Stine Veterinary Hospital

I don't like posting reviews, especially when they're negative because I always think about my own business and career. However, for this, I had to make an exception. We have a male and female french bulldog. We know this breed is delicate and sensitive, so when we found out our female was expecting, we immediately took her in. We paid for an ultrasound, lab work, x-rays, all for a total of $400. We didn't mind the bill because we love our pets and their health and safety is our priority. The vet gave us a date to expect the puppies, but unfortunately it was off by 2 WHOLE WEEKS!! Our female went into labor without us knowing and out of 5 puppies only 2 survived. We paid $2000 for an emergency c-section at 3 in the morning at a 24hr vet hospital. If I hadn't heard her yelping for help outside our window, we would've never known she was in labor and would've woken up to a dead female with the rest of her puppies still inside. I feel it's not okay to be this off especially knowing the delicate nature of the breed. The Stine vet wasn't very empathetic and took no responsibility for the outcome once we explained the situation. He felt WE as owners were not specific enough about when she was initially bred. Okaaayyyyyyy so then what were all those diagnostics for?? The vet that performed the c-section said he would've warned us to take her temperature, check if she's eating, basic signs that would've indicated labor to make up for the fact neither he nor we were spot on for the due date. This I would've been okay with. But this vet at the Stine Clinic gave us a date and we trusted his diagnoses. Moral of the story: take your pets somewhere else if you want a correct diagnosis for their safety and what you're going to pay. Read Less

I love the care that you show our pet. I know she's in good hands when she is with you. I know that her health and wellbeing are your number one priority. I also appreciate how CLEAN your place is. Wow! Thank you again. I have recommended you and will continue to do so. Read Less

Took my dog to have his eye checked out. 45$ then told him he had a skin condition said that's for another appointment more $. Afterwards they came out and I got a bill for 118.00. I received no option on wether to skip a shot, eye drops or chewables. Instead I got stunned with a bill that I was not anticipating. The receptionist was polite. My problem was that they pulled on the meds, procedures without asking if it was ok. I get the impression that this place likes to pileup unnecessary charges. Last time here. Read Less

Dr. Paulson is great and deserves 5 stars but his incompetent staff makes it difficult to get good treatment for our dogs. They do not effectively relay messages to the doctor and are rude, especially the female receptionist who was working 3/24/17 and 3/25/17. Our female dog was seen 3/24 and the doctor suspected pyometra. My husband let the doctor know he'd have to go home and discuss the expensive treatment with me to see if we could somehow afford it. After we discussed her doctor visit, I tried leaving several messages for Dr. Paulson and was told by everyone who answered that he was tending to "another dog with a serious and complex condition." I expressed that I wanted to speak to the doctor briefly about medications to keep my dog comfortable since we were working on trying to get the money together for treatment. I called again right before they closed and I insisted that it was urgent that I talk to him for a few minutes about my dog's situation since pyometra involves the uterus filling with pus and it's considered a serious condition by vets that is time-sensitive. She said she would go talk to him but when she came back on the phone, she told me the doctor said "surgery is needed." I told her that wasn't what I asked her to discuss with him and repeated that I needed doctor advise regarding medicine to make my dog comfortable in the meantime. She said that was his answer so I told her that we would be taking my dog to our old vet in Orange County since I can't even get in touch with Dr. Paulson. I called again this morning in hopes that I wouldn't have to make the 3 hour drive today for her appointment with her old vet. I let them know that I was trying to get a hold of Dr. Paulson since yesterday and still wanted to discuss medication for my dog's comfort. I got the same "female" receptionist from yesterday who told me that I should just take her to the other vet that I mentioned yesterday because they were busy again today. When I insisted that I still needed to speak with Dr. Paulson because we paid our fees yesterday, she said it wasn't possible and "I have people here waiting and don't have time for this" and immediately hung up. I called back and she didn't even answer; she hung up like an immature teenager. So I waited a little and called back hoping to get someone else. She actually answered this time so I told her I needed Dr. Paulson's voicemail. The recording on his voicemail sounds just like her voice so hopefully he actually gets the message that I left for him and she isn't responsible for relaying his voice messages too since she lacks basic communication skills and decency. This isn't the first time we've had issues with his staff either. Over 2 years ago, my male dog was in dire need and his body appeared to be shutting down. When I called Stine Veterinary, a female receptionist told me they were booked and couldn't see him at all and she suggested I take him to any other vet since it sounded so serious. I knew that when the day came to put down my beloved dog, it wouldn't be easy, but we never expected to be abandoned in his time of need. It was devastating that my dog couldn't see his OWN doctor because he was "too busy" that day when my dog needed his doctor most. We only continued to use this vet hospital because Dr. Paulson expressed great disapproval in the way his staff handled our call for help and we figured it was just a bad, bad isolated mistake. Stine Veterinary has been our vet for four years but after our experience with them recently, it seems Dr. Paulson has no control over his incompetent staff so we will never trust them again with our animals health. Do not take your animals here. You will be ripped off because your animals won't get the care they need because the staff is so horrible. In the four years we've used this vet, I've never felt like a valued patient. Good luck to you and your pet if you are an existing patient at Stine Veterinary Hospital. Read Less

I took my puppy in for his first vet visit and for a deworming. When I called to make an appointment the receptionist was polite and professional. I arrived early to fill out paperwork and had a very short wait time. When the vet came in the exam room he wasn't friendly at all and I I tried to ask questions, but he talked over me. He then left the room after saying my puppy was mostly healthy. My question about the "mostly" was left unanswered. Then I waited 30 minutes for the fecal test and my puppy got the dewormer. First impressions count and I was not impressed at all. This was my first visit to this vet and my puppy's first exam and I was hoping for a positive experience. Overall, I didnt feel welcomed and I will not be returning. Read Less

I took my chihuahua mix Annie in for an ear infection a few weeks ago and was given an estimate of almost 300.00 to treat it. I couldnt afford it that day so I took her home and on Friday (Nov. 18, 2016) I called to try and have her treated but was told they didn't have an opening and was given an appointment for the following day which was yesterday, Saturday . When I arrived for her appointment I was told that they didnt treat ear infections on Saturdays but he said he would see if "THEY" could do it and left the exam room. When he came back he said they could do it and then administered the anesthesia ($130.00) and told me to return at 1 pm to pick her up. when I picked her up the bill was 15 dollars less than the estimate which included a whopping $3 discount. not sure what the discount was for but whatever. Annie was brought out and I was given instructions and on how to continue her treatment at home. Annie was not acting herself but I didn't concern myself with it because I attributed it to the anesthesia until late that evening when I tried to administer the medication into her ear canal. Let me begin by describing my relationship with annie. She is a dog I got from a friend who got her from some man on the street who was giving puppies away for free. I was a little upset at my friend for giving me a second dog that he knew nothing about and that was so skinny I wasn't sure would even survive but I reluctantly took her home. I decided on naming her Annie because it was short for Anorexia. The thing is she has turned out to be the most unbelievable blessing I could have ever imagined. She is the most loyal, loving, protecting little girl that I can only assume comes out of her gratitude for giving her a better life than she had previously. As such Annie will do anything I tell her to do even if I'm telling her to come when she knows she is in trouble. she may get a little slow coming but she comes regardeless. Anyway, I was about to administer the medication into her ear when she began shaking and simply started making a sound that I have never heard her make before and it was a sound I can only describe as what she might make in a situation where she is being tortured. I became alarmed at this because if Annie had been under anesthesia during her treatment she wouldn't have any reason to have responded as though she were terrified. Then I noticed her nails had been clipped. there was no discussion of her nails being clipped nor was there any charge of clipping her nails on the bill. This tells me that she must have been awake and fighting what had to be a torturous traumatizing treatment. I can only assume that "THEY" took too long in treating annie after the administration of her anesthesia because it was Saturday and rather than readminister another 130.00 shot they decided to just clip her nails and put her through agony. Don't ask me why I rated 2 stars because I don't have an answer to that. I should have rated one star for Annie and any future Annie's out there. Read Less

I have used Stine Veterinary for over 15 years. They have always been both compassionate and accommodating. Dr. Paulson is very attentive to the needs of both pet and owner. He is willing to try different treatments and medicines to take care of a problem. Likely outcomes are explained, as well as a complete discussion of pricing. His staff is excellent and caring. There is follow-up and thoroughness. Stine Veterinary has served my pets and the pets of friends and relatives very well. Read Less

I have been bringing my animals here for the past 12 years and have decided to part ways. The front office staff is great and has always been. I used to get seen shortly after checking in for my appointment but for the past 3 years, I have had to wait at least an hour to see the Dr.. I used to really like the doctor but the last few years, it seems that he is only interested in selling me things I don't need for my pets. Read Less

Dr. Paulson does a thorough job in trying to find out what ills your pet. He is good with explaining a clear solution. I appreciate that he gives estimate prior to treatment. My pet quickly gets better after the treatments. I appreciate the kindness and thoughtfulness of his staff as well. Read Less

I have been been bringing my poodles to Dr. Paulson for almost 9 years and love everyone there! Dr. Paulson is very experienced and I am confident my pets are receiving the best care around. The staff is always friendly and helpful, the office is always clean and smells nice. :)Read Less

My wife an I took my 2year old German Sheppard, hazey, in at about 3:30 with a severe arterial wound beneath the pad of her right paw. We called before we left Taft, to ensure availability of doctor and the told us to brung her in right away because they had an opening.They had us wait in the lobby for the first half hour, while she bleed through the two layers of bandaging she already had. They finally heard our overbearing concern (wife's balling) for her life and decided to bring our hazey back. After being placed in the second waiting room for another hour, the doctor came in to tell us he couldn't do anything, "they were closing; there is a pet hospital open 24 hours, right up the road," (paraphrasing) and walked out of the room. They tried to charge me for the visit, but decided not to when we told them that wouldn't be happening as we left. Never go here within an hour and a half of closing time if it involves more than a routine exam by their tech. By the way, the short-haired blond tech was compassionate and actually tried so thank you :d Read Less

I paid 760.00 for them to treat my dog's bladder infection. I feel like that was an unusually high price. The doctor is nice enough, but I feel like I was taken for a ride. I sure do miss Dr. Connor in Castaic where I used to live. He was and excellent vet and charged reasonably. Read Less

On the recommendation of Jennifer Curtis, one of our Volunteers with Cause 4 Cats and Dr. Paulson's client for about 20, we have been taking our cats and kittens here since 2010. The receive great care in a friendly and professional manner. We recommend Stine Vet Hospital to everyone who adopts from us, and almost all of our sterilizations are done there. Read Less

Today 3-27-15 Stine Veterinary Hospital refused to help a poor cat that was hit on New Horizon Blvd. One of the guys who stopped to try to help the poor cat who was bleeding from his mouth and breathing very rapidly and couldn't walk, went to the hospital to ask if they could help, and they told him to call animal control. Where's the compassion? This poor cat was suffering badly and they didn't want to help. Shame on you Stine Veterinary Hospital!! I had to pick up this poor... suffering cat who was struggling to breath, and took him to 4 Paws Animal Hospital, who were more than willing to help this cat. It doesn't cost that much to euthanize an animal, and that's all this poor cat needed. He was beyond help to save his life, but you guys didn't even make an attempt to help or see if you could. I will never recommend you guys to anyone. And Thank You again 4 Paws animal Hospital for your help today for a poor kitty that didn't need to suffer as long as he did. See More Read Less