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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 863 reviews
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Nancy F.
10 hours ago
My kitty had surgery. Everyone from the front desk to all the doctors and asssistants there are wonderful. Warm, yet professional. Their waiting area is calm and comfortable. A rare mix these days!
Response from the owner:We’re thrilled to hear that your kitty’s surgery experience was supported by our warm and professional team. It’s wonderful to know that our calm and comfortable environment made a positive difference for both you and your pet. Thank you for your kind review!
Chris L.
2 days ago
We've unfortunately had to take our pup in twice for surgery. Despite the stress, the staff and surgeons at CVSS always leave us feeling as comfortable and confident as possible. I wouldn't consider any other veterinary surgeon unless the doctors at CVSS referred me elsewhere. They really are exceptional.
Response from the owner:We’re glad our team could provide comfort and confidence during such stressful times and that your pup received exceptional surgical care. It means a lot to hear that you trust us so completely, and we’re honored to be your choice for your pet’s care. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Ann-Marie M.
2 days ago
The absolute best oncology care. Honest, thorough, great communication. No bill surprises. Understand trade offs per parents/ families face. The entire team is 5 star! Dr Tony Rusk is fantastic
Response from the owner:We’re honored by your trust and truly appreciate your recognition of our team’s commitment to honest, thorough care and clear communication. Supporting patients and families through important decisions is at the core of what we do, and it means so much to know that made a difference in your experience. We’ll be sure to share your kind words with the entire team, including the doctor, they will be grateful to hear it. Thank you for such a thoughtful and heartfelt review.
Vivi L.
6 days ago
I brought my dog Jack in for his first rehab appointment. Dr Carlino and Molly were wonderful! Molly listened to my concerns and took a thorough history, including his likes and dislikes, and what works well for him for motivation and handling. Molly really put me at ease and I felt comfortable handing him off to her. Jack is a sweet boy, but he is prone to running when he gets a mind to. I’m normally pretty nervous allowing other people to handle him for this reason, but I felt confident that Molly heard my concerns and took them seriously. Jack happily trotted off with Molly for his appointment. Dr Carlino came out and reviewed her exam findings and went over several options for therapy. She let me know that Jack didn’t like the beeping sound of one of the lasers, so they tried a different one which didn’t beep, and he did well with that. I love that she was in tune with what made Jack nervous and that she had the patience and understanding to work around his fears. I look forward to future sessions. I highly recommend the rehab program at CVSS! Thank you so much!
Alicia and Jack
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review! We’re thrilled to hear that Jack’s first rehab visit was such a positive experience and that you felt comfortable and supported throughout the process. Taking the time to understand each pet’s personality, preferences, and sensitivities is incredibly important to us, so it means a lot to know that Jack’s needs, and your concerns, were truly heard. We’re especially glad he felt at ease and did well during his session. We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to seeing you and Jack again for future rehab visits!
Sherry H.
6 days ago
Everyone was so nice and supportive from check-in to checkout!!
Response from the owner:We’re so glad our team could provide a supportive and welcoming experience from start to finish. Thank you for your kind words and amazing review!
Jessica
7 days ago
Absolutely positive experience. Alex was an especially warm and kind gentleman. Everyone did great job and we are grateful to have our wee one back.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re so glad everything went smoothly and that your little one is back home safe and well. Providing warm, compassionate care is always our goal, and we’re grateful for your trust.
Helen R.
7 days ago
The staff is so nice and they are very thorough and quickly get things done to allow you to make the best decisions for your pet. I feel that Dr.Wolf truly cares about my girl and will do everything possible to make her well.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your thoughtful feedback! We’re glad our team could provide thorough, efficient care while keeping your pet’s well-being at the forefront. Knowing you feel supported and confident in their care means a lot to us.
Laura C.
1 week ago
Our dog had surgery for 3 compressed discs and not only was the Neurology center great, with compassionate care, they always responded to any concern or question. The rehab facility was also amazing. The staff was friendly, caring and efficient. They took their time to explain everything, as well as to answer any questions that I had. Both centers provided a excellent and compassionate experience. They made every vist seem like they had all the time in the world for you even though they were exceedingly busy

I am truly grateful and so is Jackson.
Response from the owner:Laura, we’re so glad your dog received compassionate, thorough care from both the Neurology and rehab teams. It’s wonderful to hear that your questions were answered and that you felt supported throughout the process. We’re grateful to have been part of your dog’s recovery journey. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Trey P.
1 week ago
Dr. Prostredny is a miracle worker!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a positive experience and that our team could make a meaningful difference in your pet’s care. Your trust and appreciation mean so much to us.
James H.
1 week ago
Everyone was wonderful
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad to hear you had a wonderful experience with our team. We truly appreciate your support and the opportunity to care for you and your pet!
Tag Z.
1 week ago
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great feedback! We’re happy to hear you had a positive experience and appreciate you allowing us to care for your pet.
Andrea S.
1 week ago
Great veterinary specialists. Very kind and professional. Helped my senior dog Josie with her acl surgery and follow up. Felt very confident with their care of my baby.
Response from the owner:We’re so glad your pup’s ACL surgery and follow-up went smoothly and that you felt confident in our team’s care. It means a lot to us to hear that our specialists’ professionalism and compassion made a positive difference for you and your furry family member.
Jon E.
2 weeks ago
Cannot express the gratitude I have for the quickness and care they have given our puppy after breaking his elbow. They are amazing, caring people!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your heartfelt message—we’re truly touched by your gratitude. We’re so glad we could be there quickly when your puppy needed urgent care and that you felt supported every step of the way. Providing compassionate, attentive treatment is what we strive for, and it means the world to know it made a difference for you and your pup. Wishing your puppy a smooth and speedy recovery!
Content H.
2 weeks ago
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great feedback! We’re happy to hear you had a positive experience and appreciate you allowing us to care for your pet.
Angela O.
2 weeks ago
Great quality of care! Went above and beyond for my dog in an emergency situation. Was just shocked with the cost of care, but with that said thankfully we have insurance.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your honest and thoughtful feedback! We’re so glad we could be there for your dog in an emergency and that you felt the care went above and beyond—that truly means a lot to our team. We understand that the cost of emergency care can be surprising, and we always strive to be as transparent as possible while providing the highest level of treatment. We’re grateful you had insurance to help, and we truly appreciate your trust in us during such an important time.
Jenna S.
2 weeks ago
Dr. Burgess and his staff did a wonderful job taking care of our Lottie girl. We have been trying to figure out what’s wrong with her for the last month and during our first visit Dr. Burgess provided us with a plan to get her treated the following day. When we picked up Lottie after surgery, the tech answered all of our questions thoroughly and was very patient with us. We are truly so thankful that Lottie is on the mend thanks to the staff at CVSS!
Response from the owner:We know how stressful it can be trying to find answers, and we’re so glad we could provide a clear plan and help her get the treatment she needed quickly. It means a lot to hear that our team was able to support you and answer all your questions along the way—your comfort and confidence are just as important to us as Lottie’s recovery. We’re thrilled to hear she’s on the mend and truly appreciate your kind words! Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and for trusting us with Lottie’s care.
pat M.
3 weeks ago
Super friendly and competent. I’m very happy to trust them with my dog’s care
Response from the owner:We’re thrilled to hear you found our team friendly and competent, and we truly appreciate your trust in us to care for your dog. Thank you for your kind words!
John C.
3 weeks ago
CVSS was fantastic and eased a lot of worries about our dog. 10/10 would recommend
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled we could help ease your worries and provide a positive experience for you and your dog. Your recommendation truly means a lot to our team!
Jill S.
4 weeks ago
My husband and I brought our yorkie in to see Dr J for an evalutation We had an outstanding experience at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists
After a very thorough examination and x rays , Dr. J diagnosed that our little guy will need TPLO surgery along with MPL repair on both hind legs, and she also discussed using Nocita for extended pain control after surgery. While hearing that your dog needs multiple procedures is overwhelming, Dr. J explained everything so clearly and patiently that we left feeling informed and reassured.

She took the time to walk us through the diagnosis, why these procedures are necessary, what the surgical process will involve, and what recovery will look like. She answered every question thoughtfully and never made us feel rushed.

What really stood out was her compassion and expertise. She clearly cares deeply about the animals she treats and understands how emotional these decisions can be for pet owners. Our Yorkie was treated with such kindness during the visit.

Although facing surgery on both hind legs is scary, we feel confident knowing our dog will be in the hands of such a knowledgeable and caring surgeon.

I’m incredibly grateful to Dr. J , Erin and the team at Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Specialists and would highly recommend them to anyone whose pet needs specialized orthopedic care.
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us. We’re truly glad to hear that your visit felt thorough, supportive, and informative from start to finish. Learning that your pup needs multiple orthopedic procedures can be overwhelming, and it means a great deal to know that the doctor’s clear explanations, patience, and compassion helped you leave feeling confident and reassured. Our team is dedicated to providing thoughtful guidance, gentle handling, and the highest level of care, and we’re grateful that this came through during your appointment. Thank you for your trust and for recommending us so highly.
Gary B.
4 weeks ago
Our experience was wonderful, Dr. "P" was great, he was very informative and was willing to address all our questions and we never felt like we were being rushed.
Response from the owner:Gary, we’re so glad to hear your experience was such a positive one. It’s wonderful that our doctor took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure all your questions were answered without ever feeling rushed. Thank you for sharing your feedback and for trusting our team with your pet’s care.
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