Business Details
33 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Partner for Advanced Pet Healthcare in Vancouver
Arbutus West Animal Clinic has served Vancouver for over 25 years, opening its doors in 1993 and now led by Dr. Uri Burstyn. Our vision bridges family veterinary practices with specialty referral hospitals, delivering care and clinical outcomes comparable to referral centers but within a warm, family-oriented setting at reduced costs. We prioritize your pet's welfare through extended consultations, advanced medical technologies, and compassionate education for pet owners. Our team of experienced veterinarians specializes in minimally invasive surgery, exotic animal care, and chronic disease management, ensuring personalized treatment plans tailored to each pet's unique needs. With hour-long appointments, we foster deeper understanding of your pet's health while empowering you as an active partner in their wellness journey.Recognized globally for innovation in veterinary medicine, we train interns from multiple countries and maintain affiliations with leading veterinary organizations. Our commitment to stress-free handling protocols and evidence-based practices ensures both physical and emotional well-being for every patient. From routine wellness exams to complex surgical interventions, we combine cutting-edge diagnostics with compassionate care to optimize pet health outcomes. Our facility offers in-house referral services for advanced diagnostics and treatments typically requiring specialty centers, saving clients time and costs while improving treatment efficacy.
Services
General Health
Advanced Care
Surgeries
Cancer Treatments
Vaccines
Diagnostics
Stress Free Handling
Allergy Management
Chronic GI Issues
Pain Management
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- 30 years of veterinary expertise in Vancouver
- Pioneers in minimally invasive pet surgery
- 40-60 minute consultation appointments available
- Specialized exotic animal care center
- 24/7 emergency veterinary referral services
Associations and certifications
- College of Veterinarians of BC
- American Association of Feline Practitioners
What people say
Knowledgeable staff
Compassionate care
Advanced medical techniques
Personalized treatment
Stress-free environment
Services
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Our clinic specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques using fiber-optic cameras and specialized instruments. These procedures create 0.3-1.5cm incisions, reducing infection risks, pain, and healing time. Patients typically experience minimal discomfort the next day with full recovery in seven days, compared to traditional 14-day recovery periods. We offer laparoscopic spays, cryptorchid neuters, and bladder stone removal, providing faster recovery and reduced complication rates for pets.
Exotic Animal Care
As Vancouver's leading exotic animal care center, we treat a wide range of non-traditional pets including reptiles, amphibians, and pocket pets. Our veterinarians have specialized expertise in managing unique health requirements of exotic species, from bearded dragons to sugar gliders. We provide comprehensive wellness exams, dietary consultations, and specialized treatments tailored to each species' biological needs, ensuring optimal health outcomes for these unique companions.
Advanced Diagnostics
Our diagnostic capabilities include in-house ultrasound, radiology, ECG, and fiber-optic cameras for rhinoscopy and otoscopy. We perform minimally invasive biopsies and offer same-day ultrasound with radiologist review. This comprehensive diagnostic approach enables rapid, accurate diagnoses for complex cases, allowing immediate treatment planning. Our equipment supports advanced procedures like bladder stone removal and organ biopsies with minimal patient discomfort.
Pain Management
We specialize in comprehensive pain management strategies for pets with arthritis, post-surgical recovery, or chronic conditions. Our approach combines nutritional support, anti-inflammatory treatments, physiotherapy, and acupuncture to ensure comfort. Veterinarians develop personalized pain management plans that may include prescription medications, lifestyle modifications, and alternative therapies to maintain mobility and quality of life for aging pets.
Dental Services
Our dental care includes professional cleanings, extractions, and specialized treatments for small animals. We perform molar trims for rabbits and incisor trims for rodents using safe anesthetic protocols. The clinic addresses complex dental issues like malocclusion and periodontal disease, offering preventive care and emergency dental treatments to maintain oral health and prevent systemic complications.
People
Dr. Uri Burstyn
Medical Director
World-renowned veterinarian and pioneer in minimally invasive surgery with 20+ years experience. Developed internationally recognized laparoscopic techniques. Trains veterinary interns globally while maintaining active clinical practice.
Dr. Callum Mussi
Veterinarian
Graduated from University College Dublin in 2020. Specializes in mixed animal practice with expertise in emergency care. Recognized for compassionate treatment and thorough patient evaluations.
Dr. Miguel Caminos
Veterinarian
Trained at National Autonomous University of Mexico. Specializing in exotic animal medicine and surgical techniques under Dr. Burstyn's mentorship. Focuses on small mammals and reptiles.
Dr. Diamond Nguyen
Veterinarian
Local Vancouver graduate from Oregon State University. Specializes in anesthesiology, pain management, and feline medicine. Currently completing surgery internship with focus on exotic species.
Dr. Mathew Korthauer
Veterinarian
Emergency medicine specialist with UW Madison veterinary degree. Completed critical care internship in Milwaukee. Focuses on innovative treatments for complex medical cases in feline and canine patients.
Questions
What exotic animal species do you treat?
We treat all common domestic species plus exotic pets including reptiles (lizards, snakes, turtles), small mammals (guinea pigs, hamsters, hedgehogs), and amphibians (frogs, axolotls).
Do you offer emergency veterinary care after hours?
For after-hours emergencies, we recommend Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic at 2303 Alberta St, open 24/7 with specialized critical care services.
What makes your surgical procedures different?
We specialize in minimally invasive techniques that reduce recovery time by 50% compared to traditional methods, using advanced laparoscopic equipment for procedures like spays and bladder stone removal.
How do you handle senior pet wellness?
We recommend bi-annual checkups for senior pets with specialized diagnostics including in-house pressure checks and non-adjuvant vaccines tailored to aging animals' needs.
Can you accommodate multiple pets in one appointment?
We operate on a drop-off system with extended appointments available for multiple pets or complex cases, ensuring thorough care for all your animal companions.
Do you provide second-opinion veterinary consultations?
Yes, we welcome second-opinion consults for difficult cases, offering specialized diagnostics and treatment plans developed by our experienced veterinary team.
