Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services

03/24/2025

Apollo’s Final Radiation Treatment! 🎉

Apollo has officially completed his 6th and final radiation treatment! He’s been under the care of Dr. Ware and Dr. Koterbay, who have been working together to treat his multiple low-grade Mast Cell Tumors. Apollo was all smiles at his last appointment, soaking up lots of love from our team and earning plenty of well-deserved treats!

At Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services, we offer comprehensive oncology care led by our board-certified oncologists, Dr. Kevin Ware, DVM, ACVR-RO, and Dr. Amy Koterbay, BVMS, MS, DACVIM. With years of experience, they specialize in developing personalized treatment strategies tailored to each cancer patient’s needs. These strategies may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments.

To create the best possible plan, our oncologists collaborate with surgeons, primary care veterinarians, and our in-house clinical pathologist to accurately diagnose the tumor type and develop a safe, effective therapeutic approach. If chemotherapy or radiation therapy is recommended, our oncologists will administer treatment and carefully monitor your pet’s progress throughout the process.

We’re so proud of Apollo and grateful to his family for trusting us with his care. Congratulations, Apollo!

03/21/2025

The Massachusetts Veterinary Technician Association recently hosted a continuing education (CE) event for veterinary technicians in Cape Cod, covering essential topics such as Assessing and Addressing Pain, The Basics of Shock, and Treating Pediatric Patients.

Our Practice Manager, Kira Valentine, MSW, MNPA, LCSW (RI), CVT, attended the CE to connect with local veterinary technicians and share information about our expanded services at Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services.

We are grateful for opportunities like this to learn, grow, and strengthen our relationships within the veterinary community! 💙

03/19/2025

Our sister hospital Ocean State Veterinary Specialists is partnering with the Rhode Island Blood Center for a mobile blood drive on Friday, March 21st, from 11 AM - 5 PM! Let’s give back to our community while celebrating our incredible animal blood bank donors. 💉

👉 Sign up to donate human blood: https://donate.ribc.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/78947

We’re proud to have 50 amazing dogs and cats in our blood bank rotation, donating blood each year to help save lives. These unsung heroes support patients facing critical conditions like:
🩸 Trauma with severe blood loss
🩸 Internal bleeding from a ruptured spleen or liver
🩸 Blood loss due to cancer or immune-mediated diseases
🩸 Bleeding disorders, liver failure, hemophilias, and more

Learn more about our OSVS & BSVESS Blood Bank and how you can help: osvs.net/blood-bank/

Let’s honor our furry heroes by giving the gift of life to humans, too! 🩸🐶🐱

03/14/2025

🐾🎉 It's PAW-TY Time! 🎉🐾

We are celebrating Duke’s graduation from chemotherapy with Dr. Koterbay! Duke has been bravely battling lymphoma and has officially completed the CHOP protocol! Pictured here is Duke with our amazing medical oncology team—Dr. Koterbay, Chelsea, Ashley, and Jada—who work tirelessly to ensure every pet receives the best possible medical care.

Our medical oncologist, Dr. Amy Koterbay, BVMS, MS, DACVIM, is board-certified with years of experience. The primary role of veterinary oncologists like Dr. Koterbay is to develop tailored treatment strategies for each cancer patient, which may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments. To create these personalized plans, our oncology team collaborates closely with our surgeons, your primary care veterinarian, and our in-house clinical pathologist to determine the type of tumor present and develop the safest, most effective therapeutic plan for your pet.

Congratulations to Duke on completing his treatment, and a huge shoutout to our oncology team for their dedication and compassion. We are so proud of you, Duke! 💙🐾

03/12/2025

We’re growing and searching for a Learning and Development Manager specializing in emergency & specialty veterinary medicine! Come join our team! 🚀🐾

If you're interested in learning more about this position, check out our open positions at: bsvess.com/careers/

03/10/2025

Did you know we offer comprehensive oncology services at Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services?

Our oncologists, Dr. Kevin Ware, DVM, ACVR-RO, and Dr. Amy Koterbay, BVMS, MS, DACVIM, are both board-certified with years of experience. The primary role of veterinary oncologists is to develop tailored strategies for each cancer patient, which may include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination of these treatments.

To create these strategies, our oncologists work closely with our surgeons, your primary care veterinarian, and our in-house clinical pathologist to determine the type of tumor present and develop the safest, most effective therapeutic plan for your pet. If chemotherapy or radiation therapy is recommended, the oncologist will administer treatment and closely monitor your pet's progress throughout therapy.

Our team is here every step of the way!

03/06/2025

Meet Christina! 🎉

After retiring from the military, Christina decided to pursue her passion for veterinary medicine—starting with her love for goats! She breeds goats and wanted to expand her knowledge, leading her to enroll in New England Institute of Technology Veterinary Technology program.

During her 9-week practicum at BSVESS, she completed over 120 hours of hands-on training and fell in love with emergency medicine. Now, we’re thrilled to announce that Christina will be joining our team full-time in April!

Welcome to the BSVESS family, Christina—we’re so excited to have you! 💙🐾

03/05/2025

It takes a village.

Cricket is not the first pet we’ve cared for under such heartbreaking circumstances—unfortunately, we see cases like this all too often. But in these moments, we are reminded of the incredible strength of our community. The way we come together to save lives like Cricket’s gives us hope.

No animal should ever have to endure this kind of suffering. If you or someone you know is struggling to care for a pet, please reach out to local rescues. Never leave them outside, unattended, and alone—every pet deserves love, safety, and a second chance.

We are grateful to work closely with Animal Control Officers, local rescues, and the veterinary community to give these animals the care they need. Cricket is severely emaciated, unable to support weight in her forelimbs, and weak in her hind limbs. She requires oral and subcutaneous medications, a strict refeeding plan, round-the-clock monitoring, and, most importantly, patience and love.

Our team has nursed too many pets back to health from similar situations—it breaks our hearts every time. But we fight for them. We feel their pain, and we do everything in our power to help them heal, regain their strength, and with the help of our community eventually find loving forever homes. This recovery process doesn’t happen overnight—it can take months, even years, for these animals to feel safe again, to trust again.

For Cricket, and for all the animals like her, let’s promise to do better.

03/04/2025

Listen to Dr. Justine Johnson, DVM, DACVECC, on the CEOs You Should Know podcast as she connects with iHeartMedia Inc. to discuss Bay State Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Services and Ocean State Veterinary Specialists’ mission of providing exceptional emergency and specialty care for the pets of Southern New England.

We are proud to have such dedicated leadership guiding our team in delivering the best possible care!

newsradiori.iheart.com/content/2025-03-04-ceos-you-should-know-dr-justine-johnson-ocean-state-vet-specialists/

Don't miss out on the latest from News Radio 920 AM & 104.7 FM, Providence's News, Traffic & Weather

02/26/2025

How adorable is Teddy? 🥰

Teddy is currently receiving treatment for Large Granular Lymphocyte (LGL) Lymphoma with our Medical Oncology team, under the care of Dr. Koterbay. Here, he’s enjoying some love and snuggles from Technician Assistant Adriana before his chemotherapy treatment.

When you entrust us with your pet’s care, you can rest assured they are in the best hands. Our team is dedicated to making every patient feel safe, comfortable, and loved during their time with us.

We’re so lucky to care for wonderful patients like Teddy!

02/24/2025

Our Practice Manager, Kira Valentine, attended the Community Resource Fair hosted by Youth Development Services and Communities for People where she connected with local youth and families. We’re proud to support our community and provide valuable resources to those in need!

Kira is a Certified Veterinary Technician with a B.S. in Neuroscience and Psychobiology from Drew University, a Master’s in Non-Profit Administration from Louisiana State University, and a second Master’s in Social Work from Rhode Island College. Kira understands the importance of supporting and mentoring young adults, who will become the future leaders, veterinarians, and technicians of our community. Her diverse background in veterinary medicine, nonprofit administration, and social work enables her to bridge the gap between animal care and community outreach, ensuring that youth and families have access to meaningful opportunities and resources.

We are grateful for Kira’s dedication and passion for both veterinary medicine and community service, and we look forward to continuing to support and inspire the next generation!

02/21/2025

The colder temperatures and winter precipitation can pose serious risks to our pets. ❄

Recently, we've seen an increase in orthopedic and soft tissue injuries due to the freezing conditions in New England. As temperatures drop, please stay aware of your surroundings and take extra precautions to keep your pets safe.

If your pet experiences an emergency, contact us immediately at 508-379-1233. Our emergency team is here 24/7 to provide expert care for your loved ones.

02/20/2025

This is us Thursday! 🐾

Meet Peyton Patota, our overnight Technician Assistant extraordinaire! Peyton has been part of our team since May 2023 and has worked exclusively on the overnight crew. As a true "jack of all trades," she ensures that patients receive top-notch care and keeps the hospital running smoothly during after-hours emergencies. With a Bachelor's in Animal Science from SUNY Cobleskill, Peyton brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role.

From assisting with lab work, patient restraint, and reception duties to serving as a client liaison, Peyton wears many hats. She prioritizes tasks like stocking, organizing, and ensuring all paperwork and patient needs are in order so nothing gets left behind. Whether it's helping with inpatients, preparing for surgery, or supporting the team during tough moments like euthanasia, Peyton approaches every task with care and professionalism. She even trains newer technician assistants, helping to guide them in their careers. With a strong interest in lab work, exotics, and wildlife, Peyton hopes to pursue future studies in either lab sciences or wildlife sciences in the future. She’s always excited when rare breeds come through our doors, as it adds to her knowledge and fuels her curiosity about the field.

When she's not at the hospital, Peyton enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Bella a 17-year-old Puggle and Cooper a 12-year-old English Cocker Spaniel. She’s an avid birdwatcher, loves exploring local spots like Gooseberry, and enjoys reading and playing video games. With experience interning as a bird keeper and growing up on a hobby farm in Rehoboth, her passion for animals has always been a driving force in her life.

We're so lucky to have Peyton as part of our overnight team, where her dedication, skills, and love for animals shine every day!

02/18/2025

Meet Levon—Levi for short—a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel who is as sweet as can be! 🐾❤️

Levi was initially referred to our surgery department at BSVESS for a mass removal on his head. A CT scan revealed concerns about bony involvement beneath the mass, so Dr. Agulian performed a debulking procedure and sent the biopsy out for further analysis.

The biopsy results confirmed multilobular osteochondrosarcoma (grade 1), and Levi was referred to Dr. Ware to begin radiation oncology treatment. Levi is undergoing 16 treatments to address his condition and sees Dr. Ware and Courtney every day for his care.

Throughout it all, Levi has been the perfect patient, winning over our team with his endless kisses and sweet demeanor. We are so proud of how brave and loving Levi has been during his journey, and we’re cheering him on every step of the way!

02/14/2025

Love knows no bounds—and neither does our affection for your pets!

This Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing the love from all of us at Bay State Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Services! 💌

Show us how much you adore your furry (or feathered!) friends by posting pictures of your pets in the comments below. Let’s celebrate the joy, companionship, and unconditional love they bring to our lives every day!

Friendly reminder: We’re here for you today—and every day! 🐾❤️

If your furry friend gets into your Valentine’s Day chocolate (or any other mischief), our team is ready to help—we’ve got you covered!

02/11/2025

Thomas Tomato recently visited our emergency department after experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, and rapid weight loss. After a thorough examination and advanced diagnostics, he was diagnosed with Pericardial Effusion—an excess buildup of fluid in the sac around the heart—and Cardiomegaly, an enlargement of the heart.

To keep an eye on his condition, Thomas will need ongoing monitoring and a follow-up echocardiogram. In the meantime, he’s receiving medical treatment—and you’d never know anything was wrong! This snuggly boy is as happy as ever, soaking up all the love and attention. 💕

02/06/2025

At Bay State Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Services, we are committed to upholding and living by our core values every day. One of our key values is COMMUNICATION: We practice efficient, knowledgeable, and kind information passing between each other and towards clients.

As part of this commitment, we encourage our team to participate in community huddles—a space for learning, reflection, and growth. Our most recent huddle focused on self-awareness, helping our team strengthen their communication skills, enhance teamwork, and continue providing the best possible veterinary care. By fostering self-awareness, we empower each other to collaborate more effectively and support both our patients and clients with compassion and understanding.

We are so proud of our staff for their unwavering commitment to excellence! Their dedication, compassion, and teamwork ensure that every patient receives the highest level of care.

Thank you to our incredible team for going above and beyond every day! 💙🐾