So grateful for the wonderful experience at Neighborhood Veterinary Associates. My 7 year old dog recently received care and treatment and we could have not asked for a better and more attentive staff. Dr. Petro made sure to run all necessary tests to give a proper diagnosis. She took her time to go over the treatment plan and answer any questions. We are so thankful for her expertise, compassion, and professionalism. Thank you ❤️🙂🙂
I've had pets/vets for over 30 years, and this vet is by far the best one I have ever been too. The office was clean and modern, the staff were all super friendly and cordial, and the vets didn't talk down to me about care like some have in the past. And the fact that they handle more than cats and dogs makes them aces! And their costs were reasonable. Highly recommend them for your pet's care.
Brought our ferret to have a botfly removed. They were most helpful. Very caring.
I cannot say enough positive things about NVA. While searching for an emergency vet to take our rat Freya to, we were referred to NVA by another veterinary clinic. When we called to explain what was going on, the staff told us to bring her in as soon as possible. Dr. Chappell did an excellent job explaining what he thought was going on with her and we appreciated the questions he asked regarding her living conditions. Unfortunately, Freya’s condition was too far along so when we went back two days later for a spay surgery- she did not make it. While I did not have the pleasure to meet Dr. Willens, he explained in great detail what occurred during her surgery. A few days later, one of our guinea pigs, Hammy, was having issues and we brought him in. The staff recognized us and expressed their condolences for the loss of Freya. I have seen plenty of different vets with owning several exotics and I have never felt the amount of compassion and pride from veterinary staff as I did at NVA.
On August 23, 2026, my wife and I brought our cockatiel to this clinic for a small injury near her eye. Dr. Scott Willens found no infection and said the injury appeared mechanical. He prescribed eye drops and Metacam, both twice daily for 10 days. We received no warning about possible gastrointestinal or kidney risks or signs that should prompt us to stop the medication and seek urgent care.
We followed the instructions for seven days. Around days five and six, our bird became unusually quiet. By the eighth day, she was weak and not eating at all. When we contacted the clinic, we were told that the medication should not normally cause this behavior. We were allowed to pause it, but the doctor would not be available until Wednesday.
Her condition rapidly worsened, and she died while we were taking her to an emergency hospital. She had never shown this kind of weakness, loss of appetite, or abnormal behavior before the treatment.
We later learned that meloxicam can carry gastrointestinal and kidney risks. Without a necropsy, we cannot know whether Metacam caused or contributed to her death. However, if it did contribute, we unknowingly gave her a medication that harmed her while following this clinic’s instructions without being warned about the risks. This may have been a preventable loss. If that is what happened, then her death should weigh on the conscience of those who prescribed this medication without warning us. We no longer trust this clinic and will not return.
UPDATE - 9/7/2026:
I’ve read your response, and two points do not match my recollection.
1. During the first visit, I do not recall being told about the possible gastrointestinal risks of Metacam or being instructed to stop the medications if Sonya developed appetite or behavioral changes. We were told to give the medications for 10 days. During my Sunday call, after I described what I was observing, I was told that we could pause the medications. I was also told that an avian veterinarian would not be available until Wednesday.
2. You wrote that I "did not want to pay for further treatments at that time." I do not recall payment being discussed during that call, nor do I recall refusing further treatment because of cost. That morning, I did not yet understand how serious her condition was. She had still been eating the previous day, and I am not a veterinarian. I was prepared to pay for any treatment that could have saved her. When her condition worsened later that day, we left for an emergency clinic.
