VERG Brooklyn

My beloved cat, Keylie, was referred to VERG by Bond Vet on suspicion of heart failure. VERG confirmed the diagnosis, and Keylie was seen by their cardiologist, Dr. Graham Rossi several times from June through October 2025. The staff at VERG were consistently compassionate and it's clear everyone there cares about animals. However, I do want to warn you that this is an ER, and is potentially a much more stressful place to be than your normal vet's office. At half of our visits there, we had to walk by people who had very obviously just said goodbye to their own pets, which was a bit jarring - especially knowing I'd likely be one of those crying pet parents at some point soon. At our initial visit in June, VERG completed a number of tests, including x-rays and ultrasounds. After confirming Keylie had fluid in her lungs and the sac surrounding her heart, they recommended an invasive (and costly) procedure to drain the fluid and help ease her breathing. I consented to the procedure, and their notes show they removed 2 mL of fluid from her pleural space, and 1 mL from the pericardial space. In hindsight, had I known the amounts would have been this small, I would have instead asked if medical management with diuretics (such as furosemide) were an option instead of this more invasive approach that involved shaving her chest and placing a needle into her chest cavity. Dr. Rossi was a consistently friendly presence and thoughtfully explained everything throughout several visits/re-checks. He seemed to understand I've done quite a bit of research and tailored his explanations with that in mind. ⚠️ There is a specific reason I've opted to leave a 4-star instead of a 5-star review. Throughout Keylie's treatment, I consistently made it clear I was very concerned about one disastrous complication of severe heart disease/failure: Feline Aortic Thromboembolism (FATE or Saddle Thrombus). This is an EXCRUCIATINGLY painful complication that can strike with little-to-no warning. Dr. Rossi was confident that Keylie wasn't at very "high risk" of this complication, and would not recommend proactively dispensing pain killers for Keylie. Keep in mind that VERG is a 45-65 minute drive away for us, depending on traffic, and if Keylie was stricken by FATE we'd have an hourlong journey where she'd be in obvious distress, and I'd have nothing to help her... ... which is precisely what happened just after midnight on November 8, mere minutes after my own birthday, and just a couple of weeks since we were last at VERG. Keylie lost use of both of her hind legs within minutes of eating dinner, and was hyperventilating and in obvious distress. She was dragging herself with her front paws and couldn't get comfortable in any position. I raced her to VERG and made the decision to euthanize her the moment they confirmed it was FATE, because I no longer felt that continuing down this path was the best choice for Keylie. After doing quite a bit of research/reading clinical studies, I've discovered that: - some of the things they were looking for to classify Keylie as v. "high risk" (such as spontaneous echo contrast/"smoke" or swirls in her enlarged left atrium, or presence of a clot) often signal "IMMINENT" risk, AND ~20% of cats who suffer from FATE will not have SEC beforehand - she had a severely enlarged left atrium, arrythmia, gallop sounds: all of which either increase likelihood of FATE or worsen outcomes if FATE occurs - some cats are resistant to clopidogrel, the antiplatelet therapy Keylie was on. I administered this to her religiously for the duration of her illness, taking great care to ensure the pills were swallowed. She never missed a single dose. Given her "severely" dilated left atrium, it may have been helpful to add on additional therapies. I know some of those therapies are very pricey, but Keylie had insurance and I made it clear money's not a concern! I appreciate all the help over several months. But for me to witness Keylie go through that nightmare after I specifically asked about this at EVERY visit ... 4-stars. 💔

My first dog (rescue adoption) turned out to have severe untreated heartworm and related lung (PH) and heart (RCFH) complications that required extensive treatment over a full year, and ongoing monitoring. Everyone at VERG from intake to nursing to Dr Rossi's cardio team has been kind, patient, and thoughtful about explaining medical terms, treatment options, expected expenses, and potential outcomes. Our experience has been exceptional, and I only wish they could be her primary care vet. Thank you!

We found ourselves making a 5 AM emergency trip to VERG with our beloved senior cat, who suddenly displayed signs of severe discomfort—constant meowing and frequent trips to the litter box without success. Earlier that same day, we had taken him to the vet for what we thought was a routine sick visit, but things took a sharp turn after midnight. Upon arrival at VERG, the staff promptly greeted us and took him in to see the doctor right away. The intake nurse was thorough, gathering information about our cat's health and explaining the examination process under the doctor's supervision. A few hours later, the doctor informed us that our cat was suffering from colitis and pancreatitis, necessitating ICU care for several days. They assured us that they would keep us updated with at least two calls a day, which they did, keeping us informed of his progress and the next steps. Each veterinarian we met dedicated ample time to discuss our cat’s condition, updates, and what to expect moving forward. We felt an incredible sense of comfort knowing that our furry friend was in such capable hands. We were particularly grateful for the opportunity to spend extended visits with him during his stay at the hospital; the private room allowed us to fully engage with our fur baby, and the nurses encouraged us to take our time. When it was time to discharge him, the reception staff clearly explained the charges, and this transparency was a consistent aspect of our experience. We want to extend special thanks to Nurse Sam and Janyce at the front desk for their support. Additionally, we appreciated the comfort of the waiting room, complete with bottled water and a hot beverage service, which made our lengthy visits more pleasant while we were there for our loved one.

The doctors and staff at VERG saved my baby’s life. They figured out what was wrong and got her in for emergency surgery less than 7 hours after I brought her in. The staff is wonderful, the doctors are wonderful, and the fact that everyone is so amazing and incredibly caring is heartwarming. She gets the best care at VERG, and I am so deeply grateful for the care she and I both get when we are here.

Our experience at VERG Brooklyn’s 24-hour emergency room was nothing short of incredible. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with kindness and professionalism. The staff was not only polite and welcoming, but they immediately made us feel seen and supported in a stressful moment. The facility itself was beautiful—spotlessly clean, well-organized, and thoughtfully equipped with snacks and water for pet parents who are anxiously waiting. It’s clear they care not just for the animals but for their humans, too. The waiting time wasn’t bad at all, especially considering we came in for an emergency. Everything moved smoothly, and we never felt forgotten or ignored. One of the hardest moments was when I had to leave my baby boy behind to have his open wound re-stitched. It was heartbreaking to walk away, but the doctor took the time to sit with me, explain the procedure, and reassure me that he was in the best hands. Their calm and compassionate demeanor helped me breathe a little easier. I was both excited and nervous to see him again the next day—but mostly relieved, knowing he had received the care he needed. A heartfelt thank you to VERG Brooklyn’s 24-hour emergency team for being there when we needed you most. You helped my baby boy get the treatment he needed, and I’ll always be grateful.