Business Details
33 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Advanced Veterinary Care in Vancouver
Arbutus West Animal Clinic has served Vancouver for over 30 years, established as a bridge between family veterinary practices and specialty referral hospitals. Our mission prioritizes advanced clinical outcomes in a warm, family-oriented setting at accessible costs. Led by Dr. Uri Burstyn, a globally recognized expert in veterinary medicine and minimally invasive surgery, we combine cutting-edge technology with compassionate care. Our team-based approach integrates interns and specialists to minimize emergency visits and external referrals, saving clients significant costs while delivering timely care.We emphasize client education, stress-free handling, and extended consultations to empower pet owners. With expertise in exotic animal care, oncology, and geriatric cat care, we serve diverse species including dogs, cats, reptiles, and small mammals. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our AAHA/AAFP protocol adherence, in-house diagnostics, and innovative surgical techniques.
Services
General Health
Advanced Care
Surgeries
Cancer Treatments
Exotic Animal Care
Urgent Care
Diagnostics
Pain Management
Vaccinations
Dental Services
Details
- Year established: 1993
Highlights and features
- 30+ years of veterinary expertise with global recognition in minimally invasive surgery
- 24/7 emergency care and urgent treatment prioritization
- Specialized exotic animal care including reptiles and pocket pets
- Team-based approach reduces need for external referrals and emergency costs
- Extended 40-60 minute consultations for comprehensive pet wellness education
Associations and certifications
- College of Veterinarians of BC
- American Association of Feline Practitioners
- Society of British Columbia Veterinarians
What people say
"AMAZING" veterinary care
Knowledgeable passionate doctors
Stress-free handling
Rapid recovery surgeries
Exotic pet expertise
Services
Minimally Invasive Surgery
Our clinic specializes in minimally invasive surgical techniques using fiber-optic cameras and specialized instruments. This approach creates 0.3-1.5cm incisions rather than traditional large openings, reducing infection risk by 70% and post-operative pain. Patients typically recover within 7 days versus 14 days for traditional methods. We perform spays, bladder stone removals, and organ biopsies with faster healing times and 30% higher success rates for complex cases.
Exotic Animal Care
We provide expert veterinary care for reptiles, amphibians, and exotic mammals including snakes, lizards, turtles, rabbits, and sugar gliders. Our residency-trained exotic veterinarian offers specialized diagnostics and treatments tailored to unique physiological needs. Services include husbandry consultations, species-specific nutrition plans, and surgical interventions for exotic pets requiring specialized anesthetic protocols and post-operative care.
Cancer Treatment
Our comprehensive cancer management program combines surgical removal, chemotherapy, and palliative care for pets. We offer rapid diagnostic services including same-day ultrasounds and minimally invasive biopsies with results within 24-48 hours. Treatment plans integrate pain management, nutritional support, and evidence-based protocols to maximize quality of life while minimizing stress for both pets and owners.
Dental Services
We provide complete dental care including cleanings, extractions, and molar trims for all species. Our COHAT (Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment) process uses digital X-rays and ultrasonic scaling to address periodontal disease. Specialized services include rabbit dental corrections, ferret tooth extractions, and advanced periodontal treatments using laser therapy to reduce inflammation and promote healing.
Urgent Care
Available 24/7 through our affiliated Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic, our urgent care services handle critical cases including trauma, poisoning, and acute illness. We prioritize immediate triage with board-certified emergency veterinarians and advanced diagnostic tools. The clinic maintains critical care equipment for stabilization before transferring complex cases to our facility for ongoing treatment.
People
Dr. Uri Burstyn
Medical Director
World-renowned veterinary surgeon with 15+ years of experience in minimally invasive techniques. Developed largest animal health YouTube channel and internship program since 2015. Specializes in oncology, geriatric cat care, and exotic animal surgery.
Dr. Callum Mussi
Veterinarian
Graduated from University College Dublin in 2020 with experience in mixed animal practice. Special interest in feline medicine and surgical assistance. Active in Gaelic football and outdoor activities.
Dr. Matthew Korthauer
Veterinarian
Emergency medicine specialist with Wisconsin dairy background. Completed critical care internship in Milwaukee. Focuses on innovative treatments for sick pets. Enjoys BC's natural beauty and family time.
Dr. Julia Herter
Veterinarian
Brazilian residency-trained exotics specialist with Master's in animal health. Expert in reptile clinical management. Works under supervision while completing BC licensing requirements.
Angel Lo
Practice Manager
Bilingual operations expert managing clinic logistics since 2015. Provides Mandarin/Taiwanese/Japanese language support. Passionate about music venues and international travel.
Questions
What exotic animal species do you treat?
We care for reptiles (snakes, lizards, turtles), small mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets), and exotic pets including sugar gliders and chinchillas.
Do you offer emergency veterinary services?
Yes, our affiliated Vancouver Animal Emergency Clinic provides 24/7 critical care with immediate triage and specialist support available.
What surgical options are available?
We specialize in minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures with faster recovery times, plus traditional surgeries for complex cases requiring open access.
How do you handle senior pet care?
We recommend bi-annual checkups for pets over 7 years, including blood pressure monitoring and tailored wellness plans to manage age-related conditions.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, debit cards, and cash payments for all veterinary services at time of visit.
Reviews (6)
Lindsay
Dec 20, 2021
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Great place to bring exotic reptiles. I was recommended from my local vet to bring her. Honestly the staff are so informative I may bring my cats there for yearly check ins. Cheaper than Gibsons and better in my opinion.
Chloe M.
Nov 23, 2021
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My baby girl, Pinky, is an almost 3 year old albino Dumbo eared fancy rat. She had surgery here end of last year and then again yesterday, both were a success. The team here is kind and helpful. The vet does top notch work, and was excellent at explaining things and making sure I understood how much it would cost beforehand. I'm so grateful for the service they provide here!
Ryder Tran
Jun 14, 2021
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We were looking for a place to neuter our bunny, Berry, a very shy and anxious boy. We were extremely happy to have found this place. A 5-star service. All the staffs are very nice and friendly. The doctor was very knowledgeable, professional, patient, and gentle to our Berry. Very detailed after-care instructions and medications provided. Highly recommended. We will definitely be coming back for regular check-up on Berry. Thank you :)
T. Qv
Apr 27, 2021
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We have a large Great Dane who is very anxious around new people so it is always stressful taking him to the vet, but we are so lucky we found Dr Buckner. He is so kind, gentle and patient with Diesel. We have always had a great experience with him. The staff and vet techs are also so friendly and caring! Thank you guys!!
Aja M.
Mar 11, 2021
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This is the best clinic ever! I would argue the best in Canada. Front desk staff, vet techs, doctors, everyone is amazing here. Non judgemental, friendly, they communicate really well and they truly listen well. I don't think I could trust my Tai (kitten) with anyone else. I will be bringing his sister Bonnie here once she's in my care. I truly believe Dr Uri Bernstyn is ahead of the game in the veterinary world and he cares for the animals and his business well. You can tell he picks his staff carefully and trains them better than any facility. Front desk goes the extra mile to make sure you
Korral Hamm
Feb 02, 2021
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Nj and Bonnie are literally the best! Great staff here they really care. And Bonnie especially takes the time to listen and answer all questions (Im a very anxious dog/cat/bunny mom) and she explains prices procedures and whats the best options based on what your looking for. I would highly recommend. My bunny got neutered here they did an excellent job (Nj) and took care of my bun afterwards.
