Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital - Nashville Veterinarian Introduce
For pet owners across Tennessee, particularly those in the bustling Nashville metropolitan area and surrounding communities like Antioch, finding veterinary care that truly understands and caters to all types of animal companions is incredibly important. While excellent care for dogs and cats is often expected, finding a clinic with specialized expertise in exotic pets can be a significant challenge. This is where Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital stands out. With a long-standing history of serving the community since 1974, this hospital has built a stellar reputation not only for its comprehensive care for traditional pets but also for its highly specialized and compassionate approach to exotic animals, making it a unique and invaluable resource for Tennessee pet parents.
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital is a full-service animal hospital deeply rooted in the Nashville-Antioch community. Founded by Dr. Herbert McCollum, the hospital has evolved to incorporate state-of-the-art medical equipment and a team of highly experienced and qualified veterinarians, including Drs. Pennington and Kopp, who possess a special interest and extensive experience in exotic medicine. Their philosophy centers on providing the best possible care, recognizing that every pet, regardless of species, deserves exceptional attention and expertise. They are committed to proactive treatments and proper nutrition, viewing them as cornerstones of long-term health. The clinic’s dedication to compassionate care is frequently highlighted by clients, particularly those with highly sensitive or specialized pets, demonstrating their commitment to easing anxiety and building trust with both animals and their owners.
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital is conveniently located at 2445 Morris Gentry Blvd, Antioch, TN 37013, USA. This accessible location in Antioch makes it a prime choice for pet owners across the greater Nashville area. Situated with easy access from major roads like Bell Road and Murfreesboro Road, reaching the hospital is straightforward for residents from Nashville, Murfreesboro, Smyrna, and other nearby towns.
The hospital's proximity to Ezell Harding Christian School can serve as a helpful landmark for those new to the area. Ample parking is typically available, ensuring a smooth and stress-free arrival for pets and their families. Their consistent operating hours, from Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM, also provide flexibility for busy schedules, allowing Tennessee pet owners to bring their companions for necessary care without significant logistical hurdles. This ease of access, combined with their renowned expertise, makes Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital a go-to destination for comprehensive veterinary services.
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital offers a comprehensive array of medical, surgical, and preventative services designed to meet the diverse needs of both traditional and exotic pets.
- Routine Exams and Wellness Care: Providing annual physical exams, wellness checks, and preventative care for all types of pets, including specialized routine exams for birds, pocket pets, and reptiles.
- Vaccinations: Offering all necessary vaccinations for dogs and cats, as well as specific vaccinations for exotic pets, such as RHDV2 (Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease 2) for rabbits.
- Advanced Diagnostic Services: Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment including Digital General Radiology, Digital Dental Radiology, Ophthalmic Tonometry, Endoscopy, and Ultrasound. They also have a working relationship with Nashville Veterinary Specialists for outpatient CT scans for exotic patients. In-house bloodwork, fecal testing, and cytologies are available for rapid diagnosis.
- Surgical Services: Performing a wide range of surgical procedures for dogs, cats, and exotic pets. This includes routine spays and neuters, dental surgeries (including teeth filings and extractions), mass removals, abscess surgery, abdominal surgery, nasal and ear surgery, and exploratory surgeries. Dr. Kopp has special training in advanced surgical procedures for rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, and other exotic companion mammals.
- Dental Care: Comprehensive dental services, including routine dental exams, cleanings, filings, and advanced extractions for various species.
- Exotic Pet Care: Specialized care for a wide range of exotic animals including rabbits, hedgehogs, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, rats, mice, degus, guinea pigs, ferrets, birds, and reptiles. They emphasize specialized husbandry and nutritional consultation for these unique pets. They are noted for being a RWAF Gold Level Practice, a significant accreditation for rabbit care.
- Emergency and After-Hours Care: While primarily a daytime clinic, they work closely with Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) to provide after-hours care for critical patients, ensuring continuity of care.
- Pain Management: Providing effective strategies for managing acute and chronic pain in pets.
- Pet Library and Resources: Offering an extensive online library of pet health articles and videos to educate owners on proper pet care.
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital - Nashville Veterinarian distinguishes itself through several key features and highlights that are particularly valuable for pet owners in Tennessee:
- Exceptional Exotic Pet Specialization: This is arguably their most significant highlight. Unlike many general practices, Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital has deep expertise in exotic animal care, with veterinarians like Dr. Kopp specializing in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice and being certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP). They offer advanced surgical procedures for exotic pets and are noted as the only RWAF Gold Level Practice in North America, signaling unparalleled expertise in rabbit care.
- Compassionate and Empathetic Staff: Reviews consistently praise the staff for being "amazing," "incredibly compassionate," and "devotion to animals." Their ability to handle nervous pets, like a "skittish bun" where Dr. Kopp would "sit on the floor and talk with my skittish bun to calm her down," showcases their gentle and understanding approach.
- Thorough Communication and Transparency: Clients appreciate the detailed explanations of symptoms, treatment options, and costs. One review highlights that Dr. Kopp "presented me with all of the possible steps forward" and "talked me through every step," ensuring owners are fully informed.
- Quick and Accommodating Service: Despite not being current clients, some individuals reported being "gotten in quickly" or accepted as "drop-off appointment the same day I called," indicating a commitment to accommodating urgent needs when possible.
- Long-Standing Community Trust: Operating since 1974, the hospital has built a foundation of trust within the Nashville-Antioch community, earning repeat business and strong recommendations from local vets.
- State-of-the-Art Equipment: Their investment in advanced diagnostics like Digital General Radiology, Digital Dental Radiology, Endoscopy, Ultrasound, and arrangements for CT scans with specialists ensures high-quality and precise care.
- Holistic Approach to Pet Health: Beyond treating illnesses, they emphasize proper nutrition, husbandry, and preventative measures, empowering owners to maintain their pets' long-term well-being.
For appointments or inquiries, Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital - Nashville Veterinarian can be reached at:
Address: 2445 Morris Gentry Blvd, Antioch, TN 37013, USA
Phone: (615) 361-4646
Mobile Phone: +1 615-361-4646
Email: info@priestlakevet.com (Also plvh@bellsouth.net mentioned in one source, but info@ is on their exotic pets page)
Website: https://www.priestlakevet.com/
For pet owners across Tennessee, particularly those in the Nashville-Antioch area, Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital stands as an exceptionally suitable and highly recommended choice for veterinary care. Its blend of comprehensive services for dogs and cats with unparalleled expertise in exotic animal medicine, especially for rabbits, sets it apart. The consistent praise for their compassionate, knowledgeable staff, efficient service, and clear communication instills immense confidence in pet parents. For residents with unique animal companions or those seeking a veterinary team that genuinely goes above and beyond, Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital offers peace of mind and the highest standard of care, ensuring that all furry, feathered, or scaly family members receive the attention and treatment they deserve.
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital - Nashville Veterinarian Photos










Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital - Nashville Veterinarian Location
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital - Nashville Veterinarian
2445 Morris Gentry Bv, Antioch, TN 37013, USA
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital - Nashville Veterinarian Reviews
Great Place! They got me in quickly even though I was not yet a current client. They provided exceptional care to my rabbit and were very knowledgeable with his care and treatment options. Definitely will continue to utilize their services with all of my exotic pets. Hopper says Thank You!
Mar 23, 2025 · Justin BarkerWe took our bunny rabbit to see Dr. Kopp at the recommendation of our vet because our senior bunny needed a specialist to look at her teeth and more. He and his staff were amazing! They listened to her symptoms and managed to work her in as a drop-off appointment the same day I called. The vet tech took down all the information I mentioned, and Dr. Kopp did a thorough examination and presented me with all of the possible steps forward. We appreciated having the full picture of what she was going through and knowing all of the options. He talked me through every step, and he was incredibly compassionate. Ultimately, our bunny crossed the rainbow bridge, but we are happy to have known that she was so ill. If you have a rabbit, I doubt you will find a better vet, especially for serious rabbit issues. I recommend 10/10
Apr 24, 2025 · Bryan HayslettTHANK YOU DR. PENNINGTON AND JULES!! My leopard gecko Norbert and I have been together for 12 years with no issues, but he suddenly decided to have a mid-life crisis. Y'all took him in quickly and quite literally saved his life. I came to this practice on a recommendation from someone who also owned reptiles, and I will continue to recommend you to others!
Jan 30, 2025 · Kasie PresleyI had my dog for 8 years and never had any behavioral issues. As she got older, she became more anxious and aggressive. The vet put her on medications and advised of a plan of the medications didn’t work out. Ended up being a year and a half with her being on 4 medications without improvement, and no other suggestions or methods were put in place when she wasn’t improving. They also made me get the medications at the office, which was close to $300/month. Eventually I moved and had to drive over an hour to pick them up monthly. When I saw I could get the same medications through reputable pharmacies, I was told it was too difficult to fax the prescriptions…. After pushing for weeks, they finally faxed it and I was able to get the medications in the mail from another pharmacy for $25. This place is a money grab. Ended up switching vets and pursuing other approaches.
Jul 24, 2025 · S MWe had to get our rabbit's incisor extracted due to a genetic malformation issue that was interfering with his ability to eat. Our local exotic vet specialist is having some staffing issues and referred Dr. Kopp at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital in Nashville, TN. He is the only exotic vet specialist in TN. We were extremely happy with the expert care our rabbit received. The entire staff was professional and kind and made sure to keep up to date on his recovery.. His recovery was super quick. I highly recommend them.
Jul 11, 2025 · Shelia Boland
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