Business Details
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Veterinarian in St. Petersburg, FL
Central Animal Hospital has been serving the St. Petersburg and greater Tampa Bay communities since the late 1970s. Our team of experienced veterinarians specializes in integrative medicine, advanced surgical procedures, and canine rehabilitation to address diverse pet healthcare needs. We maintain 24/7 access to emergency care through our partnership with GuardianVets, ensuring continuous support for pet owners. Our facility includes the Tampa Bay K9 Rehabilitation Center, dedicated to helping arthritic, injured, or post-surgical dogs recover more comfortably. As an American Animal Hospital Association-accredited institution, we uphold rigorous standards for veterinary excellence.Our comprehensive services span preventative care, diagnostics, dentistry, and end-of-life support tailored to individual pet requirements. We prioritize personalized care plans that emphasize long-term wellness and quality of life improvements. Our team combines decades of clinical experience with ongoing professional development to stay at the forefront of veterinary medicine. Client education remains central to our approach, empowering pet owners to make informed healthcare decisions. Through consistent service innovation and community engagement, we strive to be the trusted healthcare partner for generations of pets and their families.
Services
Vaccinations
Surgery
Boarding
Canine Rehabilitation
Dentistry
Diagnostic Imaging
End-of-Life Care
Preventative Care
Highlights and features
- 40+ years serving Tampa Bay pet communities
- 24/7 emergency veterinary access available
- AAHA-accredited medical excellence standard
- Specialized canine rehabilitation facility onsite
- Integrative approach combining traditional and alternative therapies
Associations and certifications
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
Services
Canine Rehabilitation
Our Tampa Bay K9 Rehabilitation Center provides customized recovery programs for dogs with mobility issues. Utilizing advanced techniques to improve joint function and reduce pain for post-surgical or arthritic pets. This specialized service helps restore activity levels through controlled therapeutic exercises and modern treatment modalities.
24/7 Emergency Care
Continuous emergency veterinary support through GuardianVets partnership ensures immediate care access. Our St. Petersburg facility handles critical pet health situations after regular hours. Trained professionals provide urgent medical interventions for trauma, poisoning, or sudden illness occurrences at any time.
Surgical Services
Comprehensive surgical capabilities include routine procedures and complex operations. Our experienced veterinary surgeons employ modern techniques for optimal patient outcomes. Pre-operative diagnostics and post-operative care ensure safe treatment experiences for pets requiring surgical interventions.
Preventative Care
Regular health check-ups and vaccination programs protect pets from preventable diseases. Tailored preventative plans address age-specific and breed-related health risks. Early detection of potential issues through routine screenings improves long-term pet wellness outcomes.
Diagnostic Imaging
Digital radiography and ultrasound technologies enable accurate internal condition assessments. These non-invasive diagnostic tools help identify injuries, organ abnormalities, and skeletal issues. Rapid imaging results support timely treatment decisions for improved patient care.
People
Dr. Andy DeStefano
Medical Director
Dr. DeStefano leads our veterinary team with extensive clinical experience in integrative medicine and surgical procedures. He oversees patient care standards and treatment protocol development at our St. Petersburg facility.
Dr. Cristina Sanchez
Dr. Sanchez provides comprehensive veterinary care with a focus on preventative medicine and patient wellness programs. She actively participates in continuing education to maintain current treatment approaches for pet health issues.
Dr. Natalie Long
Dr. Long specializes in diagnostic imaging and internal medicine applications for companion animals. Her expertise contributes to accurate condition assessments and targeted treatment planning for our Tampa Bay patients.
Sarah
Hospital Manager & CVT
As Hospital Manager and Certified Veterinary Technician, Sarah coordinates daily operations while maintaining hands-on patient care involvement. She ensures service quality standards across all departments at our Fourth Street North location.
Questions
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide vaccinations, surgery, dentistry, diagnostic imaging, canine rehabilitation, boarding, and 24/7 emergency care for pets in St. Petersburg.
Is your hospital accredited?
Yes, we maintain American Animal Hospital Association accreditation, meeting rigorous standards for veterinary excellence and patient care.
Do you have emergency services?
Our 24/7 emergency care is available through GuardianVets partnership, ensuring continuous veterinary support for urgent pet health issues.
What is canine rehabilitation?
Our Tampa Bay K9 Rehabilitation Center offers specialized therapy for injured, arthritic, or post-surgical dogs using advanced recovery techniques.
How do I schedule an appointment?
Book online through our website or contact our Fourth Street North location directly for immediate scheduling assistance.
Do you offer payment plans?
While we don't list specific financing options, we recommend discussing payment arrangements directly with our St. Petersburg hospital team.
Reviews (7)
Ali Shulman
May 27, 2022
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Dr. Block and her team are excellent! I'm a dog spoiler, and treat my Bandit like the child I never had. I've honestly never been to a vet office where we felt so welcomed and cared for. In a time when personal service seems to fall behind every excuse, the team here goes above and beyond as though it were their dream job to take care of you and your furry pets. They really have my dog's care at the forefront, and respect for keeping costs down right behind. I highly recommend them!
Olivia Indie
Apr 05, 2022
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I'm am so impressed with the service I've received at Central Animal Hospital. It was the first time I've ever received a follow-up call from a veterinarian asking how my dog was doing (after a general check up) and I greatly appreciated because her issues are especially overwhelming. I have a really good sense that they actually care about me and my pet and that is why I will choose to keep my business with them thank you
Johnny M.
Mar 26, 2022
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From the walk in with my bunny aka Koukla my crazy Greek rabbit. All the staff were wonderful. Immaculate very clean lots of info bout good and bad for bunny. Doctor was amazing they all loved off my love for crazy boo boo and taught me lots. Highly recommend
Brittany Reddaway
Jan 26, 2022
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My husband and I can't recommend this office and Dr. Block more! We had a rare life threatening health problem with our dog, Lily. Dr. Block took so much time to sit down, listen, advise, and recommend on multiple occasions. She took many phone calls from us in crisis and helped us through a rough patch. Was willing to vouch on our behalf to the other emergency vet we had dealt with. We will continue care at this facility with lily, and for any future pets we have.
Cynthia Long
Jan 05, 2022
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My dog had surgery on Tuesday & continued to bleed. By Friday I asked if she could be seen by the Vet ( owns the place) and he refused. I know professionalism as I work in surgery at Johns Hopkins All Children Hospital. We never turn away a child. Needless to say, I was very disappointed but found a more reliable & professional practice. Many neighbors, like myself, have had bad experiences there so left. Be kind to ur pet & find another practice.
Stephanie Cox
Nov 28, 2021
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Our Doodle wasn't feeling well and presented with a weird constellation of symptoms that made it hard to pin down what the problem was. They were able to squeeze us in that day and figure out what was wrong. The staff and Dr. Black were very caring and sweet with our dog and we truly appreciate it.
Stephanie Patterson
Jun 23, 2021
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My dogs now love going to see the vet! They get such great care and attention, they're always happy to go back. The staff is friendly and professional. All procedures and costs are reviewed with you in advance so you don't get surprised by any charges. They quickly adapted and have been doing a wonderful job during this pandemic to keep providing the best care and service, while protecting themselves and patients from the virus.
