Small little place at the back of a road. You'd blink and miss it, but its pretty homey, feels comfortable. The nurses are personable, friendly, caring. We were able to get in without an appointment, ... Read More
Small little place at the back of a road. You'd blink and miss it, but its pretty homey, feels comfortable. The nurses are personable, friendly, caring. We were able to get in without an appointment, but this was probably a bad idea.
My cat has (had) been sick for 3 months, and we only had 2 ideas as to what it could be. Gingivitis or Stomatitis or a mix of both. We knew he needed dental work, but we could not afford the expense at all. We took advice from experienced rescue workers, and our regular vet over the phone. We just had no money whatsoever to do anything more.
I got into the exam room with my cat and was already terrified - because my nerves were frayed, I had been losing sleep, and when I wasn't working, I was with this cat (one of 6) almost 10-20 hours a day, trying to force fluids, baby food, KMR, etc. I thought he would die.
Dr. Gardiner took probably a minute or so to look at him and diagnosed him with cancer. Just said right out loud "This is cancer. The only thing to do for him is to give him cortisone shots until the shots stop working and then you have a decision to make, unless you want to make that decision today." I was in terrible shock. I started to cry immediately. You don't want to think the worst. That was the worst. I couldn't even talk. It was a very crass, upfront, no bedside manner way of diagnostics I had experienced with a vet. He said nothing else, and the nurses, god bless them, tried to comfort me, but could not.
I hadn't the $25 cortisone shot, though he was kind enough to waive the office visit fee. I cried as I brought him back out to the waiting room and tried to explain what was going on to my mother, but couldn't. It was a blur. A kind woman paid for the shot and we left. I vowed not to bring him back there, even with the kindness of the nurses.
I got home and immediately scheduled a second opinion with his regular vet, and set up a fund to raise the money needed to see her (Brantley and Jordan). Even over the phone, his regular vet knew it could not be cancer, not with his symptoms. Stomatitis she said, that is what it was. And today, that is what he was diagnosed with. Relieved, we brought him home, with fluids, antibiotics, a better cortisone shot, nausea shot, antibiotics shot, and a blood work panel has been sent off.
The funds were raised through kind women who care about animals.
Dr. Gardiner, though I am sure loves animals, is a very straight to the point kind of DVM. His prices are reasonable, but don't expect any frills or testing, or anything that might point to a different diagnosis. I think he thinks he is right the first time, and their is no need to maybe question the disease or symptoms. If you need simple services for your pet, he is the right guy to go to. But don't go to him if you need emergency care or a deeper look. Spend the money on a vet who will take the time to really take care of your pet. It is worth it.Read Less