At VCA Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center of Westbury, we provide full-service critical and emergency care. We deliver the best medical care for pets and the best experience for pet owners.
Our veterinarians, technicians and pet-friendly support staff are trained to the highest standards. Their thorough knowledge of the latest procedures and medicines ensures that our patients receive the best care.
If your pet is experiencing a medical crisis or needs to see a specialist, we are here to help. Please do not hesitate to contact us at 516-420-0000.
VREC Westbury emergency and critical care department offers 24 hour admissions for urgent, critical, or emergency situations in Long Island, Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens. We also offer continuous care on weekends and holidays, to cater to any and all needs that might arise for your cat or dog. We are dedicated to one thing: helping your pet get well.
Our team works closely with you and your family veterinarian to provide an unparalleled level of comprehensive, specialized care from diagnosis through aftercare. You have our assurance: from the moment you arrive at our hospital, you'll be assisted by experienced, knowledgeable, and compassionate members of our staff. Specialists are on hand to provide emergency and critical care; internal medicine; neurology and neurosurgery; oncology; and general surgery.
At the Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center of Westbury, we pride ourselves on our caring nature and our knowledgeable, well-trained staff. Our full-service hospital is uniquely qualified to address major, life-threatening, or otherwise challenging health problems in your dog or cat's life.
While the professional aspects of our hospital take a prominent role, we never forget our primary mission: keeping people with their pets to enjoy longer, happier, healthier lives. Our goal is to make sure that your experience with us is the best it can be.
VREC Westbury has taken on an important initiative designed to further the hospital’s purpose of improving the quality of life for patients, clients, the family veterinarian, and our staff. Less stress means greater safety and well-being for patients, and The Fear Free initiative will help to create better medical outcomes and experiences for your pet.
How Fear Free Works
A typical example of how Fear Free works is when a stressed, fearful pet is sitting in the lobby, and a VREC Westbury team member takes that pet out of that environment as soon as possible (into a quiet room or area). In the new, less stressful space, pheromones are sprayed on towels and blankets to help soothe the patient, and the doctor and technician speak calmly and move slowly to prevent the patient from being startled. Treats are employed to coax the patient through the treatments and exams. This allows us to turn a negative atmosphere into a positive one.
What VREC Westbury did to Take Veterinary Care to the Next Level
The Fear Free initiative provides veterinary team members with the knowledge and tools to not only look after a pet’s physical well-being, but his/her emotional well-being, too. We know that stress and anxiety associated with taking a pet to the veterinarian is a significant obstacle in delivering medical care. Fear leads to trauma for patients, and as a result, pet parents visit their veterinarian less frequently or not at all. The Fear Free initiative is a solution that can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety, resulting in a better experience for all involved, including pets, pet
parents, and veterinary health care teams.
Many of our team members are Fear Free Certified and we continue our commitment to enhancing the level of care we provide to our patients.
You may find more information about this initiative and how you can make your own home Fear Free at fearfreepets.com.
Please be sure to check with us before your first visit to find out what forms and other information you will need to bring with you.
We harness the scale and strength of our global network while acknowledging each individual's contribution. We work locally to improve the lives of all who interact with our brand.
Explore more below.
American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals and people through education, training and certification of specialists in veterinary internal medicine, discovery and dissemination of new medical knowledge, and increasing public awareness of advances in veterinary medical care. The ACVIM is the international certifying organization for veterinary specialists in cardiology, large animal internal medicine, neurology, oncology, and small animal internal medicine. ACVIM websites provide science based peer-reviewed educational information about animal health for their patients, family members, volunteers and healthcare professionals.
http://www.acvim.orgAmerican College of Veterinary Surgeons
Visit American College of Veterinary SurgeonsAmerican Veterinary Medical Association
Visit American Veterinary Medical AssociationASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Hotline
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is staffed 24 hours with veterinary health professionals who have been specially trained in veterinary toxicology.
If you think that your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, call the ASPCA 24 hour emergency Animal Poison Control Center hotline at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee is applied to your credit card.
Veterinary Cancer Society
The Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) is a non-profit professional and educational organization dedicated to veterinary oncology. Formed in 1976, VCS has over 800 members, including specialists in medical, surgical, and radiation oncology, internists, pathologists, pharmacologists and general practitioners worldwide. The website dedicated to both members and pet owners provides a wealth of resources and information, including answers to Frequently Asked Questions, clinical trials, locating a veterinary oncologist, links of interest, and memorials/tributes.
Learn More About Veterinary Cancer Society
Lionbridge provides over-the-phone and video interpretation services for non-English-speaking and American Sign Language (ASL) clients. In real time, veterinary providers can enlist an expert Lionbridge interpreter to facilitate a clear exchange of information between themselves and clients. Lionbridge’s on-demand, remote interpretation services enable effective and accurate communication with clients. This service empowers clients to be heard and spoken to in their own language, which in turn facilitates a deeper understanding of the care your pet needs.
Learn more about Lionbridge’s interpretation services: https://www.lionbridge.com/content-transformation-services/interpretation-services/.