They should be ASHAMED for their service AND their pricing.This is going to be a long one.We'd been using Advanced Veterinary Care for our three critters for years before moving to Seattle for a time,... Read More
They should be ASHAMED for their service AND their pricing.This is going to be a long one.We'd been using Advanced Veterinary Care for our three critters for years before moving to Seattle for a time, but never again. We have a dog with severe food allergies, and ear infections are a common occurrence if he manages to get into something he shouldn't, like any common protein or grain. It's old news, it's always the same event - ear swab, oral antibiotics, and an ointment. We brought him in at 5:30 one evening, admittedly without an appointment, after leaving as early as possible from work and knowing that their hours were until 6pm. We were greeted with annoyance and a clear feeling that we were imposing by asking them to do their jobs until the actual time of close. The tech at the desk told us they were through with appointments for the day, and that MAYBE the vet MIGHT agree to see us, but it would constitute an emergency visit. There was no chance of getting in for their meager 4 hour availability on Saturday (8am-12pm) and we certainly couldn't leave our dog in that kind of pain until Monday, so we agreed.The actual interaction with the doctor and another tech was fine, but the "Emergency Visit" fee costs and additional $115 dollars on top of the regular exam fee. $115! For as previously stated, an ear swab and a few common prescriptions, our bill totaled $186. The real kicker is the time stamp on our printed receipt was 6:01pm. ONE MINUTE PAST CLOSE.The veterinary clinic we used in Seattle, by contrast, was simply incredible. Urban Animal was open from 8am-8pm every day, walk-ins every bit as welcome as appointments, and beyond reasonable pricing. There, it would have been a quick 20 minute stop for less than $60 with medication. While we don't expect to find that level of cost effectiveness and convenience in small-town Connecticut, it is clearly possible to achieve with the right business model.Making this last visit - and it is our LAST - a very, very bitter pill to swallow indeed. It certainly doesn't feel like Advanced Animal Care has anyone's animals' best interest in mind with their business practices - unless you have cash to burn and a totally flexible schedule, go somewhere else. Read Less