Uptown Animal Hospital

I left a great 5 star review about a year ago, but unfortunately the more I come here, the more mistakes are made. Medications are dispensed to me that weren’t meant to be sent home, which I had to bring back. Two appointments have been made incorrectly in the past few months where I was told one time, but it was actually half an hour and an hour later. I had to just sit and wait or lose my appointment.
As before, all the veterinarians are great and I trust them with my pets. The administrative staff is not pleasant and make you feel unwelcome almost every time I’ve been here. If you do decide to go here, make sure to call and verify appointment times at least once before you go in.

I took my cat in to have her annual exam done and I was very pleased with the overall care and attention given. The clinic is clean and very quaint with many smiling faces. I will be taking her and any other future pets here from now on.

This place USED to be good. But my wife and I recently made a 10 a.m. appointment to bring in our cat. My wife arrived with the cat and was told there was no record of an appointment being made. There was no apology and no recognition of error on the part of the staff. They simply said we could wait 2.5 hours and «maybe we could squeeze you in.»
The doctors themselves are perfectly fine, but this place has some serious organization and clerical issues. After taking cats here for seven years, we decided that we will not be back and we are taking them elsewhere.

Have been using Uptown for Kitt, Sundance, Dutchie and now Tobias.
Care is excellent.
Doctors are excellent.
Staff is excellent.
I previously used a vet in lake view.
Outrages prices.
Mediocre treatment.
Made an error during surgery and I had to pay medical & boarding costs. They could not completely repair the damage.

We have been taking our dog to Uptown for 2 years. I can’t say enough about Dr. Stutzman. Our 13 year old dog went in today to have a tumor removed. It is very scary when you have to make the decision to put an older dog under anesthesia. The vet tech was amazing! I was a puddle when I dropped her off and he was so reassuring. Dr. Stutzman called me as soon as our girl was out of surgery to let me know how it went. I am happy to say that our sweet girl is recovering so well. I am so thankful to everyone at Uptown for taking such good care of our baby. And to the very kind woman who took pity on me and cleaned up my dogs poop when I was crying, trying to check in and keep my dog from bleeding everywhere, you are an angel!

We’ve been taking our dog Charlie who is an English bull terrier here since he was a puppy. He loves everyone here and the receptionist are always friendly. They do get busy though which isn’t necessarily bad but be prepared for lots of animals and control over your dog during the downtime.
As for when they are closed — if your dog needs attention they recommend some place in Skoke. I DO NOT. I REPEAT DO NOT RECONMEND going to this place in Skokie. My dog had a mouth soar I was worried about (which was actually from a toy piece piercing his gum) and they said they needed to put him under. We told them no and left after he was given medication for a possible infection and for pain. Seriously? Put my dog under to clean his mouth? No.
We took him back to our vet 2 days later and they said it was fine and everything healed up.
Besides the place they recommend when closed. Which is why I gave them 4 stars. I highly recommend this vet. They’re outstanding.
Please uptown animal hospital find a different place for when you’re closed. I’ve heard so many things now about it and how terrible they are —
Thank you

My animals and I have seen five separate vets in three different cities, and this place is by far and hands down the best. We’ve seen almost all the doctors there in the last four years, and each is equally attentive and caring toward our pets. Everyone who works there is very friendly, professional, and helpful. They weekend hours, too. The waiting area is large and easy to maneuver, and they have all the nice little things, too, like books to look at while waiting, drinking fountains, a clean bathroom, candy on the counter, and sometimes even a little gift for the kiddo in tow, too. It also doesn’t smell like an animal hospital!

Great staff and very friendly. My dog Asia was very scared and we didn’t really know what else we needed. They educated us on what else we need to be updated on and took care of business. Plus we where a little late but they where still very accommodating. Awesome!

So after an awful experience at the emergency vet, I realized how much I appreciate Dr Dickes at Uptown Animal & realized I’ve never written a review for him. I’ve been going to him for at least ten years with all my pets. He’s always displayed compassion and reason with my pet’s health. He explains things clearly and in layman’s terms. When we were miffed by an infection of a cat I was caring for my sick mom, he really worked with me in getting the wound to heal. He didn’t pretend to know why the infection was so persistent and he still seemed interested in learning from his patient cases. He’s also never tried to take advantage of the love I have for my animals. I’ve never felt pushed to make the tough decision to euthanize but he’s always rational and reasonable with prognosis.
I would have given 5 stars but my last few visits the desk staff seems a bit overwhelmed in the afternoon & eve– failing to follow thru with phone calls about cost (so I have payment ready) and once to let me know my dog was ready to go home after a procedure. That may just be a need for adjusting staff at certain times.
My only complaint is that they recommend Blue Pearl as an emergency facility. Blue Pearl is down right awful.

I have been coming to Uptown Animal Hospital for 3 years, since my French Bulldog was a puppy. The vets have always been extremely nice and helpful, and we have had a lot of problems! We see Dr. Whistler and Dr. Tyler. They are always extremely kind and patient with me, sweet with my dog, and I get the feeling they genuinely care. The office staff is friendly enough, but not over the top like many vet office staff I’ve seen before. They’ve helped my dog through some extremely unpleasant and painful problems, and I am very happy to have them in my neighborhood!

A few months ago we had to put our Big Guy to sleep. Uptown staff was amazing and helped us through the process. I want to thank everyone at Uptown for all your support and services you provided us over the years.
Dr. Tyler is an amazing vet that provided us with the best medical care for our Big Guy. She is super professional and never gives up.
I recommend Uptown you will not be disappointed! The doctors and staff really do care and are the best. The prices are affordable compared to other vets in the area. This place is super clean!
Thanks again Uptown, we will be back soon!

My pup and I liked our visit with Dr. Dickes this morning. The front staff seemed a little overwhelmed and frazzled. But once we got into the exam room the care was great. Dr. answered all of my questions and was very thorough in his exam.

We’ve gone to Uptown for years, but some recent experiences have made me question the quality of care and the knowledge of the vets. In addition, they are too quick to give a course of general antibiotics despite all the concerns about antibiotic overuse.

I’m not much given to superlatives but I can’t find anything to take off a star for. The staff, both vets and assistants and desk people, clearly care for animals; several of them have been there for 10 years or more. The vets are observant; and have been very careful about balancing dosages for one of my cats who has a chronic illness.
I have three cats and a Dog; been going here for 2 – 3 years now and wouldn’t think of going anywhere else.

Love these guys! I’ve been bringing my now 3 year old Vizsla to Dr. Lindsay Miller since he was a pup. Everyone is so friendly yet professional. I’ve never felt like I’m being pushed to do something I’m not comfortable with and they are quite open with information. Very trusting and talented (and clean and responsible, etc) establishment that I recommend to any dog owner!

First, I must warn all of you, this is not a warm, happy tale.
The details I list below are to highlight how pleased we were, in light of a difficult situation.
We took our aging cat, Kissa to Uptown about 2 months ago. We were noticing some possible arthritis symptoms in her back and hips, plus her weight was steadily decreasing. We were feeling that her previous vet was overlooking these issues and headed here, to Unilocal,for some guidance. Proximity and great reviews led us to choose UAH.
Dr. Lilja saw Kissa and put her through a very gentle exam, assessing her pain. She encouraged x-​rays to rule out any other issues. We agreed and she walked us through the x-​rays, noting no major issues, just arthritis. Next, she addressed the weight issue. She discussed the likelihood of kidney failure/​kidney disease and wanted to run blood work and took a urine sample. Kissa was, as suspected, in the early-​ish stages of kidney failure.
Dr. Lilja prescribed steroids to help her deal with the arthritis and educated us further on how to ‘treat’ a more-​or-​less untreatable condition. She provided us a lengthy article and advised us to bring Kissa back in, should any issues worsen. Dr. Lilja and staff were incredibly gentle and accommodating. We were very happy to have a few answers and happy to get our aging kitty back to a comfortable state.
A few weeks passed. Kissa responded well to the steroids and was noticeably more comfortable. She was ever-​thirsty (synonymous with kidney disease) and we accommodated. She ate as much as usual and was her normal, albeit, cranky-​old self.
She took a turn this past Sunday. She wasn’t eating or drinking. She was so lethargic that she couldn’t stand. She had two accidents by the litter box, and in hindsight, at least she tried to get there. We were beside ourselves. Kissa was limp and barely responsive. It was late, so we comforted and cuddled our Kissa through a very sleepless night.
(In case you’re wondering about emergency vets, we had a previous experience with one, and cannot tell you how offended we were by the statement of «we require a $ 600 exam fee, up front, for any emergency» by the man answering the phone. Never again.)
Monday morning, I called UAH incessantly until somebody answered before opening at 8:00 a.m. They let us come in right away and we saw Dr. Kathryn Tyler. Dr. Tyler assessed Kissa’s condition and offered two options: IV therapy or euthanasia. If you’ve been in this situation, you know the latter is about the worst thing you can ever hear. Dr. Tyler was very comforting and offered the pros and cons of IV therapy. She recalled her own personal experience and, when we asked, said that if Kissa was her cat, that she wouldn’t want her to suffer. Kissa was suffering. IV therapy would only prolong the inevitable, and the thought of us sticking a needle in our old kitty, day in and day out, was more pain that we didn’t want to inflict. There’s no crystal ball, but it wasn’t likely a long, comfortable future for Kissa.
We were allowed plenty of time to make our decision and plenty of time to spend with our Kissa. We opted for euthanasia, which was the most difficult choice we’ve ever had to make. After all was said and done, they let us sit with our girl for as long as we needed. Tissues and hugs were plentiful.
Dr. Tyler, Cindy (vet. tech, I believe) and Bobbie (reception) were incredibly compassionate. Bobbie gave us one of the best darn hugs ever! I cannot speak highly enough for the way the staff at Uptown Animal Hospital treated Kissa and her sobbing pet-​parents.
Thank you, Dr. Tyler and Uptown Animal Hospital. You made one of our worst days a little bit better. You are a top-​notch facility, with a caring and dedicated staff. We have two kittens and they will continue to go to Uptown, hopefully under slightly better circumstances.

Choosing a vet is a very serious and personal process, its hard to know who to trust or if you’re being over charged, etc. I have not had pets for very long compared to most so I do not have tons of experience with emergency visits or big vet bills, etc. When I got my first cat we originally started at another vet in Rogers Park that I now see, in comparison to Uptown Animal Hospital, was a total joke in terms of the quality of care from staff and doctors, as well as attention, follow through and even the appearance of the actual offices and building.
Dr. Dickes is our vet at Uptown for both our cats and I have to say he is the most amazing, kind and genuinely caring doctor I have ever met. We recently had some serious drama with our kitten and Dr. Dickes was so wonderful. We found a medication that works for her and Dr. Dickes is so caring and so hands on that he would call us to check on our kitten. He also always returns calls. There were a few weeks there where I was calling a lot to speak with him but he would always return the call if he couldn’t take it right away, no matter how busy he was, and spent a long time (if necessary) with me on the phone. He never rushes you, answers all your questions and I can tell genuinely, honest to god cares. I wouldn’t doubt that he worries at home about his «problem» patients. Dr. Dickes is a wonderful, wonderful man and doctor. I am so grateful and thankful he cares for our pets and is an asset to the Andersonville community and all the pets in the neighborhood.
The staff is also wonderful. The vet techs are super nice and always sing our cats praises telling us how cute and sweet they are. They loved our kitten and told us how they played with her and kept her company after she was spayed and had to stay the night. It’s really incredible to know your animals are being loved when they have to stay for a procedure.
The front desk is always kind, never ever rude, no attitude. They began to recognize me when I had to call many times in a few week time frame. I appreciate a staff member who remembers the name of my animal without even looking it up when they hear the last name. That is real, individual care.
I wish the office had slightly later hours into the evening or weekends, better yet I wish they were a 24 hour emergency vet too but I suppose I cannot have it all. What really counts here is the quality of care and love you feel from the doctors and staff. We are forever grateful for the love and attention Dr. Dickes and his staff have provided to our cats.

My cats and dog have had nothing but outstanding service and care here. Over the years (9), we have seen Drs. Tyler, Dickes, Miller, and Beau for a variety of cat/​dog issues, and have received excellent care from each one. Dr. Beau is currently treating my dog for chronic itchiness. I appreciate her professionalism, honesty, and standard of care. She takes the time to explain and answer all my questions. She is willing to collaborate with our allergist at another facility all in the interest of making my dog more comfortable.
Other pluses:
–The front desk is usually busy but attentive to new arrivals a majority of the time;
— They return calls very promptly and are willing to do some research if necessary to answer my questions;
— They understand how to handle my leash reactive dog around other dogs
— Their prices are very reasonable, including their meds. And they allow me to fill the dermatologist’s prescriptions with them (UAH is about 30% cheaper!!)
— I can usually get an appointment within 2 – 3 days
Professional, friendly, excellent care.

Uptown animal hospital has always given my dogs and cats exemplary care. The staff is friendly and goofy with my pooches. The doctors are experienced and give good advice. Scheduling is sometimes a hassle though, but I always find a way to make it work.
When I have an emergency, I usually end up at a 24 hour vet… so I can not comment on their treatment of those situations. …
I can say they gave me the facts and helped me make difficult choices about one of my very sick kitties. They also give excellent care and love to my huge, energetic, (ha) lovable pups.
I am very pleased with uptown and would easily recommend them.
Also the facility is very clean.

I’ve taken my Chihuahuas to see a few different vets here and I had a great experience with all three of them. Dr. Dickes and Dr. Miller, and I can’t remember the name of the third. Dr. Dickes has small dogs, so he really knows how to handle them and their anxiety needs. For example, he holds them in his arms during the exam instead of sitting them shaking on the table.
The best part about Uptown is that they don’t suggest unnecessary tests. I used to take my dogs to Blum and although they are great vets, they always recommended very expensive tests that were really just a precaution. I totally trust Uptown to tell me if a test is necessary.