Nepean Animal Hospital

All great experiences over the course of 3-plus years. However, our most recent interaction with our puppy and a new-to-us veterinarian at the clinic soured the relationship. Specific products were pushed quite aggressively on my adult son during the check-up. He explained that we were doing our research and wouldn't be making a purchase that day. He told the receptionist the same thing at the end of the appointment, following which she informed the vet. The vet then called my son back into the examining room to ask why he was turning down said product. My son explained again. The vet then followed him out to the full waiting room, said, "This is the best choice for your dog", and instructed the receptionist to give him the product and add it to the invoice. Very unacceptable and unprofessional behavior. We are now with a new vet clinic without pushy tactics, and we have informed NAH as to our reason for leaving. Giving 3 stars to reflect previous care from NAH. It would have been 5 if not for the actions of the vet in question. Be prepared for massive pressure and guilt tactics if your dog has an appointment with that one. Read Less

Last week I lost my beloved kitten Ella. I wasn’t certain if I should share my experience. I do not hold the vet accountable -she was my pet, my responsibility and her passing is my failing, but I think it important this story be heard as a cautionary tale. Their are immature, naive pet-owners like me in this World who will project their insecurities as I did, and I think it important I put the tragedy of Ella’s life into words. I adopted her in August. Soon I’d bring her here for the first time where I’d raise concern about the discharge from her eyes. I was told not to worry. A month later I’d call again because she was sneezing often and seemed sick. I was informed she had an upper respiratory infection -nothing of concern. I was given medicine not because she needed it but so that my trip would not be a “waste of time.” I felt like an idiot. Like I had achieved nothing but spent time and lost money. A week later I brought her in to be spayed. When I asked when I should bring her in next I was told, “We aren’t supposed to see you that often.” These words were not said with venom or intention but they stuck with me regardless. At Christmas Ella began to have trouble eating. She rejected dry food and started to lose weight. So I started to try different foods. When her infection got worse I didn’t call the vet, I consulted the internet and started to treat her congestion with saline. I assumed she wasn’t eating because she was having trouble smelling. I at no point contacted the hospital, I felt like that would be my failure as a pet owner. I thought that it was my responsibility to help her, and that taking her to the vet was a last resort not an open option. At least that’s how I’d been made to feel. My baby was so much sicker than I had realized. I knew she was sick and I denied her the care she needed until it was too late. I don’t know if Ella could have been saved, but I do know by the time I seeked help it was too late. My experiences with this clinic were unsatisfactory right up until my last, as I called them frantically and was once more given that dangerous advice -not to worry. No mention was made of an emergency vet over the phone when I described her unmoving state, I did not know they existed. It cost me $90 to wait around outside, and be cast out immediately because their was nothing to be done. The bill at the emergency vet was to the tune of $8000, though of course I’d pay any amount more if I could still have my baby with me. The procedure was unsuccessful, Ella was too far gone to be helped. I will never know if she could have been saved had I seeked help sooner, but I do know I could have been more prepared. Now I have no kitten, no money and no happiness. She was my everything, and I don’t want to live without her. This is a story of my own failings, not the vets -I just so wish I had not felt encouraged to be a stranger. I know nobody wanted this, I know these are my mistakes solely, but I think it important I let the hospital know how I misinterpreted their actions. I think when it comes to a beloved pet, one should never be encouraged not to worry, and based on my early frequency of visits I think it evident that this was a learned reaction. Ella was my everything, I just so wish the hospital had not made me feel like my concerns over her were a burden to them. I am a failure for allowing my insecurities to betray my pet’s best interests, but I so wish I had never been made to feel that way at all. I don’t know if Ella would be with me otherwise, but I do know then I’d have my answer certain and if I lost her I could feel grief untethered by this horrible guilt. My intention is not to share this guilt, I hope this story does not reach the staff at Nepean Animal Hospital directly, but I do hope no pet owner be made to feel like a bother again. I have learned the danger of granting reckless thought a say in your pet’s health care. I’m so sorry I failed you Ella. To Nepean Animal Hospital, I do not wish to share this burden, it is mine to carry alone. I just ask you caution from unintentionally encouraging a pet owner again to stay away. Even for the smallest of things, I hope pet owners always be encouraged to seek help so no one may have to live with the horrible regret that they didn’t, as I now do. Read Less