Lady in the front holding her finger up to tell me to wait after I'd been there quite some time prior to the woman she was speaking with, now and just having a casual conversation with anyway, didn't sit well. We called ahead to see if we could bring our 3rd dog in at the same time since the first 2 were rescue dogs and paid for by the rescue. The lady on the phone couldn't even get us a ballpark of what it might cost. I get it that they may not know the shot records and such but give me a worst case idea. $100? $250? $500? So after we dropped them off they did get all our dogs done and the amount for our 3rd dog was very cheap which was great. I wish when the appointment was set that they had told us that since the first 2 dogs were rescues that they don't provide the collars for the dogs so they can't lick themselves. They also don't provide antibiotics or painkillers for rescues. That's certainly not the offices fault but I just wish I had known that before hand. It's tough to pick up three dogs and have to stop at Petsmart to go shopping for collards. The place is older but seems ok. Just a little more info would've been great. Read Less

Dr. Larkins absolutely love animals and is very personable and knowledgeable. He is definitely is an expert in his field. I do agree with the other's assessment of the office, as it is run down and seriously needs updating. I love that he has talking parrots all over the clinic and fish tanks everywhere. I'll take an expert who loves animals despite the appearance of the clinic. Read Less

So, I wanna talk about the vet we visited today, at the recommendation of the Lotsa Love Pet Rescue shelter we adopted Stag from. We went to the Altamonte Vetrinary Hospital, on 436 by Honey Baked Ham, and this place was ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. We walked in and the place reeked of shit, there's a bird cage by the door covered in poop, with bird seed all over the floor that Stag tried to eat. There's two at least 75 gal fish tanks with one fish in each tank, one fish has literally no tail fin and the tanks are both completely green. The vet came out, rough housed my dog even though I asked him not to, then curled his body around Stag holding his nose and mouth with one hand, and covering his eyes with the other to get him to stop play biting. I'm not even sure Stag can breathe at this point. Then the vet tells me to make sure I take him to a trainer, because he WILL have problems, and not to tell people what breed he is because people will be scared of him. I'm not ashamed of my dog, so no. This was all in the lobby, we never saw the actual vet again after that. Then we went in the exam room. Three more bird cages in the hallway, all covered in shit.  Two more small fish tanks, both running, both green. One had broken plastic in it. The other had a hard rock hide in it, and the betta's fins were completely shredded. When we went to chech out, less than two minutes after we left the exam room, another dog was taken in there. There's NO WAY they cleaned that room. How am I supposed to trust this guy to take care of my dog when he can't take care of the birds and fish in his office? Considering the very first thing you see when you walk in this building is neglected animals, it was definitely NOT a good experience. Read Less

I drive over an hour passing 15 other vets to see this goofy fun loving guy. He's a wholesome down to earth no hold barred kind a guy. Meds are decently priced and not a ripoff everytime you go in like other vets. I feel like I'm going to a family doctor where they truly care about your animal and not a commission on all these silly overpriced foods and clinically acclaimed treats... Read Less

I volunteer for a local rescue. I want to thank the doctor and his staff for the care they gave our directors personal dog. She just purchased a super pregnant little dog. This morning they did an emergency C-section and spay and saved the momma dogs life. Caring and a great surgeon made a winning combination. Thank for all you do. Read Less

All of these vets suck. I wouldn't be surprised if they all graduated from a community college. So unprofessional and it's such a nasty office. I am waiting for the day this office shuts down and these sick fucks lose their jobs. Read Less

We love Dr Larkin and Altamonte Veterinary Hospital. They have always taken amazing care of our babies with the utmost compassion and for a very affordable cost. The facility itself IS older and a little rough around the edges but the treatment more than makes up for any of that. Read Less

I have used Dr. Larkin and his amazing staff for years. He is honest, kind, knowledgeable. I have had dogs, cats and a rabbit through my family years and He is without a doubt the guy you want to go to for your Pet! Your family member with paws! Read Less

Place is filthy. Office manager demands the employees "clean" with Fabuloso because she "likes the smell". Fabuloso is NOT a disinfectant. Doctor is an animal hoarder, keeping several neglected dogs in kennels in the back who are only let out for about 15 minutes a day, when the kennels are being cleaned. With Fabuloso. Surgical room/table is ALSO cleaned with Fabuloso. This office works with several rescues that bring in dogs infected with Parvo, yet the office manager has the employees clean with a non-disinfectant??? Place reeks of cat piss and sickness as soon as you walk through the door. Our dog was spayed there and ended up with an infection/abscess. Brought her back to be re-examined. Doc said she was fine. Brought her back a second time, he upped her antibiotics, but said she was fine. A week later, she had a big, red bubble at her incision site. Contacted office, they said to bring her in the next morning. By the morning, the bubble had popped and there was a hole in my dog's stomach big enough to put my finger n up to the first knuckle. She now has to live with wire sutures still inside her because of his botched job. Read Less

This is a great place to bring your dog and I'm sure all other animals also whoever has bad things to say about this place is just completely incognizant oh btw the doc at this place shows his experience with animals right off the bat best place to take your animal hands downRead Less

I discovered Dr. Larkin when I got a free visit there for vaccinations after adopting my puppy. I can confirm that the place looks a bit more worn down than what you might see at other vet offices. However, it isn't unsafe. And people are saying that Dr. Larkin is rude, but I found him to be a straight-shooter. I find this valuable in a doctor. I ended up taking my 17yo cat here, after he got really sick, and after a horrible experience at The Cat Hospital of Orlando.(see my review of them for details.) The same day of taking him in, Dr. Larkin diagnosed him as diabetic and got him on insulin and 4 weeks later, he is doing better than ever. His rates are cheaper than the Cat Hospital, he doesn't prescribe you anything you don't need, he will steer you clear of unnecessary or excessive procedures, and he tells you like it is. To me, this is all worth a slightly older, run-down office. Read Less

The vet techs and other staff are great but Dr. Larkins is totally unprofessional. I asked him how much it would be to clip my kitten's nails and he replied "a fortune" but then never clipped them. He complained the whole time about how his building was being foreclosed and he was being forced to move locations and how he had to declare bankruptcy because of a nasty divorce. He spent the whole time talking about himself and his personal problems and cussed several times. This is completely unprofessional to discuss with a customer and made me very uncomfortable. What made me really upset was that the first time I brought my new kittens to him a few weeks prior I asked for them to be de-wormed and he said they didn't need to be but of course they had worms and then got very sick and I had to bring them back which cost me $225! I do not recommend this vet and advise new customers to seek a different vet. I have since found another wonderful vet in the area and wish I had gone there in the first place. Read Less

Dr. Larkins has been our veterinarian for 17 years, and he is undoubtedly not only the best vet around, but he is also the kindest, most compassionate man alive. He has taken care of several of our cats, one of which he has pulled back from the brink of death a couple of times. We will be eternally grateful to have found him. Read Less

Dr Larkin is honest, compassionate and fair. I have been taking my pets here for 15 years. I made the mistake of trying a vet closer to home when I moved to Volusia county. Sure the office was newer and cleaner but the care was sub par. Dr Larkin cares about his patients. He does what is appropriate and doesn't take customers for a ride like most other vets. My animals are family and I just don't trust other vet offices. It's worth the drive for what I consider the best care in central Florida. Read Less

I completely forgot about how run-down this office was until I read the reviews.My struggle is when I had brought a different, sick cat here, the doc seemed really straight forward in his assessment and treatment options.  At no point did I feel like he was making things up or telling me to do things for the sake of money.  In fact, he pretty much talked us out of the more expensive option.Fast forward to a little over a year later, we have a newborn kitten that my wife took to a different vet.  That vet, in comparison, keeps making up new reasons to keep bringing the kitten back, and performs tests without notifying us what/why/cost... ending up costing us a lot for each visit.So how do you weigh between the 2 vets?  If money is no object and you are looking to go for a ride, whether the ride is necessary or not, I guess you could go with the car salesman of a vet.  However, I'm on a budget, and I really do appreciate Dr Larkin's attitude... so a stinky office is negligible.But that's not me being cheap.  Looking up Yelp reviews on both vets shows I'm not the only one with these opinions on either of them. Read Less

Horrible! The only reason I came to this vet was because the rescue center I got my puppy from gave us a free visit. I walked in and it smelled horrible, it was dirty on the inside and unkept on the outside. I've had a pet throughout my entire life and I've never been to a vet as disgusting as this one. There was a fish tank that was completely green from not being taken care of. The lady at the front didn't say anything to me when I walked up. I finished filling out paper work and it was 10:15. My appointment was for 9:30. I politely said "I'm just going to go to somewhere else, thank you" and the lady gave me an additude and said "it'll only be five minutes" I was so over it at that point, I just walked out. I would never recemend this vet to anyone! I actually hope this place gets shut down for the sake of the animals health. Read Less

DO NOT GO HERE! I took my 4 month old Chihuahua Mix to get him neutered here, let me remind you he was a happy, hyper puppy. Two days after him getting neutered, he started to feel depressed which is not normal for him. Next day he started to throw up ALOT, basically all day and also diarrhea as well. He didn't want to eat or drink, so took him to a different vet the next morning, he pooped out blood and it was confirmed that he has Parvo virus. I only had him for almost two months and kept him inside in my home. Up until I took him to get neutered is when he gotten sick. On March 23, 2016, at 10am , my puppy passed away in my arms after he had a seizure. This is not ok and not right. He was too young and did not deserve to die the way he did. I never been so hurt in my life and I think of my pets as my children, so losing him was a big deal to me. Please do not take your pets here, this place needs to be shut down. And another read flag is that their huge fish tank is disgusting, if they can't keep a fish tank clean, who knows how clean the place really is, not clean enough that my puppy caught parvo, please keep the place clean, or better yet, shut down immediately. Read Less

So bad!!! please do not take your pet here. The vet has no patients and is rude he talks to you like your a little child. my dog got a little aggressive instead of putting a muzzle on he punch my dog on his ribs and chocked him with his collar and had the nerve to say its showing him domination and discipline. And not to mention how horribly dirty the place was it looked as if the roof was going to fall on me and everything was rusted. Used needles from prior clients were also out and exposed on the counter. I took pictures i wish i could post them here but it doesn't let me. Read Less

We've been going to Doc Larkins for the better part of a decade. They do a great job, and they've always been clearly more concerned about the pet's health than making a buck. We had a truly sick dog that needed over a week of hospitalization and two surgeries, and the doc and his staff not only took great care of our girl, but also dropped a third of the very hefty fee they'd earned without us even asking because they were worried about whether we could pay it. When we offered to pay more, they asked us to donate whatever part of the difference we felt was appropriate to a local shelter instead. We live downtown, and there are a dozen great vets within a mile or two, but we still make the 40 minute drive up to Altamonte every time we need a vet - they're that great. Read Less

OMG!!! So disgustingly dirty! If they can't even clean you know it's certainly NOT sterile. Place is full of their own animals like birds and fish whose cages/tanks they don't clean! Gave them the benefit of the doubt that it was just the lobby, but got back into a room that was dirty too! Left without even seeing the dr! Read Less

Dr. Larkin saved my dogs life. I can't believe anyone would ever give Dr. Larkin a bad review. I had never been there before and honestly googled the closest place to my house that was open the earliest to take my dog that had been coughing and then quit eating. Dr. Larkin took them time to tell me how he operates, giving people many different options and giving the owner a chance to start with minimal procedures needed and then add as needed. AKA, not rip you off but give your animal what they need.My dog ended up having congestive heart failure and living at the vets for 10 nights. The staff and Dr Larkin were so good to us. We could visit whenever we liked and could always call for updates, which is good for a controlling mother like me.I truly believe that if my dog had been anywhere else he would not be with me today. His condition worsened before it got better and while most vets would've thrown in the towel, Dr. Larkin tried one more treatment. He said it could take a few days for the medicine to kick in and when I had almost given up he told me to hang in there. He was right. The next day my dog finally started showing improvement. I finally got to bring him home under very restricted care. Dr. Larkin gave me his cell phone to call if anything were to happen. I ended up having to call him Sunday because my dog was experiencing side affects from some of the meds and Dr. Larkin met me up at the vet on Sunday to make sure everything was ok.This man cares so much for every animal he comes into touch with. You can tell just by walking in the office. There are birds, fish, turtles. The first day I was there the waiting room was filled with rescue animals there for surgery or shots. The waiting room wall is covered with Thank yous and plaques from people who's animals he's saved and rescue groups he helps.Anyone who would ever have anything bad to say, in my opinion, misses the true picture in animal care. If you want a perfectly pristine waiting room and exam rooms, go somewhere where you pay 50% for half of the care. Dr. Larkin and his staff give care that is priceless in my opinion. For me, they saved my dog who had a very small chance of living. Now he is laying next to me sleeping soundly after exerting his energy trying to break into the cat food. I am so thankful. Read Less

DON'T EVER BOARD YOUR DOG THERE.First they charged $120 for shots, but when I called before picking her up, they hadn't done the shots, but said the guy on the phone said they still needed to by law (if it was for the law, then you violated the law by having her there for three days with no shots).More importantly, my dog seemed like she'd aged three years, she's gained weight (I now suspect they just put all the food I left for her in a bowl and never checked on her all weekend). They talked about how there were runs for the dog, but my dog couldn't stop going to the bathroom (#1 & #2) as soon as we left the office before we got to the car. (and has since been going non-stop all night)We went back to complain, and they said that the dogs got "short walks" this morning because they were working on the doors. So, did they have runs or were they being walked? They offered a $20 credit for the trouble, but that will never be used. Read Less

I have read all the reviews posted here, good and bad. Mistakes happen and oversights are made- this is human nature. I can however say the Dr. Larkin was forth coming with ALL information- even when it was heart breaking. His staff is kind and put up with me calling 3-4 times a day to check on my baby. His staff answered every question, and did their best to make me feel better. This in itself is difficult- to console the mother of a dying friend, yet and still they tried their best. Dr. Larkin did his best to make sure I could afford the treatment, and I appriciate that from the bottom of my heart. In the end my baby pulled through- but if it hadn't been for Dr. Larkin and his staff's listening skills, my baby would have passed on by the end of the day. They understood the urgancy- heck, Dr. Larkin understood when we chatted in the waiting room while waiting to be seen. Thank you Dr. Larkin, and God bless you and your staff. You all have hearts of gold. Thank you for saving my baby. Read Less

We had an emergency just about closing time and Dr. Larkins actually stayed and waited for us. Our dog had been badly injured and his lung was punctured. I'm happy to say that Harley is alive thanks to this vet. He's a good diagnostician and a wonderful surgeon. Im my opinion he's ""Simply the Best""Read Less

Our rescue loves him!! We've seen plenty of miracles come out of there and some that just didn't have a miracle in the cards for them. He is always more upset than we are when one just can't possibly be saved and he makes himself available just about 24/7 for the rescue groups that use him. No other vets in the area are willing to do that - especially for rescue babes. And as for Mike -Now known as BOOTED OUT. First: disciplining a dog is done by showing dominance (i.e. holding its throat and/or turning it belly up) Second: the dog was never slammed into the table Third: During the entire appointment you were too busy sitting down and flirting with your partner to stand up at the exam table. It is apparent that you have issues when something or answer is not to your liking. I have read the reviews referred to and to quote to whole story is not relevant here. But to quote the relevant part from I WAS THERE: ""It was deemed unnecessary to do a skin scrape for the demodex, as we received an update on August 8, 2008 from the dermatologist on the probable demodex relapse. We also noted the pending culture for fungal infection and the treatment therapy outlined by the specialist. We continually receive updates on your pet's examinations and testings from the dermatologist so the doctor was aware of her status and felt that changing the specialists treatment therapy would be arrogant and contraindicated, especially given the pending cultures. These therapy and test protocols are the reason why you were sent to the specialist."" and ""P.S. You were also contacted by the veterinarian tonight 8/26/08 at 9:00 pm AFTER your trip to the Veterinary Emergency Clinic for an ALLERGIC reaction that your totally confined inside while you work dog suffered from. It was also noted on the emergency form that you wished the emergency clinician to do something for your dog's demodex mange. It really looks like you do not like the specialist's answers. So, for a practice that does not care, JUST KEEP LOOKING!! Now, it is my understanding that the REFERRING doctor does not change a treatment plan, or determine the sucess or failure of a SPECIALIST'S treatment protocols. To ASK a referring doctor to do so is FOOLISH and UNWISE. You are acting like a spoiled little child with your postings. If you have an ISSUE with what was done, then YOU should have OPENED your mouth and asked or said something when it happened. YOU are responsible to ASK for answers. Why did not you ask Dr. Larkins to explain while you were in the room with him? What were you doing that was so important that you could not ask him. I have!! He has always answered my questions. What I see here is a whining little baby. Just GROW UP and take responsibility."" NB: The Specialists didnot change their treatment plan on follow-up? Did they! So Mike - Why are you now BOOTED OUT? Read Less

I have to share my experiences with everyone because I have nothing but good things to say about Dr. Larkins and his staff, and these reviews do not reflect what I have seen for myself. I have 2 cats, and he has helped them both through many problems. One of my cats wouldn't eat after I adopted her from the pound, and Dr. Larkins took great pains to discover her problem, and then treat her. She had fatty liver lipidosis, and he kept her for close to a month to treat this. She just recently had a huge hernia, which he fixed through surgery, and when she had complications, he went right back in to fix it. He worked with me on cost and payment, and has been nothing but kind to both myself and my pets. I would recommend him to anyone. He truly cares about the animals that he treats, and goes out of his way to see to their health. He's by far the best vet I have ever met. Read Less

I took my 2 kittens in to see Dr. Larkins in mid to late may for their yearly exam and shots. I told the doctor to do a full work up on the boys and to do a feline AIDS and leukemia test. Dr. Larkins focused heavily on stool samples (knowing both kittens had already been treated for parasites in their bowels) and never performed the test, undenounced to me. When he came in to do their shots I asked him what shots he was giving them so I knew. I had in the mean time also explained to him that both had access to the outdoors and also came from a home with many cats. Dr. Larkins informed me that my cats were getting 2 shots each, 1 was a combo for distemper/ rabies and the other was a combo AIDS/Leukemia. I agreed to it and went ahead with the exam. 2 weeks later I returned with my kittens to have them neutered. I got home and in my instructions was not listed anywhere how long to administer the anti-biotic. 2 weeks later one of my kittens fell mysteriously ill so I took him to a vet closer to my home when he took a turn for the worst. There I was informed he was in the late stages of Leukemia and I chose to end his suffering. Upon further looking to the records from Dr. Larkins he and his brother never received a Leukemia test or vaccination. Having to tell my 3 younger brother that our kitten wasn't coming home from the vet this time was the most painful thing I have ever had to do. I would never recommend him to anyone sure he is cheap but you get what you pay for. Read Less

This doctors negligence and deceit killed my eight month old kitten. My kitten was euthanize at another vets office yesterday for leukemia. I asked the doctor to preform the leukemia and aids tests on my kittens before he vaccinated them and he said he would and never did. He also did not inoculate my kittens for the disease after he was told they do have access to the outdoors. I personally blame this veterinarian for the death of my 8 month old kitten for if he had done the things I asked him instead of lying to me about the tests he was performing and the vaccinations he was giving my kittens I would still have both of them at this point in time. I would have had the knowledge to treat his leukemia, but instead my little brother and I had to watch our kitten die as we stood by helpless. Read Less

I have been taking my dog here ever since I adopted her about a year ago. She was seen several times over the past year and I was very happy with the care she received until her annual exam on Saturday, 8/23/08. Dr. Larkins did not look at her eyes, her ears or her mouth/teeth nor did he ask me any questions about her general health. All he did was feel her belly and listen to her heart. When it came time for her injections he tired to hold her and give the first injection. When she jerked away he tried a second time to give her the first injection - again without success. My dog got very upset and tried to bite Dr. Larkins. He responded by grabbing her around the throat. When she tried to bite him again he slammed her down on her back on the metal exam table. I can understand not wanting to get bit but we are talking about an eight pound Chihuahua! Was it really necessary to choke her and slam her down on the table? If this is the way animals are treated when their owners are present can you imagine what happens when they aren't? While the Altamonte Veterinary Hospital is run down and usually seems disorganized, and some of the staff behave in an unprofessional manner I was willing to overlook those things because I was confident that my dog was getting good care by compassionate and dedicated people. After what happened on 8/23 I'm not so sure. I was very disappointed and a little stunned at what I witnessed, and I felt like they just wanted my $225.00 and did as little as possible to get it. I wish I had a video of what happened so people could judge for themselves. However, since that isn't the case I can only state what happened and people will have to make there own decision. In my case, I will not be returning to Altamonte Veterinary Hospital and I will not be able to recommend this facility. Read Less