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About Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists

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Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists, formerly Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Surgery (CVRS), was founded in Annapolis in 1992 as a component of the Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Center (CVRC).

The medical staff of Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists is composed of nine staff surgeons, three surgical residents, surgical interns, Registered Veterinary Technicians, technician assistants, and ICU technicians. All of our staff surgeons are boarded or board-eligible by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists is associated with emergency care facilities that have 24 hour doctor care in our intensive care units at all of our locations:  AAVEC in Annapolis and Pet+E.R. in Hunt Valley.  Our two locations have doctors on premises 24 hours a day to ensure that all of our patients receive the highest quality care.

If you would like to learn more about our practice, see our surgical informational brochure or our pet rehabilitation brochure.

Collaboration with Referral Specialists

Our direct access to a multitude of other veterinary specialists in all three of our locations means that we are able to offer cross-specialty care for the most complex cases. Our practice is co-located within the Chesapeake Veterinary Referral Center, a coalition of board-certified veterinary specialists in the disciplines of emergency medicine and critical care, surgery, canine rehabilitation, internal medicine, oncology, cardiology, eye care, neurology and advanced imaging.

We regularly collaborate with:

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Excellent
4.8
Based on 975 reviews
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Dawn T.
23 hours ago
Our dog had her first FHO here and we thought we couldn't be more impressed, but we were wrong! When our dog broke her other hip, we were at CVSS the next afternoon. All her X-Rays and reports from the night before we're ready, we met with her surgeon Dr. Jae, Cardiology was consulted, and she was cleared for surgery the next day. PT is also awesome, our dog had less than a centimeter difference between her surgical and normal leg! Shout out to Alex who has epitomized kindness to every member of our family throughout both surgeries. Thank you!
michele C.
1 day ago
We just want to take a moment to say how incredibly grateful we are for everyone at CVSS who took care of our Porter James. ❤️🐾 From the moment we walked through the doors of the emergency room, through his surgery and entire hospital stay, every single person was so kind, compassionate, and wonderful to us and to our boy. Dr. Fox was absolutely amazing. She kept us updated after his surgery, explained everything to us along the way, answered our questions, and made sure we understood what was happening with Porter. We truly cannot thank her enough for everything she did to save our boy. ❤️ And to every staff member who cared for Porter, checked on him, loved on him, comforted him, and treated him like he was their own — THANK YOU! We knew from the moment we walked through those doors that Porter was in the best hands possible. It was an incredibly scary and emotional time for us, but knowing he was surrounded by people who genuinely cared about him meant more than we can put into words. Thank you, CVSS, Dr. Fox, and every single person who played a part in getting our sweet boy back home to his mommies. 🥹❤️🐾 We will forever be grateful for you all.
Bonnie S.
2 days ago
First class and they treat your pet with care! My Boston had surgery for a broken femur. The surgery and after care appointments have been amazing along with the staff!
Response from the owner:We’re thrilled to hear that your pet received such wonderful care during surgery and throughout the follow-up appointments. We know how difficult it can be when a pet experiences a serious injury, and it’s incredibly rewarding to know our team helped make the recovery process a positive one. We truly appreciate your kind words and wish your pup continued healing and happiness!
Emily K.
4 days ago
Response from the owner:Thank you for your generous review! We appreciate your feedback and hope to see you again soon!
Dikesha R.
1 week ago
Great place, caring team, overall great experience during a stressful time.
Response from the owner:We’re glad our team could provide compassionate care and help make a stressful situation a little easier. It means a lot to know you felt supported throughout your experience, and we truly appreciate your kind words about our team.
John M.
1 week ago
They took good care of my 8 year old Golden Retriever. We are in the recovery process now. It’s a very busy place.
Response from the owner:We’re glad to hear your dog received attentive care and is now on the road to recovery. We know how stressful it can be when a beloved pet needs emergency care, and we’re grateful we could be there to help. Wishing your companion continued healing and a smooth recovery.
Bzz B.
1 week ago
Response from the owner:We’re happy to hear you had a positive experience and appreciate you allowing us to care for your pet. Thank you for the great feedback!
Bridget C.
2 weeks ago
The staff and the doctor were great!!
Response from the owner:We’re so glad our team made such a great impression! It’s always our goal to provide kind, attentive care and make each visit as comfortable as possible. We appreciate you trusting us with your pet!
Shelly
2 weeks ago
I have only good things to say! The staff was warm and caring, the offices extremely clean, & they have great Doctors who took care of my baby girl quickly as her condition was serious, Communication was excellent from all involved on her case. Dasie Mae (5 year old micro dachshund) is recovering comfortably at home. My only dismay is they are 3 hours away!!!
Response from the owner:We’re so happy to hear that your little one is recovering comfortably at home! It’s wonderful to know that our team provided prompt, compassionate care, clear communication, and a clean, welcoming environment during such a serious situation. We understand how stressful it can be when your pet needs urgent care, and we’re honored you trusted us with their treatment. We truly appreciate your kind words, and while we wish we were closer, we’re grateful the three-hour trip was worthwhile!
Mary J.
2 weeks ago
Response from the owner:We’re happy to hear you had a positive experience and appreciate you allowing us to care for your pet. Thank you for the great feedback!
erin B.
2 weeks ago
They are absolutely wonderful! Fantastic care of our pet, with clear explanations of medical conditions and care. Worked with us on treatment care and Financials. Everyone was so helpful and caring!
Response from the owner:We’re so glad to hear that our team provided such compassionate and thorough care. Clear communication about your pet’s condition, treatment options, and costs is an important part of helping families feel informed and supported. It means so much to know that everyone was helpful and caring throughout your visit. We truly appreciate your kind words and trust in our team!
David M.
3 weeks ago
I took my male Aussie in for an MRI consultation. My Aussie doesn't like to be examined so I was very surprised that he allowed Dr. Gainsburg to poke and prod him as part of evaluation. In the end, Dr. Gainsburg recommended not to have the MRI procedure because my my dog didn't show signs of neurological issues, and since he was no longer having a vestibular event, we probably wouldn't find anything remarkable from the MRI. The review and evaluation of his medical records from his regular vet, provided me with confidence to take his advice. Though the consultation was over $300, I feel that Dr. Gainsburg spent a considerable time evaluating my dog and asked a lot of probing questions to get as full a picture of my concerns as possible. The Vet tech that assisted was very professional and knew her way around comforting my dog to make it easier for the Doctor. I would definitely go back if his health requires it.
Response from the owner:We’re so glad your pup had such a positive experience during his consultation! It’s wonderful to hear that our team took the time to thoroughly evaluate him, review his medical history, and carefully consider whether an MRI was truly necessary. We always want to recommend what is in the best interest of each patient, even when that means avoiding an additional procedure. We’re also happy our veterinary team helped him feel comfortable throughout the exam. We truly appreciate your trust and would be honored to care for him again if he ever needs us.
Geoffrey S.
3 weeks ago
Excellent overall experience. Great communications
Response from the owner:We’re so glad to hear you had an excellent overall experience and that our communication met your expectations. Keeping pet families informed and supported throughout their visit is very important to us. We truly appreciate your trust and kind review!
Tom
3 weeks ago
My dog came in knocking on deaths door and their surgeon and expert quality care during and after saved her life! We went in with a 50/50 chance and although we can never truly predict how things go, it was their team that saved my girl. I was impressed by the urgency of the care when we first were taken in, the team coming together in an expedited fashion to ascertain the issue, to the diligence of monitoring and giving her exactly what she needed as things changed, they adapted. I appreciated the update calls every 12 hours keeping us informed, they truly care for our pets. I trust this place with my pets life, they have proven a worthy place, although expensive, I couldn't recommend this place enough. God bless the people who work here.
Response from the owner:We're so grateful we could be there for your dog during such a critical time. Hearing that she's doing well after such a serious situation is incredibly rewarding for our team. Thank you for your trust, your kind words, and for recognizing the dedication of our doctors, surgeon, and staff. We wish your girl continued health and happiness.
Mike D.
3 weeks ago
Amazing service, team and staff. Was more than I expected. Several follow up appointments and then a second surgery late fall. Great drive from Dover but the service first was impressive.
Response from the owner:We're thrilled to hear that your experience exceeded your expectations. Providing exceptional care, communication, and support throughout every stage of treatment is what our team strives for, and we're grateful for the trust you've placed in us. Thank you for making the drive from Dover and for your kind words. We look forward to continuing to care for your pet during their upcoming appointments and surgery.
S C.
4 weeks ago
Excellent care for my dog who needed emergency surgery for AIDD.
Response from the owner:We’re glad our team was able to provide excellent care for your dog during such an important and stressful time. We understand how difficult it can be when a pet needs emergency surgery, and we’re honored that you trusted us to care for your companion. We truly appreciate your confidence in our team and wish your dog a smooth recovery!
William H.
4 weeks ago
Get an appointment, check-in, exam, an explanation of Care was all top-notch. Plenty of time for all questions and explanations were spot on.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind feedback. We’re glad to hear that every part of your visit, from scheduling and check-in to the exam and care discussion, was top-notch. It’s especially important to us that you felt your questions were fully answered and that everything was explained clearly and thoroughly. We truly appreciate your trust in our team and your thoughtful review.
Keith
1 month ago
It was great- Was very well taken care of 🤙
Response from the owner:Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so glad to hear that you had a great experience and felt well taken care of. We truly appreciate your kind words and look forward to welcoming you back!
Kathy W.
1 month ago
We went for a surgical consultation and are very pleased. We did have to wait long to see the doctor She review Maggy's file and we discussed possible treatments. She answered all our questions
Response from the owner:We’re glad you had a positive experience during your surgical consultation and that the doctor took the time to thoroughly review your pet’s history, discuss treatment options, and answer all of your questions. We know waiting can be difficult, and we truly appreciate your patience. It means a lot to know you left feeling informed and supported in making the best decision for your pet’s care.
Muyuan L.
1 month ago
Dr. Wolfe and Dr. Fox treated my cat, Alex. We brought him to the emergency hospital at the same referral center, and he was later transferred to CVSS for a cystotomy. Alex had quite a complex case due to our cross-country move just one week prior and the fact that this was his second cystotomy in the same month. Dr. Wolfe explained the treatment plan and potential complications and recommended what she believed was the best path forward. They also worked with us to make sure we were comfortable with the treatment plan. We followed the doctors’ instructions, and the surgery, as well as his post op recovery, was immensely successful. I hope we never have to go back to treat our kitties, but if we do, I would absolutely trust Dr. Wolfe and Dr. Fox with our cats! The front desk staff and techs were also super helpful and absolutely delightful to work with.
Response from the owner:We’re so grateful you trusted our team with your cat during such a complicated and stressful time. We’re delighted to hear that the surgery and recovery went so well, and that our team could provide clear communication, thoughtful guidance, and support throughout the process. It also means a great deal to hear that our front desk staff and technicians made you feel welcomed and cared for. Thank you for your trust and for sharing such a thoughtful review, we’re honored to have been part of your cat’s successful recovery.
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