Get Quotes Contact Us Sign In
Website
Call
North Of The River Veterinary Hospital Dr. Frank M. Virga graduated in 1990 from Oklahoma State University College Of Veterinary Medicine. Since that time, he has practiced in American Animal Hospital Certified Veterinary facilities in the Bakersfield area, gaining valuable surgical and internal medical experience. Dr. Virga is experienced in veterinary emergency medicine and has done relief veterinary medicine at many veterinary hospitals in the Southern California area.

Dr. Virga is the previous owner of Kern Home Veterinary Services, which provided in-home medical care for the pets of Kern County from 1992 - 1995.
Follow us
Services
North of the River Veterinary Hospital is proud to serve Bakersfield, Kern County and other surrounding areas. We are dedicated to providing the highest level of veterinary medicine along with friendly, compassionate service. Email us with questions at norvetone@norvet.com or call us at (661) 399-6406.
At North of the River Veterinary Hospital, we offer a variety of services to care for your pet. If you have any questions or would like more information on how we can care for your pet, please contact us today. As A Licensed California, General falconer, Dr Virga will be happy to examine raptors, however he is not an Avian specialist and will confer with and/or refer any complicated cases to veterinarians with more training in Raptor medicine.
At North of the River Veterinary Hospital you can expect state of the art medical care for your four legged companions. We believe in nurturing the human-animal bond and creating a harmonious relationship between people and animals. You can expect to be greeted by a courteous receptionist, clean exam rooms, friendly doctors, and caring technicians.
Acupuncture is used all around the world, either along or in conjunction with Western medicine, to treat a wide variety of conditions in every species of animal. Pets can experience positive health effects from acupuncture just like humans can. Acupuncture has a wide range of applications that can benefit pets dealing with a variety of conditions.
Reviews (16)
Write a Review
Michael Scott
Jun 18, 2022
Best vet around. We've tried a couple of others. We won't go back to those.
Jason Gabriel
Jun 07, 2022
There was only one rude nurse there but the rest were ok. The vet doc was ok too.
Minaka Williamson
Apr 18, 2022
The receptionist are so sweet and attentive however the vet himself was rude and down talked me he also slapped my hand when I was putting my animal in the cage he seemed to be really rough on my pet while the receptionist handled my pet with care I have never been to a vet that seemed so miserable that he puts that energy off on me never again will I take my pet here
Karen Reed
Mar 16, 2022
The vet thought she knew what was wrong with our dog by examining him, yet tested to make sure she was right. That means a lot to me. He's doing much better now. Would recommend.
Ashleigh Marie Martel-Kalfman
Mar 08, 2022
So yesterday Happy had her Vet appointment and this is what they found…Happy had Preeclampsia and she delivered puppies that weren’t alive. This is a rare health condition in dogs that is undetected. And because dogs often don’t eat dinner or breakfast the day before delivering, small or tiny dogs have a higher risk. This doesn’t mean it will happen every time!
Once she delivered the puppies, she then started having Eclampsia, which is when a dogs calcium drops to dangerous levels. That’s what triggered the sezuires. At the time, I was worried they were neurological sezuires, but they were in fact calcium deficient sezuires. Now I know, all of you are thinking, hey don’t you have that Ash, YES! I do. Ironic, I know!
So we have started a pain med for Happy to relieve some of the pain she may be feeling, this will also help her sleep. We have started a high calcium diet, with lots of vitamins to get her levels normal. And the best news, is that she’s going to be just fine. And eventually her calcium issue won’t be an issue anymore. They said about two weeks.
This morning, Happy ate eggs, chicken, ground beef, brown rice and kibble with parmesan cheese on top. And she ate it all. She drank a ton of water cause last night I was giving her chips that have salt on it. (Makes them drink). She’s doing great. Last sezuire was yesterday morning. Yay!
I want to thank North of the River Vet for another amazing visit. They did an ultrasound to make sure there wasn’t another baby somewhere, they did blood work on her, they loved on her…they truly are the best. I want to thank the front desk staff for always getting me and my babies in. I want to thank Leslie Fowler for helping me schedule this appointment while I was at treatment and always being my go to person through delivery stuff, I couldn’t do this without you. I want to thank the Dr. for taking the time to look her over. I want to thank Krista Zampino for always supporting me. Thank you Jennifer Kinsella-Kennedy for coming over and taking her temp and checking in to see if we needed anything. And last but definitely not least, I want to thank my Vet Tech Sabrina Davis for being the best. You treat each of my dogs like they are yours when they come into that office. You always go the extra mile for each of them, and yesterday, you let me cry and you didn’t judge or tell me to put my emotions aside, you knew I was terrified. Thank you Sabrina for all you do for that Vet office. I appreciate you more than you will ever know.
Lupi James
Feb 04, 2022
Brought my cat in to get his nails trimmed their for the 1st time. The staff was kind an professional and very clean environment and I didn't wait long. I'd bring him back for sure
Mike Van Meter
Jan 14, 2022
Been going here for years, friendly staff, they love animals. They always make a fuss over my dog. They were very compassionate, when I had to put my old dog down.
Angela Garner-Malone
Dec 25, 2021
I had an appointment to get our newly rescued-off-the-street ginger-tom, named Morris, of course, a checkup, shots, and neutering. The doctor listened to his lungs at check-in and determined something was off. They advised me to hold off on the neutering and provided prescription antibiotics and rescheduled for 10 days later for a follow-up and hopefully lungs will be clear so we can get his procedure done along with vaccinations.

They are very efficient and friendly and the doctor was very nice as well. I like the older building they are in too. It has character and shows that they have been around for awhile.
Johns Mains
Dec 21, 2021
I had to put down my dog who was almost 15 years old. The staff was very caring loving. Thank you for his paw print.
Amber Neathery
Nov 30, 2021
This vet hospital is very friendly and caring. They were very understanding and apathetic when I had to make the hardest choice of my life and put my best friend down after 9 years. After I had to put her down, I received this sweet gift and card in the mail of my baby's footprint. I highly recommend them and they are worth the wait. All vets are very packed and they try to squeeze you in for emergencies.
Luisa Fowler
Nov 19, 2021
They took care of my cats. I got my girls spayed and my boy neutered. I recommend this place because the vets are very nice and extremely caring.
Vikki Vega
Nov 17, 2021
They remember my dog and me, altough we are infrequent medical appt visitors. Long term employees always signal a good vet. Before I moved, saw same vet for 26 years. My first visit here, I knew I'd found my new vet.
Caroline Comstock
Oct 15, 2021
North of the River is the best veterinary hospital I have ever experienced. I will never take my animals anywhere else. Thank you to Dr. Frank Virga as well as the entire staff for their professionalism and most of all their compassion. Thank you for everything.
Don Martinez Sr
Aug 21, 2021
Very heart breaking had to put my boy chuey asleep they were very kind to me an my boy.
Janice Garcia
Jul 28, 2021
The girls there are so polite and helpful. My dogs have gotten the best care ever there.from there shots to Spaying my female frenchie. Thank your from Minnie Mouse RIP, Little Coco Garcia
Ted Brick
Dec 24, 2020
Fantastic. Convenient appointments. The staff is caring and professional. I will definitely return to take care of my family of animals. Thanks