Can I get a same-day appointment for a sick pet?

Yes; one reviewer brought a cat in sick and was seen the same day, with a follow-up call the next day.

How thorough is a typical exam?

Most reviewers praised thorough exams with good explanation, but one owner felt their dog's post-surgery check missed key areas (hind legs after TPLO surgery) after a 30-minute wait.

Do they follow specific instructions about how to handle my pet?

Generally yes, but one elderly cat had nails clipped against explicit owner instruction, limiting mobility for months.

GoodVets Highlands

Updated 2026-07-05 · 1,188 reviewed · 179 listed · Scored from 54 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.5(54) 79 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified

General Veterinary CareVeterinary DentistryVeterinary SurgeryEmergency & Urgent CareExotic & Avian CareLarge Animal & EquineHolistic & Alternative Medicine

Services: General Veterinary Care, Veterinary Dentistry, Veterinary Surgery
Reviews: 54

What recent reviews say

Most visits result in calm, attentive care where staff explain recommendations without pressuring owners into unnecessary services. Animals arrive nervous and leave content. The team remembers details and calls to check on pets post-visit.

One recurring friction point: rushed appointments where exams feel incomplete, and costs that run high for heartworm tests and routine services. One elderly cat was clipped against explicit instruction, causing months of mobility loss. Pricing sits at a premium even for preventative work.

Praised for

compassionate and patient with anxious animals
clear communication and explanation
genuine listening to owner concerns
friendly and professional staff
timely scheduling and follow-up

Watch-outs

ignored explicit instructions about nail care
rushed exams with limited thoroughness
high prices for routine tests

compassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsknowledgeable-vetsclear-communicationcaring-bedside-mannerhelpful-front-deskeasy-schedulingexpensiveoverpricedthorough-exams

Best for: Owners of anxious or reactive animals who value clear communication and emotional support from staff.

Think twice if: Those seeking quick routine exams or budget-conscious care; some exams felt rushed and heartworm tests priced above market.

Strengths

same-day urgent appointments
attentive listening and transparent recommendations
calm environment that reduces pet anxiety
follow-up calls after treatment

Worth knowing

Dr. Devin provides detailed health explanations
Technician Lizz praised for rapport with pets
Same-day appointments available from Aurora
Post-visit check-in calls standard practice
One incident of ignoring explicit nail-care instruction for elderly cat

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care: Attentive wellness exams with clear explanations, though some felt rushed; good same-day availability.
Emergency & Urgent Care: Same-day sick visit care with follow-up phone calls to check on animal's recovery.
Veterinary Dentistry: One incident of nail trimming performed against explicit owner instruction caused harm.

How it compares

Rated 4.5 against a 4.6 average across the 167 general veterinary care businesses listed here.
Has more Google reviews than 29% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Scoring Method

Star rating 69

Review volume 76

Review recency 100

Review sentiment 67

Profile completeness 100

Verification 30

Rating breakdown

Common questions

Can I get a same-day appointment for a sick pet?: Yes; one reviewer brought a cat in sick and was seen the same day, with a follow-up call the next day.
How thorough is a typical exam?: Most reviewers praised thorough exams with good explanation, but one owner felt their dog's post-surgery check missed key areas (hind legs after TPLO surgery) after a 30-minute wait.
Do they follow specific instructions about how to handle my pet?: Generally yes, but one elderly cat had nails clipped against explicit owner instruction, limiting mobility for months.

Request a quote

Similar veterinarians nearby

Highlands Animal Clinic

4.6(525)✓ Verified

Most established clients praise the clinic's vets-especially Dr. Drake-for genuine care, clear communication, and patience with nervous animals. However, several recent reviews flag serious gaps: rushed initial exams missing standard senior bloodwork, unanalyzed stool samples, and unanswered medication follow-ups. New clients report dismissive front-desk treatment; some former loyal patients say the practice feels impersonal and overly aggressive with surgery recommendations since the ownership transition. The best experiences come from clients with continuity; worst ones involve diagnostic missteps and poor communication on results. Strength lies in individual vet quality and comfort with timid pets. Weakness is inconsistent follow-up and the gap between initial exams and urgent care. Multiple deaths linked to missed diagnoses have shaken trust. Value proposition is unclear when similar clinics in the area charge less and offer proactive senior protocols.

General Veterinary CareVeterinary DentistryVeterinary Surgery

View profile

Sploot Veterinary Care - Highlands

4.8(1614)✓ VerifiedPublishes prices

Most visits deliver warmth and skilled care: vets take time to explain procedures, staff call or text updates, and same-day emergency appointments happen. Dr. Steine, Dr. Nicholls, Anika G, and others earned specific praise for gentleness during spays, laparoscopic surgeries, and urgent nail-biting situations. One long-time patient reports frustration with being routed through nurse visits to maximize appointment fees and refusal to do anal gland work until an annual exam was paid, interpreting the clinic as profit-driven rather than pet-focused. Reviewers consistently describe Fear Free staff who bond with anxious or fractious animals, follow up post-surgery, and transfer records without being asked. Pricing edges into premium territory; the clinic advertises $50 off first appointments and annual membership savings up to $650.

General Veterinary CareVeterinary DentistryVeterinary Surgery

View profile

Berkeley Animal Hospital

5.0(169)✓ Verified

Reviewers consistently describe genuinely attentive care from a team that remembers individual pet needs and stays responsive to appointment requests. Staff excel at calming anxious animals, vet techs handle nervous cats with skill, and the practice offers straightforward pricing with clear treatment options and detailed follow-up notes.

Veterinary DentistryGeneral Veterinary CareVeterinary Surgery

View profile