What types of surgical procedures are performed at Pets First?

Pets First offers general surgical procedures including Complete Oral Assessment and Treatment, which encompasses dental radiographs, tooth extraction, and oral surgery. They also perform K9 and feline spay/neuter, mass removals, and cystotomies. Surgeries are currently booked until early 2026, with urgent procedures directed to their referral section.

Does Pets First offer alternative medicine options for pets?

Yes, Dr. Chitra Natarajan, the clinic's founder, is certified in small animal acupuncture by the Chi Institute. She has also completed extensive courses in various alternative medicine modalities, including Chinese herbs, western herbs, and homotoxicology, which she incorporates into patient care.

What end-of-life care services are available for pets at Pets First?

Pets First provides comprehensive end-of-life care services, including quality of life assessments, palliative care, and humane euthanasia. They also offer cremation and memorial items through Hinsdale Animal Cemetery - Trusted Journey Heart, and can facilitate at-home euthanasia options. Pet loss support is also available.

Can Pets First refer my pet to a veterinary specialist?

Yes, Pets First offers referral services and partners with various specialists. Their referral partners include MedVet Chicago, Veterinary Emergency Group, Eye Care for Animals, Veterinary Dental Center, PetDerm, Integrative Pet Care, Veterinary Specialty Center, and MOVES Mobile Veterinary Specialist for existing patients under doctor recommendation.

What are the special interests of the veterinarians at Pets First?

Dr. Chitra Natarajan specializes in small animal acupuncture and alternative medicine. Dr. Patrick Mitchell's interests include soft tissue surgery and internal medicine. Dr. Jennise Fermoso focuses on ophthalmology and shelter medicine, with a passion for client education. Dr. Robert Plourde's special interests are advanced dentistry and soft tissue surgery.

Pets First

Pets First is a general practice practice in Chicago, IL.

Get Directions View on Maps ↗ Call (773) 904-8724 Book Consultation

About

Pets First is a woman and minority-owned private practice in Chicago, providing primary care for dogs and cats. The clinic offers a range of services including wellness and illness visits, soft tissue and dental procedures, quality of life services, and referral coordination. Their comprehensive approach includes preventative care, in-house imaging, and nutritional counseling.

The clinic serves patients in East Lakeview and surrounding areas, emphasizing a family-centered approach to pet care. They provide end-of-life care options, including palliative care and euthanasia services, and facilitate referrals to various specialty partners for advanced or urgent needs, such as emergency care, dentistry, dermatology, and mobile veterinary specialists.

Photos

Photos via Google · Derek Cowart, Doug Erickson, Pets First, Grace Dida

Frequently asked questions

What types of surgical procedures are performed at Pets First?: Pets First offers general surgical procedures including Complete Oral Assessment and Treatment, which encompasses dental radiographs, tooth extraction, and oral surgery. They also perform K9 and feline spay/neuter, mass removals, and cystotomies. Surgeries are currently booked until early 2026, with urgent procedures directed to their referral section.
Does Pets First offer alternative medicine options for pets?: Yes, Dr. Chitra Natarajan, the clinic's founder, is certified in small animal acupuncture by the Chi Institute. She has also completed extensive courses in various alternative medicine modalities, including Chinese herbs, western herbs, and homotoxicology, which she incorporates into patient care.
What end-of-life care services are available for pets at Pets First?: Pets First provides comprehensive end-of-life care services, including quality of life assessments, palliative care, and humane euthanasia. They also offer cremation and memorial items through Hinsdale Animal Cemetery - Trusted Journey Heart, and can facilitate at-home euthanasia options. Pet loss support is also available.
Can Pets First refer my pet to a veterinary specialist?: Yes, Pets First offers referral services and partners with various specialists. Their referral partners include MedVet Chicago, Veterinary Emergency Group, Eye Care for Animals, Veterinary Dental Center, PetDerm, Integrative Pet Care, Veterinary Specialty Center, and MOVES Mobile Veterinary Specialist for existing patients under doctor recommendation.
What are the special interests of the veterinarians at Pets First?: Dr. Chitra Natarajan specializes in small animal acupuncture and alternative medicine. Dr. Patrick Mitchell's interests include soft tissue surgery and internal medicine. Dr. Jennise Fermoso focuses on ophthalmology and shelter medicine, with a passion for client education. Dr. Robert Plourde's special interests are advanced dentistry and soft tissue surgery.

Contact & hours

Address

3413 N Broadway
Chicago

Phone

(773) 904-8724

Website

petsfirstchicago.com

4.8 · 404 Google reviews

Recent reviews

4 months ago

Paige Evans

We’ve seen Dr. C for 10 years and recently Dr. Michell, and have been treated with such warmth and kindness by both. These vets and their team give A+ service and we couldn’t ask for a better vet team for our old pup.
4 months ago

Dave Pasciuto

I've been bringing my pup to Pets First for years now, but after my recent experiences, I've decided to find a new vet. Over the past few months, I brought my pup in multiple times for a bump and constant itching. The doc didn't seem particularly concerned and just chalked it up to allergies without offering clear solutions. I ended up doing my own research and discovered my pup has issues with processed chicken/byproducts—which is very common. If you have this issue, look at the food and ingredients. I switched his food and most of the problems cleared up. When I mentioned my findings to the doctor, he then suggested Hill's special formula (of course they are sponsored). Being the vet, I trusted his recommendation, but the itching came right back and the bump got bigger. So I had to switch back to what was previously working. The final straw was when my pup’s bump became infected. The new doctor that was available only offered surgical removal with the earliest date being nearly a month out, and for the infection itself, he only suggested Benadryl? This made no sense. When I asked if it could be drained, he brushed me off in a snappy tone with "what do you want to do?" and "don't shoot the messenger." I was sent home with an infected bump and no real treatment plan. I am not sure how this is acceptable. We ended up spending New Year's Eve draining and treating the infection at home because I couldn't let my pup suffer for a month waiting for surgery and some Benedryl. The next day the bump was way less infected, and on the road to recovery. When I shared my concerns and requested a refund for the last visit, their response was pretty dismissive. They processed the refund but didn't seem to care at all that they were losing a client? No attempt to address the issues or make things right, just "we wish you the best at a new practice." I understand vets are busy, but when you're solving your dog's problems at home because the vet isn't providing solutions, something's wrong. I expected better care and at least some concern when a long-time client leaves disappointed, and who has spent thousands of dollars with them.
4 months ago

Barrett Dylan Davis

I love all the people here! They have all taken such good care of our Bubba! Always a nice time and they love Bubba!

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a year ago

Kelly Trawczynski

This is the best vet I have ever been to. They walked me through the fatal illness and eventual loss of my beloved soul cat, Shiloh. When other vets tried to give me false hope about her condition to upsell me on fruitless surgeries and medicines, Pets First was instead compassionate, but honest. The older male vet here (Sorry, can't remember his name) was very clear that she only had a small amount of time left to live. He gave us options to lengthen her life that afforded me another 6 months with her. When she was ready to go, he was honest about our options, and even came in after normal hours to be the vet who put her down. I always felt like I could trust Pets First and that they weren't selling me services or extending her life without regard to her quality of life. It took me six months to emotionally be ready to pick up her ashes and paw print and they saved it for me, and were very compassionate about my handling of her loss. I have a new cat now, and their honesty and clarity with their services remains. My current cat is overweight, and they were both compassionate but honest and helpful on how to help her. I have friends who's cat is the same weight, and their bougie vet is constantly not addressing it and saying their cat is fine. I'm really happy to be at this vet and be able to trust their services!
a year ago

bzlife2

Best vet I've ever taken my pets to. I've been with them almost 10 years and the care concern for my animals has always been done with kindness, expertise and consideration. I originally switched to them because another vet I was going to was constantly trying to upsell me on everything from vitamins to food. Pets first has never done this. The first time I brought my dog in Dr C literally got down on the floor to greet my dog. Dr. Mitchell has taken care of my cat and my dog over the years as well again with care and attention. Even the vet techs and the front desk crew are excellent. Vet for life.

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