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410.224.0121

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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 932 reviews
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Terri P.
14 hours ago
I have one word to say and that's Exceptional from every single staff member from start to finish. Our 4 yr old Rottie is very fearful and they went above and beyond to make sure her stress level remained low. I just can't say enough good things. It's been a pleasant experience. Don't hesitate, especially if you have a dog that is fearful. This is the place and the only place I would recommend! And thank you Dr. Boszko and your amazing team for all the love and care everyone gave to our special girl, Frankie
Jill S.
21 hours 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!
Mary W.
2 days ago
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback. We're thrilled to hear about your positive experience at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists - Hunt Valley.
Cindy G.
4 days ago
We had a third surgery completed for one of our pets this week by Dr. Gauthier. Dr. Gauthier and his staff are very caring, personable, and professional. Because of the detailed information provided during the consultation appointment, the day of surgery is met with confidence that our pets are always in the best hands. With every surgery we have had with Dr. Gauthier, he has always called after the surgery to update us. On the day of release, detailed verbal and written instructions have always been provided for our pets. And as always, we are informed to call if we have any questions or concerns. I highly recommend Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialist, as I have no doubt all the doctors and staff at the facility in Hunt Valley share the same level of excellence.
Response from the owner:We’re so grateful for your continued trust in our team and are honored to have been part of your pets’ care journeys. Providing thorough communication, compassionate support, and detailed guidance before and after procedures is a priority for us, and we’re glad to hear that it has helped you feel confident throughout each experience. We truly appreciate your recommendation and kind words about our team. Thank you for allowing us to care for your beloved companions.
Carolyn T.
4 days ago
Every staff member we interacted with was kind, attentive, and patient with us and our dog.
Response from the owner:We’re so glad to hear that our team provided a caring, attentive, and supportive experience for both you and your companion. We understand how important it is for families to feel comfortable and informed, and we truly appreciate your trust in us.
Shaun S.
1 week ago
Dr. Moore was quite knowledgeable, and compassionate to my pet Burke and myself. She was pleased with the care we were already rendering to him and gave great recommendations as to the continued care for our 13yo dog. She felt that continued medical management was much more advantageous than surgery that wouldn't really correct his osteoarthritis. I greatly appreciated this advice because we wouldn't want to put our little guy through any unnecessary surgical procedures. We are pleased with the overall care that we received.
Response from the owner:We’re so glad to hear that you felt supported and well informed during your visit. Providing compassionate guidance and helping families make the best decisions for their pets’ individual needs is a priority for our team. We appreciate your trust in our recommendations and are grateful for the opportunity to help support your dog’s comfort and quality of life.
Thomas B.
1 week ago
Excellent experience all the way around. We were greeted in a friendly and professional manner by the receptionist staff upon arrival. Gracie was seen quickly and the staff was so sweet and friendly to our dog, they genuinely love animals and it shows. In my experience a lot of places seem to do unnecessary test and procedures to maximize profit. Gracie was there to see if she was going to need hip surgery, and after exam and X-Rays we were told that Gracie would not need surgery. Kaitlyn was just absolutely fantastic, she took great care of Gracie and emailed us information on some of the stuff the Vet recommended for us and even sent us links to the best priced sites to purchase from. Thank you to the entire staff for taking such great care of our dear Gracie and a special shout out to Kaitlyn.
Response from the owner:Your feedback is incredibly valuable, and we sincerely appreciate you taking the time to share your experience. We're thrilled to hear about your excellent experience with Gracie at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists - Hunt Valley. We're glad our team's genuine love for animals shone through in their interactions with your dog. We're also pleased that we were able to provide an accurate assessment of Gracie's condition without unnecessary tests or procedures. It's great to hear that Kaitlyn went above and beyond by emailing you information and links to help with the vet's recommendations. We'll be sure to pass along your special shout-out to Kaitlyn and commend the entire staff for their exceptional care. Thank you again for choosing our facility and for your kind words about our team's dedication to animal care.
Jennifer M.
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!
Virgina G.
2 weeks ago
Everything from cost to surgery and recovery explained. Extremely nice staff and Dr.
Response from the owner:We’re glad to hear that our team provided clear explanations throughout your pet’s care, from treatment options and costs to surgery and recovery. We understand how important it is to feel informed and supported during these decisions. We appreciate your trust and are grateful for the opportunity to care for your pet.
Loretta B.
2 weeks ago
Everyone is so polite and very helpful with information. Karma loves his visits . Very trustworthy
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for trusting us with your pet’s care. We’re so happy to hear that you and your pet have had positive experiences with our team. Providing helpful communication and creating a comfortable environment for pets and their families is something we value greatly. We appreciate your trust and are grateful to be part of your pet’s care journey.
Linn M.
2 weeks ago
Very grateful for Dr. Prostredny and CVSS staff for their care regarding our cat and her TPLO surgery. You can tell everyone is very knowledgeable, kind, and intentional with their work. Very kind staff all around. Thank you all for helping Bibi!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re so grateful for your kind words and for trusting our team with your cat’s care. We’re glad to hear that you felt supported by our knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated staff throughout the surgical process. Providing thoughtful care and attention to every patient and family is very important to us. We truly appreciate your trust and are honored to be part of your cat’s recovery journey.
William S.
3 weeks ago
I've just completed an 11 week experience with Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists focused on surgery to repair my dog's ACL with follow-up therapy. I can say without hesitation that the staff are the most competent and compassionate vets and vet techs I've ever encountered. From the front desk and Ms.Winkler to the surgeon Dr. Middlestead ( who was superb! ) to the follow up therapy with Dr. McClain (outstanding!) and techs Kendallyn Vick and Molly Dunkin and the others, please accept my most profound thanks and admiration for your efforts. Brisco thanks you too!! All the best to everyone!! Bill Sunderland
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt message. We’re truly honored to have been part of your dog’s care and recovery journey over the past 11 weeks. It means so much to hear that you felt supported by the entire team, from the front desk through surgery and rehabilitation, and that the care provided made such a positive impact during a challenging time. Your trust and appreciation mean a great deal to everyone here, and we’re so glad your dog is doing well.
melissa H.
4 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!
Dan H.
4 weeks ago
My dog had emergency surgery last week and everyone was so helpful and supportive. From Alex at the front desk to all the other techs, they all made sure my girl had great attention. Dr Middlestead is very thorough and answered all my questions with detail and compassion. Thank you guys!
Response from the owner:We’re so glad to hear that you and your pet felt supported throughout such a stressful time. Our team is committed to providing attentive, compassionate care and clear communication every step of the way, and it’s wonderful to know that made a positive difference during your pet’s surgery and recovery. We truly appreciate your kind words and your trust in our team, and we wish your furry family member a smooth and speedy recovery.
Lynn M.
4 weeks ago
I don’t even know where to begin to thank Dr. Burgess for saving my dog, Lexi. Lexi had a massive tumor (malignant) wrapped around her adrenal gland and kidney. Dr. Burgess was honest and transparent about the risks the surgery presented with a 50/50 chance she would survive. I placed my trust in Dr. Burgess and while the surgery was difficult and time consuming, he was able to remove the mass along with the adrenal gland and kidney. Lexi made it through the surgery and recovery and was home in 3 days! It’s been two weeks now, and thanks to Dr. Burgess and his wonderful staff, Lexi is doing extremely well well! Everyone was kind and patient when I had questions. I had lots of questions! Dr. Burgess was always available when I had questions or concerns. While I sincerely hope Lexi never needs surgery again, I will not hesitate to contact Dr. Burgess or his team if need be. Thank you for saving Lexi’s life.
Response from the owner:We’re so glad to hear your dog is recovering well and doing so much better after such a serious and complex surgery. It means a great deal to know that you felt supported, informed, and able to ask all of your questions throughout the process, especially during such an emotional and high-stakes situation. We truly appreciate your trust in our team and are honored to have been part of your dog’s care and recovery.
Beth L.
1 month ago
Dr. Wolfe is amazing. Had 5 mast cell tumor surgeries for our dog, all successful.
Response from the owner:We’re so glad to hear that your dog’s surgeries were successful and that you felt supported throughout the process. Undergoing multiple procedures can be stressful, and it means a great deal to know your pet received consistent, effective care. We truly appreciate your trust in our team and your thoughtful feedback.
Louise L.
1 month ago
Excellent facility and quality staff. They show compassion and take great care of our fur family members. Little pricey but great service.
Response from the owner:We’re delighted to hear that you had a positive experience with our team and felt that your pet received compassionate, high-quality care. We understand that veterinary care can be a significant investment, and we strive to provide exceptional service, advanced medical care, and support for every pet and family we serve. We truly appreciate your trust and are grateful for your recommendation.
Pam C.
1 month ago
These guys are true professionals. They give appointments quickly. Staff are kind. You dont wait long once you get there. Dr Wolfe gives her honest opinion on course of sction - which isnt always a surgery or invasive procedure. They truly care about the welfare of your pet!
Response from the owner:We are so glad to hear that you had a positive experience with our team and appreciated the timely appointments, kind staff, and efficient visits. It’s especially meaningful to know you felt well informed and supported when discussing treatment options and that our focus on your pet’s wellbeing came through. We truly appreciate your trust in our care and you taking the time to share your experience.
Bryan J.
1 month ago
The surgical staff is outstanding! Our Cane Corso puppy is, unfortunately, well known due to the numerous surgeries he has had. There is no way getting around this, but there is somewhat of a sticker shock of the costs. Having pet insurance is a Godsend. Price aside, you cannot get better care for your beloved pet. The staff walks you through everything including all options and continue to follow up even when you bring your pet home. I can’t say enough good things about the staff and care you receive.
Response from the owner:We are so glad to hear that you’ve had such positive experiences with our surgical team and that you feel confident in the care and follow-up your puppy receives. We understand that advanced care can be a significant commitment, and we truly appreciate your trust in allowing us to be part of your pet’s treatment journey. It means a great deal to know you feel well supported and informed throughout the process, and we’re grateful for your kind words about our staff and care.
Don R.
1 month ago
Friendly knowledgeable staff..very nice and clean facilty.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind feedback. We are so glad to hear that you found our staff friendly and knowledgeable and that you appreciated the cleanliness of our facility. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.
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