Island Lake Veterinary Clinic

My cat has been going to this vet for years. The service has never been lacking. Both the front and back staff are helpful and caring. Last Friday I took my cat in to have a recheck with Dr. Max. I will admit that Dr. Max is a bit on the sterner side but he is very knowledgeable and very thorough in his tests and exams. He listened to my concerns and discussed further treatment options. Overall I am very happy with the care my little old man gets here. And thanks to Dr. Max he is feeling a lot better. At the end of the day, I want a vet who is going to tell me what my pet needs because when it is all said and done the vet is there to treat your pet not to sugar coat it for you. Read Less

I brought my dogs here for their yearly shots and check up. My dogs have always taken these shots with no incident and showing no signs of pain or trauma. This vet is the most careless I have been to in my 40+ years of animal ownership. Both my dogs were subjected to incredible pain due to the vet being more interested in talking about past vacations than paying attention to what he was doing. When he noticed my male dog looked terrified because of the pain he was causing the vet laughed and said he looks terrified, hahahaha! They also did not give my dogs the bordatella inoculations I requested or give them any kind of physical exam. Their prices are also much higher than most other vets in the area. If you care about your animals don't bring them here. Read Less

I just moved to town and my golden retriever is getting old and having mobility issues with her hips. She was struggling to stand up and sit down and I was very worried about her. I called this clinic because they are conveniently located to my home and neighbors had spoken positively about it. From the vet techs to the veterinarians, my experience has been excellent. The vet tech first told me about a supplement called Glyde and told me how much it had helped her animals. Then the vet also recommended it. I was skeptical but desperate. It is working! She is playing again! She still can't do steps well but she is able to stand up and sit down smoothly and she is clearly feeling better! So, they were helpful, prompt, courteous, and had a gentle and kind demeanor to my dog. I took my other dog in the following month and met the other vet and other vet tech. Everyone is top notch and I highly recommend them. Read Less

Keep looking! There are other, better clinics out there than Island Lake Veterinary Clinic in IL.. BEWARE of this one! Dr Max dismissed my dog's sudden cough. He prescribed antibiotics AND administered annual vaccines without running ANY diagnostics. His incompetence and dismissive attitude resulted in tragedy. 0 stars Read Less

Very trashy inside. Has a torn up computer chair in one room. All random mismatched chairs in the other. The boarding area was horrible. Looks like they would be remodeling how trashed things are but they aren't. Very trashy people working their too. Owner has a thick Russian accent that you can't understand and he wears blue jeans with no doctor's coat or scrubs. Nasty place periodRead Less

Beware! Dr Max dismissed my dogs sudden illness.  He prescribed antibiotics then administered annual vaccines without running ANY diagnostics.  His arrogance and incompetence resulted in tragedy.  I need to warn all pet owners - keep looking! There are other, better clinics out there. 0 Stars! Read Less

I had a very sick bird, in need of immediate attention. I called and asked if they had an avain vet and they told me they could help. I took my sweet birdie there only to have the vet just LOOK at him and then tell me they couldn't do anything for him. They said they couldn't run tests because he was to small, mind you I told them on the phone what type of bird, a finch. They gave me antibiotics and sent me home. A few short hours later my sweet birdie was gone. I'm not sure how they are with cats or dogs, but I wouldn't take your bird here. I wish I took mine elsewhere, maybe he'd still be here. Read Less

We take our pup to Dr Max only. He's the most helpful, insightful, and kind vet I have ever met. We have had multiple issues come up with our Airedale Terrier, and Dr. Max is always super sweet and gentle with him. Thank you to the entire staff at Island Lake Veterinary Clinic! (Have I mentioned how AMAZING Heather is?! Always ready to answer even the most mundane questions.) Read Less

I like this place. They get the job done. They're good with my girls. I'm more familiar with Dr. Donovan and we love him. I've only had Dr. Max a few times and my girl Valerie loves him so I'm not sure why there was a negative comment about him. He's direct and quick and I like that. I'm not there to chit chat, I'm there to get my dog looked at and get out and they do a great job at helping me do just that. They're super quick and deal with my loud girls very well. Read Less

I spent quite a few hours at Island Lake Veterinary Clinic over the last 2 days and they were nothing but wonderful! I hadn't found a vet in the area yet for my cats and after some preliminary research, Island Lake had the best reviews so I trusted my sick cat to them. They were caring, informative and very helpful in helping me understand what was going on with my pet. They didn't charge me for unnecessary treatments and while they were suggested, it was a "last resort" and the first set of treatments proved to be successful. It's such a relief to know that I've found a small, professional clinic in the area to trust my current and future pets to. Thank you Dr. Donovan and staff for being so helpful and wonderful! Read Less

At first glance this veterinary clinic seems great. It is small, but appeared to be welcoming. Unfortunately the staff is unfriendly for the most part, one of the vets, Maksim, is too detached, not sympathetic,  and borderline rude. Very unprofessional support staff. Unwilling to help you after paying them hundreds of dollars on an unnecessary procedure, or helping you, begrudgingly, and audibly sighing at you to show their displeasure with you asking them to do their job. A lack of knowledge and poor treatment of their patients owners make me want to take my pet elsewhere. There are a few pros, DVM Michael is pretty friendly. And they do seem to treat the pets well.  However this is a far cry from other vets that I have used previously. I would recommend looking elsewhere near Island Lake/Wauconda. Read Less

My Great Dane, Pippi, has been to this office twice this year. First, for her rabies vaccine. The staff was professional, friendly, and prompt.  As a business owner, these are the first impressions that are important to me. I do not like to be kept waiting, and even though I made this appointment just before going to the office, I was not kept waiting.  While I understand that emergencies can cause long waits, it is always a good sign of a well run office, if the waiting room is not full of patients "waiting." Pippi had to go to the office again, earlier this week.  While we have moved to Chicago since our first visit for the rabies vaccine, we happened to be in the vicinity, when Pippi let out a scream (of pain) while in the car. I immediately called this office when I saw Pippi limping in my car.  We were told to come to the office immediately, and while the news was not good- Pippi tore her ACL- the diagnosis and treatment plans were delivered in terms that were easy to understand.  I decided to schedule Pippi for the surgery at this office, rather than an office closer to our home.  I feel comfortable knowing that Pippi will undergo her surgery with Dr. Max, a vet with years of experience in this type of surgery. Prior to scheduling Pippi for her first office visit, I read the reviews- the good and the not-so-good. As a business owner I know that you "cannot please all the people all the time." and so I read the reviews within the context/spirit in which they were written.  I can only say that Pippi (and her owner) have had only good experiences here. Read Less

We recently brought our sixteen year old cat to be put down and it was a horrible experience. We were already upset that we had to do it, but the vet was not very caring.he missed the vein, do my cat went absolutely crazy to the point where we had to hold him down. The whole time the needle was sticking out of him. It was not peaceful and made the experience ten times worse than it needed to be. The vet techs were very nice, but the vet was rude and aggressive. We have been going there for many years and will never go back again! Read Less

I got impression that this Vet cares only about money. He did unnecessary x-rays,he gave me some supplements ( soooo expensive) and it didnt help at all...I dont think he cares about his ''patients'', i wont recommend to see him.Keep away from his clinic Read Less

I can't write much because I lost my four year old kitten.  I do want to say that they are the absolute best veterinarians you can go to.  Dr. Donovan went out of his way to help me with my kitten.  I will be forever indebted to him and thankful for his selflessness.  I will take all my animals to him! Read Less

Having recently moved to the area, I chose the vet office closest to my home. I believe this office had three positive google reviews from several years ago. My oldest dog has battled gum disease for many years and only has his canines remaining. A trusted vet for many years in Arkansas who removed several teeth last September wanted to leave his canines in for as long as possible so that his tongue did not hang out. He put him on a yearly antibiotic regiment. I could tell that my dog was having a flair up again so I took him to Island Lake veterinary. The doctor came in and was not too easy to understand. He immediately tried to look into my Chihuahuas mouth before I finished telling him his history. My dog tried to bite the doc as he "man-handled" him (keep in mind that he is 15 years old, only has his canines so he has no bite and his mouth is swollen and had been bleeding over the weekend.). This resulted in the doctor lifting my dog in the air off of his feet with his hands around his neck to form a noose type hold. My dog was desperately trying to free himself from being "hanged" and the vet only said, "grab his legs so he stops scratching at me". Now I have never had a vet, EVER, encounter my pets in such a manner. I also have never had a vet that did not talk to my dogs and try to get to know them prior to touching them. A recent vet visit in Ohio while visiting relatives just prior to moving here, sat on the floor and talked to my dogs and played with them as she gently looked in their ears and etc. The vet now had my oldest dog bleeding from the mouth and stressed. Also, the Island Lake vet wanted to remove his canines, when I questioned him about the dogs tongue hanging, he said "Who told you that? That is not true, his tongue will not hang out.". So now I have conflicting information. After a google search, my trusted doctor in Arkansas was correct, the tongue will hang out. I have also paid for dentals on this dog every year, the price generally goes up based on the number of teeth extracted. However, the base price has never been almost 500 which is what the Island Lake vet tried to saddle me with. I had already told the receptionist that I was unhappy with the interaction I experienced with the vet and I would not be back so a dental estimate was unnecessary. She tried to give it to me anyway as I was leaving, that is when I noticed the pricing. I did not take it as I had already decided that this was not the place for me, my Chihuahua or my other two dogs. At the end of the day, they lost a customer who loves her pets very much and takes very good care of them. Read Less

This vet is awesome! I have 2 dogs and just started bringing them here. They are very caring and take their time with my dogs. The doctors and staff are very friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a great vet! And better yet, they are very reasonable with their prices! Read Less

Terrible! Animals just another number there. All about $$$! They could not or did not know how to treat my pet and now she is gone. No sympathy from vets at all, only interested in $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$Wish I would have known better and taken my beautiful cat elsewhere. Take my word, do not use these vets. Read Less

Friendly and helpful staff here.  Had an emergency with one of our dogs on a Friday night right around closing time and they waited for me to bring her in and got her into surgery first thing Saturday morning. Read Less