Advanced Veterinary Referral and Emergency Care in Scarborough, ME: Maine Veterinary Referral Center

Maine Veterinary Referral Center: Potthoff Alan DVM Introduce

For pet owners across Maine, having access to specialized and emergency veterinary care is a critical component of responsible pet ownership. While our local family vets handle routine needs, there are times when a pet requires advanced diagnostics, specialized surgical procedures, or critical care outside of regular hours. In such instances, knowing about a facility that can provide this higher level of care is invaluable. The Maine Veterinary Referral Center (MVRC) in Scarborough serves as a vital resource for our community, offering specialized expertise when our beloved animals need it most.

The Maine Veterinary Referral Center, also known as Maine Veterinary Medical Center (MVMC), is a state-of-the-art veterinary referral and emergency practice. Since its origins in 1989 with Dr. Alan Potthoff establishing the Animal Neurological Clinic, it has grown significantly. In 2009, it officially became the Maine Veterinary Referral Center, initially focusing on neurology, surgery, and internal medicine. Over the past decade, it has expanded into a comprehensive practice, adding specialties like cardiology, oncology, emergency and critical care, and rehabilitation. MVRC operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing emergency services and advanced referral capabilities for pets. Their mission is to offer advanced and compassionate care for pets, support for owners, and maintain a trusting, professional relationship with referring primary veterinarians. They are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including MRI and CT machines, and boast a large team of board-certified specialists and support staff, treating approximately 10,000 pets annually.

The Maine Veterinary Referral Center is strategically located at 1500 Technology Way, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA. This location is designed for easy accessibility, especially for emergency situations, from various parts of Maine. Scarborough is a central hub in Southern Maine, making the facility reachable from greater Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, and even parts of New Hampshire. The "Technology Way" address often indicates a location designed for efficiency and ease of access, typically with good road infrastructure around it. Given its role as a 24/7 emergency and referral center, ample parking and clear signage are essential and generally available. Primary veterinarians throughout Maine often refer complex cases and emergencies to MVRC, highlighting its status as a critical hub for advanced animal care in the region. For Maine pet owners, knowing that such a comprehensive, round-the-clock facility is within reach provides significant peace of mind for critical and specialized veterinary needs.

The Maine Veterinary Referral Center (MVRC) offers a comprehensive suite of advanced and specialized veterinary services, particularly focusing on critical care, emergency medicine, and referral-based specialty treatments. Their state-of-the-art facility allows for highly detailed diagnostics and complex procedures.

Emergency & Critical Care: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, this department handles all urgent and emergency veterinary needs, equipped with mechanical ventilators, sophisticated monitoring, and isolation wards for infectious diseases.
Neurology & Neurosurgery: Led by specialists like Dr. Alan Potthoff, this department specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system, utilizing advanced imaging such as MRI.
Internal Medicine: Comprehensive diagnosis and management of complex medical conditions affecting internal organ systems, often involving advanced diagnostic procedures.
Surgery: Offering a wide range of advanced surgical procedures, including orthopedic, soft tissue, and minimally invasive surgeries, supported by a dedicated surgical suite and experienced surgical teams.
Cardiology: Diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions, including advanced cardiac diagnostics.
Oncology: Comprehensive cancer care, including diagnosis, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy options, tailored to each patient.
Ophthalmology: Specialized care for eye conditions and diseases.
Rehabilitation: Post-operative and injury recovery programs, potentially including an underwater treadmill and other physical therapy modalities.
Advanced Imaging: State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging capabilities, including:
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Crucial for detailed visualization of soft tissues, especially for neurological and musculoskeletal conditions.
- CT Scanning (Computed Tomography): Provides detailed cross-sectional images of internal organs and structures.
- Fluoroscopy: Real-time X-ray imaging for dynamic studies.
Minimally Invasive Tools: Utilizing advanced techniques for less invasive procedures, leading to faster recovery times.
Infectious Disease Isolation Wards: Dedicated facilities to safely care for pets with contagious illnesses.
Dedicated Cat-Only Ward: A separate, calm environment specifically designed to reduce stress for feline patients.
Brand-New Intensive Care Unit (ICU): A specialized area for critically ill or injured pets requiring constant monitoring and intensive treatment.

The Maine Veterinary Referral Center (MVRC) stands out for several key features and highlights that are crucial for Maine pet owners seeking specialized or emergency care.

24/7 Emergency and Critical Care: This is a paramount feature. Operating around the clock, every day of the year, ensures that pets in Maine have access to immediate, advanced medical attention during emergencies, regardless of the time or day.
Highly Specialized Expertise: MVRC boasts a large team of board-certified specialists across various disciplines, including neurology, internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, oncology, and ophthalmology. This depth of expertise means pets receive care from doctors highly trained in specific complex conditions.
State-of-the-Art Diagnostic Equipment: The facility is equipped with advanced technology such as MRI machines, CT scanners, mechanical ventilators, and minimally invasive tools. This cutting-edge equipment allows for highly accurate diagnoses and advanced treatment options that may not be available at general veterinary practices.
Comprehensive Care Spectrum: Beyond initial emergency stabilization, MVRC offers a full range of follow-up specialty services, meaning pets can receive continuous, integrated care from diagnosis through treatment and rehabilitation all under one roof.
Dedicated Patient Facilities: The presence of infectious disease isolation wards and a dedicated cat-only ward demonstrates a thoughtful approach to patient comfort, safety, and specialized needs, minimizing stress and potential contagion.
Collaboration with Primary Veterinarians: MVRC operates as a referral center, working closely with local primary veterinarians. This collaborative model ensures seamless transitions of care and leverages the expertise of specialists when needed, while maintaining the relationship with the pet's regular vet.
High Volume of Patients: Treating approximately 10,000 pets per year signifies extensive experience with a wide variety of cases, reinforcing their status as a leading advanced care facility in the region.
Commitment to Innovation and Growth: MVRC continuously innovates and expands its team and capabilities, ensuring they remain the "most advanced veterinary hospital in the region," providing Maine pets with access to the latest in veterinary medicine.

For advanced, specialized, or emergency veterinary care, the Maine Veterinary Referral Center is available to assist you and your pet.

Address: 1500 Technology Way, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA

Phone: (207) 885-1290

Mobile Phone: +1 207-885-1290

Hours: Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

For Maine locals, the Maine Veterinary Referral Center (MVRC) in Scarborough serves as an indispensable resource for advanced and emergency veterinary care. While one historical review from a retired veterinarian points to a specific negative experience regarding communication and diagnostic approach with a particular doctor, it's crucial to understand MVRC's overarching role and comprehensive offerings. This facility is uniquely positioned to handle complex cases and critical emergencies 24/7, a service that is vital for our community when immediate, specialized attention is required beyond what a primary vet can provide. Its team of numerous board-certified specialists, coupled with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment like MRI and CT, ensures that pets with severe or rare conditions have access to the most advanced medical and surgical interventions available. The dedicated patient facilities, including specialized wards, further highlight their commitment to tailored, high-quality care. For Maine pet owners, MVRC provides the peace of mind that comes from knowing a top-tier referral hospital is available for the most challenging health situations, offering comprehensive, round-the-clock expertise for our beloved animal family members when they need it most.

Maine Veterinary Referral Center: Potthoff Alan DVM Photos

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Maine Veterinary Referral Center: Potthoff Alan DVM Location

Maine Veterinary Referral Center: Potthoff Alan DVM

Maine Cumberland County Scarborough Oak Hill Technology Way

1500 Technology Way, Scarborough, ME 04074, USA

Maine Veterinary Referral Center: Potthoff Alan DVM Reviews

Best experiece when I had to but my cat down. The staff was terrific. I was more than i expected. I had her cremated and had her back in less than a week. Kudos to the staff for your support thru this hard time.
Sep 13, 2021 · Jessica Bell
I'm a retired veterinarian, and I had taken one of my dogs for an MRI to evaluate chondral lesions and possible tenosynovitis suggested by radiography taken a few weeks prior. I made my appointment specifically for this purpose.To Dr. Rubin's credit, he gave my dog a thorough physical examination and evaluation. However, Dr. Rubin had diagnosed Kiki with a grade two bilateral cardiac murmur, and ascribed it to stress. I thought this odd since the only animals to develop temporary arrhythmias due to stress are cats. Gee, so did my vet. Gee, so does my physiology text from vet school. What a surprise. I auscultated her when I got home, no murmur. Had her checked by another vet, no murmur. This is a very. very serious and hard mistake to make.During the course of the appointment I asked him if he had had the chance to review the radiographs, and he indicated that he had. However, when I asked him specifics about the radiographic findings, he was unable to answer and I suspected he had never reviewed these prior findings. He repeatedly pushed for me to have CT performed, and then went into a rather lengthy and pedantic explanation regarding the medical management of this condition, being somewhat condescending and elaborating on issues that were, at the time, irrelevant in light of any diagnostic evidence, such as MR imaging. Considering my background, I found this odd, because his approach to explaining this condition was as if I was a layman without any background.I asked if he knew if I was a DVM, and he indicated that he did. I thanked him for his detailed explanation but indicated that none of this was necessary, and my goal of the visit was to obtain images which would allow us to visualize the lesions described by the previous radiology report, and that I felt that the best modality to obtain these was MR. He then became somewhat "stiff" and his demeanor changed; he left the room, and the technician came in with an estimate for nearly $2000... to perform a CT scan. I repeated what I had to Dr. Rubin said regarding the best imaging method, and she indicated that she would talk to Dr. Rubin, at which time I stated that he and I had just had this conversation. She left and returned with Dr. Rubin, who now had a somewhat confrontational and aggressive demeanor, and who proceeded to reiterate that we should proceed with CT. I gathered up my dog's leash and stated that this appointment had reached its conclusion.Dr. Rubin then literally blocked by exit and demanded -- not asked -- to know why I was "upset". I told him I wasn't upset, but rather irritated, and when he demanded to know why, I told him that his selection of modality was a question of ego and of being correct and in charge and not what was indicated by the previous radiographic study. I then stated that this was unacceptable. He said nothing but instead followed me out to the waiting room where he yelled, in a shrill voice in front of other clients, "Sir, you have to check out before you can leave!". I told him I was sorry that he was so agitated by our consultation that he felt he had to yell. He responded by storming back into the examination area. While I was checking out I could hear him yelling in the treatment room.Stay away from this facility; stay far away, and travel further to get the services you need if you have to.
Jul 13, 2019 · Mico Nelson, DVM
So friendly and a great selection!
Sep 01, 2020 · Claire Greenbaum
Great place
Oct 29, 2022 · Mark Herald
Jan 13, 2021 · Tanja Thompson