I started going to KAMC about a 1 1/2 years ago. I had just moved to the area and needed to take my pup somewhere when I realized he had an ear infection. The staff was friendly, however, I was shocke... Read More
I started going to KAMC about a 1 1/2 years ago. I had just moved to the area and needed to take my pup somewhere when I realized he had an ear infection. The staff was friendly, however, I was shocked when my pups ear infection ended up costing me almost $300. During the visit, they made suggested items for his ears and coat. Before I knew it, they were sending me home with a "goodie bag" full of items that I was never asked if I actually wanted or needed, and never went over cost. After this first visit, I took it as a lesson learned...maybe it was my fault for not asking more questions and speaking up and saying I didn't want all of these expensive extras. I want good care for my pup but am also a teacher and on a budget. I continued going to KAMC when needed, and tried to be more cautious. Every visit, regardless of the purpose, the vet would want to swab Rondos ears to check for an ear infection. They would do this without even asking, and then charge me $35 to have the swab sent to the "lab". Once again, after a couple times I caught on, and began asking them not to do that...especially when I wasn't even there for an ear infection! I hated going and always leaving feeling like I'd been tricked into paying for something I didn't ask to have done. The final straw was my last visit in May. Rondo had contracted a hot spot on the back of his neck and he'd been to an emergency vet over the weekend. This exact infection happened a year earlier, and he needed to be prescribed a steroid for it to finally heal all the way. The emergency vet gave me an antibiotic to get started but wanted me to go to my regular vet to check progress and get needed meds. Of course when the vet comes in at KAMC, she immediately swabs his ears for an ear infection and sends it off. Then she starts cleaning his ears! I was never asked if I wanted her to do this! And why are we focused on his ears when he has a huge, nasty, gooey hotspot on the back of his neck?! I made it clear that I KNEW he didn't have an ear infection, and that was not the cause of the hotspot a year earlier. After the results from the "lab" came back, she said there was some bacteria in his ears and I should give him his ear medication for 10 days. Once again, what about the hotspot?? I had to ask her to please prescribe a steroid for the infection on his neck...which she did...but wasn't going to until I asked. I never gave him medication for his ears, and he has been perfectly fine. I am convinced the vet told me he needed it to validate her choice to swab and clean his ears...and then charge me for it! He clearly did not have an ear infection. If you choose to go to this vet, be prepared to be charged for extra services. I feel like I was taken advantage of each visit, and am thankful to have found an honest vet in downtown Raleigh! Read Less