Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted 24/7 Emergency & Specialty Veterinary Care in CT
Central Hospital for Veterinary Medicine has been a trusted leader in veterinary care since 1974. Our hospital was founded as an emergency center in New Haven and expanded to a 20,000+ sq. ft. facility in 2013 to better serve pets and families across Connecticut and New England. We employ over 30 doctors, including 17 board-certified specialists, supported by a dedicated team of certified technicians, assistants, and administrators. Our 24/7 emergency services and specialty care programs reflect our commitment to the human-animal bond and compassionate medicine. Recognized as one of Connecticut's largest veterinary hospitals, we collaborate with over 150 referral partners and maintain state-of-the-art equipment to deliver advanced care.Our training programs for veterinarians and technicians ensure ongoing excellence in patient treatment. With two locations in North Haven and Guilford, we provide accessible, round-the-clock care for small animals from across the region. Our team prioritizes clear communication, personalized treatment plans, and community education through resources like our blog and pet health library. Eight-time recipient of the Best of New Haven award, we measure our success through the well-being of our patients and the trust of their families.
Services
Emergency Room
Board Certified Specialists
Anesthesiology
Cardiology
Hospice Care
Neurology
Oncology
Surgery
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
Iodine-131 Treatment
Details
- Year established: 1974
Highlights and features
- 24/7 emergency services staffed by experienced veterinarians and technicians
- 17 board-certified specialists across multiple disciplines
- State-of-the-art facility with advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment
- Collaborates with over 150 veterinary hospitals for referral care
- Offers professional training programs for veterinarians and technicians
What people say
Courteous, caring, professional
Knowledgeable staff
Sympathetic doctors
Well-informed care plans
Compassionate treatment
Services
24/7 Emergency Care
Our fully staffed emergency room operates 24 hours daily for urgent pet care needs. Experienced veterinarians and certified technicians provide immediate treatment for critical conditions, trauma, and acute illnesses. The facility maintains advanced diagnostic tools and critical care units to stabilize patients before specialist consultations.
Board Certified Specialists
We offer access to 17 board-certified specialists in disciplines including cardiology, neurology, and oncology. These experts provide advanced diagnostics and treatments for complex conditions, working collaboratively with primary care veterinarians to develop comprehensive care plans for challenging medical cases.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
This advanced treatment delivers 100% oxygen at increased pressure to promote healing for conditions like carbon monoxide poisoning and severe infections. The therapy enhances tissue repair and reduces inflammation, administered by trained specialists using specialized pressurized chambers.
Iodine-131 Treatment
We provide targeted radiation therapy for feline hyperthyroidism using Iodine-131. This non-invasive treatment destroys abnormal thyroid tissue while preserving surrounding healthy tissue, performed in dedicated isolation facilities by experienced nuclear medicine specialists.
Veterinary Training Programs
Our hospital offers structured training for veterinary professionals including ER doctor residencies and technician assistant programs. These hands-on programs combine clinical experience with mentorship from specialists, preparing participants for advanced roles in emergency and specialty medicine.
Questions
What emergency services are available after regular business hours?
Our emergency room operates 24/7 with experienced veterinarians and technicians ready to treat critical conditions, trauma, and acute illnesses at any hour.
Do you accept pet insurance or financing options?
We accept major pet insurance plans and offer CareCredit financing for veterinary services to help manage treatment costs.
How do specialists collaborate with primary veterinarians?
Our board-certified specialists work closely with referring veterinarians to develop comprehensive treatment plans, sharing diagnostic results and coordinating ongoing care.
What training programs do you offer for veterinary professionals?
We provide ER doctor residencies, technician assistant programs, and continuing education opportunities led by our specialists and experienced staff.
How are complex cases managed at your facility?
Critical cases receive immediate stabilization followed by specialist consultations. Our multidisciplinary team develops customized treatment plans using advanced diagnostic equipment and specialized care units.
Videos
Reviews (7)
Rachael Farina
Jun 17, 2022
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My primary vet sent me here when my German shepherd wasn't feeling good. She wasn't eating or drinking and was super lethargic. They admitted her right away yesterday evening. Dr. Sweeney has been incredible and communicates with me often and provides lots of detail. She'll be staying again tonight for another night and I'm very thankful she has amazing techs and doctors around her!
Angela Vita
Apr 04, 2022
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Best experience despite an incredibly stressful situation. When my primary vet told me my kitten had to be brought to the hospital immediately, I was completely overwhelmed and taken aback as I luckily never had this situation happen with my previous pets. The staff at Central was incredibly knowledgeable, caring, and compassionate. The wait time for admission was appropriate and I felt that the bill was EXTREMELY reasonable for a much needed 48hr stay. Jesse is so happy to be feeling better and reunited with his brother Walter! A special thank you and shout out to Dr. Sweeney and vet tech Britt. I couldn't have asked for better care for my sick kitty!
Gail Reese
Mar 13, 2022
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Today, March 26, 2022, my dog was seen at her regular Vet and we found she had a high temperature and extremely elevated liver enzymes. We were told by the vet to immediately bring her to the ER. When we arrived at the hospital all I can say is the front office staff was not kind at all. We were sent there from a Vet as an emergency, but we're told to go back outside and register. Mind you, our vet sent everything over already. Next, when advised to come back in, I stood in the lobby and not one of the front desk members greeted me.
They would not even ask if I needed help and there were 4 of them. Finally I asked if any one was going to ask if I needed help. First I was ignored and the gentleman finally said, we are busy and just had an emergency to take care of. Well hello, my pup is here for an ER as well. I just told them they were all extremely rude. Good customer service would never let a patient just stand there and be ignored!
Our pups treatment was put off to the side because they were "to busy" to help. They need to be trained on customer service, what it is and how to take care of upset people who are there with their animal for an emergency.
They would not even ask if I needed help and there were 4 of them. Finally I asked if any one was going to ask if I needed help. First I was ignored and the gentleman finally said, we are busy and just had an emergency to take care of. Well hello, my pup is here for an ER as well. I just told them they were all extremely rude. Good customer service would never let a patient just stand there and be ignored!
Our pups treatment was put off to the side because they were "to busy" to help. They need to be trained on customer service, what it is and how to take care of upset people who are there with their animal for an emergency.
Penelope King
Feb 09, 2022
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Thank you Central vets for making my little Lucy (cat) better. She developed severe gastritis and had not eaten for five days. They kept her in hospital for three days, did all the tests for diagnosis and meds to make her better.
Louis Golino
Feb 09, 2022
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I am very happy that I brought my Bailey to Central Hospital For Veterinary Medicine, my Bailey is close to 15yrs and she was suffering from enlarged heart and congestive heart failure. The wonderful cardiac team was able to stabilize and remove excessive buildup of fluid in my Bailey. When I brought her in she was not doing good and I was expecting the worse. After one day in their care I brought Bailey home with a solid plan and I am happy to say she is stable and improving every day. I am forever grateful to have her home and will continue to have her in the care of the wonderful cardiologist team.
Kay B.
Jan 28, 2022
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I am currently having my rat, Blueberry, treated here for an ear infection among other things and have been seeing Luke and Dr. Shakeri. I have to say they have both been so wonderful and responsive, they make everything easy to understand and you can feel that they actually care. It's comforting to know there is always somewhere to go especially when it is difficult to find care for small animals/exotics. Thank you!
Sara Cannella
Jan 27, 2022
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Had to bring my kitty in yesterday with a very sudden wound that we were panicking about. I was in tears the entire time, but the staff was so wonderful. The scariest day ever turned into a manageable one and my cat is still with me, healing at home. Thank you Dr. Nicole Kennedy and the amazing technicians who helped my girl Lola.
