Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty Introduce
For pet owners in Maryland, especially those residing in and around Bowie, knowing where to turn during a sudden pet emergency or when a complex medical condition arises is paramount. Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty is designed to be that critical resource, providing round-the-clock emergency services and advanced specialty care for your beloved animal companions. This facility understands that pet emergencies are stressful and often require immediate, expert intervention. They strive to be a comprehensive hub for urgent veterinary needs and specialized diagnoses and treatments that extend beyond general practice capabilities.
Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty aims to offer a broad spectrum of advanced veterinary services, including specialized departments like Internal Medicine, Neurology, Surgery, and Oncology. Their mission emphasizes individualized, quality care through collaboration, education, integrity, and compassion. While every emergency situation can be challenging and unpredictable, this facility is equipped with advanced diagnostics and a team of veterinary specialists to address critical and complex cases. For Maryland residents facing a crisis with their pet, or needing expert consultation for a chronic condition, Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty positions itself as a vital part of the regional veterinary care network.
---Location and Accessibility
Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty is conveniently located at 6700 Laurel - Bowie Rd, Bowie, MD 20715, USA. This address places the hospital directly on a significant roadway (Route 197), ensuring excellent accessibility for pet owners throughout Bowie and the wider Prince George's County area in Maryland. Its strategic position is particularly beneficial for an emergency and specialty facility, as it allows for rapid transport of critically ill or injured pets from various surrounding communities.
The location on Laurel-Bowie Road is easily identifiable and typically offers ample parking, which is crucial during stressful emergency situations when quick and unhindered access to the facility is necessary. For pet owners driving from different parts of Maryland, the direct access from a major road minimizes navigation challenges and helps reduce the overall travel time during a crisis.
As a 24/7 emergency and specialty hospital, its accessibility is a cornerstone of its service. Pet owners can arrive at any hour, day or night, knowing that they can access immediate veterinary attention. This constant availability makes it an indispensable resource for the local Maryland community, providing critical care when most general veterinary practices are closed.
---Services Offered
Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty provides a comprehensive suite of advanced veterinary services, designed to address urgent medical needs and complex health conditions in pets. Their offerings span emergency care to specialized medical and surgical interventions.
- 24/7 Emergency Services: As a dedicated emergency hospital, they are open around the clock, every day of the year. They handle a wide range of critical conditions, including active seizures, road traffic accidents, excessive bleeding, heat stroke, poisoning, and difficulty breathing. They employ a triage system to prioritize the most critically ill patients.
- Specialty Services: The hospital hosts multiple specialized departments, allowing for advanced diagnosis and treatment. These include:
- Internal Medicine: For complex, non-surgical conditions affecting internal organs.
- Neurology: Specializing in disorders of the brain, spinal cord, muscles, and nerves, such as seizures, paralysis, and spinal pain. (Dr. Davis is mentioned positively in this department).
- Surgery: Performing advanced surgical procedures.
- Oncology: Dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in pets.
- Advanced Diagnostics: Equipped with sophisticated tools for accurate diagnosis, which may include:
- Radiology (X-rays) and Ultrasound: Used for imaging internal structures.
- CT (Computed Tomography) Scan: For detailed cross-sectional imaging, often crucial for complex internal or neurological issues.
- Blood Work and Urinalysis: In-house laboratory capabilities for rapid results.
- Telemetry Monitoring (ECG): For assessing heart activity.
- Critical Care/Hospitalization: Providing intensive care for hospitalized patients, with continuous monitoring, daily rounds by a team of emergency doctors and board-certified specialists, and daily updates to pet owners.
- Consultation Services: For both emergency and specialty cases, the team works in partnership with primary care veterinarians to ensure comprehensive care. Consultations involve thorough medical history review, physical examination, development of a treatment plan, and itemized estimates.
- Support Services: Including a social worker for family support during difficult times, and front desk staff to manage admissions and communications.
Features / Highlights
Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty presents a complex picture, with certain strengths highlighted by some clients, while others point to significant areas for improvement.
- 24/7 Availability for Emergencies: This is a core and indispensable feature, ensuring that pet owners in Maryland have access to veterinary care at any hour for critical situations. The ability to admit pets immediately for life-saving interventions is a significant advantage.
- Broad Range of Specialty Services: The availability of board-certified specialists in fields like Neurology, Internal Medicine, Surgery, and Oncology means that pets with complex or chronic conditions can receive advanced, expert care beyond what a general practice can offer. The positive mention of Dr. Davis (Neurology) underscores the presence of skilled specialists.
- Dedicated and Compassionate Staff (in specific cases): Some staff members and specialists receive high praise for their empathy and dedication. Dr. Davis, ICU tech Steven, ER tech Diamond, and the Social Worker are specifically thanked for going "above and beyond" and being "supportive to me and my family during the two days." This highlights moments of exceptional human connection and care.
- Advanced Diagnostic Capabilities: The hospital is equipped with advanced tools like CT scans, X-rays, and in-house labs, which are crucial for diagnosing complex and time-sensitive conditions.
- Focus on Critical Care: Their collaborative, team-oriented approach, including daily case rounds among emergency doctors and specialists, is designed to ensure comprehensive and continuous care for hospitalized pets.
- Potential for High Costs and Communication Challenges: While a highlight for some, other reviews indicate significant concerns regarding communication, transparency of costs, and perceived lack of compassion from some staff members. One detailed account describes long wait times, conflicting diagnostic recommendations with high price tags ($1,800 for X-rays, total bill over $8,000), and a heartbreaking lack of empathy during a pet's final moments, suggesting inconsistencies in service delivery and client experience.
- Triage System: Like human emergency rooms, they use a triage system to prioritize cases, meaning less critical cases will experience longer wait times. While standard for emergency care, this can lead to frustration for clients not accustomed to it.
Contact Information
To connect with Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty for your pet's critical or specialized needs in Maryland, please use the following details:
- Address: 6700 Laurel - Bowie Rd, Bowie, MD 20715, USA
- Phone: (301) 809-8800
- Mobile Phone: +1 301-809-8800
These contact numbers provide immediate access for emergencies or to inquire about their specialty services. Given it's a 24/7 facility, these lines are constantly monitored for urgent pet care.
---Conclusion: Why this place is suitable for locals
For pet owners in Bowie, Maryland, and the wider surrounding region, Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty serves as a crucial resource, particularly for critical and specialized veterinary needs. Its 24/7 emergency availability is an undeniable advantage, providing a vital lifeline for pets facing sudden illnesses or injuries at any hour when regular veterinary clinics are closed. This round-the-clock access, coupled with advanced diagnostic capabilities and a team of board-certified specialists in areas like neurology, internal medicine, surgery, and oncology, positions it as a go-to facility for complex medical challenges.
When a pet requires highly specialized attention – perhaps a neurological diagnosis, advanced surgical intervention, or intensive critical care – the presence of these specialized departments under one roof means that local pet owners do not necessarily need to travel far for expert opinions and treatments. The positive testimonials highlighting the compassion and dedication of specific staff members and specialists (like Dr. Davis) demonstrate that, in many instances, the hospital delivers the high level of care and support pet owners seek during times of crisis.
However, it is important for Maryland residents to approach such a large emergency and specialty center with realistic expectations regarding wait times (due to triage for critical cases) and potentially higher costs associated with advanced diagnostics and specialized care. While some experiences may involve challenges in communication or perceived cost focus, the facility's fundamental role as a constant, equipped emergency and specialty hub makes it an indispensable part of the local veterinary landscape for those moments when time and expertise are of the essence for their beloved companions.
Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty Photos










Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty Location
Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty
6700 Laurel - Bowie Rd, Bowie, MD 20715, USA
Dogs and Cats Emergency & Specialty Reviews
On May 24th, my husband brought Tootsie in due to sudden regurgitation. Despite being told the wait would be 2–4 hours, he waited overnight in his truck with little communication or care provided—only vitals were checked over an 8-hour period.After hours of waiting, we were quoted $1,800 for X-rays that revealed unclear findings. Staff then suggested costly diagnostics including blood work and an endoscopy, later shifting to a CT scan, which we could not afford. Each day brought a new doctor with conflicting opinions. While one insisted the CT was essential, another dismissed it as excessive and instead recommended an ultrasound.Tootsie remained hospitalized for two nights without clear answers. On the third day, we were told she had developed pneumonia and was suddenly diagnosed with megaesophagus—far too late for intervention. Shortly after, we were called in to say goodbye as she declined rapidly.To make matters worse, during our final moments with Tootsie, we were approached with paperwork and payment questions as we sobbed by her side. Staff around us were laughing, showing a heartbreaking lack of compassion.This experience was traumatic and unacceptable. We spent over $8000 with no clear answers or timely treatment, and we believe negligence and poor communication directly contributed to Tootsie’s decline.The third doctor showed compassion and sound judgment—unlike the initial providers, who seemed more concerned with payment than care. Tootsie deserved better, and so do other families who come to you in crisis. I will not return to your facility and hope you take this seriously to prevent similar experiences for others.
May 29, 2025 · Kayla MarolfI just wanted to express my absolute gratitude and love to Dr.Davis, Neurology, ICU tech Steven, ER tech Diamond, Social Worker, and Front staff. You all went above and beyond for my sweet baby boy Loki and did everything you could for him and for that I can’t thank you all enough and on top of that you all were supportive to me and my family during the two days that Loki was with you all. You all will forever be family to us and also thank you so much for secretly expediting Loki’s remains so that I would have him home as fast possible thank you so so much ❤️
May 15, 2025 · Tatiana MooreThis is a busy place and given that it is also an ER veterinary service, you may have to wait. Dr. Neravanda is amazing. He takes his time, is compassionate and really listens. His notes are clear and concise--and he coordinates well with my dog's primary veterinarian. The staff is constantly busy, but easy to talk to and willing to make sure you have what you need to go home and to file any insurance claims. My dog does get anxious and shakes when he goes to our primary vet, but despite the invasive procedures he has had here, he seems at ease here. To me, that says a lot.
Apr 29, 2025 · Rivah DogPart of me wants to give five stars but I’ve got a few issues. But first, the positives… they said up front, it would be a 6-8 hour wait. My regular vet had run out of treatment options for my dog after two inpatient stays. They said she needed a specialist and recommended this place. So, I had no choice but to wait. And, it was 7 hours before we were seen. Several more emergency cases came in during that time so, it’s understandable.Finally, we are seen by the vet coming on for the shift change. They wanted to admit her because she was doing so poorly (bloody diarrhea and vomiting continually) and I agreed.The vet tech brings me an estimate for more than $4000. Now, I was already in for $5-6k from the previous hospitalizations and was waiting for insurance to reimburse me. I said there was no way I could afford that. I looked at the line items and saw they wanted to repeat tests that had already been done less than 48 hours before. I just wanted her stabilized to see the internal medicine specialist the next day.So, they came back with $2400.The next day, I picked her up. She was MUCH improved. I just needed her to be ok one more day to see the specialist. Because she was doing so well with the medication and special food, she made it to the specialist with no issue. The specialist wanted to run a $4k test (endoscopy and biopsy) but I asked what the treatment would be if those tests were positive. Answer: steroids, probiotics and a special hydrolyzed diet. I said… let’s try that first.Long story short… she’s doing amazing now. Super energetic and healthy almost a week later.Down side:Several families came in to bring dogs or cats to be put to sleep. I found it very sad that they had to walk back through the waiting area crying their eyes out while some of us feared we might be in that same situation with hours or minutes. It would be better for everyone if families could exit from another area to avoid traumatizing themselves further or even traumatizing the others waiting.My dog’s vitals were taken on intake but, not again for six hours. Meanwhile, she vomited twice and was in obvious distress.Other than those two things, the staff is extremely sensitive and super empathetic. Very nice and nonjudgmental when I said I couldn’t do another $8000 ish.I highly recommend them for both emergency care and internal medicine.
Jun 03, 2025 · Sally HarneyThis is my top choice for emergency vet services. They are always caring and thorough while also taking into consideration the needs of the owner. I recently brought my 8 year old dog in and while they were insanely busy they took him back right away to make sure he was stable and kept him that way. Unfortunately, the news was not good and with his age/advanced cancer they understood and supported my desire to focus on his comfort. To give him the best shot for more quality time they put him on a cocktail of meds including a Chinese herbal supplement that has shown promise and even consulted with their oncologist to make sure we covered all basis for comfort care. They were compassionate the entire time and I know I made the right choice taking him there as he is still here and happy, giving us the quality time we desired.In the past they have also saved my farm cat who had been attacked by a coyote and she is living her best (now three-legged) life, and their neurologist treated and saved my Corgi with meningitis.Emergency care is always expensive but I feel their prices are fair and comparable or better than other emergency services in the area.
Apr 11, 2025 · Katherine Swearingen
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