Business Details
41 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Veterinary Care & Pet Services in Wheeling & Chicago, IL
Higgins Animal Clinic has dedicated itself to providing exceptional veterinary care for pets in the Chicago and Wheeling, IL communities. Founded in 1985, our practice combines decades of clinical expertise with state-of-the-art technology to ensure pets receive comprehensive care from early life stages through senior years. Our team of licensed veterinarians specializes in preventive wellness, vaccinations, diagnostics, surgical procedures, and emergency services while maintaining a commitment to compassionate, individualized attention. With two locations operating seven days a week, we offer flexibility for pet owners seeking routine checkups or urgent medical intervention.Our facilities feature advanced diagnostic equipment and modern surgical suites maintained to the highest hygiene standards, ensuring optimal outcomes for every patient. As members of the American Veterinary Medical Association, we uphold rigorous professional ethics while prioritizing client education about pet nutrition, chronic disease management, and behavioral development. Our emergency service team remains available after hours to provide critical care when needed most.
Services
Animal Wellness
Senior Pet Care
Cat Vaccination
Dog Vaccinations
Pet Grooming
Pet Laboratory
Spay and Neuter
Nutrition Guidance
Boarding Services
Emergency Care
Details
- Year established: 1985
Highlights and features
- We provide 24/7 emergency veterinary services with immediate critical care availability
- Our team includes specialists in exotic species care alongside traditional companion animals
- We maintain AAHA-accredited facilities with digital radiography and in-house diagnostics
- Our hospitals offer full-service pet grooming with breed-specific styling options
- We implement customized pain management protocols for senior pets with arthritis
What people say
Exceptional emergency care
Knowledgeable staff
Clean facilities
Thorough examinations
Gentle animal handling
Services
Animal Wellness
Our comprehensive wellness examinations ensure early detection of potential health issues through thorough physical evaluations, weight monitoring, and vaccination protocols. Each appointment includes parasite screening, dental assessment, and personalized nutrition counseling tailored to your pet's specific needs. Our preventive care plans extend from puppy/kitten vaccinations through senior life stage support with specialized diagnostics for age-related conditions.
Spay and Neuter
This critical procedure prevents unwanted litters while providing significant health benefits through surgical sterilization. Our protocols include pre-anesthetic bloodwork, intraoperative monitoring, and post-operative pain management. Both spay (female) and neuter (male) surgeries reduce risks of reproductive cancers and behavioral issues while maintaining strict infection control standards across all surgical procedures.
Pet Grooming
Our full-service grooming includes bathing with hypoallergenic shampoos, breed-specific haircuts, nail trimming, and ear cleaning in a stress-reduced environment. Additional services feature teeth brushing, anal gland expression, and premium coat conditioning treatments. Groomers collaborate with veterinary staff to identify skin conditions, parasites, or abnormalities during each session while prioritizing pet comfort using fear-free handling techniques.
Pet Laboratory
On-site diagnostic capabilities enable rapid blood chemistry analysis, urinalysis, and fecal parasite identification within 30 minutes. This immediate access allows same-day treatment adjustments for conditions like diabetes or kidney disease while comprehensive panels support pre-surgical screening and senior wellness assessments. Our technicians maintain CLIA-certified standards for laboratory accuracy and quality control.
Nutrition Guidance
Customized nutritional plans address specific requirements for different life stages, weight management, and medical conditions. Our AAFCO-compliant feeding recommendations consider activity levels, breed-specific needs, and food allergies while incorporating weight monitoring programs. We provide evidence-based guidance on commercial diets, homemade meal plans, and therapeutic nutrition for managing conditions like renal disease or food sensitivities.
People
Dr. Roberts
Veterinarian
Dr. Roberts brings over two decades of small animal practice experience to Wheeling Animal Hospital. A graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, he specializes in canine and feline geriatric care while maintaining certification in exotic pet medicine.
Questions
What are your emergency service hours?
Our Wheeling location provides 24/7 emergency veterinary care with immediate critical support available at all times.
Do you treat exotic pets?
Dr. Roberts offers specialized care for exotic species including birds, reptiles, and small mammals at Wheeling Animal Hospital.
What vaccination records are required?
We maintain complete immunization records through our Pet Portal system, accessible to clients 24/7 for proof of vaccinations.
Do you offer pet grooming services?
Full-service grooming with breed-specific styling is available at both locations by appointment with specialized anxiety-reduction techniques.
How can I access my pet's medical records?
Secure online access to complete medical history, diagnostic results, and treatment plans is provided through our Pet Portal system.
Reviews (7)
Nick G.
Aug 07, 2021
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Clara is the only dog I have ever seen so excited to come visit the vet and the staff. She and I both enjoy visiting and look forward to a long partnership with you all!
Licks and snuffles,
Clara London & her dad
Licks and snuffles,
Clara London & her dad
Abdallah K.
Jul 05, 2021
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It was my first visit as a new dog dad. Professional staff from the time I called the office til the time I left. Staff made me feel welcome (thank you Robyn and Joshua).
Loved my first encounter with Dr. Damiana (so did Rumi, my pup).
Laura responded to my email inquiry professionally and promptly. I feel that my pup is in good hands.
Loved my first encounter with Dr. Damiana (so did Rumi, my pup).
Laura responded to my email inquiry professionally and promptly. I feel that my pup is in good hands.
Devorah S.
Jun 29, 2021
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Dr. Damiana is wonderful. My dog has been having G.I. issues for the last 4+ years, and the vet I was previously seeing, never suggested doing a G.I. panel. Dr. Damiana suggested we do this at our first apt., and the results revealed a B12 deficiency. Since we began supplementing with B 12, my dog has been doing significantly better. I will also mention that the receptionists and staff are all fantastic! They are kind, helpful, warm, and friendly, and they often follow up with phone calls.
Alexandra M.
Jun 08, 2021
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Everyone at Higgins has been great, especially as my dog is not exactly the friendliest with strangers. While vet visits aren't stress-free because of my dog's nerves, they are as easy as they can be, from the minute we arrive. Everyone is super friendly and helpful.
Jack P.
Apr 21, 2021
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I don't know why this place doesn't have five stars but they are seriously awesome. I've been taking my dog Wilson here for years and they are the absolute best. Even though its a little out of the way for me, I'll still come here because the staff is so friendly and they seem really knowledgeable. Arial (sorry if I spelled it wrong) is the sweetest and always finds a spot for me even at the last minute. If you're looking for a trustworthy vet, this is your place.
Bob S.
Apr 09, 2021
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All I can say is stay away from this place unless you can get some kind of guarantee that Dr. Roberts and/or vet assistant Melissa will be exclusively handling your veterinary needs. I have nothing but good things to say about these two. It was because of them that we recommended this clinic to friends and neighbors in the past. About a month ago, we had to take our pup to Premier ER where it was determined that she possibly had IVDD. This preliminary diagnosis came with a recommendation of strict limitations to her movements (basically crate confinement) for six weeks along with a myriad of medications
Stephanie G.
Jan 15, 2021
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Dr. Mistar at Higgins is an excellent, caring vet! I switched to Higgins after my dog Legend started having liver issues and I wanted a second opinion. Dr. Mistar went above and beyond from the start. She has done research on different meds and issues that we were experiencing and even calls after hours to check in on my dog to see how she is doing. I would highly recommend her!
