Dr. Logan Kopp sees rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, and other small mammals at Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital in Antioch, in southeast Nashville. Many of our patients live close by. Plenty of others come from Murfreesboro, Franklin, Clarksville, Bowling Green, and the small towns in between.
Most towns in this region have a good general practice that sees some rabbits or guinea pigs, and for a lot of routine care that is the right place to start. When a case gets harder, specialist-level care for exotic mammals is harder to find. Long-standing dental disease, a ferret with adrenal disease or insulinoma, an anesthetic for a very small patient, or a problem that hasn't responded to treatment are common examples.
Dr. Kopp is board-certified by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners in Exotic Companion Mammal Practice, DABVP (ECM). He is the only veterinarian currently practicing in Tennessee with that certification. He grew up in Nashville and trained at the University of Tennessee. Many families come to us on their own. Others are sent by their regular veterinarian for a second opinion, a procedure, or a tough case, and then go back to that clinic for ongoing care.
The drive times below are approximate and assume normal traffic. Rush hour on I-24 and I-65 can add a good deal of time, so plan a little extra if your appointment is in the morning or late afternoon.
The hospital sits just off I-24, so this is the easiest direction to reach us from. La Vergne is about 10 minutes away and Smyrna is about 15 to 20 minutes up I-24. Murfreesboro is usually about 30 minutes, and families from Christiana and Eagleville come up the same way or across I-840.
Farther out, Shelbyville and Wartrace in Bedford County are about 50 minutes by US-231 and I-24. Manchester is about 50 minutes and Tullahoma is about an hour from Coffee County, both by I-24. Woodbury in Cannon County is about 45 minutes, and McMinnville is a little over an hour.
Brentwood is about 15 to 20 minutes away by I-65 and Old Hickory Boulevard, and Nolensville is about 20 minutes by Nolensville Pike. Franklin is usually 25 to 30 minutes by I-65 or I-840. Thompson's Station is about 35 minutes.
Spring Hill is about 40 minutes, and Columbia is about 50 minutes, both by I-65. Mount Pleasant adds about another 15 minutes past Columbia. From Marshall County, Lewisburg and Chapel Hill are about 50 minutes to an hour by I-65 or US-31A and I-840. Families from Pulaski in Giles County make it in about 75 minutes.
Hermitage is about 15 to 20 minutes by Briley Parkway or I-40, and Old Hickory is about 20 minutes. Mt. Juliet is about 20 minutes by I-40. Lebanon is about 30 minutes by I-40 or I-840, and Watertown is about 40 minutes.
From farther east, Carthage and Hartsville are each about 55 minutes, Lafayette is a little over an hour, and Cookeville is about 75 minutes by I-40. If your regular veterinarian in the Upper Cumberland would like a second opinion, they can send records ahead so the visit is ready when you arrive.
Madison is about 20 to 25 minutes by Briley Parkway and I-65, and Goodlettsville is about 25 to 30 minutes. Hendersonville is about 30 to 35 minutes by I-65 and Vietnam Veterans Boulevard, and Gallatin is about 40 minutes the same way. Millersville sits in between on US-31W.
White House is about 35 to 40 minutes up I-65. Springfield is about 40 to 45 minutes by I-65 and TN-41 or I-24 and TN-49, and Greenbrier is about the same. Portland and Westmoreland are closer to an hour.
Bellevue and the west side of Davidson County are about 30 minutes by I-440 and I-40. From Cheatham County, Ashland City, Kingston Springs, and Pleasant View are each about 40 minutes, and Fairview is about the same by I-40. Dickson is about 55 minutes by I-40.
Clarksville is about an hour by I-24, and Pleasant View is on the way. Traffic on I-24 near the Briley Parkway and I-440 interchanges is usually the slowest part of the drive.
For many families in southern Kentucky, Nashville is the closest place to see an exotic companion mammal specialist. Franklin, Kentucky is about 50 to 55 minutes down I-65. Bowling Green is about 75 minutes by I-65. Russellville and the rest of Logan County, including Auburn and Adairville, are about an hour to 70 minutes by US-431 or US-68 and I-65.
From Christian County, Oak Grove is about 65 minutes and Hopkinsville is about 80 minutes by I-24. Elkton and Guthrie in Todd County are about 70 to 80 minutes. Scottsville in Allen County is about 70 minutes by US-31E and I-65, and Glasgow is closer to an hour and a half. Cadiz is about 90 minutes by I-24.
Fort Campbell is about 70 minutes away by I-24. We know military families move often and sometimes bring a rabbit or ferret from one duty station to the next. If you are new to the area, we are glad to take on records from your last veterinarian. If orders are coming, we can send copies of your pet's records so the next veterinarian has the full history.
A long drive is easier with a little planning:
We are open Monday through Friday, 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Saturday and Sunday are closed. For an emergency after hours, Veterinary Emergency Group in Franklin, Murfreesboro, and West Nashville can consult on exotic companion mammals, or go to the nearest emergency hospital and call ahead. If your pet has stopped eating, call while we are open rather than waiting for the next day.
Veterinarians can find referral information for veterinarians.
Call Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital at (615) 361-4646 to book an appointment with Dr. Kopp. We see patients by appointment only, so please call before coming in, and let our front desk know the species and the town you're coming from.
Priest Lake Veterinary Hospital
2445 Morris Gentry Blvd
Antioch, TN 37013
Phone: (615) 361-4646
Website: priestlakevet.com
Hours
Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Veterinarians can send a history, diet, and any lab work or images ahead of the visit. Patients return to the referring clinic for ongoing care.