About Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists

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), and opened a second location in Towson in 1998.

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:

Excellent

4.7

★

☆

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Beatrice A.

★★★★★

Very knowledgeable and caring doctors and staff.

Nadeen B.

★★★★★

The staff here welcomed us promptly and warmly. The doctor and her assistant were both great to work with and extremely professional and thorough. Would definitely recommend!

Taylor S.

★★★★★

Ann Arundel Emergency clinic transferred my dog Bailee’s to Chesapeake veterinary Surgical Specialist after discovering a ruptured tumor on her spleen. They didn’t even skip a beat and preformed a splenectomy right away. She is alive today because of the efficiency of this place.Dr. Prostredny did such a wonderful job communicating the situation in a way we could easily digest. This man has many years of experience as surgeon and this brought us so much peace knowing Bailee was in the right hands. The surgery was a success and only took about two hours. She was then transferred to inpatient for 3 days and was provided with 24 hour care where they monitored her vitals. I got a status update the very next day and was told she’s healing like a champ and will be released a day early. I know for a fact Bailee was cared and loved for during inpatient care. I could see she really bonded with the staff when I picked her up.Thank you Dr. Prostredny & staff for making this situation as painless as possible. You saved her life!I want to make a comment on some of the negative reviews complaining about price and claiming they were ripped off. I thought everything was extremely fair since you’re paying for quality, efficiency, and top notch expertise. Bailee was released a day early from inpatient and they issued me a refund for a portion of her expenses. The fact that Bailee was released a day early tells me this place isn’t trying to nickel and dime you. They could’ve easily kept her an extra day to hold onto that profit. These people actually care and will go above and beyond to love and comfort your pet. I am forever thankful!!

Teena F.

★★★★★

Dr. Prostredny is absolutely the best. He did Ginger's knees about four years ago and now is having to do her left shoulder. I will not ever let anyone else touch her without his say so. His knowledge of our furry friends is unbelieveable. His patience is greatly appreciated. My girl can be skidish around other people, but he handles it great.

Response from the ownerThank you for your wonderful feedback, Teena. We greatly appreciate your kind words about Dr. Prostredny. He truly values your trust and patience with Ginger's care, especially given her history with knee surgeries and now her shoulder procedure. It's heartening to hear that Dr. Prostredny's expertise and gentle approach have made such a positive impact on Ginger's treatment experience, particularly considering her skittishness around others.

sharron B.

★★★★★

Response from the ownerThank you, Sharon, for taking the time to leave a 5-star rating!

M F.

★★★★★

Our dog is 11 years old, was vomiting bile, not eating or drinking, was in significant pain and became lethargic within a period of 4 days. After being transferred from our Animal Hospital on a Friday (closed on weekends) to the Pet ER (another CVSS) in Hunt Valley (no Board Certified MDs able to do surgery on weekends) - we finally went to the CVSS in Annapolis. They were accommodating, kind, compassionate and had a full staff of surgeons who were wonderful with us and our very sick dog. He had a gallbladder mucocele that needed an emergency cholecystectomy. We had to make a big (and expensive) decision, very quickly. The surgery was risky and our pup was given 50/50 chance to survive. The staff was incredibly supportive and held our hands as we weighed our options. Dr Boszko was wonderful and gave us confidence that surgery was the right answer (for us and our dog). She explained the details of the surgery and her plan of care and helped us get through the stress. The surgery was successful and our dog is recovering well. Highly recommend the CVSS in Annapolis for compassionate (and competent) care! Thank you to all the staff at Annapolis CVSS, esp Dr Boszko!

Response from the ownerWe are honored to have been able to provide compassionate and competent care for your dog during such a stressful time. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're pleased to hear that Dr. Boszko and our surgical team were able to successfully perform the emergency cholecystectomy and that your dog is recovering well. Our staff at CVSS Annapolis strives to offer support and clear communication to pet owners facing difficult decisions, and we're glad we could be there for you and your beloved pet.

Nicole B.

★★★★★

This is the third time over the last 10 years having surgery with Dr. Burgess. He is extremely talented, kind and compassionate. I am beyond grateful to have his care for my beloved fur babies. All of the staff here is amazing! Tech. I’ve been so blessed to have Barbie B. care for all of my pets after their surgeries. Knowing such an amazing, smart, experienced and loving person is caring for, and loving my pet eases so much anxiety. I appreciate you all more than you can imagine. Thank you from me & Brodie!

Response from the ownerThank you for sharing your experience with Dr. Burgess and our team at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists. We're grateful for your kind words and are glad to hear that Brodie received exceptional care. It's heartwarming to know that you've trusted us with your beloved pets for over a decade. Your mention of Barbie B.'s care is also greatly appreciated - we're fortunate to have such dedicated technicians on our team. We understand how stressful it can be when a pet needs surgery, so we're glad we could ease your anxiety.

Ned G.

★★★★★

Wonderful kind expert folks !

Response from the ownerWe're grateful for your kind words, Ned! Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

Jane S.

★★★★★

Everyone was very caring as well as efficient. They saved my kitty's life.

Response from the ownerWe are thrilled to have taken part in saving your kitty's life, Jane. Thank you for sharing your kind words.

Colleen G.

★★★★★

Great experience.

Response from the ownerColleen, thank you for your kind review. We're delighted to hear about your positive experience at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists - Annapolis.

Claudia S.

★★★★★

To all my Fellow FURBABY Parents,Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists are PHENOMENAL! This is the place to come if a Surgical Specialist is needed! Please read my expressions below.Dr. Jeyakumar and her staff (Kaitlyn, Keyana, Alex and many others) are PHENOMENAL!Dr. J (Dr. Jeyakumar) you are a Doctor who cares, who listens to us Parents and Patients. From the moment you stepped into the office, shook my hand and greeted me with a smile I felt comfortable. As I've shared with you I'm a Mother who puts my FURBABIES First =My FurChildren are my ❤️HEART! You and Kaitlyn took time and listened to my concerns, my worries etc. You were HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and then sitting down and talking to you I knew you were TRULY THE BEST at what you do as I had been told. THANK YOU again for listening, caring, for your honesty, your positivity, your wisdom, skill and expertise! Thank you for taking care of Cocoa as if she were your own! I am GRATEFUL and THANKFUL that ALMIGHTY GOD BLESSED Cocoa and I with the Most AMAZING SURGEON!Kaitlyn, you are TRULY AN ANGEL! THANK YOU for being the first to calm me down, for listening, understanding and putting yourself in my shoes as a Fellow FURBABY MOM as well! Your kindness, warmth, empathy, positivity and expertise put me at ease and helped Coca and I through the surgery journey. Thank you for taking care of Cocoa as if she were your own and going above and beyond even prior to meeting us in person! You are truly an intricate part of the success of CVSS! Keep being a BLESSING! Cocoa and I Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!Keyana, you are The FABULOUS KEY to CVSS clicking and flowing with ease and joy! From the moment I walked up to the front desk you greeted me with a smile, welcoming tone and positivity. Not only with me but with other Parents and Patients I noticed how you make everyone who walks through the doors feel and know that they are a priority and that you care. Keep being a beacon of LIGHT! Cocoa and I THANK YOU so much!Alex, from the first day we met and everytime I called with questions and concerns you showered Cocoa and I with warmth and you always ended the conversations with love for Cocoa and to give her your love. I Truly appreciate your patience, kindness and wisdom. THANK YOU for taking care of Cocoa like she were your own!To the Rest of the Nurses and Staff that I met in person or by phone, you're all wonderful people who make CVSS a positive place and we THANK YOU!Sincerely,Claudia Stanford

Response from the ownerWe're truly grateful for your detailed and heartfelt feedback about your experience at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists - Hunt Valley. Thank you for taking the time to share such kind words about Dr. Jeyakumar, Kaitlyn, Keyana, Alex, and the rest of our team. We're delighted to hear that you felt comfortable and well-cared for throughout Cocoa's surgical journey. Our staff takes great pride in providing compassionate care for all our furry patients and their families. We're so pleased that you and Cocoa had such a positive experience with us. Thank you again for your trust in our team and for recommending our services, Claudia.

Dianna G.

★★★★★

I came in for my appointment. I didn’t have to wait more than 10 minutes. The doctor was very thorough in explaining everything, she was very pleasant and I would recommend them to anyone with a pet.

Response from the ownerThank you for recommending us, Dianna! We are overjoyed to hear about your positive experience at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists - Annapolis. It's our goal to provide excellent care for all pets and their owners, so we truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation.

Judy

★★★★★

Great place for that extra help we need for our pets. Everyone was professional and pleasant to work with. Just wish there was a place like this on the lower shore.

Response from the ownerThank you for sharing your thoughts, Judy. We are glad to hear that you had a positive experience at our emergency pet hospital. We appreciate your kind words about our professional and pleasant staff.

Beverley M.

★★★★★

Dr Wolf and Dr Cho were very professional, knowledgeable, and kind. I was extremely happy with her diagnosis. I feel like my dog will be okay. All of our concerns were addressed and questions answered. Zach, our tech that checked us in was also very good.The practice is organized and well run from my point of view.

Response from the ownerThank you for taking the time to share your feedback, Beverley. We're absolutely thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Wolfe, Dr. Chiu, and Zach. It's wonderful to know that our team was able to address all your concerns and answer your questions thoroughly. Our goal is to provide the best possible care for our patients and their owners, thank you again for choosing our emergency pet hospital for your dog's care.

L M

★★★★★

Dr. Burgess and staff are outstanding. The quality of care at the surgical center was/is phenomenal. Yesterday, my sweet fur baby had 6 masses removed from various locations on her little body. In my overly anxious mind, this seemed an almost daunting task; but Dr. Burgess explained the procedure and expected outcome so comprehensively, and confidently, that he set my worried mind at ease (well, mostly lol).From the moment we entered the exam room for our consult, to the time I picked her up today, I felt confident that she was in the most capable, caring surgical hands (she was).Dr. Burgess assured me that he and his team would give the best care to my girl and they absolutely did. (I still can’t get over how great all of the incisions look).My Gracie girl is everything to me, and as I sit here tonight, gently loving on her as she begins her healing journey, I feel so very grateful for their compassion and commitment to exceptional care.Thank you so very much to the whole medical team, and the staff, who made this extremely worrying time much less so, for not only me, but for my beloved fur baby.

Response from the ownerThank you for your amazing review! We are so glad to hear that Dr. Burgess and our staff were able to provide such outstanding care for your beloved Gracie. We understand how worrying it can be when your pet needs surgery, and we're pleased that Dr. Burgess was able to explain everything thoroughly and put your mind at ease. It's wonderful to hear that you felt confident in our care from the initial consultation through to picking up Gracie after her procedure. We always strive to provide exceptional, compassionate care for all our patients, and we're delighted that your experience with us reflected this commitment. We wish Gracie a smooth and speedy recovery!

john S.

★★★★★

Very happy with Dr Wolfe and the team. They are very knowledgeable and caring.

Response from the ownerThank you immensely for your kind words John. We are thrilled to hear about your positive experience with Dr. Wolfe and our team. We strive to provide the best possible care for every pet that comes through our doors, and feedback like yours lets us know we're on the right track.

Christy W.

★★★★★

Every single person we encountered at the office was just so nice to me and my puppies. They took the time to make sure I had all the facts and everything I needed. I know my girls will be in good hands.

Response from the ownerWe appreciate your kind words, Christy! We're glad to hear that our staff was helpful and provided you with all the necessary information. It is our priority to ensure that both pet owners and their furry companions feel comfortable and well-cared for during their visit.

Donna F.

★★★★★

With worry and questions abounding, we immediately felt the care and concern from the staff as welcoming. A careful, extensive history was obtained by the veterinary technician, Zach. Dr. Buirkle came into the exam room ready to learn about our sweet doberman, Kessie, and put us at ease with her understanding, incredibly helpful explanations as to what she perceived the problems to be, and we never felt rushed. She was able to have a CT performed and provided us with an understanding of what was wrong. Needless to say, our trust in her and her staff helped us make the decision to go forth with surgery. Kessie has never spent time away from home unless we were with her...for the past 10.5 years. It is because of Dr. Buirkle's indefatigable willingness to answer our questions and offer assurance for Kessie's care that we await the surgery with the confidence and trust which Dr. Buirkle instilled in us--Kessie's Dad and Mom.Could not more highly rate this experience.

Response from the ownerWe truly appreciate your kind words and high rating, Donna. It's wonderful to know that you felt welcomed and cared for from the moment you arrived. We're glad that Dr. Buirkle was able to provide thorough explanations and put you at ease during this worrying time for Kessie. Our team strives to provide the highest level of care and support for both our patients and their families. Thank you for entrusting us with Kessie's care and for taking the time to share your feedback.

Melissa C.

★★★★★

I could not have asked for a better team to take care of my baby girl who was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma - from getting her in for surgery immediately to her release and all of my follow up questions, to working with me to schedule her oncology consult at the same time as her follow up to save me the additional 2 hour drive! Dr. Burgess and the entire staff has been phenomenal, and they've all been incredibly empathic towards the situation we were facing with our Cane Corso having her left front leg amputated.

Response from the ownerThank you for your detailed review, Melissa. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us. We understand how challenging and emotional it can be to face a diagnosis like Osteosarcoma, especially in a beloved pet like your Cane Corso. Our staff, including Dr. Burgess, takes great pride in offering empathetic and thorough support to all of our patients and their families.

Lisa C.

★★★★★

All of the staff were friendly and professional. They kept me up to date with scheduled check ins during her stay. I felt my dog was in very good hands for her surgery.

Response from the ownerYour positive feedback is greatly appreciated, Lisa. We are glad to hear that your dog received excellent care during her surgery. We understand how important it is to keep pet owners informed, so we are pleased that our scheduled check-ins during your dog's stay were helpful.

Two Convenient Locations

Annapolis

808 Bestgate Road
Annapolis, MD 21401
Directions

Tel: 410.224.0121 Option 3
Fax: 410.224.3988

Calling Hours
M-F: 7am-7pm
Sat: 8am-12pm
Sun: 8am - 11am
Call to schedule an appointment

“I appreciate Brianna’s compassion and patience. She answered my questions and handled my dog very well, who is known for being spicy. I appreciate Dr. Chiu for keeping me updated on Jazzy’s status. I felt at peace since I didn’t have to call and wait on hold for someone to update me. I also appreciate Dr. Moore for taking the time to sit with me and explain the diagnosis, recommendation, procedure and recovery.”
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Annapolis rVetlink

Hunt Valley

10626 York Road
Cockeysville, MD 21030
Directions

Tel: 410.828.0911 Option 3
Fax: 410.828.1074

Calling Hours
M-F: 8am-6pm
Sat: 8am-12pm *
Sun: 8am - 12pm *
Call to schedule an appointment
*These hours are subject to change

Online Reviews at our Hunt Valley Location

“Dr. J took wonderful care of my little girl and she is now on the road to recovery. I am so thankful I was referred to them and Dr. J…”
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Hunt Valley rVetlink