Montville Animal Hospital

I really don't like this place - no one enjoys going to the vet, there's usually something going on with the animal and the owner is concerned. I wish the staff took this into account, specifically Dr. Jo, who can take anywhere from 10-25 minutes to make an appearance in the exam room. I've been trying to figure out this vet's way of thinking for the past 4-5 visits over the past couple years and today I realized she follows procedures that are in HER best interest. She's very pushy when it comes to various options in treating your pet with whatever ailments they may have. I asked her to give me a ballpark cost of what taking a biopsy would be and she said "I'll have to add that up on paper" - it took almost 20 minutes for her to return to the exam room, with an extensive list adding up to over $600. She stated "the lab results are usually inconclusive and we'll most likely be going with this option...(the $600 option), I'll take a sample and blood work today and send you home with some meds to see if it clears up on it's own". She makes serious assumptions, and doesn't take the financial burden of anything into account. Not to mention that she obviously had a vet tech in training helping her this morning and was incredibly rude to her, raising her eyebrows and waving her hands at the young woman like she was incompetent. Can you tell I just got back and the anger of this visit is still flowing through me?! Don't go here. I wish that I had the time, money, and BRAVERY to stick up for myself and my pet against Dr. Jo, to get a second opinion somewhere else, but she has a tactical way of forceful procedure, they won't let you walk out the door without shaking you down for nearly every penny you've got. Read Less

Very reasonably priced and not pushy when it comes to recommended procedures or shots, Montville Animal Hospital is now my go-to vet. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone in the Norwich/New London area. Read Less

Never felt so cheated in my entire life they snuck stuff on the bill I specifically said I didn't want avoid at all costs the vet was rude told my wife and I to leave the room like I would leave my child with a stranger we own a very friendly Pitt bull and she pretty much told us that we have to get her fixed because it's not a good idea to breed this dog and at a cost of $735.00 scam artists Read Less

I've been taking my cats there for years , the techs are always polite , kind and gentle . Dr. Jo mike. Is a very good doc. I trust her completely! prices are a little high, but that's the way it is everywhere. Quality doesn't come cheep . Read Less

I want to give people a good reason to steer clear of Montville Animal Hospital. Since 2013, my dog (lab mix, originally about 65 lbs) has lost a drastic amount of weight he first lost about 5-7 pounds in the first 5 months and has since been losing weight (weighing in at about 50 now). Dr. Michaelson would yell at me up and down saying I'm not feeding my dog enough or the right food (he eats his food and pretty much everything I eat, he's a pig). She would shame me into thinking it was my fault. I would get nervous every time I would bring him in and he had to get weighed because I didn't need to be blamed again. We have done test after test, ultrasounds, and exams to the tune of thousands. Fast forward to the end of October 2015. I mentioned my dog's tail was down at an ear re-check. She tried to ignore it at first, telling me it was always like that when he was there(although the I had mentioned it to the assistant, twice), but I insisted she check it. She checked his anal gland area, the first time in the 8.5 years we have had him and says there is a hard mass in the area. I asked why she has never checked this at one of his numerous other exams and physicals in the past and got an answer of "it wasn't bothering him". He's a dog, he can't talk. We had to have him out under so she could get a sample of what it may be. Two days later the results come back and she says "it's not overly malignant". I made an appointment at a specialist in RI for a surgical consult (I knew at his age he wouldn't be able to handle it, but wanted to know if and how fast it would grow). I went to the consult last night. What Dr. Michaelson called "not overly malignant" is a massive tumor that has more than likely spread to his abdomen. The surgeon reassured me that the weight my dog has been losing over the last couple years is not from me not feeding him (he eats McD's a couple times a week), but from the tumor taking all his nutrients and is now feeding off his muscles. Dr. Michaelson will do anything for money and will shame you into tests and make you feel like a horrible person if you don't do something she suggests. Had she done a physical examination like she should have, this may have been caught when it was small. I don't like to rant or tell people not to use a local business, but I just don't want people being taken advantage.Read Less

Dr. Michaelson has been our vet for our 3 bearded dragons and 2 english labs for almost 2 years now. finding an excellent vet is hard to come by, especially one that also tends to exotic pets...and when you are protective over your "babies". our dogs are always so excited to see everyone there. everyone treats us with respect and love, and only wants the best for all of our animals. it is obviously how much dr. michaelson and her staff love the animals. montville is a diamond in the rough. Read Less

Just moved to town and needed a new vet.  Very unimpressed from the minute I walked in to the time I walked out.  Prices are RIDICULOUS and they double charged me and refused to reimburse though it was right on the bill they printed for me.More important - they are very unfriendly and with that kind of attitude it is questionable when it comes to the care of my pets.  I'll drive the 46 miles to go to my prior vet before walking in the door of that place ever again! Read Less