AVOID THE HAWKINS AVENUE ANIMAL HOSPITAL IN RONKONKOMA, NEW YORK AND PARTICULARLY DR EDWARD R HAMILTON, DVM. If you cherish your pet's life as I found out the hard way, you'll shop the internet more and find a reputable, caring and compassionate veterinarian and "Dr" Edward R Hamilton is NOT that caring pet doctor you seek. If you dream of a kindly country doctor who treats your beloved pet with respect, tenderness and compassion there are some out there, but you have to do the leg work. DOCTOR EDWARD R HAMILTON, DVM IS NOT THE VETERINARIAN YOU SEEK. 

I went locally due to convenience for a routine visit for my beloved 5-year-young pet to the HAWKINS AVENUE HOSPITAL FOR ANIMALS IN LAKE RONKONKOMA. Mind you, my pet had a cold, with all the symptoms of a cold, even a layman could tell you it was a cold-runny eyes, sneezing and hoarsness. However all the other vital signs were good-good appetite, drank lots of water that morning, normal bm and as x-rays revealed-clear lungs. Dr Hamilton gave my pet valium for the x-rays, because she was agitated on his cold, steel table and had lots of fight in her, showing a great deal of strength and vitality. Internet research will prove that reputable institutions such as Cornell Veterinary, and The University of Pennsylvania and MANY, MANY others do NOT recommend the barbaric, desperate and unnecessary procedure the vet did to my animal-he gave her a tracheostomy, where he should have given her antibiotics and or cortico steroids instead (STANDARD TREATMENT IF THE ANIMAL IS NOT IN DIRE NEED OF A TRACH). A trach is used in emergency situations, my pet did NOT have an emergency situation-she was brought to his office breathing, awake, alert, bright eyed and kicking and screaming at his cold, uncaring touch. Currently, this barbarian is under investigation through New York State. MY PET DIED DURING SURGERY, and I had stressed to the doctor, prior to surgery that my animal had just eaten and couldn't he give her antibiotics instead of surgery, but  he SCREAMED AT ME IN THE OFFICE for not deferring to his expertise-mind you, there wasn't even a code in their billing system for the procedure because I don't think he had done one before. Bottom line to pet lovers is DO YOUR RESEARCH-FIRST before seeking health-care for your pet. IF A VETERINARIAN IS NOT WELCOMING INPUT FROM YOU-THE CAREGIVER, RUN FOR THE HILLS, you are the person who loves that animal, not them. If they are truly a compassionate animal lover, they will offer alternatives when possible and listen to the pet-owner before making a diagnosis. BEWARE OF VETS WHO JUST SEE $$$$ SIGNS.