Veterinarska Praksa Pilic -- formally Specijalisticka veterinarska praksa Pilic -- is one of Split's first and most established private veterinary practices, located at Ulica Matice hrvatske 10 in the Gripe district of Split, Croatia. Founded and led by Dr. Ivana Pilic, mag.univ, dr.vet.med, the practice has accumulated many years of experience in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases across all species of companion animals. A modernly equipped facility, a warm and welcoming atmosphere, and a highly qualified team of veterinarians and veterinary technicians have made the practice a long-standing choice for many pet owners in Split and the surrounding region.
Dr. Ivana Pilic graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zagreb in 2000 and completed her Master's degree at the same faculty in 2014, with a thesis on the pathology of small carnivores. She has participated in numerous seminars and workshops in both Croatia and abroad throughout her career, and has completed the Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture through HUPED -- a certification that enables her to offer a specialized complementary treatment modality uncommon in most standard veterinary practices. Her commitment to continuous education ensures that the practice stays current with the latest advances in small animal veterinary medicine.
The philosophy of the practice centers on minimizing stress for both pets and their owners. The team aims to keep each visit as efficient as possible, performing only the procedures that are genuinely necessary and ensuring that time spent in the clinic is kept to a minimum. Appointments are encouraged for all non-emergency visits, with urgent cases always given immediate priority. The emergency line at +385 99 467 9999 is available outside regular hours, and the team is also reachable via WhatsApp for appointment scheduling.
The clinic is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with the emergency service available around the clock via the mobile number for acute situations requiring immediate attention.
Primary and preventive care forms the foundation of the practice's work. Vaccination programs are tailored to each animal's species, age, and lifestyle, providing protection against the most common and serious infectious diseases. Preventive health counseling helps owners understand the steps they can take at home to support their pet's long-term wellbeing, from nutrition and parasite control to dental hygiene and behavioral wellness.
Internal medicine addresses diseases of the internal organs -- the digestive system, liver, kidneys, respiratory tract, heart, endocrine glands, and more. Internal medicine consultations are the most frequently needed specialist service in companion animal practice and involve detailed clinical examination, diagnostic imaging, laboratory testing, and the formulation of treatment plans for both acute conditions and long-term chronic disease management.
Surgery, orthopedics, and ophthalmology are performed at the clinic under inhalation anesthesia, which offers superior safety and control compared to injectable anesthetic protocols. Routine procedures such as neutering, wound repair, and mass removal are handled alongside more complex orthopedic interventions and ophthalmic surgeries. The availability of inhalation anesthesia as standard demonstrates the clinic's investment in patient safety and procedural quality.
Veterinary stomatology (dental care for animals) is available for patients requiring dental scaling, tooth extraction, or treatment of oral disease. Dental health is critically important for companion animals -- untreated dental disease can cause significant pain, difficulty eating, and systemic complications as oral bacteria spread to the heart, kidneys, and liver. The clinic specifically highlights dental correction services for dwarf rabbits, a species with unique and often challenging dental needs that require specialist attention. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning are recommended as part of the preventive care routine for dogs, cats, and rabbits.
Acupuncture for dogs and cats is one of the most distinctive services offered at the practice. Recognized as a legitimate therapeutic modality by veterinary medical authorities, acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles at specific anatomical points to modulate pain signals, reduce inflammation, support neurological function, and promote healing. It is particularly useful for managing chronic pain conditions, post-surgical recovery, neurological disorders, and cases where conventional pharmacological approaches have limitations. Dr. Pilic's formal certification in veterinary acupuncture enables her to integrate this modality into individualized treatment plans for appropriate cases.
Specialist consultation services including dermatology, ophthalmology, and cardiology are available, along with modern in-house diagnostics that allow the team to perform most diagnostic workups without external referral. Inpatient treatment and a cat hotel are offered for animals that require ongoing monitoring or care, or for owners who need a safe and attentive environment for their cats during travel. For pet owners in Split seeking comprehensive, compassionate, and professionally led veterinary care, Veterinarska Praksa Pilic offers an exceptional standard of service across the full range of small animal health needs.
The practice's location in the Gripe district places it in an accessible and centrally situated part of Split, convenient for residents across the city's neighborhoods. Its long-standing presence in the community, combined with the continuous professional development of its clinical team, has built a loyal patient base that returns year after year for everything from routine wellness visits to complex specialist interventions. Whether a pet owner needs a first vaccination for a new puppy, an urgent consultation for an acutely ill animal, or an advanced diagnostic workup for a chronic condition, Veterinarska Praksa Pilic provides the expertise, equipment, and genuine care to deliver excellent outcomes.
