Eastern Shore Veterinary Hospital - Laurel, Delaware

Kariah H.

To anyone thinking about bringing their pets here please reconsider. No sympathy. No compassion. No remorse. Just heartless people looking for their next paycheck. The moment we found out that our dog needed surgery we set up an appointment. They had an earlier opening than her original dated appointment and called COUNTLESS times to get her in. That would be the last phone call received by the vet. Each call after that was made by FAMILY calling in to get updates.
On the last phone call we made we were told that she had DIED. That same phone call they mentioned that the doctor had taken her into a second surgery without updating the family at all. Instead of being surrounded by her family in her final moments she died in the hands of people who couldn’t even care enough to call. Why did no one decide to call and let us know that there was a decline? Why was there not a single call updating about a second surgery? Why was there not a call about her death? There was not a single apology uttered instead we were met with a “if there’s anyone to blame it should be yourself” by the doctor himself who didn’t even give a glance her way when she was first admitted.
There’s a SEVERE lack of communication present here clearly. All these people care about is the money. They have no compassion for your animals. Please if you care about your animals and want them to live send them elsewhere. If you wish to have your pets die then send them here!! Rest in Peace, my sweet baby.

Sandra Black

I have been bringing my pets to you guys for 17 years. Your staff is always friendly and helpful. Dr. Dykstra is awesome with our fur babies. Thank you for always taking such good care of them.

Dog Mom,
Sandra

Fred Duncan

ESV and Dr Dykstra's team are the BEST!! We've been coming here for over 25 years with two cats. They were so compassionate when our first cat passed a few years ago. Our current cat, Quinn, receives the best of care every year at his physicals. He had surgery a year ago with a busted hip. The team treated him like royalty. At his annual this past week, they all came into the examining room to see him as good as new! That's special! ( See pics below, before and after. )

Dawn Sipple

Staff is always so kind, supportive and compassionate. Building is always clean. I love this office and they have such a big impact on the community and our fur babies

Kelly Hague

I've been bringing my cats here for almost 20 years and I've never had a bad experience. I've come to them for vaccines, checkups, and minor problems on up to major surgery, euthanasia, and cremation. Dr. Dysktra and his team deliver their care with all the compassion I could hope for. My cats ARE my family and this is how they're treated at Eastern Shore.

Recently, Dr. Dykstra helped my favorite cat in the whole world fight cancer and ultimately pass peacefully in my arms at his office. It was one of the most difficult things I've done and I'll be forever grateful that Eastern Shore made it just a little easier. Miki was 14 years old and he was such a beautiful and wonderful light in my life. Many thank yous to Dr. Dykstra and his team. Your work is very important. ❤

Hen Hop

The absolute WORST experience my family and I have encountered with a veterinary hospital. We recently found out that our dog had a uterus infection after being seen at Pets ER. We were instructed to contact a vet to have surgery performed to remove her uterus. Contacted Eastern Shore Hospital as our dog was already a patient there the very next day to explain the situation and schedule her surgery. Even though the facility was aware of the severity of the situation they didn't immediate perform the surgery. The doctor didn't even examine her when she was brought in. Imagine coming in seeking help for your beloved fur baby and being ridiculed for lack of knowledge of your pet's condition. That's how the Doctor made my family and I feel. We were completely unaware of what Pyometra was, as we have never experienced anything like this before with our other female dog. Initially we were under the impression that surgery would be be performed immediately due to the condition being life threatening. Eastern Shore Vet had even called multiple times the day we brought her in because they had a cancellation and wanted to have her admitted earlier. However, shortly after arriving we were told that this was just a consultation. We were informed that the surgery wouldn't be performed that day or even the following morning because they "don't perform surgery in the morning". It's evident that no one working at this facility has any type of compassion for the owners and pets who keep this veterinary hospital in business. During the entire three days my dog was at this facility, my family did not receive ONE SINGLE PHONE CALL giving us an update. We constantly had to call in to get the status of her surgery and how she was doing throughout the day. We were misled, were told that her surgery was a success, called in a second time and was told that she wasn't eating and had a low temperature and they would give us a call back and that never happened. We called back in a second time the same day and was told that our beloved dog was DEAD. It baffles me that Eastern Shore Veterinary Hospital didn't have the decency or compassion to let us know that there was a decline in our dog's condition, that a second surgery was being performed or that she was even declared BRAIN DEAD and was on life support. We were completely blindsided and we are deeply saddened to know that our sweet girl died in the hands of people who could care less about her. She wasn't surrounded by loved ones, we didn't get a chance to say our last goodbyes and shower her with the hugs and kisses she was used to. She died in a back room and a sheet was thrown over her lifeless body. We never received a call, we never received a sorry for your loss, we never received any type of SYMPATHY. I called in to question the lack of communication and express my frustration and was put on hold for 20 minutes. Spoke with the doctor who couldn't have been anymore unprofessional and he stated that "if I wanted to blame someone than I should blame myself". What kind of statement is that to make to someone who is grieving that loss of a pet at their facility? I was accused of letting my dog's condition worsen when that was hardly the case. We were unfamiliar with her condition. I searched numerous things on Google but really didn't know what I was looking for. As soon as we noticed a change in her behavior and swollen abdomen we took her to be seen. Little did we know that her health would decline in less than a week. I would have never let my dog suffer, we LOVED her and she would've celebrated her 8th birthday on October 19th. I failed her by bringing her to Eastern Shore Veterinary Hospital and will have to live with that for the rest of my life. Cleary this facility is money driven and not driven by providing excellent customer service to their clients. I will NEVER give them the opportunity to get any more of my business. Our beloved PRECIOUS will not die in vain!!!!! For anyone who is looking for a new vet, I strongly suggest that you go elsewhere if you want your pets to live.

Brandee East

I have been with them for 23 years. They treated my dogs and I with love and care. Would not go anywhere else. I live a hour away and it is worth going the distance
Thank you Dr and staff.

robin joseph

Dr. Dykstra and his staff are exceptionally friendly , accommodating, compassionate and very knowledgeable when it comes to our fur babies! I can’t say enough or brag enough about them. The whole staff always greet you with a smile. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with either one of my babies, then Eastern shore, veterinary hospital, Dr. Dykstra and staff. We love you!