Pierre

21 May 2023

REPORT

Condescending , rude and a complete disregard for the well-being of the pet and the owner. Money is their primary objective. Do not .....

nancy

2 May 2022

REPORT

Very expensive hospital and they are very rude to their patients. They don't treat your cats with dignity!! Avoid this hospital like a plague. RUN AWAY !!!

Maria

24 May 2021

REPORT

If I could give 0 stars, I would. This place is extremely unprofessional. We brought our puppy this morning and brought a stool sample. Our puppy had chronic diarrhea and vomited in the morning so we... Read More

If I could give 0 stars, I would. This place is extremely unprofessional. We brought our puppy this morning and brought a stool sample. Our puppy had chronic diarrhea and vomited in the morning so we brought him in and gave the sample. We were told the sample would be tested. We were also told we would have to get him a parvo test and that he would then go in to be assessed. We were told the parvo test would be 8 minutes, it was 35. We were here for 2 hours. Our puppy then never went in to be assessed- instead we were called saying he had to wait 3-4 hours before his turn. We went home and they called us to come back about 3 hours later. We arrived, called and they took him in after about 10 minutes. We were told the doctor would call. One hour later, we get a call from Dr. Davenport who thought we were at home with our puppy. Communication was clearly poor since they had just taken him in. Where has he been all this time? She then did the quickest assessment I have ever heard of and called back in 15 minutes but presented herself as « Leslie ». After speaking to so many different people, how was I know to it’s the doctor? She proceeded to give us her opinion and ask about x rays. At this point we rejected x rays and just wanted medication/treatment for his diarrhea and vomiting and mentioned we would follow up with our own vet. What transpired after was continued incompetence. We were trying to get our claim sent through insurance, the clerk assisting had little information on time estimate and said she would call back in 20 minutes. She mentioned she would be the one to explain the medication but had no idea which one was for which issue until checking with the doctor. We went to get coffee and got a call on the way back saying insurance didn’t go through (that’s a trupanion issue so separate) but said to call when we got back to pay the invoice and take our pup. We called on arrival in the parking lot and we were transferred through three different people. By now, we were very upset and made this clear to them. Did I raise my voice a little? Yes. But that’s acceptable after what we’ve been through all day. The girl we spoke too said there was no need to be rude and hung up on us. I called back- finally landed on the girl I was trying to contact. They came out with the machine for payment, I paid (although definitely not worth $440 for a rushed 20 minute exam by a doctor who didn’t know where he was in the first place and had to find’ him and two medications in my opinion) and had asked for written documentation on what was done today which surprisingly I got (though half assed as it was and shockingly, information written inside was apparently read by nobody throughout the day). Our sweet puppy came out all stressed after having waited so long and especially that one hour where no one knew where he was. The girl who handed him off did so rudely with no words and had the audacity to tell our pup to stay still when all he did was give us kisses for seeing us( wow). We got to the car and he was asking for water. I know he was dehydrated due to diarrhea and vomiting but he drank the whole bottle of water we had for him(we're talking about 750 ml). It’s clear in that time he was waiting, no one knew where he was, no one cared for him and he certainly got no water. He was dehydrated yesterday and this morning and did not drink this much so the conclusion can be easily made. The waiting, incorrect information, incompetence, lack of communication and unknowns mean we will not be recommending this place. Hopefully we can find another emergency hospital. If we ever come back here at all , it would be because we literally have nowhere else to go. Read Less

Talia Gordon

22 May 2021

REPORT

Only but positive reviews on this place! I have had 2 emerg visits, a surgery and a reg appointments and all were amazing! Special shout out to Vet Erica Tyre.. she is so amazing! The thoroughness of ... Read More

Only but positive reviews on this place! I have had 2 emerg visits, a surgery and a reg appointments and all were amazing! Special shout out to Vet Erica Tyre.. she is so amazing! The thoroughness of the vets that work at this hospital are second to none. Read Less

Tracey

3 May 2021

REPORT

My Mastiff tried to befriend a porcupine, which didn't go as she planned! With a mouthful of quills, we were off Alta Vista Emergency where we were quickly greeted at the door, they took our baby back... Read More

My Mastiff tried to befriend a porcupine, which didn't go as she planned! With a mouthful of quills, we were off Alta Vista Emergency where we were quickly greeted at the door, they took our baby back for assessment and to get her comfortable as quickly as possible. Dr. Jones and her team were amazing!! They expedited her care and ensured we had the pain meds required to ensure she remained comfortable while she was healing and pointed out a few potential health issues to be aware of. Thank you for the fantastic care you gave our Georgia, it is very appreciated!! Read Less

Chelsea T

23 Jan 2021

REPORT

Staff is so helpful and caring. We sadly had to say our goodbyes to two out of children in a span of 11 days. They realized it was us and cared about our mental health during the process. Even during ... Read More

Staff is so helpful and caring. We sadly had to say our goodbyes to two out of children in a span of 11 days. They realized it was us and cared about our mental health during the process. Even during the pandemic. Knowing things are going to take longer than normal and everything is done by the phone which is stressful for any pet owner. They do the best they can. Read Less

Samantha Bourne

17 Oct 2020

REPORT

I'm giving this place a 1 because I cannot give it a zero. I brought my dog in at 330am. He wasn't deemed "urgent" because his vitals were stable even though he had bloody puke. I came from about 40 m... Read More

I'm giving this place a 1 because I cannot give it a zero. I brought my dog in at 330am. He wasn't deemed "urgent" because his vitals were stable even though he had bloody puke. I came from about 40 mins away, and was told he would be next as long as another animal doesn't come in with worse symptoms and was given a 1-2 hour wait time in this case. I was told if an emergency came in ited be about 6 hrs. I sat in the parking lot the whole time and I saw one dog enter. I called for an update at 7am and was asked to call around 8. When I called at 810am I was told the 8 o'clock vet arrived and he was next to be seen. It wasn't until 10am he was actually seen. They wanted to keep him for 2 days to "watch" him but it would have cost me nearly $2,000 for a 25lb dog, and I just don't have that money. I paid around $450. What really upset me was when I got him back at 11am. They gave him back to me with poo all over his bum, and blood traces along his back from something they injected for dehydration. They failed to inform me there was blood on him, I was only told about the bump. I was not informed about him being covered in his own poop. The vet said she didn't clean him because he had diarrhea and it would just get bad again. It looked like he sat in his own poop all night. As I was talking to the vet about the state I received him in, my dog took a poop, but it wasn't poop. It was pure blood. The vet told me that it was because of the diarrhea that it was all blood. At this point I was furious because his poop was a normal colour when I went in. The "manager" asked if I was implying they hurt my dog, and they didn't because he trusts his vet and they know what they are doing and if I wanted a second opinion to get one. I said that the state he was returned to me in wasn't acceptable and was told "this conversation isn't going anywhere so I'm going to stop it and let you go". I will never return. Read Less

Kimberley patterson/Dean

29 Apr 2020

REPORT

From the reception of this Hospital to the doctor's of thisHospital and assistants and so forth I couldn't have been happier for the care that was given to our Xena who was milking 5 puppies. She ende... Read More

From the reception of this Hospital to the doctor's of thisHospital and assistants and so forth I couldn't have been happier for the care that was given to our Xena who was milking 5 puppies. She ended up. With eclampsia dangerously low calcium from the amount of milk she was trying to supply to her puppies. You All did a great job she's our little princess couldn't be happier to have her back at home with Mom and Dad and pups thank you again for the wonderful service you provided so happy that you're open especially in these times God bless you all from the Patterson Dean household❤❤❤👍👍👍 Read Less

Nadira J.

16 Jun 2019

REPORT

My appointment was canceled due to being 15 mins late due to no parking spaces. Since there was no parking, I had to carry my dog a block then had to wait an additional 5 min before finally being ser... Read More

My appointment was canceled due to being 15 mins late due to no parking spaces. Since there was no parking, I had to carry my dog a block then had to wait an additional 5 min before finally being served (there were several people waiting to be served and one receptionist was on the phone). By the time it was my turn, I was told my appointment was cancelled. None of the other people around me had their appointments cancelled. I will never go back there again! Read Less

Geoffrey S.

20 Feb 2019

REPORT

I read some of the reviews and I have to say these people are full of themselves. This is a great Veternarian Hospital. They may charge more but you get specialized care when needed unlike other small... Read More

I read some of the reviews and I have to say these people are full of themselves. This is a great Veternarian Hospital. They may charge more but you get specialized care when needed unlike other smaller veterinarian clinics. I have been to both the general practice and the emergency clinic. Some of the reviews about the emergency clinic I read was by a bunch of crybabies who had to wait their turn. Go to a (human) ER and you will be treated the same. It is called triage care. You may think your pet is the one most suffering but maybe to a professional they can wait. So you know, many pets go the emergency because they are on their last moments of life. I have been there four times for this unpleasant reason. I have never waited during those sad times. Stop your whining. Your dog may have blood in their stool but is that an emergency compared to a dog that was hit by a car and has head trauma? Is your clinic open 24/7/365? I have been to the old location of the Alta Vista Hospital and have been there for SIX pets since the 1970s. Dr. Rodgers is the best general veterinarian out there. They have oncology, surgical wings (not just one), physiotherapy, etc... Compare that to the clinic you go to. I am glad to have Pet Insurance for those surgeries. Read Less

Susan I.

7 Sep 2018

REPORT

Be very wary. They will overtreat your pet for every minor thing (and overcharge) Overtreating simple problems and recommending crappy food is a speedway to a compromised immune system and cancer and ... Read More

Be very wary. They will overtreat your pet for every minor thing (and overcharge) Overtreating simple problems and recommending crappy food is a speedway to a compromised immune system and cancer and other autoimmune diseases. Read Less

Tina C.

17 Aug 2018

REPORT

I will NEVER go here again. My dog needed an urgent procedure which our regular vet wasn't able to do and we had to find an alternative. We were made to wait for over two hours, only to be told that o... Read More

I will NEVER go here again. My dog needed an urgent procedure which our regular vet wasn't able to do and we had to find an alternative. We were made to wait for over two hours, only to be told that our dog needed surgery and we were to leave her with them for five nights until the surgeon could get around to it. We said no. We told our regular vet the story and they said we were nowhere close to the point of surgery and the urgent procedure was just to relieve my dog's discomfort. Alta Vista didn't even consider conservative management. The vet said he'd call to follow up. He never did. The impression we were given is that this place is 100% about the money and not about what's best for the animal. Fast forward to today, and our dog fully recovered with conservative management and a lot of TLC. She didn't need surgery at all! I find it interesting that this approach would never be taken with a human; conservative treatment plans are always tried before invasive measures are taken. But I guess that doesn't serve the top-line quite so well, does it?! My advice, find another animal hospital for your pet. Read Less

Chantale Bowmorereay

11 Jul 2018

REPORT

Amazing care, service and warmth for all our pets! I would not go anywhere else again. They truly care and ensure that not only are our furry family members taken care of but the anxious humans as we... Read More

Amazing care, service and warmth for all our pets! I would not go anywhere else again. They truly care and ensure that not only are our furry family members taken care of but the anxious humans as well! Thankyou everyone! Read Less

James Mutton

5 Jul 2018

REPORT

Very disappointed with Alta Vista Animal hospital. Trying to get in touch with anyone is almost impossible. Do not assume that spending a huge amount of money will have any affect on the quality of ... Read More

Very disappointed with Alta Vista Animal hospital. Trying to get in touch with anyone is almost impossible. Do not assume that spending a huge amount of money will have any affect on the quality of service. While I will admit they have some of the best Vets and equipment in the region, getting in touch with anyone unless you have your wallet out is not an option, and even then is not guaranteed. Read Less

Jackey Jones

15 Jun 2018

REPORT

Great staff and overall great impression of the establishment but I was made to wait 4 hours before being told it will be a couple more hours. I ended up leaving after 6 hours of wait with still no s... Read More

Great staff and overall great impression of the establishment but I was made to wait 4 hours before being told it will be a couple more hours. I ended up leaving after 6 hours of wait with still no sign of being next. PLEASE create a call back program for customers similar to some restaurants or create a realistic expectation of the wait time so customers wont be so angry. Read Less

Manoo K

13 Jun 2018

REPORT

I've been to the clinic and the hospital a many times over the years and have been impressed with the level of care given to my dogs. One time I had to call the hospital on a weekend talking to a tech... Read More

I've been to the clinic and the hospital a many times over the years and have been impressed with the level of care given to my dogs. One time I had to call the hospital on a weekend talking to a technician and he was very helpful asking the on-call doctor for advice. On another occasion Dr. Gower was great in answering all my questions and concerns, and took very good care of my dog. The same applied when my dog almost had to have a back surgery, I was very grateful of the surgeon’s competence and frankness. He did tell me that even the surgery could help her, but it is not necessary. If they were after making money the easiest way then would have been to tell me that the surgery is needed and I would have paid upwards of 6 thousand dollars for it. Even though the clinic may be more expensive than some other places but I would not go anywhere else as I have full confidence in the knowledge, compassion and care provided at Alta Vista Animal Hospital. I will not hesitate going back or recommending the clinic or the hospital to others. Read Less

Rose Clouston

8 Jun 2018

REPORT

I am giving this hospital a five-star because it is supposed to be one of the best hospitals in North America for pets, with very qualified doctors and excellent diagnostic equipment. And...we all wa... Read More

I am giving this hospital a five-star because it is supposed to be one of the best hospitals in North America for pets, with very qualified doctors and excellent diagnostic equipment. And...we all want the best for our loved ones. I took my cat Bri, about 14 years old, to Emergency in May 2018. The waiting room was clean, I received immediate service, the staff was friendly and helpful and the doctor was knowledgeable. As my cat's lungs had filled with fluid (cause unknown), I decided to euthanize, knowing I could not afford thousands of dollars in veterinary bills to probably only extend the life of my cat for a short period of time. This was a very painful decision for me to make, even though I like to believe that spirits live on forever. I highly recommend all new pet owners get health insurance because this appears to be the future of animal healthcare. To help others make a decision though, I will summarize the cost of my bill: Emergency Consult Exam: $101.85 Radiology routine 1 view: $167.48 Euthanasia with Sedation: $224.55 Cremation ServicesRead Less

Sarah Graham

20 May 2018

REPORT

Awesome service for our first emergency experience with our pup. The ladies at reception made a noticeable effort to make us and other worried humans and animals as comfortable as possible while we wa... Read More

Awesome service for our first emergency experience with our pup. The ladies at reception made a noticeable effort to make us and other worried humans and animals as comfortable as possible while we waited to see the vet. Once we saw the vet she was very friendly, professional and didn't make us feel rushed at all which was appreciated in a stressful situation. They kept him overnight, and were available via phone for updates. We left with our friend on the mend, a comprehensive report of his symptoms/the treatment he'd received while in care, as well medication protocol for release. This might have been luck but the cost also ended up being $100 under the quoted amount which was a welcome break. Hopefully no more emergency situations.. but if so, I am grateful that there's a place nearby that will take good care of our furry friend. Thank you ladies for taking such good care of our pooch! (Also extra kudos to front of house staff for the speed and enthusiasm with which they cleaned up the messes from the poor animals that came through and couldn't hold it) Read Less

Callander Animal Hospital

9 May 2018

REPORT

We had an amazing experience at Alta Vista! Ben returned my phone call within an hour and we had an appointment scheduled for 10 am the following morning with Dr.Bruce. Our puppy had surgery the same ... Read More

We had an amazing experience at Alta Vista! Ben returned my phone call within an hour and we had an appointment scheduled for 10 am the following morning with Dr.Bruce. Our puppy had surgery the same day with great success!! Thank you to the entire team at Alta Vista ❤️ The Schweitzer family. Read Less

Claudia Gabriel

7 May 2018

REPORT

My husband brought our dog to this hospital as directed by our hometown vet when he was not responding to IV antibiotics for a sudden onset of weakness and breathing difficulties. He travelled from Ki... Read More

My husband brought our dog to this hospital as directed by our hometown vet when he was not responding to IV antibiotics for a sudden onset of weakness and breathing difficulties. He travelled from Kingston and stayed in Ottawa during the pet's treatment. He said the staff were very considerate and knowledgeable but then it became evident that our dog would need a ventilator which they did not have. The closest one was in Toronto. In other words he was sent 2 hrs in the wrong direction when the dog was suffering from obvious shortness of breath. It should be made clear to "would be" customers that this outlet does not have a ventilator and certainly local vets should not recommend sending pet's with compromised respiratory systems to them. That it was not the VCA's fault is obvious however, as we are both medical professionals ourselves and we both think that during the conversation between our hometown vet and the specialist at VCA, someone would of clued in that sending a pet with breathing issues to them was not a good idea. Read Less

Lynda Weathers

4 Apr 2018

REPORT

I am happy to have this establishment in my hometown of Ottawa however my most recent experience with the clinic was not excellent. I understand it's a busy place and emergencies do arise however all ... Read More

I am happy to have this establishment in my hometown of Ottawa however my most recent experience with the clinic was not excellent. I understand it's a busy place and emergencies do arise however all of my pre-op and post-op appointments for my dog left me waiting for long periods of time before seeing the vet and I felt extremely rushed anytime I did get a few minutes of face to face time. I was also over charged for the actual procedure - they charged me more than they quoted (they quote a low and high end and my charge was above the high end!) which was upsetting to me, however when I contacted them about this they did agree to refund some of the charge to me which I am thankful for however the entire ordeal left me feeling unnerved. I was also promised I would receive 2 phone updates the day of my dogs procedure (one to say it went as planned and the second to say he was coming out of the sedative) but never received any updates which worried me unnecessarily , I also had to wait over 2.5 weeks for results when I was told 3-5 days at most. While I applaud the staff and their efforts, I do think they are under staffed or over worked and cannot keep up to all of the demands. Read Less

Cathy Johnston

22 Mar 2018

REPORT

Everyone I dealt with treated my little Sheltie with great care and compassion. Her treatment and surgery went well while at the same time her other medical conditions were considered and maintained.... Read More

Everyone I dealt with treated my little Sheltie with great care and compassion. Her treatment and surgery went well while at the same time her other medical conditions were considered and maintained. We were kept well informed and given lots of opportunities to ask questions. Thanks from Jenna! Read Less

N c

11 Mar 2018

REPORT

I was taking care of a friend's dog and he was showing signs of bloat. I called Alta Vista Animal Hospital and they told me to bring him in because what I described was consistent with bloat. They to... Read More

I was taking care of a friend's dog and he was showing signs of bloat. I called Alta Vista Animal Hospital and they told me to bring him in because what I described was consistent with bloat. They told me that the x ray would coast $180, which I thought was a lot, but acceptable. After 20 minutes, they told me the x ray was negative and I could take him home. I was then told the bill was $390. $390 to preform an x ray and nothing else. I honestly felt violated. I can't speak to the level of care because they really didn't do anything other than the x ray, but the way they told me one price and then blind sided me with a bill more than double what they originally stated was pretty disgusting. I will never take another pet there. Their motives seem to be mostly financial. If you go there, prepare to be gouged. Read Less

K J.

8 Feb 2018

REPORT

The Alta Vista Animal Hospital has one of the best vets ive ever met in my life. His name is dr. Graham Thatcher. He told me more about my rescue dog in 10 minutes. then my current vet who has been f... Read More

The Alta Vista Animal Hospital has one of the best vets ive ever met in my life. His name is dr. Graham Thatcher. He told me more about my rescue dog in 10 minutes. then my current vet who has been following my rescue for 2 years. He's also a dental specialist and has a really cool Instagram account documenting all of his work. he kissed my dog 3 times during the exam haha. The only reason I don't a lot 5 stars is because I found the woman at the counter to be very rude. You can follow Dr Graham at Grahmpetdent on Insta Read Less

Valérie Charbonneau

6 Feb 2018

REPORT

We have had to go to this hospital many times over the years, both for specialist appointments and for emergency care. We've had cats require intensive care and multiple surgeries and some presenting... Read More

We have had to go to this hospital many times over the years, both for specialist appointments and for emergency care. We've had cats require intensive care and multiple surgeries and some presenting with unusual pathologies. The team at Alta Vista is simply outstanding. Their nurses and front-line staff go out of their way to ensure out pets are as comfortable as they can be and try to reduce the stress on them as much as possible. Meanwhile the medical and surgical care is the best available. I can't thank them enough for everything they've done for our pets. Read Less

No B.

1 Nov 2017

REPORT

I had brought my 7 month old puppy there to have her spayed. They told me to come in for a consultation. When I arrived I was not greeted, a/c was not working, place was dirty and smelled, and then I ... Read More

I had brought my 7 month old puppy there to have her spayed. They told me to come in for a consultation. When I arrived I was not greeted, a/c was not working, place was dirty and smelled, and then I had the pleasure of dealing with a rude staff that was busy loudly talking about their weekend plans. Finally after 35 minutes a doctor/surgeon came to get me.I then explained to him that all I wanted was to have my dog spayed to which he said he had to leave and make the estimate for the procedure? 30 minutes later he comes back with a quote for $3600.00!!!!Needless to say that I left. (I took the estimate with me, and I still have it).I then Google a vet clinic in gatineau and explained what I wanted. After all was said and done they spayed and microchipped my pup for $610 taxes included.I have since then met at least 6 people with similar horror stories about this clinic. They are nothing but thieves that prey on people's emotions towards their pets! Unless you have money to burn and enjoy being treated like a fool, steer way clear of here. Read Less

Michael F.

20 Sep 2017

REPORT

Been sitting here with 3 other pet owners for 4.5 hours now. Saw a tech about 3 hours ago and all the front staff have gone as it is 12:30 - place is very quiet. I am sure we are all wondering if anyo... Read More

Been sitting here with 3 other pet owners for 4.5 hours now. Saw a tech about 3 hours ago and all the front staff have gone as it is 12:30 - place is very quiet. I am sure we are all wondering if anyone is left. There is absolutely no updates or information available to me or the other clients sitting here in emergency. I really can't believe the poor service in the emergency section of this facility. It is in stark contrast with the regular appointment portion of the Alta Vista facility which operates on time,efficiently with very friendly staff. Go figure and yikes rolled in together. Read Less

Ashira G.

27 Jun 2017

REPORT

Due to a specialized emergency, we had to take our dog to this animal hospital at the drop of a hat. We did the two hour drive straight there and were seen right away. They squeezed us in for tests ev... Read More

Due to a specialized emergency, we had to take our dog to this animal hospital at the drop of a hat. We did the two hour drive straight there and were seen right away. They squeezed us in for tests even when they were slammed to accommodate the travel. Dr. Tinsley, the opthalmologist who helped us is next level amazing. He is brilliant, knows exactly what he's talking about and has given us a lot of time and compassion. In a really hard situation, it gave me comfort to know my dog was in good hands. This place is pricey, but the care is worth it. Although they were great, I hope I don't have to see TOO much of them in the future!! Read Less

Jesse Raza

28 May 2017

REPORT

Dr. Tyre was amazing with my dog, she was very compassionate and knowledgable. The wait times and prices on the other hand are outrageous. They overcharge and do unnecessary treatments. Have also hear... Read More

Dr. Tyre was amazing with my dog, she was very compassionate and knowledgable. The wait times and prices on the other hand are outrageous. They overcharge and do unnecessary treatments. Have also heard from multiple people of them doing the same thing. Will not ever bring my dog back here. Read Less

Adam MacGregor

28 May 2017

REPORT

Quality of care is excellent, without question. Unfortunately, I never lost the feeling that this is a for profit business and felt that unnecessary options were recommended on more than one occasion... Read More

Quality of care is excellent, without question. Unfortunately, I never lost the feeling that this is a for profit business and felt that unnecessary options were recommended on more than one occasion on my only visit. As an example I was offered two tests to determine if my pet was Adisonian when the second test would have alone been definitive. And a $500 ultrasound? Outside of further monitizing their client, I have no idea why it was even recommended. Pet owners can come into an animal hospital under the stress of having a furry family member being in distress. They should keep that in mind when recommending tests and procedures. Read Less

Mark Lacroix

19 May 2017

REPORT

My dog had suffered from Parvo virus. She was very close to dying. The staff knew I was on a limited budget. The doctor who took care of my dog recognized her symptoms immediately. Together we man... Read More

My dog had suffered from Parvo virus. She was very close to dying. The staff knew I was on a limited budget. The doctor who took care of my dog recognized her symptoms immediately. Together we managed to rescue my dog and she lives today because of the help I received here. Read Less

Erin L.

15 May 2017

REPORT

I brought my dog in for an emergency vet visit. The technician Erin was wonderful - very helpful and knowledgeable. Andrea at the front desk was also very helpful.We saw Dr Landry. She only 1/2 listen... Read More

I brought my dog in for an emergency vet visit. The technician Erin was wonderful - very helpful and knowledgeable. Andrea at the front desk was also very helpful.We saw Dr Landry. She only 1/2 listened to what I was saying. I explained what was happening and she kept saying "yes" as if she understood. She then asked me again what his symptoms were after I'd just finished explaining them to her... so I'm not sure what she was saying yes to....Once finished with the Dr, I went to the front desk to pay the bill. I was told by Kayla that the bill wasn't ready yet because we were waiting for medication. My dog was not prescribed any medication. I informed Kayla of this, and she said she couldn't see my dog so didn't know which file to look at. Not sure why she would tell me about medication if she didn't know who the patient was...I'd also been in the waiting room for over 3 hours (and the only patient there for much of it) so it's disappointing she didn't know who we were. Definitely won't be back to this clinic - emergency or not. There is a much better emergency hospital closer to the core of the city. Read Less

Linda J.

29 Apr 2017

REPORT

I feel bad for the frontline staff and there are a LOT of them. Called at 10am on a Saturday morning was told not busy but no guarantees, after all it's a walk in emergency department. Got there in le... Read More

I feel bad for the frontline staff and there are a LOT of them. Called at 10am on a Saturday morning was told not busy but no guarantees, after all it's a walk in emergency department. Got there in less than 10 minutes and was told 2patients before us (there was no one in the waiting room). Eventually we're taken to a room where a technician asked some questions, took my dogs temperature, etc. He said that a second doctor had just arrived and things would go faster. Back to waiting room and we waited and waited. After an hour were told 2 in front of us, after 2 hours guess what? That's right 2 in front of us but were told second doctor who was much faster had arrived. Waited some more. Were told one in front of us. Waited. During all of this my dog was super stressed. We took turns taking him outside and sitting with him there. When we left it was 12:45 and no, we never got to see a doctor, but when I told them we were going they said there was only one more before us...same as they'd said an hour before. I don't know who that sole doctor on duty was but the staff sure hinted that she was the hold up because she was very slow. I really appreciate it when a doctor takes their time and gets the job done right but this was ridiculous. It got to the point that the distress that the waiting was causing my dog was worse than his injury. He's asleep now, I'll find a vet that cares later and it won't be at the Alta vista animal hospital ( The non-emergency side is no better). I love my dog, I'm going to find a vet that loves dogs too. Read Less

Adrian Murphy

26 Feb 2017

REPORT

They had no problem scheduling us in early when my dog had a severe allergic reaction to meds. They set him up in a separated room with no complaints (he also had kennel cough at the time). The vet o... Read More

They had no problem scheduling us in early when my dog had a severe allergic reaction to meds. They set him up in a separated room with no complaints (he also had kennel cough at the time). The vet offered lots of info, and reaffirmed that most allergies can be treated at home via Benadryl. I had started him on it before bringing him in, but his eyes were swollen shut and whole face inflamed. Great price for the service and hours that they're open. I can't offer any information on the price of prescription meds here, but the consultation rate was good.Read Less

Idgy Threadgood

23 Feb 2017

REPORT

When their star vet does the money finger rub when horses are mentioned, I knew I was about to get creamed. 1K$ for nothing but more tests and feeding their dog food, no thanks.....problem cured with... Read More

When their star vet does the money finger rub when horses are mentioned, I knew I was about to get creamed. 1K$ for nothing but more tests and feeding their dog food, no thanks.....problem cured within 2 months and my own choice of dog food. Alta Vista Animal Hospital is an atrocious scam, as is ALL city vets. Had to give a star in order to post. Read Less

patseglal

4 Feb 2017

REPORT

I brought my dog there for an emergency She has a nosebleed for no reason. It was nose cancer : ( Don't worry! That was 2 years ago and she's fine today!

Cecilia Leong

26 Jan 2017

REPORT

I had a neurology appointment with my cat that have recently become blind. All the staff were super friendly and wonderful to me and my cat. I felt super comforted that everyone seem to love their job... Read More

I had a neurology appointment with my cat that have recently become blind. All the staff were super friendly and wonderful to me and my cat. I felt super comforted that everyone seem to love their job and were all very comfortable with animals, even when they were in distress. Dr Huska was amazing with my very obviously frightened cat and was able to perform all necessary tests even though my cat was super fussy/uncooperative. He made sure I understood my options every single step of the way and explained all options thoroughly. Being my first visit, I was so amazed at the level of service and professionalism! Read Less

Riley Smith

7 Jan 2017

REPORT

My dog was giving birth and had a puppy get stuck. I went here for hep and when I asked them what the cost would be for an emergency C-Section they told me around $3,000, and to start calling my frien... Read More

My dog was giving birth and had a puppy get stuck. I went here for hep and when I asked them what the cost would be for an emergency C-Section they told me around $3,000, and to start calling my friends for money. I hadn't even mentioned money and they told me I wouldn't be able to afford it, which was in such bad taste I am appalled. I could not believe the way staff handled my dog and I! Please, if you have a pet that is in need of emergency care I advise you not to go here. Read Less

Nicole Frampton

5 Jan 2017

REPORT

This place is amazing. They handled my cat (who is 8yo with exteme high anxiety) with the best care I have ever seen. Dr. Dana Clark is AMAZING and treated DB lIke her own. I would recommend anyone to... Read More

This place is amazing. They handled my cat (who is 8yo with exteme high anxiety) with the best care I have ever seen. Dr. Dana Clark is AMAZING and treated DB lIke her own. I would recommend anyone to this clinic. It is a tad expensive but 100% with the few extra dollars. Read Less

CC Smith - Beauty Blogger

19 Dec 2016

REPORT

My senior cat had a full mouth extraction with Dr. Thatcher. Everything went well. Her scheduled surgery did get pushed back until the evening, but THIS IS AN EMERGENCY VET CLINIC with specialist vete... Read More

My senior cat had a full mouth extraction with Dr. Thatcher. Everything went well. Her scheduled surgery did get pushed back until the evening, but THIS IS AN EMERGENCY VET CLINIC with specialist veterinarians. They also take the most serious of cases, so sometimes there are complications that take longer than anticipated. I was a mess waiting for my girl, but I'm glad the patient before me got the proper care without rushing. I too got a low and high cost estimate. NO you do not get to choose what price you want. The price you end up with is reflective of the care your animal NEEDED. I actually had some difficulty paying with my various cards, but the desk staff were kind and understanding until I was able to sort it out. They are more than happy to explain what all the tests are for. I also received a very thorough report with imaging to demonstrate what exactly was done as some teeth had fallen out before our visit, some were reabsorbed and some were affected by periodontis disease. Overall, very pleased with the experience. Did not encounter a single staff member that was even remotely unpleasant. Yes, it was expensive but that is the nature of owning a pet that needs care. Read Less

Michael S.

12 Sep 2016

REPORT

Front staff is very nice and polite, unfortunately that's where it ends. I am sure if you have an appointment you may be ok how ever for emergencies I wouldn't come back. My dog was peeing blood tak... Read More

Front staff is very nice and polite, unfortunately that's where it ends. I am sure if you have an appointment you may be ok how ever for emergencies I wouldn't come back. My dog was peeing blood take her in, was advised it was probably a bladder infection. Tried to charge o we a $100 for an x-ray, when we declined we where left waiting for over 4 hours to see the Vet and get the meds my dog needed. Now I understand being short staffed and everything but I was told after the 2nd hour we where next only to watch the waiting room clear out of all the people that came after us and then the front staff disappearing at 12:30, it is now 12:53 still no staff, still no Vet. Makes you wonder if I would have gotten the x-ray if I would have been home at 10pm instead of still waiting till what I am sure will be way into the morning, after all two new people came in. Read Less

K P.

22 Jul 2016

REPORT

We are so fortunate to have a facility of this calibre in our region. Our dog had major spinal surgery here due to congenital illness, and the entire team took excellent care of him. Our vet is so kno... Read More

We are so fortunate to have a facility of this calibre in our region. Our dog had major spinal surgery here due to congenital illness, and the entire team took excellent care of him. Our vet is so knowledgeable, friendly, personable, caring and gentle with Pacey, our French Bulldog. Everyone treats him with such tenderness, he runs into the offices happily, delighted to see every person who's cared for him. He has been seen at Alta Vista by specialists for spinal care, allergies, and even routine physicals. Alta Vista is The Place for your cherished pet! Read Less

Jelly B.

12 Feb 2016

REPORT

I am absolutely in love with this animal hospital! My husband and I did our research before bringing home our new puppy and decided to go with Alta Vista. We made our very first appointment before ou... Read More

I am absolutely in love with this animal hospital! My husband and I did our research before bringing home our new puppy and decided to go with Alta Vista. We made our very first appointment before our puppy even came home. The front desk staff was so welcoming and sweet. They helped get our file ready so we would be ready to go come appointment day.Our very first day couldn't have gone better. We meet our vet ( Erica Tyre). To say she was amazing isn't enough. She spent so much time with us making sure our questions got answered and we never felt rushed. When it was time to leave she made sure to tell us if we had anymore questions or concerns to give her a call or come right in. 3 visits later ( puppy booster shots) I am still amazed by this place. All of our immunization went off without a hitch except this last visit (2 days ago). Our puppy seemed to have a reaction to her last vaccination. Yes, we've had dogs before. Yes, we know some shots may have a few side effects. No, she didn't have a reaction the other two times. So after saying all this, i quickly call Alta Vista and left a message for Doctor Tyre to give me a call back. Not but 10 minutes later did she return my phone call. She was so incredibly helpful. She stayed in touch the entire day and even the next. She made it appoint to call the following day to see how our pup was ( she was back to her puppy self again). The work and passion this doctor has for her patients goes above and beyond what i ever expected. Thank you to Doctor Tyre and the whole Alta Vista staff. My husband and i look forward to doing business with you guys for a long time to come! Read Less

Mel B.

22 Oct 2015

REPORT

The secretaries are very nice and receive too much grief from clients because the vets are running late 1. It's not the secretaries fault and 2. Shit happens ! Susie is one of the secretaries in emerg... Read More

The secretaries are very nice and receive too much grief from clients because the vets are running late 1. It's not the secretaries fault and 2. Shit happens ! Susie is one of the secretaries in emergency and she is very professional and loving towards animals, which is important in an emergency situation ! Staying calm is key which she is very good at ! The technicians and vets were very kind with my two cats, my cats were calm because she actually liked them and her job it showed.I also get all my pets food from here and toys, our pets are family, and deserve the best service and quality Read Less

Genia B.

14 Oct 2015

REPORT

A while back, I had a cat pass away -- they could not save him by CPR. When they informed me that he was not coming back (as in, no hope of resuscitating him), the doctor pretty much goaded me by the ... Read More

A while back, I had a cat pass away -- they could not save him by CPR. When they informed me that he was not coming back (as in, no hope of resuscitating him), the doctor pretty much goaded me by the arm into their "comfort room" as they call it. This is a room (ostensibly) designed so that pet owners can spend time with a deceased pet and say goodbye. After a bit, she walked into the room and presented me with a bill. I was shocked when I saw $1100 -- she had tacked on charges that I did not ask for, which were an autopsy and returning the ashes in an urn. I demanded that she remove the above charges, which she did do, after which my bill was reduced to around $280 (which was for CPR and basic cremation). Well, here's my real concern. What if it had been someone who DID NOT examine their bill because of being too devastated over the loss of a beloved pet and just signed / handed over their credit card without looking? Good thing I had the presence of mind! My good friend's dad had the same thing happen to him when they euthanized his rabbit -- they tried to lead him into that room. He adamantly insisted that he first pay the bill, that they then euthanize the rabbit, wrap him in a towel and hand him over for him to walk out the door. They tried to argue, saying it's "protocol". He said he did not like their protocol (good on him). The girl at the front desk said she had to talk to her supervisor to get approval, which she reluctantly did after some more heated arguing. She eventually let him pay the bill and walk out the door with the (deceased) bunny wrapped in a towel as he asked, but boy, she was not happy (making me wonder if they get year-end bonuses or something to that effect). I learned my lesson with my own experience and luckily did not get gouged. I saw the doctor's notes later, which said she "offered" me an autopsy and return of the ashes ("tacked it onto the bill without my consent" is more accurate). This is 100% unacceptable and an absolutely despicable way to treat someone who just lost a pet -- they seem to bank on people being devastated and ignorant in order to hose them for as much money as possible. If you use their services and are in the unfortunate situation of having just lost a pet, DO NOT let them pull you into that "comfort room" until after you've CAREFULLY reviewed and paid your bill! Stand your ground, make a scene, and demand a supervisor if you have to! If push really comes to shove, threaten to call the Ontario College of Veterinary Surgeons, in order to report this "protocol" of theirs! Read Less

Francisco C.

15 May 2015

REPORT

Brought one of my pups after he scared us with blood in this stool and vomiting....they were very prompt in examining him and the vet was very friendly and empathetic. Would definitely come back if ne... Read More

Brought one of my pups after he scared us with blood in this stool and vomiting....they were very prompt in examining him and the vet was very friendly and empathetic. Would definitely come back if needed (hopefully we don't need it again!) Read Less

Chanelle W.

25 Aug 2014

REPORT

I brought my 13 year old cat in on a sunday night.two days prior he had some crystal blockage in his urethra (apparently) said a vet from aylmer eardly hospital, so i had paid for his unblockage opera... Read More

I brought my 13 year old cat in on a sunday night.two days prior he had some crystal blockage in his urethra (apparently) said a vet from aylmer eardly hospital, so i had paid for his unblockage operation.So two days later he clearly was not feeling good so i brought him in at the alta vista as soon as i sat down a vet technician came and greeted us to a room. She was super helpful and clearly did not mind that my cat was leaking urine on her, she even gave him a kiss ( he was smelling very bad) because of bladder leakage.She reassured me and took a sample from his pee to examine at their lab,she even gave him a litter box which was very sweet of her. When she came back she said there were no crystals found in his urine!!! which was contradicting the vet in aylmer. So we did wait a very long time for the vet to give us the results, because there were more severe emergency cases plus it was a sunday night. When the vet came she said it was most likely a bladder infection NOT CRYSTAL BLOCKAGE!!! she also was super caring for my cat and since he wasn't drinking much at all she gave him a hydration injection, antibiotics also by injections. They also gave me 2 oral medication for muscle relaxant of his urethra and pain killers. The moment he came back from those injections he was feeling so much better it was a big relief. And they even offered to wash him. The price for all this was very reasonable considering i;m a student with a very modest budget. I was super impressed with this place and you can tell they care for your pets and they don't look at them like a figure amount. I am most definitely bringing my cat there from now on, no question about that.MUST ADD: DON'T GO TO THE AYLMER EARDLY CLINIC WORST EXPERIENCE I'VE EVER HAD Read Less

Robert F.

18 Nov 2013

REPORT

I recently had to take my dog to Alta Vista to have a complicated surgery done to repair a broken leg. I'm going to start by saying the surgical staff and the service they provided was top notch and h... Read More

I recently had to take my dog to Alta Vista to have a complicated surgery done to repair a broken leg. I'm going to start by saying the surgical staff and the service they provided was top notch and he's fast on the way to recovery.What I felt could use some improvement was the "bedside manner" of their Emergency desk staff. After bringing in a dog who is visibly injured, I got no help in opening the doors, attitude when I asked a question. When we came to pick him up, while explaining what to expect in the coming the weeks, the technician kept telling us he'll need to loose wait while he recovers.While that might be the case for most dogs of his breed, this is not the case with our dog, and it was obvious that she hadn't seen our dog or she would have known this was not the case, which she confirmed after she did end up seeing him.Anyways while we had a great experience in general, could have done with a little less scolding and attitude. Read Less

Jessie P.

19 Oct 2013

REPORT

Nice place, great surgeon, nice staff, one horrible vet... I brought my dog in after vomiting/not eating for a few days, I already had the assumption that she ate something and was blocking her system... Read More

Nice place, great surgeon, nice staff, one horrible vet... I brought my dog in after vomiting/not eating for a few days, I already had the assumption that she ate something and was blocking her system. We arrived for an emergency appointment, and knew I was getting charged for it. We waited for almost 3hrs for a vet to come check my dog out. So we walked in and spoke to the vet (her name escapes me)... Anyways, I explained the situation and my guess and I added we were here a few months ago with the same issue. So we got xrays done and it did show something was blocking her intestine. The vet insisted on surgery, despite me offering other options (last time she was put on IV fluids for 24hrs and was a-ok), but the vet said if I did not get the surgery now, my dog would die, just bluntly said if I don't do something now my dog was going to die. I'm no vet, but she was not taking the time to understand or offer other ways to try and help me spend less (I'm not exactly carrying thousands in my pocket but I'm prepared to help my dogs when need be). I got real mad and upset and went ahead with the surgery. Afterwards they tried to steal over 1000$ after a "miscalculation" on their estimates for the surgery (you get a low and high, and I paid the highest). I love Alta Vista, and the surgeon was a really great man (can't remember his name either but he was amazing), but that one vet was really a killer for it. Read Less

Jessie C.

20 Dec 2012

REPORT

I have only taken one of my animals to this hospital for an emergency visit, and I will not be returning. I have rescued and raised horses, cows and dogs my entire life, and have dealt with hundred an... Read More

I have only taken one of my animals to this hospital for an emergency visit, and I will not be returning. I have rescued and raised horses, cows and dogs my entire life, and have dealt with hundred and hundreds of vets. Although the facility is beautiful, the staff have a lot to learn.My female Mini Dachshund had gotten spayed at my normal vet, and the day after she stopped eating, so I rushed her to Alta Vista. We were seen by a vet soon after we arrived. However, the vet that we saw was scared - that's right, scared- of my 12 lb dog. He rushed at her face to check her teeth and gums, but did not let her smell him first, and so she got a little startled and jumped, and he started saying that she was going to bite him. I assured him that my dog was not going to bite him, he just needed to let him smell her, and he refused to check her gums. So I had to lift her lips for him!! The diagnosis: she had a stomach ache. and he sent us home. I had to take her to my regular vet the next day to get a proper diagnosis.Then after I paid, I looked at the invoice and they double charged me for the emergency fee. So I went back right after I paid and they said the manager was not in so I needed to come back at another time to get my money refunded. It took me about 3 months and 30+ phone calls to get that money back. It was ridiculous. Every time I called, whoever I needed to talk to was not in or on the phone or blah blah blah. It was just an overall very disappointing experience. Read Less

laura c.

14 Oct 2012

REPORT

While I can handle the tardiness of seeing a vet because it may involve an emergency or a serious unavoidable issue, I cannot tolerate scamming at the expense of patients. I was seen 45 minutes late a... Read More

While I can handle the tardiness of seeing a vet because it may involve an emergency or a serious unavoidable issue, I cannot tolerate scamming at the expense of patients. I was seen 45 minutes late and my dog required a shot. Because no one was available to administer it, I was told to leave my dog and to come back when she could given the shot. I left and came back as requested, and was told I was to pay a boarding fee. Not only was my bill over $1000, but they tagged on a fee that was unethical considering it was their lack of staff that had my dog wait for a shot that was the very reason we booked the appointment. When I questioned the receptionist, I got a blank stare with no reason other than "company policy" to bill for it. Completely petty and poor service, unwelcome attitude overall. They showed no love for my dog and were utterly rude all round. I will take my business elsewhere-- and since leaving, found a FAB vet at Greensboro who rescues dogs, shows great affection for all animals and was prompt and friendly. AVOID THIS SCAMMING VET HOSPITAL Read Less

Caylee G.

6 Aug 2012

REPORT

First off, in case you missed it. Last July this became an American company. If this is where you want your pet dollars to go fine.As for the care. What can I say. You get what you pay for. It's proba... Read More

First off, in case you missed it. Last July this became an American company. If this is where you want your pet dollars to go fine.As for the care. What can I say. You get what you pay for. It's probably near to the best in Ottawa for Fido and Fluffy. Plus they have a better "Emerg" and Hospital for closed hours than humans in Ottawa do. NOTE that the clinic is NOT walk in or you are charged emerg fees. Even for a hang nail!The Vets are awesome...but somehow that awesomeness just doesn't trickle down.Sloppy billing, zero payment plans unless they decide ok. Apparently there is a fluid policy on this. ?????Beyond the vets, they fail at every turn now. Dr James Hutchison must be just rolling to see how his family business has turned into a money maker rather than the original vision I remember.Today I had the most rude response when I called to apologize for not making my Saturday payment and that we would be in today (Tuesday after a long weekend). His name is Mark. I dont like Mark any more. Further to that he does not know his job nor Canadian law.So be very very careful and check your invoices as things magically appear. We've had 2 now. I CANNOT stress this more.Update: Called today (August 8th) to inform "Mark" that no more effort will be made to pay this off earlier, but will be paid in full when the date arrives. And its a meagre amount at this point so they will be receiving it in nickles weekly. AVAH and my vet Dr Rogers can thank Mark for that.Again I was cut off at every sentence, he was snide and laughing through the conversation. Very patronizing and mocking. How is this in any way a professional demeanour??If you want just as decent general pet care at a cheaper and less harassing staff, I would suggest going elsewhere. Read Less

Julia C.

13 Sep 2011

REPORT

While trying to find a vet for my cats in Hawaii I realized that so far I have been incredibly biased thanks to Alta Vista (from the time I lived in Ottawa). If only I could transplant their staff to ... Read More

While trying to find a vet for my cats in Hawaii I realized that so far I have been incredibly biased thanks to Alta Vista (from the time I lived in Ottawa). If only I could transplant their staff to Hawaii....First off, I have no idea in terms of the cost of procedures/exams/surgeries. I can honestly say that I never really compared costs. However, even if this place is 3x more expensive than another vet, I would have kept going here. Why? Because it is much more like a human hospital rather than some dingy, fly-by-night affair with a doctor who you really just have to wonder about (you know, the ones where you feel like you actually have a better clue than they do).Alta Vista has a 24 hour ER that is actually staffed (with 8 ER vets at that) so you will have a doctor and numerous techs checking in on post-op, overnight, or ICU type of situations. Beyond this, they have specialists available at the hospital, board certified in areas such as dentistry, cardiology, ophthalmology... And the range of tests they can do is quite humbling when I compare that to what my own doctor does for me. Depressingly so, perhaps.My parents also took all their pets there (and are continuing to do so with their dog, to this day). Even when the worst happens, that moment you when you realize that a beloved pet simply won't make it and so you choose to do what you simply can never prepare for, the staff of this hospital were there, ready to comfort yet to give you enough space to take in the loss. They will offer grief counseling information, help to arrange burial preparations, etc. I have simply not been able to find anything that comes close to this place. Every time I go to a new vet when I move, it is as if you had found a modern medical facility and are then forced to go backwards to some pre-historic medical era in veterinary medicine. I know some people just see a pet as a pet, nothing more. That is to be expected. Perhaps some people are ok with going to any vet. But if you are the type of person who sees a cat or dog or reptile or whatever creature you share your life with as a true family member, you owe it to yourself to give that member as much case as you would to a parent, a sibling or another loved one and take them to a clinic where the quality of medical care matches that of a human hospital.Oh and FYI, get pet insurance if you can, of course. $25/month vs having the money to do insanely expensive surgeries is well worth it if you really love your family. Read Less

Alta Vista Animal Hospital

Alta Vista Animal Hospital

Contact Us

Feel free to get in touch with us...