Business Details
14 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Care
The Cove Center Of Veterinary Expertise Center of Veterinary Expertise has been a trusted provider of emergency and specialty veterinary care in Suffolk, VA since 2012. Founded to address critical gaps in regional veterinary services, we combine advanced medical expertise with compassionate care to support pet owners and primary care veterinarians. Our team includes board-certified specialists in cardiology, surgery, dentistry, and critical care, each bringing decades of experience and specialized training.We uphold core values of collaboration, commitment, compassion, and integrity, ensuring seamless communication between pet owners, referring veterinarians, and our specialists. With state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on community support through initiatives like our Healing Animals Together Fund, we deliver high-quality care for complex medical conditions while maintaining ethical transparency and client-centered service.
Services
Emergency Critical Care
Cardiology
Veterinary Dentistry
Surgery
End of Life Care
Anesthesia
Referral Services
Details
- Year established: 2012
Highlights and features
- Weekday emergency services with overnight critical care hospitalization
- Board-certified specialists in cardiology, surgery, and dentistry
- Collaborative treatment plans developed with primary veterinarians
- State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and surgical facilities
- Compassionate end-of-life care with pain management options
What people say
Compassionate staff
Knowledgeable specialists
Saved his life
Thorough explanations
24/7 availability
Services
Emergency Vet
Our emergency veterinary services provide immediate care for life-threatening conditions with specialized equipment and experienced staff. Available Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 10 PM with overnight monitoring, we treat trauma, poisoning, and acute illnesses. The service combines advanced diagnostics with compassionate triage protocols to stabilize critical patients.
Veterinary Cardiology
Board-certified cardiologists offer echocardiography, rhythm monitoring, and hypertension management for canine and feline heart conditions. Our services include both outpatient evaluations and inpatient critical care for congestive heart failure. Advanced diagnostics enable precise treatment of congenital defects and acquired cardiovascular diseases.
Veterinary Surgery
Led by a board-certified veterinary surgeon, our surgical services encompass orthopedic, soft tissue, and oncologic procedures. Minimally invasive techniques reduce recovery times while maintaining precision. Each case receives individualized anesthesia protocols and comprehensive post-operative monitoring by trained nursing teams.
Dentistry
Advanced dental care includes endodontics, periodontal treatment, and oral surgery performed by a dedicated dental specialist. We utilize digital radiography for hidden pathology detection and offer restorative procedures like titanium crowns. Comprehensive oral assessments help prevent systemic complications from dental disease.
End of Life Care
Compassionate end-of-life support includes palliative pain management and euthanasia with aftercare counseling. Our team provides private consultation spaces and flexible scheduling for family goodbyes. Emotional support extends to both pet owners and referring veterinarians during difficult decision-making processes.
People
Jeff T. Stallings
Surgeon & Co-Founder
A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons with 20+ years' experience in orthopedic and oncologic procedures. Completed surgical residency at University of Florida.
Merrilee T. Small
Cardiologist & Co-Founder
Board-certified veterinary cardiologist since 2005 with expertise in echocardiography and rhythm disorders. Holds awards for clinical excellence from NC State University.
Colleen Fox
Veterinary Dentist
Specializes in advanced dental procedures including root canals and prosthetics. Earned dental certification from European School for Advanced Veterinary Studies in 2020.
Tawny Humphrey
Emergency Services Manager
Licensed Veterinary Technician with two decades of critical care leadership experience. Certified in veterinary office management and team development.
Shannon Smith
Referral Coordinator
Veterinary technician with specialized anesthesia training. Coordinates collaborative care between primary practitioners and specialty services.
Questions
What emergency veterinary symptoms require immediate attention?
Difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, seizures, inability to urinate, and traumatic injuries necessitate immediate care. Contact us at (757) 935-9111 for urgent assessment.
Do specialty services require referrals?
Yes, cardiology, surgery, and dentistry services require primary veterinarian referrals to ensure treatment continuity and proper case preparation.
How are treatment costs managed?
We provide detailed care plans with upfront estimates. Payment options include major credit cards and third-party financing through CareCredit and Scratchpay.
What post-operative care support exists?
Comprehensive discharge instructions include medication management, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments. Our team monitors recovery progress through scheduled check-ins.
Are virtual consultations available?
Current technology limitations prevent virtual consultations, but our staff provides detailed phone triage before in-person visits to prepare pet owners.
