My newly adopted shelter rescue, Maya went to our regular vet for her first examination and he took one look at her mouth and thought she'd need a full dental extraction (all her teeth taken out). He recommended us to Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists to meet with Dr. Mary Buelow, DVM, DAVDC. After meeting with Dr. Buelow she confirmed all of Maya's teeth needed to be taken out as she had severe Stomatitis and Stage 4 Periodontal disease. I was absolutely terrified to have my little kitty have to go through a procedure like this. Maya went through surgery like a champ, was eating that same day and has recovered beautifully from the surgery. Dr. Buelow even called me half way through the procedure with an update and status on how she was doing and followed up the next day. Note: a disease as severe as this may never fully be "cured." So, she is currently on antibiotics to see if we can reduce down some of her continued swelling. She is a completely new cat since her surgery. She is playful, happy, and allows you to pet her head and face, which prior she would pull away from you (because she was in so much pain). Yes, her surgery was expensive, but there are very few places in NYC that have oral radiography equipment to properly to handle the before and after x-rays. I am confident she received the best care pre- and post-surgery.

This place made it clear that their priority was money. My dog got bloat at 1030pm. I rushed her over there, and upon entering, first order of business was making me sign a waiver to confirm i would pay for any expense that arises, "which may be in excess of $600". This is before any diagnosis. After 45 minutes of checkup, the vet came upstairs and told me that I had two options: $8,000 surgery or "humane euthanasia". And i had to decide right now, b/c every minute that passed, her chances for survival were falling. I fortunately did not have pet insurance or $8,000 to cover the surgery. B/c after the second time that i told him i wasn't able to pay for the surgery, a third option magically appeared that only cost $1,200 which was to pump my dog's stomach to see if the stomach will untwist on its own. After they pumped her stomach, they did an other x-ray of her stomach and found it had only partially untwisted. With this news, which was minutes after the stomach pumping, the vet returned to tell me "without any doubt, her stomach will twist again, so surgery is really the only option." I asked if she was in pain right now. He said no, but once her stomach twists again, which "will happen with certainty", she will be in awful pain and if we are not going to do the surgery, we should do the right thing and pursue "humane euthanasia". It was now 1am, and for the third time, the vet tells me I have to "humanely" murder my dog. I refused, and said I'd rather take her home and let her die at home with me. I was not going to put her down unless she was on the brink of death. After some back and forth, he reluctantly agreed. When he returned from "checking with the critical care doctor", he told me they did one final x-ray and her stomach was totally back to normal. They tried to take advantage of a visibly distraught owner with limited knowledge. If you could see my dog now, and think she was that close to being put down, you wouldnt believe it. Even that $8,000 surgery, only has an 80% survival and 70% complications rate. Never again.

I will say the one great thing is that they are open 24 hours. My dog broke her leg and I ended up taking her in at 12AM. They obviously could not do surgery until the next day, but she was able to get pain meds until that time. Everything costs an arm and a leg. The surgery, xrays, pain meds cost over $6K. They told me upon payment that her future xrays would be covered as well, but that was not true because I ended up paying an additional $300 on top of that. Also each bandage change costs $50-60 which is required every 1-2 weeks after surgery. One time they put her splint and bandage right against the wound and her paw got swollen so I had to take her in days later and they charged me again for something they should've set properly the first time. They definitely nickel and dime you for every single cost. The only thing I was happy with was that my dog seems better. I think in Manhattan choices are limited so unfortunately for any future emergencies, I will have to keep coming here.

My standard poodle had symptoms of bloat that I recognized because I had another standard that got it and died. I rushed to 15th and 5th and was taken in right away and Lorenzo had X-rays and it was confirmed. I was so scared but the staff was so supportive and rushed to call Dr Spector in the surgeon and Medical director of the entire operation. I was then allowed to spend time with Lorenzo in the restricted area which was so nice. He was taken to pre op and Dr Spector called me right away as promised. I was advised as to what was going to happen and the risks. At 2:30 am Dr Spector called and told me the great news that Lorenzo had made it through and that he was going to be monitored and that he would call me in the am which he did. I am happy to report that Lorenzo made it through and is doing very well after only 36 hours out from surgery. The entire staff was courteous, caring and skilled. This is the very best place to go in an emergency. They saved my dogs life and mine too! I am so grateful. Laura Bong West Village

I have used FAV for many years, spending thousands of dollars there, (yes they are VERY expensive) and they have been 'GOOD' in the past but this weeks visit was completely unacceptable. The dog was brought in with vomiting and internal bleeding and the front desk staff was unable to locate his medical chart for review. It took us going home and pulling up past bills for them to find it. My partner signed an estimate, but had them remove a very expensive test. I spoke with the doctor later that night and she must have misunderstood me when I said 'do what is needed in an EMERGENCY TO SAVE HIS LIFE' as run the test that my partner refused, and had removed from the estimate an hour earlier, even though the dog was stable and was doing much better on IV fluids. The test was in direct contradiction to the signed estimate. Be very careful when using FAV. Make sure you're clear with what test you do NOT want them to do or they will charge up your bill.