Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists

I was involved in bringing a friend’s cat here in an emergency. The reception staff were very unfriendly and not knowledgable. The Doctor was great. However my friend was called in in the night as his cat was failing. The euthanasia procedure he described sounded horrific and unprofessional with the cat escaping and having to be pinned to the floor. The whole debacle took place NOT in one of the fancy private rooms but in a room where all the other caged animals were. This place seems to be all superficial fancy aesthetics but not great service.
However, I gave another star because we just picked up my friends cats ashes and the receptionist seemed genuinely sympathetic and nice.

I had to write a review, especially after reading some of the reviews that these people are writing… wow, just wow. I had to re-​read some of the poor reviews twice to make sure I had actually read them correctly… some of the ignorance that is posted irritates me beyond words. I am more that sure that some of these posts are completely exaggerated and fake. I have been taking my Boston Terrier to see Dr. Roy for about 4 years, she develops Mast Cell Tumors. Dr. Roy and the whole staff at Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists are so professional, they go way above and beyond for their customers. I’ve emailed Dr. Roy a couple of times and he’s personally and quickly written back to me, always answering all of my questions. The first time I called in, when my dog was first diagnosed with a Mast Cell Tumor on her face… I was terrified. The receptionist got Dr. Roy personally and he spent a good 20 mins on the phone with me explaining everything. I was not a customer yet, I had never been in, he had never seen my dog… he took the time to talk with me. I had never in all of my years of going to vets and working for vets, seen this level of care. Dr. Roy has done so many things for my dog, that was way above and beyond what he had to do. I’ve never felt over charged, he has always worked with me to keep costs down, while giving my dog the BEST care. He has removed a total 6 Mast Cell Tumors throughout the years, he literally saved my dogs life. I am so grateful to Dr. Roy and his staff. Some of the reviews that state that the receptionist made a comment about someones credit card limit, is ridiculous and someone else said that there were no dogs in the emergency clinic at midnight and he had to wait 40 mins… so he left. Did you ever stop to think that they may be attending to an emergency surgery in the back, saving another dogs life? I just can’t believe the low reviews… it has to be people that just don’t understand things, they didn’t ask questions and then figure that they will give a poor review hurting a great business… when it was their own fault. I will continue to go to Dr. Roy and Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists whenever my pup has an issue, I completely and totally trust them and I appreciate the care that they’ve giver her.

Wow they have really changed their ways since the last time I was there!!! The front desk ladies were absolutely delightful during a time of stress for me. I thought my cat broke her leg and they got me in a room to see the doctor as soon as possible. The ladies in the back were so pleasant. I really felt it was all about my cat this time and not the money!!! Hopefully I won’t be back soon but they made the experience the best possible.

Dr Roy saved my dogs life. If it hadn’t been for him, my schnauzer would no longer be here with us. They are expensive, but worth it in my opinion.
I took my schnauzer to another vet for surgery for bladder stones. That vet did the surgery and totally botched it. After two days of phone calls (over a weekend) and none returned, my dog was so bad we had to do something, so we went to Dr Roy, sunday night at 10:00. They immediately took her in and examined her. It took a day to figure out what was going on. Turns out the previous vet had torn her urethra. They had to do surgery to repair. While inside, they found bladder stones that had been spilled and also found a small piece of gauze. After two weeks in the hospital, she finally came home and is a normal dog!
As mentioned above, they are expensive. But the lesson I learned is, If I had gone there in the first place, it would have saved me money as the procedure would have been done correctly the first time.
Second story, I had another dog with hind leg problems. (See my review for other animal hospital I wrote). He had been to another vet who could not identify the problem. Took him here and they correctly diagnosed him within 5 minutes. Lesson learned a second time! If I went here first, it would have saved in the long run. I paid another vet $ 400 for a bad diagnosis twice! (see other review)
Bottom line, I highly recommend as I feel they know what they are doing. If you want the best, this is the place to go.

Pros:24 hour facility, fully equipped. cons: we had similar situation as previous review. Brought cat in morning for emergency situation and paid emergency price. We came back in evening and cat had not yet had the Ultra Sound they recommended. Sick cat had been withheld food and water all day awaiting scan. Did not leave there until late evening. The Internal Medicine Specialist did not tell us anything we had not already heard from our local vet guessing. Not knowledgable in anything homopathic or more in depth problems that cause the same type problems, such as mineral (copper etc.) build up or intolerances.

Ready to pass us off to another specialist where we would have to go through testing and checkup again because they said that the Internal Medicines Doctors tests may not be good enough for the oncologist. (!!!) Why wouldn’t they have performed all testing needed to insure an accurate diagnosis???
We are an hour and a half drive from them, so it would have been nice to at least offer a us a phone consultation of the oncologists (we would pay for his services) to at least take a look at the blood tests and Ultra Sound we already had, before making us drive back there and have our sick cat try and tolerate another day of no water or food scared in a cage, only to get another «no hope» diagnosis. We would gladly bring her back if an oncologist could give us hope for her.
They could not give us any suggestions on how to make her life more comfortable and pain free… Gave us a number to an animal hospice. So much for being a «specialty» provider. I have lost all hope and trust for the medical community in Florida and the medical education system that is providing doctors not fully educated in all aspects of health and wellbeing. Doctors now a days want to take the most profitable, easy way out and make even more pushing Medication for the drug companies.

My dog, Molly is scheduled for surgery with Dr. Robert Roy on Tuesday. I’m so worried. But Dr. Roy is probably the best surgeon there is. Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists is a state of the art facility that rivals any hospital. I love Molly so much, my prayers are with her. I don’t think there is anything else we can do for the loveliest dog I know.

The worst service ever and I don’t recommend this place at all!!! 12am in the morning, no one and no dogs in the place with a 40 minute wait and not 1 doctor looked at my dog. My dog was the only dog in there!!! I had to walk out. OMG this place is bad! Million Dollar building but 0 service!

Stop and read this review PRIOR to bringing your pet here.
This place looks beautiful and I’m sure it is, because they charge you a small fortune to treat your pet during a very stressful time.
I came home from work to find my dog unresponsive. I got her up and moving and rushed her to this emergency animal hospital. We checked in and they took her back. At this point, she was walking and alert. They looked her over, took her temp and listened to her heart. They then told me they needed to take her blood pressure and took her away from me.
When the doctor came in, she told me that my dog was going to have to stay overnight, I asked based on what since they hadn’t even done bloodwork. They based it on her pink gums. I told them no, that I would wait for the bloodwork, I wasn’t having her stay overnight for pink gums. The bloodwork comes back a half hour later and it shows nothing. The doctor convinces me that my dog needs to stay at least for a few hour; but tells me that I cannot see her before I leave so that she doesn’t get upset seeing me leave her.
I leave there around 6:30 p.m. At 9 p.m. I called to inquire on my dog, the doctor was busy so I had to wait for a call back, even though I was assured repeatedly that I could check on my dog at any time. The doctor calls me back and I tell her that I want to come get my dog. She finally agrees, but says I need to wait an hour.
I arrive one hour later and ask for my dog. I then wait, and wait. After 15 minutes, I ask again, I was told that there are other emergencies and I will have to wait. Finally, after waiting for 40 minutes, I go back up to the desk and I loudly tell them that I want my dog, I am not waiting any longer. I came there for my dog and I want her now. I get no response from them, but the doctor dos come out and tell me that she didn’t even know I was there.
They bring my dog out to me and I go to pay the bill. The girl at the desk tells me my card is declined, I tell her there is no way, there is a $ 25,000 limit on that card; she responds and says «it must be nice to have a card with a $ 25,000 limit on it» she re-​runs my card and it works… I had many responses for her, but decided to just leave so I could get my dog home.
I liked the doctor, I really did, but I don’t like or trust this place. My dog did not need to stay, even for the amount of time that she did. I feel that they don’t listen to what the pet owner is stating. I told them many times about my dog’s separation anxiety, that always makes trips to the vet worse for her.
I believe my regular vet could have figured out that my dog’s cancer is spreading, it sucks and it is horrible for me to deal with, but Palm Beach Veterinary Specialist made this experience even worse for me, not including the small fortune they charged for bloodwork and IV’s.

I brought my cat, Zulu, here a few days ago and was very pleased with the service. The staff here is very professional and clearly invested in providing the best care possible for your pet.
Yes, there tends to be a longer waiting time than if you were at your usual vet but, it is an emergency service and they do have to tend to cases based on severity.
In terms of the prices, it is pretty standard for emergency vet care. I didn’t feel like they were trying to take advantage of me at all and felt absolutely no pressure to proceed with procedures that I didn’t feel were necessary. Nothing presented was exorbitantly priced and the vet was very clear in breaking down the estimate he provided and was happy to advise on how to take the most economical, yet safe, approach. I definitely recommend this 24 hour vet over some others in the area… namely, Calusa in Boca. Now that is a vet ER that will rob you blind.

I saw the reviews on Unilocal so I decided to take my cat here. I applied for the Care Credit Card and received back a substantial line of credit. The Vet racked up charges all the way to the limit and then told me they couldn’t do anything more without another $ 3500 for an UTI surgery procedure. A few months later, I researched the surgery costs at other corresponding Clinics and also spoke with my niece who is a Veterinary student. I found out this surgery generally goes for about ¹⁄₃ of the costs Palm Beach Specialists quoted me. Moreover, the costs for the work done up until then was about 200−300% more than other Veterinary clinics. To sum it up, if your animal needs something major done and have the $$$$, take them here. If not, go elsewhere because this place is outrageously priced.

This place is AMAZING! My poor dog has had health issues since he was a puppy… And I’ve seen all kinds of vets and all kinds of specialists all over South Florida… and I have, unfortunately, been to an emergency vet multiple times. We recently moved to this section of palm beach and called here when our dog wasn’t feeling well still after seeing another vet earlier in the weekend… They said to bring him in and when we got there they were incredibly friendly and courteous. They were really quick and made us feel like a priority. The nurse saw Colby within five minutes of us walking in the door… And the vet was there within 10 minutes…
The vet was thorough and caught things that the vet we had seen 24 hours prior had missed. She explained everything… Including all the reasons why she reached her diagnosis and all the potential issues in the future… And she answered all of my 42 million questions (A bit of an exaggeration, perhaps, but I promise you there were a lot of them). :-) Also, they didn’t try to upsell me on tests we didn’t need. I asked if we should get x-​rays (which another vet recommended for almost $ 300) and she explained why they were unnecessary for our situation.
And the price was unbelievably reasonable. Other places I have been have charged me $ 400 just to walk in and be examined on a weekend night. Here, they examined Colby, they gave him multiple medications to treat him for the next few weeks and intravenous medications that would help get him through the night and our bill was less than $ 200… We couldn’t believe it! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! And THANK YOU!

We love our dog more than anything and yesterday she tested positive for pancreatitis. I brought her to PBS and she was seen by Dr. Ellen Gray. This facility is nicer than many human hospitals and Dr. Gray was amazing! Robin was the girl who helped us check in/​out, etc. and she was friendly, nice and professional and did great with our dog, Bailey as well. I probably have the highest standards of any dog mom and I’m very impressed by this place, the veterinarian and staff I dealt with. I highly recommend bringing your pet here for quality care.

I took my dog there for a sore in his back. The girl at the desk jumped to the conclusion that is was fleas! I told her my dog dosent have fleas, however she insisted that he did. I was taken back to the room with my dog, where I waited 40 minutes in that time I was told once the dr. woud be in shortly. After 40 minutes I told them I was leaving it was ridiculious to wait this long. She snapped at me that tis is for emergencies. while I don’t constitute a sore on my dogs back a huge emergency. I would hope for better explanation such as Im sorry we are a little busy, sorry you have to wait, we are trying to get to you as soon as we can. It is called compassion. If a business is only as good as it’s help, well need I say more?

These folks are not our regular vet, but I wish! They have been absolutely amazing in our emergencies! Super caring, friendly, and spot on with all their diagnoses and surgeries my dogs have suddenly had to endure. Not just the vets and techs, but the desk staff too! Reasonable fees make it that much better!

Not particularly impressed with this place. I brought my dog in on a Sunday because I woke up to diarrhea all over my house and was extremely worried it was something serious.
6am in the morning I was seen right away. Dr Adams seemed pretty indifferent and kept getting mad that my dog was trying to give her kisses. She was pleasant enough to me, but her face and body language towards my baby made me really dislike her. The vet tech was awesome though. She’s the only reason for the 3 stars and the fact that Dr Adams didn’t try and pressure me to get expensive tests, etc. She laid out my options and told me how much everything would cost.
I would only bring my dogs here if absolutely necessary because I love my regular vet and he doesn’t push my dog down when he tries to kiss him.

I took my dog here and once went with a friend who needed to bring her dogs in. I have nothing but positive things to say about this place: every one of their staff members is helpful and kind. They are all knowledgable in any kind of tratment for the animals and they don’t charge and arm and a leg for emergency services. I would recommend them to anyone that needs an emergency vet, which I hope they actually never do.

ok lets jus say when I pulled up my first thoughts were one, I’m impressed and two this place is expensive, well my second thought was spot on. I was recommend to go there by my dogs vet Dr lund, in boca after they found a mass in his rectum which was preventing him from going, upon arrival, they examined him and also felt the mass. Then it started, they recommended a chest X-ray??why a chest X-ray?shouldnt they find out what the mass is first? I objected butt they were insistent, so i gave in, a mistake, it was negative, but anyway first, they said they would do an ultrasound and a cytology on the mass, but the Dr that does the ultra sound was not there so i would have to leave him. OK, So I ask them for an estimate and they print one out, low, 800 high 950, I was told I had to pay the 800 up front, fine i did. The next morning they call and tell me they found two masses one on his rectum and one near his bladder that they would cytology both. I picked my dog up and he was severely dehydrated and drank 2 bowls of water when i got him home. Really they didn’t give him water? So i waited for 3 days because it was now the weekend, when they called they told me that the mass by his bladder was fat tissue ‚[good news], but the other one was inconclusive and they would do another one FREE OF CHARGE!!! I said great and brought him back, even thou I was told I could wait for him when I got there they asked if i could leave him because they we’re busy. I live 30 miles away but i agreed. Four hrs later they call and said they did another ultra-​sound and now thing its one mass not two and suggest they do a BIOPSY, I QUESTION THE COST ‚$ 400.00,saying the cytology is not as conclusive as a biopsy!!! WTF !!! WHY WASNT A BIOSPY DONE FROM THE GET GO. and if its one mass then it must be fat tissue since that cytology showed that. but they have and ANS for that saying maybe we just got fat tissue at that one point. REALLY/​??? so first they start off with a chest X-​ray and then they do a unreliable test instead of the one they needed to do. either way they do things ass backwards Is it incompetence or a scam playing on our emotions for our pets. The place is a MAUSOLEUM WITH A HUGH NUT TO PAY EVERY MONTH. They care about money first and your pet second, as others have testified to. The bill was 25% higher then the HIGH estimate they original gave me. After denying them to do the biopsy I went to pick him up and they tried to charge me another $ 75.00 because a doctor REVIEWED his ULTRA SOUND PIC. I told them i never agreed to that and would not pay, and when I was getting a little loud they removed it, but not before someone in the waiting room waiting to have there dog looked at got up and left.
THINK TWICE BEFORE GOING THERE…

I had an appalling experience with Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists on Friday, June 23^rd, 2014.
To frame the experience related below, we had a very successful experience with an ACL repair with Dr. Roy on a Dane late 2113 and a good experience with a gastropexy and spay in early 1014 also with Dr. Roy. With the gastropexy we have observed an unusual lump around the incision site we have not seen with other gastropexys, but that could be a difference in techniques.
The current situation: We have a deaf rescue great dane who experienced significant abuse in his previous life. He is a super sweet dog with people he knows & in his comfort zone, but completely panics and is out of control on vet visits. Our previous vet worked with us to develop a method to minimize the stress he goes though in a vet visit, which is to give him oral sedation prior to arriving at the clinic, muzzle him, and immediately upon arrival sedate him to do any examination.
Complete vet records, including this protocol were described when booking the appointment and provided in the records forwarded by his previous vet, which I verified had been received.
Our dog suddenly developed a ½ golf ball sized lump on the inside of his back right hock. I sent photos of the growth to an out of state vet friend who said he needed to have x-​rays, and depending on the x-​ray, potentially a biopsy, and possibly depending on results of either/​both, the mass removed/​other treatment. I called Pam Beach Veterinary Specialists to book an appointment with Dr Roy. When I called to book, I clearly explained his fear aggressiveness, the need for him to be sedated immediately upon arrival to reduce stress/​for any exam to happen, and our expectation/​hope that they would be able to the the x-​ray/​biopsy/​removal in sequence in one visit as required by findings. The receptionist I spoke with put me on hold and said she spoke with a surgical nurse who suggested that it would be best if we saw Dr. Lynn based on the mass. I agreed, thinking that if Dr. Lynn specializes in this type of thing, that’s the best person for the job. The receptionist confirmed that they could do the x-​ray/​biopsy/​removal sequentially in one appointment to lessen the stress/​need for sedation/​repeated stress over multiple visits.
We showed up for our scheduled appointment on time on Friday, May 23^rd at 10:15. The receptionist asked us to wait in the general waiting area and fill out paperwork. I declined and asked to be able to move directly to an exam room. We filled out the paperwork. No one arrived in 15 minutes. I took the paperwork to the desk and asked when Dr. Lynn would see our dog. I was informed that I had changed the appointment (I had not) and that Dr. Dimico would see him. I protested that THEY had recommended Dr. Lynn specifically, and that I had NOT changed the appointment, and that no one had informed me of ANY change. They said that would look into it, but that Dr. Lynn was not available. I went back to the exam room with my increasingly stressed dog. Waited another 10 minutes and inquired WHEN the doctor would see my dog. I was assured she would be right in. 5 minutes later a nurse arrived and asked me questions that clearly indicated that the medical records I had sent from his vet in IL had never even been looked at. Asked when the doctor would be in — was told «soon». 15 minutes later the doctor we had not been scheduled to see arrived. She was clearly not informed of his history. I attempted to explain the issues we were having — appointment switched to a different doc, long waiting time, seriously stressed out dog, promised of steps that would be taken at this appointment.
She promptly informed me that they COULD NOT manage x-​ray, biopsy, mass removal in a single engagement — DESPITE THAE FACT that when I booked the appointment I was told that this could indeed happen. Given the fact that we had already given our dog sedation to help manage the stress of the experience, we decided to go ahead with just x-​rays, even though we were extremely underwhelmed by the experience to date. Dr. Dimico said she’d be «right back» with her nurse. We spent another 25 MINUTES in the exam room with this poor dog who was completely stressed out trying to rip off his muzzle, hyperventilating trying & escape. NO ONE CAME BACK. After 25 minutes waiting for them to «be right back» we left.
SUMMARY:
1. They highly recommended a particular doc for our situation & switched us to a different doc without informing us until after arrival on site, & then only AFTER I inquired
2. They assured us they would manage his fear by getting him seen right away — yet first contact was after 30 minutes, total waiting time before ANY exam attempt was 45 min
3. Obviously had NOT read any of the records sent by previous vet
4. They promised they could do sequential diagnostics in a single visit, yet when we arrived and actually got an opportunity to speak with a vet, they said they could not

We’ve had some terrible experiences with other vets in the area, and were recommended PBVS by a friend. Although it is quite far from our home, we were desperate and took the 40 minute drive up. According to our former vet, our pup (all 15 pounds of her) was too difficult to handle, so they refused to treat her, even though she was terrified, in extreme pain AND sedated.
Every vet and vet technician we encountered at PBVS was wonderful and a pleasure to work with. They had no problems whatsoever with our little baby, without any sedation required, and did a perfect job of diagnosing and treating her. She is terrified of the other vet but has no problems whatsoever visiting PBVS, and we will continue to come here for all of our emergency needs. This is a top-​notch hospital with amazing staff. Highly recommended.

My poor kitty was is really bad shape when I took him here. The initial visit and wait to get in to see someone was extremely long. (almost 8 hours of waiting) However once the doctor saw him, each subsequent visit did not take as long since I was able to make appointments. Dr. Brown and Dr. Lechner are both very knowledgeable and helpful when it came to explaining our cat’s issues and treatments. They want to make sure you know all options before deciding which route to go and recommend the best solution. Most of the staff here is very friendly and pleasant, though there are times when some aren’t having good days and it is very apparent with the rushed, blunt, answers.
The overnight staff is amazing. I went to visit our cat a few times while he was in intensive care and they were all so nice and welcoming.
Only thing it is VERY expensive. Be prepared if your pet has a severe illness or needs to be hospitalized. They are willing to work with you on some price breaks depending on now much care your pet needs.
Two months later and I’m happy to report our boy is on the mend thankfully because his condition was reversible with TLC, feedings, and the care he received while at this hospital.
Thank you PBVS!