Veterinary Medical Center of Long Island

We took our bully to VMCLI cause we couldn't get an appointment with our veterinarian, knowing it would be more expensive than our regular veterinarian but all that mattered was our baby. They did surgery immediately after discovering she had swallowed a rope toy that was blocking her intestines & had been in her stomach for a few months but didn't cause an issue until now. We had no idea! They took care of her & she's been home almost a week now & doing awesome! Totally trust the veterinarians there & the front staff are amazing.

I cannot recommend VMCLI enough, especially Dr. Jacqueline Carver and the entire surgical team. My 13.5-year-old dog, Tango, needed a very complex, high-risk parathyroid surgery, and we were incredibly nervous. The work they did was amazing. Dr. Carver was fantastic from the very first consultation, patiently explaining everything and giving us confidence. What truly set them apart was the constant communication. Just as they promised, Dr. Carver called me personally right after the surgery. And during the days Tango was hospitalized in the ICU, her team called me twice a day, every day, with detailed updates on his progress, including his exact calcium levels. This transparency and constant flow of information made such a stressful situation so much more manageable. Every single person we interacted with, from the front desk to the technicians, was professional and compassionate. Thanks to their incredible work, Tango is home and recovering beautifully. I 100% recommend them!

My Saint Bernard, Knuckles, had eye surgery at our regular vet and managed to tear out his stitches, so we were recommended to go to VMCLI to see a specialist. Having read the reviews, I was terrified to take my 180 pound "beast" to such an expensive place, but we truly wanted to do what was best and trust our regular vet. Our experience was wonderful. Everyone was helpful, caring, polite and when I mentioned my concern about costs, I was assured that they would be transparent with me and they kept their word. We saw Dr. MacLeese and instead of immediately suggesting another surgery, she was conservative and wanted to give the situation another 2 weeks to see how it heals. We asked for an estimate in the event another surgery would be needed and it was promptly e-mailed to me and was not unreasonable. I think people need to understand that 24 hour veterinary practices have much higher expenses than those who operate on a more limited basis and they employ specialists at the top of their game in so many fields of medicine, including some exotics. I hope that my experiences remain as positive as our first visit.

If you love your pet, please read this before going to VMCLI in West Islip. What happened to us on December 4th and December 5th was devastating, disorganized, and unprofessional, and I would never bring another animal here again. On December 4th, our dog was found in distress behind a sofa and beanbag chair. We immediately rushed him to this facility. We waited about 20 minutes before anyone even came out to assess him. During that time, the front desk staff, who all appeared very young and inexperienced, were loudly joking, laughing, and having casual, immature conversations in full earshot of a waiting room full of terrified pet owners. The lack of awareness and professionalism was shocking and extremely upsetting. When they finally took him in, we were placed in a room to speak with the vet. The vet went over what they found and what they believed the issue might be. They explained that an X-ray was optional, emphasized several times that tests looked good, that the sonogram looked normal, and that the main concern was anxiety. Based on how strongly they reassured us that nothing looked alarming, we trusted their judgment. Shortly after the vet left, another staff member came in. He openly told us he was still in school and mentioned more than once that he was tired, which he said was why he kept making mistakes and couldn't remember our dog's name. While I understand that people can be tired, hearing that from someone working on my critically ill pet was extremely unsettling and unprofessional. They gave fluids under the skin, medication, and oxygen, and then seemed very quick to discharge him, insisting he was stable enough to go home. We did not ask to take him home. We were prepared to leave him overnight if they recommended it. They were the ones who told us he was fine to go. He was discharged around 11:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. on December 4th. In the early hours of December 5th, he rapidly declined. We called ahead, told them we were rushing back with an emergency, and asked them to be ready for us. When we arrived, the doors were locked, and the staff inside just looked at us while my partner pounded on the door for help. Despite knowing we were coming, there was no urgency, no preparation, and no professionalism. When they finally took him in, the first question we were asked was whether we wanted CPR. I understand they are required to ask, but in that moment, after everything we had just gone through, it felt like their focus shifted instantly to procedure and billing rather than urgency or compassion. We left with no answers, no explanation, and a devastating loss that we will carry forever. Looking back, I wish I had checked their 3.1 star reviews beforehand, because my experience sadly matches what many others have shared. In my opinion, this place is poorly managed, disorganized, and staffed with individuals who do not seem equipped for the seriousness of emergency veterinary care. I truly hope no one else has to experience what we did. Please look elsewhere if your pet needs urgent help.

I did not read any reviews before coming here. We were referred to this facility by their sister location, Atlantic Coast, after our dog became critically ill. We arrived expecting a consultation, knowing we might be facing an incredibly difficult decision. From the moment we walked in, Christine at the front desk was warm, compassionate, and professional. She immediately helped create a calm and comforting atmosphere during one of the hardest moments of our lives. After completing the paperwork, Thomas came out to triage our sweet girl, Cinnamon, and introduced us to Dr. Vance. Dr. Vance took the time to clearly and honestly review our options with us. Ultimately, we made the heartbreaking decision not to prolong the suffering of our beloved dog. Cinnamon was 15 years old and very sick. As difficult as this experience was, the entire process was handled with dignity, kindness, and respect. The team made an unbearable situation as peaceful and seamless as possible when saying goodbye to a true member of our family. We will always be grateful for the compassion and care shown to Cinnamon and to us