The doctor was so gentle with my cat and so patient with my questions. I can tell he really wants what is best for the cat. He explained our options so we could know which option was more expensive and what advantages we would get. The tech was really comforting and warm, so friendly! Read Less

Very helpful and very kind, especially since in my case the news was not very good for my pet. They were also very helpful and did not charge us for a follow up visit, since we need to wait longer to really run tests again. I appreciate the Doctor's straightforward, but still compassionate, care, and honesty in the treatment--like not charging us for a visit that couldn't be productive. Read Less

Very helpful and very kind, especially since in my case the news was not very good for my pet. They were also very helpful and did not charge us for a follow up visit, since we need to wait longer to really run tests again. I appreciate the Doctor's straightforward, but still compassionate, care, and honesty in the treatment--like not charging us for a visit that couldn't be productive. Read Less

I brought my six-year old lab mix in last week for a yeast infection in her ear. The doctor prescribed Tri-Otic ointment, which is a mix of three active ingredients: Gentamicin Sulfate, Betamethasone Valerate, and Clotrimazole. From what I understand it is a common enough treatment, though it was not what we were prescribed last time we had this issue (I think the idea was to "knock it out once and for all" by prescribing something a little stronger this time). Two or three days later my dog started getting bad diarrhea. Uncontrollable, to the point where she was having accidents in the house at night. This is very unusual for her -- she had had something similar two or three times before in her life, each time associated with stress (my being away, moving houses, etc.). We waited out the weekend and the diarrhea didn't go away. I left a message through the Riverdale Park Animal Hospital e-mail scheduling system Sunday night. Monday morning I called and was told I would have to make a new appointment. I asked whether that was entirely fair, since according to the literature included with the bottle it was possible that the ear medicine (specifically the Betamethasone) had caused the diarrhea. The receptionist told me curtly "it wasn't the ear medicine." This was when I began to become suspicious that the practice, if not Dr. Sundar himself, might be more concerned with extracting money from me than with providing me with due treatment. Monday at 2:30 we had our appointment. My dog hates, absolutely hates, the rectal exam, so we usually forego it, as we were able to do this time. I was told, however, that she would need a rectal probe to obtain a stool sample. When I asked why they didn't simply ask me to bring a sample along with me, they were patronizing and tendentious, obviously because they didn't have a good answer.I was told that my dog would have to be tested for giardia, and that there had been "a lot" of that going around lately. Later the doctor mentioned that they had seen "one case," but perhaps that qualifies as "a lot" in this circumstance, I'm not sure. He said that she had probably gotten into some bad water or ingested something else that had infected her. I protested that I keep a close watch on her, and would know if she had gotten into something, and that she had not. I suggested that it might have been the ear medicine, since that was the only change in habit that had occurred in the past week. My suggestion was met with a rather patronizing response that whatever the literature included with the medicine might say, diarrhea was not a possible side effect of the medicine. I agreed, very reluctantly, to the giardia test, which involved obtaining a stool sample via a rectal probe. Predictably, given her behavior in the past, my dog let out a loud, long yelpy moan, and tried to hide behind the chair when the probe was over. The giardia test was negative. The doctor told me that she had an imbalance of bacteria in her gut, the kind of imbalance that could be caused by an antibiotic like the ear medicine she'd been taking. Still, he disavowed all responsibility. She must have "gotten into something," despite the fact that she had never "gotten into anything" before, that I walk her and so I can see what she does and does not get into, and that, at least anecdotally, she is not the kind of dog to go and eat or drink from unknown sources. The doctor was unable to offer any explanation beyond that. He maintained that there was no way the ear medicine had caused the imbalance. In another breath, he said in passing "probably you're right," but he was almost certainly patronizing me. When I asked what he would have prescribed if the giardia test had been positive, he told me that it would have been the same antibiotic he was prescribing in the light of the negative test result. To my incredulity, he responded that he "could also" have prescribed another antibiotic to go along with it. By then I was becoming convinced that the giardia test was more about the $55 it cost than any concern for the well-being of my dog. I should also mention that his opinion regarding the possibility that the ear medicine had caused the diarrhea seemed to change once the giardia test had been performed (NOT simply after the results came back negative). Before the test, was "statistically irrelevant"; immediately on the test's having been done, he conceded that, yes, this is the kind of problem that an antibiotic might cause because it could upset the balance of gut bacteria. I found his change in opinion disconcerting, as it suggested that he would be willing to listen to the notion that the ear medicine may have played some role only AFTER he was sure the test would be going on the bill. I am sorry to say this, but I think this place pressures owners into doing more than is medically necessary, fails to give due weight to their observations and that its concern is for profits first, pets second. Read Less

I adopted a cat that was completely mauled and attacked by who knows what, took her into this establishment and within a month she was completely rehabilitated. She is now healthier then ever before! The people at this establishment are kind and warm hearted, and they did not make me feel any type of discomfort while there. Despite the conditions of my cat, the prices were affordable and the service was great. Do not let the building fool you, it is a little worn down but the people inside really make up for it. Definitely recommending this place to anyone who is looking for a vet, and will definitely come back. Read Less

I adopted a cat that was completely mauled and attacked by who knows what, took her into this establishment and within a month she was completely rehabilitated. She is now healthier then ever before! The people at this establishment are kind and warm hearted, and they did not make me feel any type of discomfort while there. Despite the conditions of my cat, the prices were affordable and the service was great. Do not let the building fool you, it is a little worn down but the people inside really make up for it. Definitely recommending this place to anyone who is looking for a vet, and will definitely come back. Read Less

Great vet.  Honest, sensitive, and very knowledgable.  Dr. Sundar is a very nice man, and he doesn't talk down to you.  He was so kind when one of our cats was dying, but was not afraid to be honest and (tactfully) blunt with us. Have always been able to get a convenient appointment and have never been made to wait more than a few minutes to be seen.  I don't think I've ever even been put on hold on the phone when I've called.Have been to many other vets who treated us like we were an inconvenience.  Not here.  They are very close to where we live but even if we didn't I'd still come here. As long as I live in the DC area I will never go to another vet. Read Less

I rarely write reviews but I wanted to take the time to tell my story and how Dr. Natarajan and his wonderful staff helped me save my cat, Gin Gins life. My cat ended up with a very big abscess when I first came to Riverdale Animal Hospital, the abscess was lanced and within a few days showed signs of necrotic flesh and nasty bacteria began eating away at flesh and muscle. She was also enduring a high fever. They began her on daily IV of fluids and antibiotics. Because we worried about her liver, we knew that if the antibiotics did not work that eventually the bacteria would win or her liver would give out. All this time Gin Gins fought hard, she never stopped trying to eat, drink and purr. On the last day of antibiotics, her fever began to come down and she started to bounce back. Dr. Natarajan told me it would be a long recovery as the wound was so deep and large. I told him that "if she was going to fight to stay alive, I would fight with her" of which he responded "then so will I." It has been almost 3 months, and many visits later and my cat is healthy and almost fully recovered. I will never forget the kindness and compassion shown to me by all of the staff there. The professionalism, reassurance and honesty I have rarely found at other vets, was always apparent. I would also like to mention that they are very reasonably priced which mattered for long term care. I would highly recommend Riverdale Animal Hospital to anyone in the neighborhood. Me and Gin Gins love all of you and thank you so very much for everything you have done for us! Read Less

The staff & doctor are really nice & profesional. I took my dog for her shots and for a regular check up, plus additional lab and blood test. The price for everything they did was very reasonable, it was not expensive. My dog is looking better after a few days on the madication that the doctor gave her. Excelent customer service plus this place is very clean, it smell very nice.... Thank you Dr. Sundar & all the nice friendly staff. See More Read Less

I have been here several times with my 3 cats. Dr.Sundar is amazing, honestly. Listen to him, he will even over explain anything you need to hear about whats going on with your furry family. If you have questions, even after he's explained, he will tell you again. I will continue to come to him and even hand out his business cards at my salon. I thought one of my cats had a major hairball problem, no, he listened, smelled my cats breath, felt her throat and body and determined its an infection. Im just in awe right now, after her wheezing and coughing, he really knows what he's doing, and the price is fair. This guy is awesome. I highly recommend him. Read Less

I like Dr. Sundar and the staff very much and I really like the transparency of the billing. I don't experience what I call front-desk sticker shock here, and I don't feel shamed for asking what a procedure will cost. I especially like the flexibility of scheduling. I'm so glad I found RPAH. Read Less

We took our dog today to Riverdale Park Animal Hospital for an annual exam and vaccinations and are very satisfied.  Dr. Sundar and his staff are competent and spent time explaining the various heart worm and flea and tick preventatives.  The costs were comparable to other vets in the area. Read Less

Everyone at Riverdale Park Animal Hospital is wonderful! I brought in a sweet kitty that I found yesterday morning, and they kept him for the whole day. They posted to Lost and Found pet pages, gave him a little check up, fed him, and made sure that he was as comfortable as possible. They called me at the end of the day to say the couldn't keep him overnight, and offered to keep the office open until I could come get him. Absolutely everyone I interacted with (Ghenet, Danielle, Karla, and Lauren - I didn't get to meet Jasmine or Dr. Sundar but I'm sure they're lovely as well) was so sweet. I can't thank them enough for taking care of the cat. I will absolutely be bringing him (and other pets) to Riverdale Park Animal Hospital! Read Less

My dachshund has been living in Maryland with my mom the last five months. She and I have both brought him to this practice and truly appreciate the service provided. The cost for services is also phenomenal. Just talking to my vet in California costs $$. Here I leave with all his vaccines for a fraction of the price! Read Less

Great and trustworthy animal hospital. Dr. Sundar takes his time to explain everything, listen to questions, and offer his recommendations. All the technicians are friendly, experienced, and great with handling the dogs no matter the dogs' temperaments. Regarding the 1-star review- I had my dog neutered here just two weeks ago. While I agree it was certainly more costly than going to a clinic, I had full confidence knowing my dog was going to get the best care possible- detailed blood work before anesthesia, a neuter that has healed without scars, a monitored post-op recovery time, painkillers, and love/care the whole way through. Riverdale Animal Hospital has taken amazing care of my two dogs over the years, and I look forward to many more years of continued care. Read Less

Great and trustworthy animal hospital. Dr. Sundar takes his time to explain everything, listen to questions, and offer his recommendations. All the technicians are friendly, experienced, and great with handling the dogs no matter the dogs' temperaments. Pet care is never cheap, but this hospital  has very reasonable prices. They are transparent with costs, and each charge is clearly laid out for your approval before any service is given. Riverdale Animal Hospital has taken amazing care of my two dogs over the years, and I look forward to many more years of continued care. I whole-heartedly recommend Dr. Sundar and his team to any animal-parent looking for the best possible care for their animal-baby. Read Less

Dr. Sundar is my fifth and final vet. He's the most knowledgeable, and isn't afraid to give his opinion when asked. He seems to love cats, and my girls are very comfortable with him. As smart as he is, he's able to break down explanations so anyone can understand. His vet tech is also professional, knowledgeable, and super nice. The reception desk is always friendly and organized. I love you guys!! Read Less

Dr. Sundar is my fifth and final vet. He's the most knowledgeable, and isn't afraid to give his opinion when asked. He seems to love cats, and my girls are very comfortable with him. As smart as he is, he's able to break down explanations so anyone can understand. His vet tech is also professional, knowledgeable, and super nice. The reception desk is always friendly and organized. I love you guys!! Read Less

Wow. My heart is racing. The receptionist is overly sensitive and quick to defensiveness. I assume it is because she gets a lot of complaints?She was turning innocent questions I had about a product they sold me, into an assault. Stating that my questions unreasonable. Questions like the following:1. What made the doctor choose this particular flea product? Like over frontline and so on? Is there a reason he likes this ones over the others?  She responded: "ma'am those are unreasonable questions."2. I have been reading alarming reviews about this topical flea product; like animals dying and also the product not working at all and the formula being watered down. Did you know about this? She responded with snark, disbelief and condescension "Ma'am. it's. a. medicine. All medicines will have bad reviews" Finally after my refusal to be shamed into not asking important questions, she defensively (why?) explained that the doctor chooses flea treatments according to which reps choose to come by his office and didn't clarify why he chose a certain CHEMICAL /company over another one or explain if he takes even ONE moment out of his  day to research the safety of one flea remedy over the other and without answers to my real concerns she abruptly hung up on me the moment I said "thank you."Baffling. A little background, I was trying to care for a neighborhood cat that isn't ours to make it's life easier, it has fleas and the topical product they gave, not only did not do a thing to kill the fleas (we have been keeping it indoors since the flea treatment and cleaning everything in the house and so on) it also made her sick. She has been throwing up and going outside of the litter box we provided which is unlike her. I have been combing out a plethora of live fleas for days since the treatment and I was told erroneously by the doctor that they would be killed within the hour of applying the product. Out of the 100 fleas i have removed since seeing the doctor three days ago, only 3 seemed dead. And they keep coming out of nowhere. It's a mystery. The House is clean,  and seems the one safe haven for the fleas is ON THE CAT. Another few things to note:1. this veterinarian had zero appointments all morning on the date we took her there, the parking lot was empty. I tried other places with more reviews and they were all booked which is why I went here instead. Perhaps a completely open schedule is something to be wary of? Where are all of these satisfied, 5 star customers?2. the doctor, albeit friendly enough was very hard to understand due to a heavy Indian accent. I would say majority of what he said to my husband and myself was completely over our heads, but we just nodded and smiled because he seemed nice and we felt rude saying "what?" Over and over again.   This is not a problem usually, but I walked out of there feeling unsure as to what to do and not eager to experience a lot of confusion again. Being polite, nodding and smiling is not something that is helpful for us when we truly need to help a pet in need. For me it is important to understand what doctors say clearly. For other people maybe this isn't an issue. And It wasn't necessarily a deal breaker, although not appealing at all. 3. However, the receptionist is a bitch. She solidified the fact that we will  never go again, so thanks to her for helping us decide. Read Less

More importantly than me liking the staff and the center, my dog loves the staff! I don't care about the $$$. You have to spend $$$ for good service and caring people. Dr. Sandar is a great vet. Danielle is awesome - she is Lexi's favorite! Thank you Riverdale Animal Medical Center!Read Less

Friendly and great service. Brought our cat in on a walk-in (called ahead) after it was in a fight with a neighborhood cat. They were able to fit him in on short notice & got patched up very quickly. Doctors were very friendly, prices seemed quite reasonable. And our cat's feeling better.Read Less

The staff at Riverdale Park Animal Hospital are the exact type of people you hope to find when faced with a sick pet. After treating my very sick hamster with the best small rodent care I've ever seen, I received a letter in the mail welcoming me and my hamster to the Riverdale Park community. Sadly, my hamster was old and didn't make it, but this loss was made so much easier by a heartfelt email from the staff and then ANOTHER card in the mail, signed by all the staff. Amazing people who do amazing work. Thank you! Read Less

The urgency and care they showed for my pet was like none other that I have experienced as a pet owner. The staff and Dr.Sundar Natarajan were amazing from day one. Absolutely great service, great prices, and great people!! :) Read Less

I have been taking my dog to Riverdale Park Animal Hospital since 2011. The staff has always been compassionate and very professional. I know that my dog is in good and caring hands when I leave him with the staff. They truly love what they do and it shows! Read Less

We love having our cat being able to roam through the examination room and the personal attention that is given to the patient. Thank you for serving the community with an exceptional veterinarian practice. Read Less

Found a stray dog this morning. No phone number for owners but he did have the Animal Hospital's tag. Danielle was very professional and kind in helping me reunite the little guy with his family. Many thanks Read Less

They are kind and professional and took good care of my Mother's cat who had not seen a vet in more than 6 years. Although somewhat of a large bill, I believe it was still reasonable compared to other vets. Their location is a bit tricky, especially at rush hour but the entire building is the vet office so that part is nice. Dedicated parking lot is nice too. Read Less

The staff is great and the Doctor is so involved and helpful I usually pop in and he always sees me. He doesn't request an appointment for everything he has been so helpful with my dog and all my questions about his health. Love it here wouldn't trade them. Read Less

Every time I take my pets to the doctor's hospital, the medical staff is very attentive to resolving the medical issues. In my case, I have feral cats that have become my family over time and I look out for their well being on a daily basis. Since these are not your typical pets, the cats present challenges in the handling and the staff is well accomplished to assist. I can count on the hospital for all my pets needs. Read Less

So far, so good. We've been there 3 times with our cat for preventative care. Like the clinic, like the staff. There are all friendly and nice. They always get us straight away, when we come. So my poor cat doesn't have to wait and her mommy doesn't have to stress:) They are always patient with my 100 questions and listen to my concerns.They send reminder cards for a vaccination. It is very sweet touch. Read Less