I am very thankful, but it’s not like they were doing me a favor. I feel like for $ 400+ the least they could have done was 1) Record the necessary information in the chart, and pass any other information down to the next shift, 2) Not leave a tiny, 3lb rabbit next to a screaming dog.
Bottom line, I would not recommend this to a friend or fellow owner of small animals. The quality of care for small animals is subpar and dangerous. Spoke to my vet’s office today and mentioned what happened, and they said they recommend Blue Pearl.

When we dropped off our puppy, we were given a range of $ 230-​$ 450 for the night. I asked why the range, all she needs is an IV, which we already supplied, and to be watched. I was told it would be the $ 230 unless something happened, an emergency, and the cost could go up. So, I called at 1am and nothing unusual happened, she was fine. When we picked her up the max amount was charged. They just through on all these other charges. STAY AWAY FROM THIS UNETHICAL BUSINESS. I will suggest the Blue Pearl which is not far away.

I recently had the unfortunate need for emergency vet services over the weekend due to our dog swallowing a foreign object. We went in knowing that the possibility of paying an inordinate amount of money for surgery was not an option, and euthanasia might be our only option. The staff coming in was friendly, and I am not usually one to complain at all. The problem we had was the veterinarian. She treated us like we were less than citizens, talking down to us the entire time. After explaining to her that $ 4000 for surgery was unfortunately not an option, she stated that «as doctors, we deserve to be paid». I never said anything to disagree with that. I believe every working citizen deserves to be paid for what they do. I was offended by this statement, as my husband and I make probably as much money, if not more. The only thing I can say I was satisfied with was the fact they were open on Sunday, and for the most part the surrounding staff was pleasant.

If you’re an animal lover like me and feel helpless when you find a sick or injured baby animals, don’t feel helpless anymore! If you feel okay with picking up the animal without getting scratched or bitten, take it here to TBVES because they will even accept wild animals and there is NO FEE!
A couple of years ago I found a baby opossum (well actually my dachshund found it while I was checking my mail. thank God for dogs or I would have never noticed it!). At first I thought it was dead, but it had its eyes open, then I noticed it was breathing. This was during the daytime when opossums aren’t active, so I knew the poor thing had probably lost its mama. I found out TBVES also takes in sick and injured wild animals so I wrapped up the little baby in a towel, put him in a shoebox and took it down to TBVES. There was no fee; all I had to do was sign a form basically agreeing I had no rights to the animal after it left my hands. I called the next day to check on the baby and found out this place gets hundreds of wild animals brought there every week! They told me a «rehabber» goes there to pick up the opossums.

Thank goodness for Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service! I’ve been dealing with a very sick pet who at the time needed daily trips to the veterinarian for treatment. But what do you do when you’re in that situation when the vet is going to be closed for a long holiday weekend? That’s where Tampa Bay Veterinary Emergency Service came in. They’re open when other veterinarians aren’t. Middle of the night or a weekend? No problem. Holiday? No problem.
My veterinarian called them and explained the situation to them. When I showed up on a Sunday they were expecting me and already knew my situation. Everyone I dealt with was compassionate and efficient.
While I was waiting in the waiting room I observed an employee taking notes about a kitten they were observing in a cage. Turns out the poor little guy had gotten his head slammed in a refrigerator. I also saw them receive a baby racoon a couple brought in. The employees told me they can’t by law keep raccoons but they work with wildlife rescue groups.
When everything was done they gave me a detailed printout that described what they had done so that I could give it to my veterinarian. These people do great work and provide an invaluable service to pet owners. I am grateful that they helped me and made a stressful time a little less stressful.

Good to know they are open when the others are not. All night on weekends. Our Shihpoo was in trouble and needed emergency treatment. Her heart rate was low and she would not walk and was almost un responsive. We called first and they met us at the door. She was seen immediately by a technician and by the Vet a few minutes later. She recovered without intervention and we were told to keep a close watch on her and return if relapse. Fee 83.00 all included. Now we know where we can go in an emergency without wasting time looking via Google. Thanks for being there when we need you.
Business Hours
Mon 4:00 pm 8:00 am
Tues 4:00 pm 8:00 am
Wed 4:00 pm 8:00 am
Thurs 4:00 pm 8:00 am
Fri 4:00pm
Sat 24 hours
Sun 24 hours