Denver Veterinarian
Menu

Mountain Star Veterinary Specialists

Updated 2026-07-09 · 1,137 reviewed · 177 listed · Scored from 517 Google reviews · How we rank ›

5.0(517) 94 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
Specialty & Referral CareVeterinary DentistryGeneral Veterinary CareVeterinary SurgeryVeterinary Pharmacy
Mountain Star Veterinary Specialists
Services
Specialty & Referral Care, Veterinary Dentistry, General Veterinary Care
Reviews
517

What recent reviews say

Owners of dogs with eye and skin conditions drive hours to see Mountain Star, moved by the depth of care and genuine partnership. Dr. Conway, Dr. Chavkin, Dr. Hoppers, Dr. Bendlin, and Dr. Mazulis each earn trust through patience, expertise, and a willingness to spend real time explaining complicated diagnoses and options.

The clinic itself reflects that care: pristine rooms, modern equipment, and a front desk that coordinates arrival timing to keep anxious animals calm. Pricing is disclosed upfront, appointments are easy to reschedule via text, and follow-up emails summarize next steps so owners leave confident about their pet's path forward.

Praised for
  • compassionate, knowledgeable vets
  • stress-free handling and gentle approach
  • thorough exams and clear explanations
  • clean, modern facility
  • responsive scheduling and follow-up
compassionate-staffknowledgeable-vetgentle-handlingclean-facilityskilled-surgeonfollow-up-careresponsive-stafftransparent-pricingfriendly-front-desk
Best for: Owners of dogs with complicated eye or skin conditions, or those referred by their primary vet.
Think twice if: None evident from reviews.

Strengths

  • Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist on staff
  • Specialty referral expertise in complex eye and skin disease
  • Low-stress handling: owners stay in exam room, clinic manages lobby to reduce animal anxiety
  • Clear pricing and follow-up communication

Worth knowing

  • Board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist on staff
  • Named vets praised: Dr. Emily Conway (ophthalmology), Dr. Matt Chavkin (eye disease/empathy), Dr. Sarrah Hoppers (dermatology/complex cases), Dr. Bendlin (splinter removal without sedation), Dr. Mazulis
  • Practices low-stress handling: owners remain in exam room, staff check lobby before discharge to avoid anxious dogs
  • Pricing disclosed by phone before appointment
  • Follow-up emails summarize diagnosis and treatment plan
  • Scheduling texts notify of cancellations for earlier availability
  • Vet student involvement in exams under supervision

What reviews say by service

Specialty & Referral Care
Owners report complex diagnoses thoroughly explained and care plans that exceed primary vet capabilities.
Veterinary Surgery
Surgical skill and gentle technique praised, including successful splinter removal without sedation.

How it compares

  • Rated 5 against a 4.54 average across the 108 specialty & referral care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 74% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

How We Rank
Star rating 99
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 81
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
510
4
0
3
2
2
0
1
5

Common questions

Do I stay in the exam room during my dog's appointment?
Yes. Reviewers confirm owners remain in the room with their pet during exams.
Will I know the cost before I arrive?
Yes. The clinic discloses pricing by phone before the appointment so you can budget.
How can I reschedule if my appointment is cancelled?
The clinic sends text messages when cancellations open, letting you book an earlier slot.

Similar veterinarians nearby

UrgentVet
82

UrgentVet

4.6(288)✓ VerifiedPublishes prices

Most visits result in quick, caring treatment with staff who take time to explain what's happening. Dr. May, Dr. Hoppe, technician Lela, and others get consistent praise for patience with anxious animals and owners. Some reviewers mention follow-up calls and condolence cards after euthanasia. A small number experienced price shock (x-rays, medications quoted higher than upfront estimates, or significantly higher than expected), lack of written discharge papers, or feeling vets missed the real problem. Online check-in works smoothly, and evening hours help people working day shifts. Fear Free certification and experience with serious cases (pyometra, cancer, trauma) earn trust. Pricing remains a friction point: one reviewer paid $415 for a single-paw x-ray and felt steered toward unnecessary add-ons; another was charged $70 for a week of medication and $40 for five cans of prescribed food. A few reviews also note the waiting area is cramped and cold. The majority still rank the care and attention as worth the cost, especially for evening/weekend access.

Emergency & Urgent CareSpecialty & Referral CareGeneral Veterinary Care
Belleview Animal Clinic
77

Belleview Animal Clinic

4.5(197)✓ Verified

Belleview earns strong loyalty from long-term clients who praise Dr. Mike's gentle handling, holistic approach, and personal attention-pets recognize the difference. Yet billing inconsistency, poor staff communication, and follow-up failures frustrate others, especially when estimates balloon or insurance disappoints. The clinic shines for exotic reptiles and routine care but falters when complications demand coordination. Visit best for basic care and exotic pets where staff expertise is clear. Clarify all fees upfront and ask for written aftercare instructions, as phone estimates have diverged significantly from final bills.

General Veterinary Care
VCA Orchard Animal Hospital
69

VCA Orchard Animal Hospital

4.2(76)✓ Verified

Patients consistently praise individual vets like Dr. Brownlee and Dr. Kinneman for patience and genuine care with anxious animals, backed by handwritten follow-up notes and thorough wellness discussions. However, severe diagnostic failures appear in multiple reviews: one dog's mass cell tumor went undetected for years before death, another dog developed cancer after a false-negative cytology result, and communication lapses (texts instead of calls, insensitive messaging after pet loss) left families feeling dismissed. Pricing is frequently flagged as high.

Specialty & Referral CareGeneral Veterinary CareEmergency & Urgent Care

Own this business? Get featured

Own or market a business here? Ask about featured placement and advertising on this directory. Your message goes straight to the directory team.

Last updated 2026-07-09