Andrew / May 13, 2005 4:05 PM

We go to Broadway Animal Hospital, on Broadway a bit south of Devon. Dr. Kaz is great -- and we've run into Tom Skilling in the waiting room!

Jake / May 13, 2005 4:12 PM

Dr. Stevens at the Uptown Animal Hospital (5420 N Clark in Andersonville, not Uptown) is totally awesome. And I've got to admit, he's a very handsome man as well! I suspect my wife is poisoning our dogs to have an excuse to go to the vet...

jima / May 13, 2005 4:21 PM

Higgins Animal Clinic near Belmont and Paulina. We've seen a few different vets there over the years, and they've treated us and our pets well.

Patterson the dog / May 13, 2005 4:26 PM

My vote is for Urban Vet on Lincoln. They have delicious dog biscuits, a friendly pug named Norman who works there, and they're very gentle when they stick the thermometer up your ass to take your temp.

jen / May 13, 2005 4:42 PM

having numerous issues with my boxer pup, i finally got results from drs. janik and solomon at the animal medical center on diversey. my previous vet in wicker park was a big believer in pill-popping for my pooch, so naturally that didn't go over well with me.

Yet Another Jen / May 13, 2005 4:53 PM

I second Animal Medical on Diversey. They were our vet when we lived on the northside. Great people who helped me cope with my cat's diabetes.

Now we're frequent visitors at Pulaski Animal Hosptl on the southside and I highly recommend them too.

~L. / May 13, 2005 5:01 PM

For the southsiders among us -- I use Burnham Park Animal Hospital at 11th and State. It's a little far from Bridgeport (where I live), but they have free parking in the lot next door. They're very up-to-date and friendly. If you live even further south, my husband's family has always gone to Kragness Animal Hospital at 60th and Wentworth loves them.

Benjy / May 13, 2005 5:14 PM

My company finally upgraded our medical plan, so now I go to a real doctor again...

Alice / May 13, 2005 5:19 PM

I take the bunny to Niles Animal Hospital & Bird Medical Center. The bun has seen a few vets there over the years, and I've been consistently happy with the quality of care she has received. And finding a good rabbit vet is not an easy thing.

e_five / May 13, 2005 5:28 PM

Never go to a vet next door to a Vietnamese restaurant.

kerry / May 13, 2005 5:54 PM

Terry Animal Hospital in Wilmette. My family's been taking our pets there for decades. They even sent us a sympathy card when we had them put a very old, very miserable cat to sleep. I've recommended them to friends who have also become loyal customers. I couldn't recommend them more highly.

Mister C / May 13, 2005 9:37 PM

Dr. Adams at Milaknis Animal Hospital on Western (near Bryn Mawr) has always done fabulously for our kitties.

Marc / May 13, 2005 9:43 PM

We go to Bluhm on Clark and Belmont because it is close. They're good vets but they seem kind of dog-centric. We've got cats and there are always lots of dogs in the waiting room and the doctors seem kind of in love with those dogs and a bit dismissive of cats.

Ann / May 14, 2005 12:39 AM

I take my cats to Animal Ark on Kedzie just north of Belmont. The doctor there (Landini) is good, and he does work with Tree House. Sometimes you have to wait for up to a half an hour to get in (with an appointment), which I think is a little unusual. But they really know what they're doing.

One thing that's a little unnerving, though: They refer to me as "Hunter's mom." I'm not so crazy about that. I'm not somebody's mother, I have a couple of cats.

shechemist / May 14, 2005 2:04 PM

I love the staff at Urban Vet Clinic on Lincoln. They are great with my cat and they were excellent with my Great Dane, even letting him hang out in the office with them when ever I had to leave him for a whole day for minor surgery. When he developed bone cancer, they were great They enabled us keep his last 2 weeks pain free and respected our decision to not aggressively treat him (which would have meant amputating his leg and chemo) but keep him comfortable and let him go before his pain became unmanageable.

The emergency vet on clybourn and western is another good recourse. I never felt that they priced gouged and the staff is professional and friendly.

Lori / May 14, 2005 3:14 PM

Wag Your Tail on Addison and Oak Park Ave. Mike is a naturopathic vet and is really good. My aged kitty is doing well on herbs and vitamins from them. They do a good job on the dog too, and do a good grooming as well.

Sigers / May 14, 2005 10:19 PM

North Avenue has taken care of my cat until her passing and my five year old Bullmastiff Lola. Irene the office manager is delightful. Cheap they ain't tho.

My boyfriend, owner of Jay the five year old cat and Ryder the fifteen week Cane Corso puppy would like to second the emotion on Burnham. A girl found a sack of kittens on the el, and the docs at Burnham helped her help them. Together they found homes for them all - that's how we got Jay.

Leelah / May 15, 2005 8:36 PM

Bevlab Animal Hospital in Blue Island. The vets are incredibly kind.

When I lived on the north side, North Center Animal Hospital was excellent also.

I have to also put in a good word for the emergency vet on Clybourn. May I never have to go there again, but they were so wonderful to my scared and bleeding puppy and to her hysterical owner.

Tim / May 16, 2005 7:06 AM

FYI-11th and State does not really count as the Southside.

We go to the Hyde Park Animal Clinic (5210 S. Harper Avenue). The staff is kind and the Doctors are excellent. It very close to where the new Checkerboard Lounge is located.

Tommy #1 / May 16, 2005 8:49 AM

oooohhhhhh, veterinarian...I thought it was which vegetarian my bad

Hal / May 16, 2005 9:49 AM

Two recommendations:

1) Bramer Animal Hospital in Evanston. We take our two dogs and two cats there and it's a great environment. None of the four has any anxiety about going to the vet at all. It was a default choice (my partner was already going there), but I'm very, very happy with it.

2) Higgins - If it weren't for the default choice with Bramer, I would have gone to Higgins. Right after I moved to Chicago, I noticed that my cat had a growth and her coat looked funny. I got Higgins name out of the phone book because they were close and could fit me in that morning.

They figured out very quickly it was an extremely aggressive cancer (she had carried the Feline Leukemia virus since birth). Rather than playing arrogant doctor, the vet showed me her blood sample in the microscope as well as the pictures in the texts of what her cells should look like and how closely hers matched the example of the cancer.

As it was kind of a shock, I asked if he could talk to my vet from Houston (a close friend whom I respect) who knew the cat's history. He was very open to discussing it with my friend who in turn confirmed that the guy knew his stuff. He clearly didn't mind my questioning and healthy skepticism.

Finally, when I had to make the decision to put her down (the treatment involved at least one major surgery, twice daily shots and, even then, she only had 6-12 months to live), they handled my shock and grief very, very well.

Bear in mind, I had just walked in off the street, basically, and had absolutely no prior relationship with them.

Paula / May 16, 2005 10:17 AM

I second Bramer on Davis in Evanston. All three of my cats go there and see either Dr. Tamara Rahn or Dr. Cathy Bellamy - both are very in tune with cats and my cats have received nothing but extremely helpful care - from an early diagnosis of a heart murmer that allowed me to treat it so it won't get worse, a Rx for vallium that solved the cat pee issue in my house, and diagnosis and removal of a small but malignant tumor. I'll admit that they're not the cheapest vet around but I've never had a complaint about the service.

pat / May 16, 2005 10:30 AM

I'll second the uptown animal clinic (in Andersonville). They make the ordeal of packing up 4 cats into carriers somehow worth it.

Rodney / May 16, 2005 10:33 AM

Whatever you do, do not take the advice of any veterinarians at the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Rebecca / May 16, 2005 10:45 AM

I second the Hyde Park Animal Clinic. Dr. T. J. Wake and his staff are extremely professional and caring. In 2003, on the Saturday before Labor Day, one of my cats had a severe allergic reaction to a vaccine. Despite the fact that the clinic was scheduled to close early for the holiday, Dr. Wake and 2 other docs stayed late working on Pooh Bear to get him stabilized. When it became apparent that he was going to need to be on an intravenous drip overnight, one of the vets drove us to the emergency clinic on Clybourn, despite the fact that it was out of his way, so that I wouldn't have to pay for a cab. I'm forever grateful to them for going so far above and beyond the call of duty.

J / May 16, 2005 12:01 PM

I vote for Blum. I take my cat and dog there and the vets have been extremely caring for them. Both animals have had surgery and healed perfectly. An aside note-their pet medications are cheaper than online.

amy / May 16, 2005 12:31 PM

North Center Animal Hospital is AMAZING. They kept our kitty alive for 3 more years than anyone ever expected (and with great quality of life) and then when we had to put him down they were unbelievably amazing. Amazing to a point where I had to write them a thank you for helping us so much.

They also took in my giant seperation anxiety ridden doggie when we had to put him somewhere so our neighbors wouldn't complain. It's to the point where 'for fun' I walk my dog to visit them. He loves them more than almost any other people.

Their 'day care' is so reasonable ($10/day) and the staff loves to play with the puppies. They are not only great vets - but they are especially kind people.

JT / May 16, 2005 12:43 PM

Wow, I'm surprised nobody else here is a Family Pet consumer. My family and I have used them since it opened 15 years ago. FP Animal Hospital is located on Webster near Clybourn, and the docs and staff there are amazing. Like many vets', they're not all that cheap, but they'll talk through everything and are very cool and understanding about the hard choices we sometimes have to make between finances and the health and comfort of our pets.

Our regular vet there is Rae Ann Van Pelt, but in the past my parents have used Marla Minuskin, and recently we worked with Kathy Berman for an emergency our diabetic fat cat went through. All the docs we've met are just terrific. (Drs. Minuskin and Van Pelt left Blum to open this practice in 1990, and we had followed them from there.)

My husband and I had to put his cat down nine years ago, and FP was really great with us. They scheduled these types of appointments for after-hours, and when we arrived, they brought us up to their own break room with our cat, to spend some quiet time on our own with him while they cleared the decks downstairs. Because the cat was really aggressive about strangers, they gave him a little tranq first, so that he was relaxed, and they let us choose whether or not to be there when they did it. They do not discuss money or anything at that time; it's all handled later on, and very discreetly.

We have been extremely happy with the care and attention our pets have received over the years, and even though we're moving out of the city this summer, we will probably continue to come back for the vet.

Mrs. Notifbutwhen / May 16, 2005 2:48 PM

One vet to AVOID is Lincoln Park Animal Hospital on Lincoln between Fullerton and Diversey. I had a bad, bad experience there with an old kooky vet. We've been using Green Bay Animal Hospital in Wilmette ever since and have been very happy with them, specifically Drs. Kurt and Barry Miller (they're brothers who own the practice).

Kit Sullivan / May 24, 2005 1:37 PM

There is no one better than Dr. Kaz at Broadway Animal Hospital. He has the healing touch!

R Fay / May 31, 2005 12:49 PM

My vote is for Dr George at Diversey Animal Hospital! He has been my pet's vet for nearly 16 years and I would never go anywhere else. Even though it is now a 40 minute drive to his office from my home, the trip will always be worth it due to the incredible care he hsa given my pets over the years.

jm / June 14, 2005 6:24 PM

Residents of the NorthWest side are lucky to have Dr. Jim Hosek, the vet who does house calls. And only house calls. He has no office...he comes to you. Also, no office overhead = very affordable. Attentive, patient and kind. He's been terrific with my 14 year old lab and very grouchy cat. You can reach him through his website...

http://www.customvetcare.com/about.cfm

Cece / December 16, 2005 11:33 PM

I second JT about Family Pet Animal Hospital in Lincoln Park on Southport and Webster!

I too followed the Vets over after they started their own practice in the '90s. I've got an African Grey parrot and Rae Ann Van Pelt has a specialty in treating birds. Bentley is now 24 years old.

Marla has treated all of my feline pals. She's seen us through minor traumas, but more importantly, through major diseases. I can say that all my cats have survived longer than most expected. One of my cats with CRF lived a quality life for 3 1/2 years after diagnosis. Another cat lived to 20 1/2 years under her care.

Another benefit is the number of vets, quality of credentials, and the communication within the practice. The doctors discuss cases and solicit recommendations from the others on a continuous basis.

Lin Kraemer / July 1, 2006 8:03 AM

Animal Ark on Kedzie just north of Belmont is the BEST. Dr. Landini saved my dog's life. The staff was kind and understanding. At no time was I uncomfortable leaving Polar Bear with them. If it wasn't for Dr. Landini and the rest of the staff at Animal Ark, Polar Bear would not be with me today. The staff referers to me as Polar Bear's mom, and I think that is a compliment. My pet deserves the best treatment available, just as my human kids do....

Chemist / January 22, 2007 3:56 PM

Development Emergency Medical Service in America has received the second wave, improvement of quality of service and speed of reaction WBR LeoP

Paula Marie / March 8, 2007 4:46 PM

I recommend the Uptown Animal Hospital on 5400 N Clark Street. These veterinarians are wonderful! They saved my cat's life when I could get no help from anyone else, because I had an emergency but no cash on hand at the time. That was 3 years ago, and my cat is doing great.

Johanna Brocker / March 20, 2007 9:55 AM

Let's hear about vets in the Western suburbs. My dog had an emergency and we went to http://www.arboretumviewanimalhospital.com/ and they were excellent in diagnosis. Unfortunately, Paddy had cancer and it was his last day on earth. It was a heartbreaking and expensive experience.
Now, I need a vet local to Oak Park. Have a cat and eventually, another dog. Any suggestions?