Best surgery & specialty care veterinarians in Denver, CO
These are the 15 Denver-area practices where surgery and specialty care are core services, not an afterthought, ranked using our methodology of ratings, review volume, recency, and sentiment analysis.
Looking for an all-around general vet instead? See our best veterinarian overall list. This page focuses specifically on clinics with strong surgical and specialty care track records.
At a glance
| # | Business | Score | Rating | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wellshire Animal Hospital | 93 | 4.9 (351) | — | Complex diagnoses & long-term care |
| 2 | Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake | 91 | 5 (142) | — | Anxious & reactive rescue dogs |
| 3 | Denver Animal Hospital | 89 | 4.7 (281) | — | Fearful pets & end-of-life care |
| 4 | The Center for Animal Wellness | 89 | 4.9 (896) | — | Cost-conscious diagnostic planning |
| 5 | Livewell Animal Hospital of RiNo | 89 | 4.9 (168) | — | Same-day visits & post-surgery follow-up |
| 6 | Goodheart Animal Health Center - Lowry | 88 | 5 (57) | — | First-time owners wanting reassurance |
| 7 | Sploot Veterinary Care - Highlands | 88 | 4.8 (1613) | — | Fear Free surgical follow-up & communication |
| 8 | Pets On Broadway Animal Hospital | 88 | 4.6 (464) | — | Geriatric & end-of-life surgery patients |
| 9 | Goldsmith Veterinary Clinic | 88 | 4.8 (828) | — | Compassionate care with long-term staff |
| 10 | Sploot Veterinary Care - Platt Park | 87 | 4.8 (797) | — | Nights, weekends & same-day sick visits |
| 11 | VetCare Animal Hospital | 87 | 4.8 (543) | — | Exotic animals & tricky diagnoses |
| 12 | Sploot Veterinary Care - Belmar | 87 | 4.8 (457) | — | Sunday emergency surgery |
| 13 | Care Animal Hospital | 86 | 4.8 (805) | — | Orthopedic surgery since 1988 |
| 14 | Clear Creek Animal Hospital | 86 | 4.8 (628) | — | Senior pets & cost transparency |
| 15 | Rising Sun Animal Care | 86 | 4.8 (580) | — | Budget-friendly alternative to corporate chains |
Ranked picks
Wellshire Animal Hospital
Why it ranks first
Wellshire tops this list with a 92.6 composite built on 351 reviews and a 4.9 rating, the strongest volume-plus-sentiment combination here. Named vets like Dr. Monica Watterud and Dr. Molly Cominsky have decade-plus patient relationships and a reputation for catching what other clinics miss, spanning surgery, dentistry, and hospice care under one roof.
Pros
- Named vets with 10+ year patient relationships
- Catches diagnoses other clinics miss
- Handles anxious and aggressive animals patiently
- Transparent pricing, including vaccine cost breakdowns
Services: surgery specialty, general veterinary, dental care, exotic avian
Livewell Animal Hospital of Sloan Lake
Why it ranks second
Livewell Sloan Lake posts a perfect 5.0 from 142 reviews, with a fear-free approach that's built real loyalty among owners of nervous and reactive rescues. Dr. Z and Dr. Coleman are named repeatedly for patience and clear explanations, and pricing is consistently described as fair, sometimes thousands below competitors.
Pros
- Perfect 5.0 rating across 142 reviews
- Fear-free approach for anxious and reactive dogs
- Pricing well below corporate competitors
- Clean facility with prompt follow-up calls
Watch out: One case left a dog's appetite loss undiagnosed despite x-rays and tests, though the clinic offered a free re-exam.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, dental care, exotic avian
Denver Animal Hospital
Why it ranks third
With 281 reviews at 4.7 and two decades of returning clients, Denver Animal Hospital's team of named doctors (Casey, Miles, Ackley, Tadros, Rojas) is singled out for unhurried, patient handling of fearful animals through surgery, dentistry, and hospice decisions. Post-appointment follow-up calls from the doctors themselves are a recurring theme.
Pros
- Unhurried, patient consultations with named vets
- Special accommodations for fearful and anxious pets
- Doctors personally call after appointments
- Home hospice and end-of-life support available
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, large animal equine, dental care
The Center for Animal Wellness
Why it ranks fourth
The Center for Animal Wellness carries the highest review count on this list, 896 reviews at 4.9, and its AAHA accreditation backs up 20-year client relationships built around named doctors like Jeanne Herz and Sarah Llewellyn. The team is known for discussing cost-effective diagnostic paths rather than pushing unnecessary extras.
Pros
- AAHA accredited with two-decade client relationships
- Multiple named vets praised individually for bedside manner
- Cost-conscious diagnostic planning, no unnecessary upsells
- Same-day and weekend appointment flexibility
Watch out: A long-term client flagged record-keeping gaps and delayed lab result communication when the primary vet was unavailable.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, large animal equine, dental care
Livewell Animal Hospital of RiNo
Why it ranks fifth
Livewell RiNo scores 88.6 on the strength of a 4.9 rating from 168 reviews, with Dr. Kramer and Dr. Hoppe earning repeat visits from families who've since moved across town. Vet techs are noted for reading reactive pets well, and the clinic makes a point of calling owners directly after surgery.
Pros
- Dr. Kramer and Dr. Hoppe draw repeat visits from relocated clients
- Vet techs skilled at calming reactive pets
- Direct post-surgery phone updates from the vet
- Same-day appointments common
Watch out: One owner disputes the clinical judgment on a dog's eyelid issue, and a front-desk staffer has drawn complaints about a cold phone manner.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, dental care, exotic avian
Goodheart Animal Health Center - Lowry
Why it ranks sixth
Goodheart Lowry holds a perfect 5.0 across 57 reviews, smaller in volume than some peers but consistent in sentiment (0.81). Dr. Pochman and Dr. Frost are known for unhurried visits, and the clinic's Fear Free certification shows in small touches like welcome gifts and letting owners stay in the exam room.
Pros
- Fear Free certified, low-stress handling
- Vets take unhurried time explaining care plans
- Owners welcome to stay in the exam room
- Thoughtful new-client touches like welcome gifts
Watch out: Review volume (57) is lower than most others on this list, so the track record is thinner.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, dental care, emergency vet
Sploot Veterinary Care - Highlands
Why it ranks seventh
With 1,613 reviews at 4.8, Sploot Highlands has the largest review base on this entire list. Dr. Steine and Dr. Nicholls are named for making anxious or combative pets feel safe, and the surgical team sends photo and text updates during procedures, a level of communication reviewers repeatedly single out.
Pros
- Largest review base on this list (1,613 reviews)
- Text and photo updates during procedures
- Fear Free certified with same-day emergency slots
- $50 off first appointment for new members
Watch out: One long-term client felt nickeled and dimed by scheduling tactics and fees, and vet assignment isn't always consistent.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, dental care, emergency vet
Pets On Broadway Animal Hospital
Why it ranks eighth
Pets On Broadway earns an 87.7 composite from 464 reviews, with reviewers describing trouble-free experiences that span routine checkups through end-of-life support. Staff are noted for honest pricing and skipping unnecessary procedures, a theme that shows up across long-term client relationships.
Pros
- Honest pricing without unnecessary procedures
- Skilled with anxious pets
- Strong end-of-life and geriatric care reputation
- Follow-up calls after visits
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, dental care, exotic avian
Goldsmith Veterinary Clinic
Why it ranks ninth
Goldsmith holds a 4.8 rating across 828 reviews, with staff singled out for patience with nervous animals and grief support. Long-term staff continuity and same-day appointment availability back up the clinic's reputation, though one serious complaint about prognosis communication is worth weighing.
Pros
- Patient with anxious and nervous pets
- Long-term staff continuity
- Same-day appointment availability
- Compassionate end-of-life and cremation support
Watch out: One reviewer alleged inadequate disclosure of a senior dog's prognosis before its death; the clinic reimbursed medication costs.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, large animal equine, dental care
Sploot Veterinary Care - Platt Park
Why it ranks tenth
Sploot Platt Park carries 797 reviews at 4.8, with Dr. Summers and Dr. Vonch named for genuine care and staff available nights and weekends. Its SplootPack membership can cut annual costs by up to $650, and 94% of reviews are five-star despite a couple of diagnostic missteps.
Pros
- Same-day sick visits, including weekends and holidays
- Membership program saves up to $650/year
- Named vets praised for listening, not upselling
- Emergency vet service available
Watch out: One thyroid diagnosis was missed, and some reviewers note supplement markups compared to buying online.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, dental care, emergency vet
VetCare Animal Hospital
Why it ranks #11
VetCare's 543 reviews at 4.8 back up stories of vets who dig deeper: Dr. Feldman consulted CSU specialists to correct a misdiagnosis, and Dr. Spiegel caught allergies a previous vet missed for years. The clinic also handles exotic animals without the sticker shock some owners expect elsewhere.
Pros
- Vets consult specialists on complex cases
- Exotic animal care without excessive markups
- Calm, efficient handling of anxious pets
- No hard-sell upselling on services
Watch out: Prices have risen since a recent move, and some newer vets are described as less experienced.
Services: exotic avian, general veterinary, surgery specialty, house call mobile
Sploot Veterinary Care - Belmar
Why it ranks #12
Sploot Belmar's 457 reviews at 4.8 reflect a team known for walking through diagnoses without pressure and explaining medical choices in plain language. Extended seven-day hours and Sunday emergency surgery capability set it apart for owners who need care outside normal weekday windows.
Pros
- Sunday emergency surgery availability
- Extended hours seven days a week
- Fear Free certified handling of nervous pets
- Clear, jargon-free explanations of treatment options
Watch out: Some reviewers say phone quotes don't match in-person evaluations, and peak times can feel rushed.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, dental care, emergency vet
Care Animal Hospital
Why it ranks #13
Care Animal Hospital has been running since 1988 and holds 805 reviews at 4.8, with named vets Dr. Gilbert, Dr. Fox, and Dr. Alberg praised for patience with anxious cats and dogs and clear explanations of surgical options, including orthopedics.
Pros
- Surgical capability including orthopedics
- Cat-friendly certification
- Named vets known for empathy and patience
- Long-standing practice history since 1988
Watch out: Recent complaints mention a rushed end-of-life visit, withheld information during a procedure, and one refusal of emergency care.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, dental care
Clear Creek Animal Hospital
Why it ranks #14
Clear Creek's 628 reviews at 4.8 show a clinic where vets communicate clearly about costs and take extra time with senior and anxious pets. Post-visit check-in calls from the vet are a recurring theme, though one dissenting review claims corporate ownership has affected consistency.
Pros
- Post-visit follow-up calls from vets
- Fair, upfront pricing breakdowns
- Named vets (Dr. Laura, Dr. Najafpour) praised for patience
- Quick appointment availability
Watch out: One sharp complaint alleges corporate ownership has driven up prices and reduced vet consistency, against a backdrop of mostly five-star reviews.
Services: surgery specialty, general veterinary, dental care, exotic avian
Rising Sun Animal Care
Why it ranks #15
Rising Sun draws clients across Denver to its Lowry location for pricing that undercuts corporate competitors, backed by 580 reviews at 4.8. Dr. Asman, Dr. King, and Dr. Miller are named for genuine attentiveness, though growing patient volume has brought some strain.
Pros
- Pricing noticeably lower than corporate clinics
- Named vets known for thorough, caring exams
- Personal touches like birthday greetings and check-ins
- Follow-up calls after visits
Watch out: Reviewers report inconsistent advice between vets, long phone hold times, and some medication mix-ups as patient volume grows.
Services: general veterinary, surgery specialty, dental care, emergency vet