Business Details
27 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Veterinary Care in Baltimore, MD
DocSide Veterinary Medical Center has been providing quality pet care in Baltimore, Maryland since 1999. Located in the historic Fells Point district, we are downtown Baltimore's premier animal hospital dedicated to delivering advanced medical care for dogs, cats, and exotic animals. Our experienced team, led by founding veterinarians Dr. Deborah Tierney and Dr. Irvin Herling, combines decades of expertise with compassionate service. We specialize in preventive medicine, pet vaccinations, spay and neuter surgery, dental care, orthopedic procedures, and advanced diagnostics including ultrasound and endoscopy. Our Fear Free certified staff implements gentle control techniques and positive conditioning to reduce pet anxiety during visits.With extended weekday hours from 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM and Saturday availability until 1:30 PM, we accommodate busy pet owners' schedules. Our state-of-the-art facility features digital radiography, in-house laboratory testing, and laparoscopic surgery capabilities. We maintain a strong focus on client education and personalized treatment plans tailored to each pet's unique needs. Our commitment to excellence has earned us long-term relationships with Baltimore pet owners, many of whom have trusted us with multiple generations of their animal companions.
Services
Behavior Counseling
Dental Care
Diagnostics
Emergency Care
End of Life Care
Internal Medicine
Microchipping
Nutrition Counseling
Surgery
Wellness Care
Details
- Year established: 1999
Highlights and features
- Veterinarians with combined 80+ years of experience serving Baltimore pets
- Fear Free certified staff implementing anxiety-reducing techniques
- 24/7 emergency care access through on-call veterinarian
- State-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and laparoscopic surgery capabilities
- Comprehensive in-house pharmacy for immediate medication access
Associations and certifications
- Fear Free Certified
What people say
Extremely kind and helpful
Gentle with my two cats
Immediately got me in
Thorough check up
Best care possible
Services
Dental Care
Our comprehensive dental services prevent oral disease and systemic infections in pets. We provide ultrasonic scaling, hand-scaling, fluoride treatments, and digital radiographs to maintain oral health. Annual dental exams help identify issues before they become serious health risks. Our team performs tooth extractions and oral surgeries under general anesthesia for patient comfort.
Emergency Care
We offer immediate veterinary attention for critical pet conditions during operating hours. Our staff handles trauma cases, poisoning incidents, and acute medical emergencies. After-hours emergencies are directed to affiliated emergency clinics. On-call veterinarian available until 11 PM nightly for urgent situations requiring immediate intervention.
Internal Medicine
Our veterinarians diagnose and treat complex internal conditions including kidney disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders. Advanced diagnostics like blood testing and imaging support personalized treatment plans. We manage chronic illnesses through medication, dietary adjustments, and ongoing monitoring to improve quality of life for affected pets.
Surgery
We perform soft-tissue and orthopedic procedures using state-of-the-art equipment. Services include spays/neuters, tumor removals, fracture repairs, and laparoscopic surgeries. Pre-surgical bloodwork and advanced monitoring ensure patient safety. Post-operative pain management protocols promote comfortable recovery for all surgical patients.
Wellness Care
Our wellness programs emphasize disease prevention through regular examinations and vaccinations. We provide parasite screening, heartworm testing, and tailored nutrition counseling. Puppy/kitten care establishes healthy foundations while senior pet monitoring addresses age-related changes. Preventive care helps detect issues early when treatment is most effective.
People
Dr. Deborah Tierney
Medical Director
Dr. Tierney has practiced veterinary medicine in Baltimore for over 30 years. A graduate of Purdue University's veterinary program, she brings extensive experience in companion animal care. Her dedication to excellence has earned recognition through multiple local and national veterinary awards.
Dr. Irvin Herling
Associate Veterinarian
With 50+ years in veterinary medicine, Dr. Herling specializes in minimally invasive surgery and imaging. He previously directed Maryland's Veterinary Technician program and served on the Board of Animal Control. His expertise spans companion animal medicine and surgical specialties.
Dr. Patrick Coughlin
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Coughlin brings diverse experience from small animal and exotic animal practices. After graduating from Kansas State University, he worked in Phoenix and Seattle before returning to his Baltimore roots. His interests include wildlife photography and zoo animal care.
Dr. Emma Vaughan
Associate Veterinarian
Dr. Vaughan specializes in feline medicine and client communication. A graduate of North Carolina State University's veterinary program, she focuses on building strong human-animal bonds. She enjoys working with cat owners to address behavioral and medical concerns in feline patients.
Questions
What veterinary services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive care including preventive medicine, dental services, surgery, internal medicine, emergency care, and end-of-life services. Our diagnostics include digital radiography, ultrasound, and in-house lab testing.
Are you open after regular business hours?
Our regular hours are Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-7:30 PM and Saturday 7:30 AM-1:30 PM. An on-call veterinarian is available until 11 PM nightly for emergencies.
Do you treat exotic animals?
Yes, our experienced team provides care for exotic pets in addition to dogs and cats. We have specialized knowledge in treating various non-traditional pet species.
How do you handle pet anxiety during visits?
As Fear Free™ certified professionals, we use gentle handling techniques, positive reinforcement, and environmental modifications to reduce stress during veterinary visits for anxious pets.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept major credit cards, debit cards, and online payments through our secure portal. Payment is required at the time of service.
Can I order pet medications online?
Yes, our online pharmacy provides convenient access to prescription medications and preventive care products with home delivery options available.
Reviews (2)
Taylor D.
Sep 11, 2024
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I've been taking my cat here for years and have always had the best experiences. The vets and vet techs are immensely knowledgeable and caring, SO communicative, and clearly put their all into treating their little patients with the attention they deserve; and the front desk administrators are equally wonderful and diligent. My cat has recently needed two separate procedures and I received so many updates which put me at ease.
They more than adequately answer every question and are always patient and thoughtful. If i call and they aren't available immediately, I always receive a response that day. The love they have for what they do is so evident. Dr. Tierney worked her butt off today to remove three more teeth than expected due to dental resorption. Huge shout outs to her, Kevin, Dr. Pat and Ellory for keeping my furry son safe and helping him regain his health, and for having the most delightful bedside manner.
And they have healthcare credit companies they recommend if you're unable to immediately pay out of pocket or pet insurance won't cover a procedure. I'd travel hours if I needed to, to keep my cat in their care. thank you all so much for your hard work and kind hearts.
They more than adequately answer every question and are always patient and thoughtful. If i call and they aren't available immediately, I always receive a response that day. The love they have for what they do is so evident. Dr. Tierney worked her butt off today to remove three more teeth than expected due to dental resorption. Huge shout outs to her, Kevin, Dr. Pat and Ellory for keeping my furry son safe and helping him regain his health, and for having the most delightful bedside manner.
And they have healthcare credit companies they recommend if you're unable to immediately pay out of pocket or pet insurance won't cover a procedure. I'd travel hours if I needed to, to keep my cat in their care. thank you all so much for your hard work and kind hearts.
Nichole B.
May 03, 2022
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My dog seized after falling off the couch and wouldn't stop. Luckily I got her over to doc side, who patched her up in no time! They also got her weight under control by prescribing better food, and have always been pleasant to see.
. I will say there is a female vet who covered for our usual vet that was hard to be around. I had to hold back tears as she listed off the numerous ailments that my 13 year old dog has.
She was very cold, and prescribed allergy meds for itching while my dog had a sneeze. Upon going back to our usual vet, my dog got onto appropriate allergy meds and is now just fine.
. While the substitute vet was a very negative experience, the friendly staff and our awesome usual vet earns this place an easy 5 stars
. I will say there is a female vet who covered for our usual vet that was hard to be around. I had to hold back tears as she listed off the numerous ailments that my 13 year old dog has.
She was very cold, and prescribed allergy meds for itching while my dog had a sneeze. Upon going back to our usual vet, my dog got onto appropriate allergy meds and is now just fine.
. While the substitute vet was a very negative experience, the friendly staff and our awesome usual vet earns this place an easy 5 stars
