Specialty Pet Care - Gold Coast Center for Veterinary Care

Board-Certified Veterinary Specialists | Huntington, NY

Your Vet Referred You Here for a Reason. We’re Long Island’s Trusted Board-Certified Specialists

Gold Coast is where Long Island veterinarians send their most important cases. Board-certified specialists in surgery, cardiology, internal medicine and more — working alongside your vet to give your pet the best possible outcome.

Call Now: (631) 923-2530 Refer a Case to Gold Coast →

8+

Board-Certified Specialists

8 Specialty Disciplines

20+

Years of Specialist Care

HD

CT — Advanced Imaging

Award-Winning Facility, Purpose-Built for Veterinary Care

At Gold Coast Center for Veterinary Care, our board-certified specialists work alongside your family veterinarian — not instead of them. We communicate closely, share records, and provide detailed reports after every visit. Your vet remains your pet’s primary caregiver. We provide the advanced expertise when the case demands it.

A referral to a veterinary specialist is not a setback. It is a step forward. It means your primary veterinarian has done their job — and is now connecting your pet with someone who has dedicated their entire career to exactly this type of condition.

Our patients come to us for many reasons — a heart condition that needs echocardiography and long-term management, a complex internal medicine case that has not responded to standard treatment, or an orthopedic surgery that demands a board-certified surgeon. Whatever brought you here, our goal is the same: the best possible outcome for your pet, and clarity for you throughout.

Upcoming CE Event for Veterinarians

An Evening with The Stars Theriogenology · Cardiology · Behavior Medicine

3.0 RACE CE Credits Available | DVMs & LVTs Welcome

May 20, 2026 | 6:15 PM Vanderbilt Planetarium - NY.

Client Center

Information and Resources

Specialty & Referral Care

Comprehensive Veterinary Services

Meet Our Team

Animal Health Professionals

Our Specialty Services

Seven specialty disciplines. One coordinated team. All at 770 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY.

🫀 Cardiology

Echocardiography, ECG, and long-term management of heart disease — from congenital defects and valvular disease to congestive heart failure and arrhythmias.

🔬 Reproduction Medicine

Advanced breeding management, artificial insemination, pregnancy monitoring, high-risk pregnancy care, and neonatal support for breeders and pet owners.

🧪 Internal Medicine

Diagnosis and management of complex internal disease — gastrointestinal, endocrine, kidney, liver, and respiratory conditions that need a board-certified specialist’s workup.

📡 Diagnostic Imaging

CT, digital radiography, and advanced ultrasound — high-definition 3D imaging that reveals what standard diagnostics cannot.

🏥 Surgery

Board-certified soft tissue and orthopedic surgery — from TPLO and fracture repair to complex reconstructive and minimally invasive procedures.

🏃 Rehabilitation

Post-surgical recovery, arthritis and mobility support, therapeutic exercise, and pain management — helping pets rebuild strength, movement, and quality of life.

🧠 Behavioral Medicine

Clinical evaluation and treatment of anxiety, aggression, separation distress, and compulsive behaviors — rooted in diagnosis, not just training advice.

Why Long Island Pet Owners and Veterinarians Trust Gold Coast

You have choices for veterinary care on Long Island. Here is why thousands of families from Huntington to Hicksville, Bay Shore to Bayville, have trusted West Hills with the pets they love most.

Board-Certified in Every Discipline

Our specialists hold board certifications from ACVIM, ACVS, DACT, and ACVB — the highest credentials in veterinary medicine. This is not experience. It is verified expertise, examined and certified.

The Most Advanced Imaging on Long Island

Volumetric imaging system produces exceptional 3D clarity in seconds — reducing anesthesia time, improving diagnostic accuracy, and enabling treatment decisions that would otherwise be impossible without surgery.

Your Primary Vet Stays in the Loop

We provide detailed reports after every visit, communicate directly with your veterinarian, and never replace the relationship your pet already has with their family vet. We add to it.

Individualized Treatment Plans

There is no standard protocol for complex cases. Every patient at Gold Coast receives a treatment plan built around their specific diagnosis, overall health, your goals, and what we know about their quality of life.

Connected Emergency Care Next Door

If your pet’s specialist case becomes urgent after hours, West Hills Animal Hospital is 100 meters away on the same campus — with shared medical records, so our emergency team already knows your pet’s history.

Specialists Who Explain Everything

Board-certification does not mean clinical distance. Our specialists take the time to explain diagnoses, options, and prognoses clearly — in terms that help you make confident, informed decisions for your pet.

Our Board-Certified Specialists

Every physician at Gold Coast has completed a veterinary degree, followed by an internship, followed by a multi-year specialty residency, followed by a rigorous board examination. The DACVIM, DACVS, DACT, and ACVB credentials after a doctor’s name represent years of advanced training verified by a national examining board.

Keith Blass, DVM, MS,
DACVIM

Board-Certified
Veterinary Cardiologist

Jacqueline Gest-Poulos, DVM, DACVIM

Medical Director Board-Certified Veterinary Internist

Ariel Kravitz, DVM, DACVS – SA, CVA

Board-Certified
Veterinary Surgeon

Carol Margolis, DVM, DACT

DACT (Theriogenology)

Megan Petroff, DVM

Practice Limited to Behavioral Medicine

Victoria L. Kearns

LVT, CCRP / LVT, CCAT

Advanced Diagnostics — Answers With Exceptional Precision

A specialist’s expertise is only as good as the information they have to work with. At Gold Coast, our diagnostic capabilities are purpose-built for complex cases — delivering the clarity that allows our specialists to treat with confidence and speed.

Our Flagship Diagnostic

Imaging system is one of the most advanced veterinary CT systems available. It produces high-definition 3D volumetric images in seconds — with lower radiation exposure and faster acquisition than conventional CT, which means shorter anesthesia time for your pet and better diagnostic accuracy for our specialists.

CT imaging at Gold Coast supports every specialty — from evaluating neurological structures in neurology cases, to surgical planning for orthopedic procedures. The Vimago HD makes the difference between an assumption and a definitive answer.

Additional Diagnostic Capabilities

Digital radiography

high-resolution X-rays for bone, heart, and thoracic evaluation

Advanced ultrasound

abdominal organ assessment, cardiac imaging, and guided biopsy

Echocardiography

Gold standard cardiac evaluation — structures, valves, chambers, and blood flow

Electrocardiography (ECG)

heart rhythm assessment for arrhythmia detection

Holter monitoring

Holter monitoring: 24-hour portable ECG for intermittent arrhythmias

In-house laboratory

complete bloodwork, urinalysis, and specialty panels

Endoscopy

minimally invasive internal visualization for GI and respiratory cases

Cytology and biopsy

tissue evaluation for cancer diagnosis and staging

IDEXX 24/7 Radiology Partnership

All imaging studies at Gold Coast — including CT and radiographs — are read by board-certified IDEXX radiologists, available 24 hours a day. This means your pet’s specialist has a second expert opinion on every image, from a radiologist whose entire practice is diagnostic interpretation.

Shared Diagnostic Records

Gold Coast and West Hills Animal Hospital share a unified medical record system. Every diagnostic result, specialist report, and treatment note is accessible to both teams — eliminating repeated tests, reducing costs, and ensuring continuity of care regardless of where your pet is seen.

Dr. Blass is an outstanding cardiologist and has cared for my family's dogs and my kitten. He is extremely kind, knowledgeable and truly cares for your pet. I wouldn't trust any other cardiologist for my pet's care. The entire staff from the vet techs to reception are friendly and top notch.

Perfect veterinary care experience. I am a veterinary student myself so I know! Dr. Kravitz performed TPLO surgery for my good boy with a torn CCL and Riley was our PT rehabilitator. All of the techs and staff are wonderful. Especially Matty was so nice to my dog even when he was a little bit of a difficult patient haha! Christine was also so nice and helpful with scheduling and giving me updates. And everyone else that interacted with us were great and really seems to love animals and my dog always seems to feel (relatively) comfortable during our visits. I strongly recommend Gold Coast and Dr. Kravitz!!! It’s been a few weeks since the surgery and my dog seems basically back to normal walking on all 4 legs no pain or problems at all. Perfect recovery and PT. Thank you Gold Coast!!

Dr. Petroff at Gold Coast Center for Veterinary Care saw my dachshund for behavior issues. She is a very pleasant and friendly doctor who at the start of our appointment gave my pup doggie treats to make him feel more comfortable around her. She was very thorough in her examination and also observing him. She suggested medication to calm him down. (knock on wood) his behavior has been better thanks to her. She is really good at what she does and I am so glad that she was recommended to me. Dr. Petroff's assistant and the girls at the front desk are also very helpful and pleasant. We had a very good experience at Gold Coast Center for Veterinary Care.

Despite my Dog having cancer, it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a vet office. Everyone was very friendly and compassionate, from the front desk to the techs to the vets. Their interactions were very reassuring and calming, which also assured me that my pet was receiving the best care. The treatment process was throughly explained to me and reviewed again at each interval. I also really appreciate the text follow up to check on the patient a few days after a visit. Thank you very much for taking care of Cupcake Muffin!!! Hoping that this treatment will allow her to be here that much longer!

Everything about this place was excellent. Very capable and helpful staff, on the phone and in person, reception, technician, and doctors. They are compassionate and empathetic to our concerns, and transparent with all options and costs. Highly recommend it.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a board-certified veterinary specialist?

A board-certified veterinary specialist has completed a veterinary degree (4 years), then a clinical internship, then a formal residency in their specialty (2-3 years), then passed a rigorous written and practical examination administered by their specialty board. The credentials DACVIM, DACVS, DACT, and ACVB indicate this verified, advanced level of training — beyond what any continuing education course can provide.

Do I need a referral from my vet to see a Gold Coast specialist?

A referral from your primary veterinarian is strongly recommended and the typical pathway. It ensures our specialists have your pet’s full medical history and can coordinate care effectively with your vet. If you are a pet owner who wants to self-refer, please call us at (631) 923-2530 and we will discuss whether we can accommodate your case directly.

What happens to my pet's regular vet relationship when they come to Gold Coast?

Nothing changes. We work alongside your primary veterinarian — not in place of them. After every Gold Coast appointment, we send a detailed report to your family vet so they remain fully informed and involved in your pet’s ongoing care. Your primary vet continues to handle routine care.

Is Gold Coast open for emergencies?

Gold Coast is a specialty and referral center, open Monday through Friday, 7am to 6pm, and Saturday, 8am to 4pm. We are not a 24/7 emergency hospital. For emergencies at any hour, West Hills Animal Hospital is located on the same campus at 800 W. Jericho Turnpike — open 24/7, 365 days a year. Call (631) 351-6116.

What should I bring to my first appointment at Gold Coast?

Your pet’s full medical records from their primary veterinarian, including previous bloodwork, imaging, and any specialist reports. If your vet has already sent a referral, we will have received the records — but bringing copies ensures nothing is missed.

How is Gold Coast connected to West Hills Animal Hospital?

Gold Coast Center for Veterinary Care and West Hills Animal Hospital & Emergency Center are both part of the West Hills Family of Veterinary Practices, located on the same campus at 770 and 800 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington. We share a medical record system — so your pet’s full history is available to both teams instantly.

Your Pet Deserves Specialist-Level Care. We Are Here to Provide It.

770 W. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY 11743 | Mon-Fri 7am-6pm | Sat 8am-4pm | (631) 923-2530