Bristow-Gainesville Emergency Veterinary Facility
Our Bristow, VA household has had up to six cats at a time. Right now, we have four indoor cat and one outdoor cat. Try as we might, the outdoor cat refuses to embrace indoor living. He's a rough and tumble dude and gets into his share of scuffles with other outdoor and feral cats. It never fails that his biggest battles seem to find him injured after close of business at our regular vet. And having had a horrible experience with a Manassas emergency veterinary hospital, it's been our practice that unless someone has trauma causing 
excessive bleeding or trouble breathing, we pack the injured or ill cat into the car and drive forty-five minutes to The Life Centre in Leesburg. TLC is a fantastic facility and I have never questioned their care of our animals. However, I was beyond thrilled to hear about Artemis Veterinary Emergency & Specialty Services that set up shop near my Bristow home.
Thankfully I had read up on, and knew the location of, this veterinary hospital in Gainesville a few weeks ago. So when I walked onto my front porch last night, after a rain storm and saw my soaking wet Gray Kitty seemingly bleeding from both eyes and having trouble walking, I knew exactly where to go--Artemis.
I called ahead and described the wounds I could see. When I arrived at Artemis twenty minutes later (it's only a ten minute drive from my home in Braemar, but I have to pack the cat up and get myself together,) a triage nurse greeted me at the door and took a look at Gray Kitty's face. We were taken to a room immediately and signed in there. Artemis is an all digital facility, so it was as easy as one of the staff coming and interviewing me and entering my answers in their tablet.
Gray Kitty's face may have been horrifying to see, but the bleeding around his eyes were surface scratches to his skin. Kind of reminded of professional wrestlers cutting themselves on the forehead and letting the blood ooze down their face. It looks a lot worse than it is and makes your stomach turn to even see.
They took my guy to an exam room and a doctor was in talk with me within ten minutes. He had two puncture wounds from having been bit. He was walking funny because of where they were. It was going to be the same old drill of warm compresses, antibiotics and pain meds. We know the drill.
After receiving exceptional care, I was offered a tour by one of the techs. What a great place! They have surgery suites, x-ray, ultrasound, and all kinds of diagnostic equipment. They have quiet areas for pets that need it. And most impressive is what they called "the bubble." It's where the doctor and nurses sit and see gigantic monitors of any patients vitals. They can pop out of the bubble and attend to any of their patients in distress.
The decor of the facility is very calming too, and that was done on purpose. The tile is a fuzzy looking pattern, reminiscent of carpet. There's plenty of built-in seating and two waiting areas so cats can be in one and dogs in another, which is how every vet hospital should be in my opinion. There are bright colors all around, a sleek modern design that has warm touches and even a fresh water fish tank.
If you are a Bristow-Gainesville pet owner, get to know Artemis and where they are located before you need them. You will be glad you did. They are at 7951 Gainsford Court #115 in Bristow, very close to the intersection of Wellington Road and Devlin/Balls Ford. Their emergency line is 703-722-9159. Always a great idea to call ahead when you are bringing in an emergency so they can be prepared.
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