Bowman Animal Hospital And Cat Clinic

My partner and I took our cat Tesla to Bowman for the first time, after switching from our old vet after a negative experience. It was like night and day! Everyone at Bowman made us and Tesla feel welcome and comfortable, were very gentle and comforting to him at points where he'd have a hard time during exams and vaccines, and were willing to work with us regarding flexible payment options. Highly recommended. It's worth mentioning too that we selected Bowman because many years ago they did a house call to put down my childhood dog who had cancer, and helped make her final moments comfortable and positive. I will never forget that, and look forward to taking Tesla back to Bowman! Read Less

Last Wednesday, Mar. 21, I came home from work and found my cat, Boots lying on the floor. It was obvious that he was dead, but all I could think of is getting him to Dr. Bowman. I got him there as fast as I could. Dr. Bowman's office is less than a 1/4 mile from my house. I told them it was an emergency and they took him immediately. Dr. Bowman came in and said that there was nothing they could do. he was dead too long. Dr. Bowman was so sincere and sorry for my loss. She told me what they did for him. I appreciated her compassion. I still have Lady, my Maine Coon mix. She is in good health. I'll continue to take her to Dr. Bowman for check ups and treatments. Read Less

We have taken Dash to Bowman ever since he was around 1 year old. As he now approaches his 12th year, we are so glad we chose Bowman as his vet. Everyone there has been so kind & wonderful. They have taken exceptional care of him & treated him with love & kindness. Dr. D is so awesome & it has been a pleasure dealing with her & all of the Bowman team! The grooming department at Bowman is simply the best! Tracey, Sherrie & every kennel attendant has treated Dash with care! Dash loves everyone at Bowman & so do we! Thank you for taking such great care of our boy! Read Less

Bowman has been our vet for over twenty years and three of our dogs. We've had some very sad, end of life experiences with our dogs that most families eventually encounter. I cannot imagine anyone doing a better job and showing more care and compassion than Dr. Hunt at Bowman. She is fantastic and the staff are always so nice and friendly! Price shop if you want but Bowman is the best! Read Less

I cannot say enough about Bowman animal hospital. I have taken my cat there twice now for sick visits. Having recently moved to Raleigh, I did not have a regular vet. In both cases, they were able to see her within 24 hours. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, particularly the vet techs. The vets were patient with me and were just excellent with my cat. In both cases, they diagnosed the problem quickly and without further diagnostics (they did recommend routine blood work in one case), and the recommended treatment was effective and worked immediately.My impression is that the entire staff, top to bottom, cares both about your animal and also about customer satisfaction. I received follow-up calls the next day asking how the cat was doing which I really appreciated.The cost was much cheaper than the equivalent visit would have been in Washington DC, where I moved from. I did not feel pressured to purchase diagnostics that were not needed (none were even suggested). In one case, they let me bring the cat in for a follow up at no charge.All in all, I was very pleased and I have found a new vet for my cat. Read Less

My g/f stopped by to donate almost $40 of canned cat food our cat did not like (mind you, Newman's Own brand) and the hospital happily accepted. Because she was going to be traveling with the cat, she asked if they had any tips for cat travel and rather than giving her pointers, the hospital refused to answer based on the fact that the cat was not a client here. Who does this? Read Less

I had the worst experience, the front office is not attentive to the customers and the staff and some management are just awful and hateful to anyone they please and there prices are awful. You can get great vet care for a reasonable price. Read Less

This is a wonderful hospital with expert, caring doctors. The doctors follow up and call when they say they will. They have even set up hours that are convenient and you can leave your family member there in the morning and pick them up after work. You can obtain records on your pet's patient portal on line. I highly recommend them! Read Less

Love Bowman!! I have 2 doggies that everyone knows by name. We've been going there 1.5 years and we love the staff. Always friendly and caring. Dr. Merriman and Dr. Smith are awesome!! We come back for our medicines, check-ups, nail clipping, boarding, and had 1 dog neutered there. We've had an emergency visit, which was handled so well. Extremely kind, highly recommend Bowman Animal Hospital!! Read Less

Great, caring staff. Very competent vets. I've taken my dogs to Dr. Bowman for 20 years and wouldn't consider another doctor for my pets. I love that she uses holistic medicine to keep my pups healthy. Read Less

I drive 1.5 hour to come here because of how great they all have been and are cheaper than my local vet. Everytime we go, Tootz gets a thorough exam and all of my questions/issues are addressed. We usually see Dr. Ferrell who is absolutely wonderful, he listens and gives you several options when recommending things in case funds are tight and spends a great deal of time with us. I am never rushed or feel like we forgot something... I can say that I have always tried to schedule with him but sometimes things happen and he's off, like last night... we saw Dr. Hunt and she was absolutely wonderful as well and just as thorough. We loved her just as much! THANK YOU! ... They even told us prior that they had a emergency coming in and would likely have to step away or be tied up which is completely fine but was courtesy enough to tell us before hand (prayers for the emergency furbaby). They return your phone calls, I've even emailed because I was tied up at work and unable to use my phone so we communicated through that promptly to determine if I needed to bring her in or not. I've never walked in and not been greeter nor had to wait hardly anytime and if I happened to wait 15 minutes the front desk staff always address you and informs you of what's going on rather than leaving you there just sitting. Not to mention the business hours are so helpful because of my working hours and living 1.5 hour away along with the fact most places close half day on Saturday and not open on Sunday which has been a huge lifesaver for us when Tootz had a UTI and became very sick! I really can't say enough good things about them, they are great and I highly recommend BMH - especially Dr. Ferrell and Dr. Hunt! Thank you all for everything you do, for always putting my mind at ease and taking care of my precious baby girl Tootz!Read Less

These people are very careless. They gave my dogs vacine she already had without asking my permission. Poor Lily was sick for weeks. I just thank God, it wasn't some sort of medication that could kill her. What if it was a sedative. Don't trust these people with your furry loved ones please! Go ANYWhere else. Read Less

In the world of vets I have found there are those that "do lots of tests" and others that use their clinical intuition. I got my pup multiple shots here early after a recommendation of a vet and I might go back for an emergency if I need to otherwise I moved vets. I never left their office without spending 150$. I found they charged more than any other vets office for the same procedure and they made us feel guilty for not "fixing" my dog. They also tried to make us get a "hip dysplasia" test at 15 mos that is not indicated until 2 years per the AKC. My breed doesn't even have hip problems in their line!?!???!?!?All these things considered I left. I think they are competent vets, but seems like they are buffering their bank accounts a bit. Just a perception from me, but that's why I left. They were quite kind to us though which is why I left them with 2 stars. Best of luck to their office. Read Less

They treat all my furbabies from my cats to my dog to my rabbits. I've been seen by numerous vets depending on the type of animal. All are wonderful and caring. Same can be said for the vet techs and front desk staff. You are welcomed and cared for the moment you enter. They've been there and kind when it's time to let a furbaby go. And they put their all into it in times of an emergency. Thank you Bowman and especially Dr. D!Read Less

I've been going to Bowmans for 15 years.  Even though I moved further away from this location, I still bring my cat here.  Even though they may be a little more expensive, I still bring my cat here.  I've seen multiple doctors, but I mostly go to Dr Smith.  She's extremely smart and when my cat was really sick a couple years ago, she cared enough to check on him on her day off.   These folks saved his life.  I have pet insurance which helps a ton, and Bowman will even file claims for me.  This is such a huge help.  Their evening and weekend hours are also a huge help, and the office staff are always friendly despite the crazy things they see in a day. Read Less

Drs at Bowman have been with me through the lives of a Baby doll Persian, my first beloved Maltese, and now, my 2 rescued Maltese. Being able to reach a Dr via text, when my Persian threw a bloodclot, saved her life from dying of saddle thrombosis. Drs returning personal voicemails has been great, as we have encountered one too many trips to NCSU Vet! Thanks to all staff! Read Less

I have been using Bowman Animal Hospital for my cats since I first moved to Raleigh in 2001. I have always found them to be professional and caring. Once I acquired a dog, we went to a different vet for her, but when they couldn't figure out why she was licking herself so much after more than two years, I tried Bowman for her. They identified a vaginal infection immediately and started her on antibiotics, and within several weeks she was okay and has been since. I like that they have a close connection to the vet school at NCSU and don't hesitate to consult with them when necessary. I ranked four stars because they can be pricey, but you get what you pay for and I believe they are worth the extra expense. I won't go anywhere else again. Read Less

The whole staff is exceptional! From front desk, office staff to vets! We have been clients there for 5 years now and have never felt disappointed in the service we have received. The doctors and techs are super responsive and compassionate! I cannot say enough good things about them. Read Less

Cutting ties with Bowman. And I am upset about not being able to use this vet because it is extremely convenient for me and I liked my DR. This place has no respect for you -- and by you I mean your wallet. Someone here is stuffing their pockets and price gouging every little thing. If you're trying to get in and out of here without spending $300 for a routine visit, forget it. If you have two dogs, you're looking at $5-600 for routine treatment. It's a racket Read Less

Just wanted to send a huge thank you to Dr. Silverstein and her staff for the outstanding care with my dog Toby. He is a 12 year old dachshund and went in for dental surgery. Dr. Silverstein did an amazing job on his extractions and overall care before and after his surgery. She kept me posted throughout his surgery and gave me updates on his vitals the entire time. The office called me daily to see how he was up until my post op visit. I highly recommend Dr. Silverstein for any of your pets surgical needs. Lisa Rose Read Less

Although we have had great experiences with all the doctors we have seen at Bowman Animal Hospital, my Doodles and I want to give a huge shout out to Dr. Silverstein. She is very thorough, compassionate, and my boys adore her...probably because she helps keep mama cool, calm, and collected. Read Less

There are no words to describe Dr.Gale s she is the most gentle, loving ,compassionate , human i have ever met in my life. She is loving and will do anything to help u take care and understand holistic and healthy way to keep ur pet well. I love her, she has a caring concerned staff also.DrB. Is selfless and radiates love Read Less

I have nothing good to say about Bowman. NOTHING.. oh wait..,. the waiting room is nice and sometimes they have candy. Lets start out with a misdiagnosed dog and a Vet that LIED to me about doing a test that was specifically asked for in order to determine liver shunt. Months later dog had liver shunt but it would have been diagnosed early on if the Doctor had done the test. Then lets go with a spaying of a female where the Vet did NOT use oxygen. Telling me the dog had the smallest uterus she had ever seen and yet it took her 2 weeks to recover from that surgery because this vet was too stupid to know to use oxygen. What else can I say? Prices are more than any other Vet in the neighborhood... OH.. yes THE GROOMER... well... how about bloody clipped marks on the underarms and when I called to say WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED and they said YOUR DOG MOVED... I'm like WHAT? That's all... not going to bother saying much more.. and YES I am angry even though I found the BEST Vets at Armadale Animal Hospital only a mile down the road. I'm sure some of the Vets there are great, but not the one I used. I will leave my review with one last statement.. If I had the money, I would have sued them! Read Less

So far, I've only taken my little guy in for routine check-ups and vaccines, so I can't speak to Bowman's ability to handle emergencies; however, I have been pleased with the care my furbaby has received at Bowman's.  I've used other vets in the Triangle area and they were fine, but Bowman has been the most convenient with their evening and weekend hours and all the staff have been wonderful.  I noticed some reviews about their pricing- while it is on the higher side in the Triangle, it's actually less expensive than one of my previous vets who will remain nameless.  It also happens to be more expensive than another vet I went to previously.  You roll the dice at whatever vet you choose.  I certainly am ok paying a little more knowing that the place is clean, well staffed, and I've never had to wait long for an appointment.  Bowman has also been great about calling a day or two later to check up on my furbaby.  My kitty twisted his paw a few weeks after I got him and I called Bowman like a paranoid parent to ask what signs to look for (like I've never had cats before).  They were very patient and called a few days later to check up on him and make sure his paw was doing better.  The only thing they can't seem to figure out is the online reminder system.  My cat is now 1.5 years old and I regularly get emails that he's due for his 3 year vaccinations or due for an annual visit, etc... when I've called to double check he's not due for anything and been told the emails were wrong.  *shrug*  I'll deal with random emails if it means my cat gets great care. Read Less

Actually Bowman Animal Hospital doesn't merit one star!After 5 visits to this practice, and $750 later, my kitty is sicker than after her first visit. At the beginning of December, she was experiencing nasal congestion. On 1st visit, she received holistic medicine, ( she's 14 years old) , 2nd visit three days later an antibiotic shot which was helpful for about 10 days,3th visit a prescription for oral antibiotic and medication to boost her immune system, 4th visit X-rays (which had been recommended after 2 visit but never performed) of heart and stomach(?) $300 and another antibiotic shot, 5th visit x-Ray of nasal area was not definitive for a diagnosis referred to Vet School or Veterniary Specialty Hospital.Today is January 7th, and she can barely breathe, and her  appointment is scheduled for January 14th at the VSH.This was going on while this sweet animal was in misery! If you expect any caring and compassion for your pet, this isn't the place for you. Read Less

After having moved to the area about 2 months ago I hadn't established care with a local vet just yet for my cat. About 2 weeks ago she fell and hurt her leg & I found myself at Bowman on a Saturday afternoon. I thought for sure I was going to have to pay for an emergency visit at 4pm on a Sat but was surprised to see they're open on weekends (including Sunday) until 6pm. Everyone from the receptionists to the techs & especially Dr. Farrell has been wonderful. I can't recommend them enough. Read Less

We think Doctor Silverstein is great, but the prices at Bowman are WAY to high. We have two female Labrador Retrievers and they seem cursed with getting UTI's. Between the two of them we have spent well over $1,000 in the past year just on UTI's. Plus the yearly vaccinations are very expensive as compared to other places. PLUS, we just paid $100 for a vile of Adequan for our older dogs arthritis. I usually buy it through Dr. Foster & Smith online for $69 a bottle, but wanted it quicker so I had to pay a ransom to get it. Obviously DF&S are making a profit at $69, does Bowman really need to charge almost 50% more than that? In my mind, that is gouging. Also their office staff has been messing up lately.  I have been given wrong information on test results and the last time I placed a prescription order online, it took 10 days for the clinic to respond to the online site and OK the order. Read Less

Dr D., Sam, and Christine where wonderful. I called about 30 minutes prior to my appt saying that I would be late and guessed about 10 minutes. I ended up calling them back 20 after my appt time and told them I'd reschedule. They took me and when I walked in I was greeted by Sam who was wonderful. There weren't chairs and so she put me in a room with my new kitten and offered me water. She told me that i may have to wait, which was fine. Shortly thereafter, Christine, one of the technicians came on and was so kind and attentive answering all of my questions and complimenting my handsome blind kitten. Then Dr. D came on and instantly her warmth and love for animals was apparent. I completely trust her judgment and that is such a gift. I've gone to Bowman for 18 years; I also trust them to board my animals and that puts me at ease when I travel. Read Less

Our dogs have gone to Bowmans for years and they have always gotten very good care. They were able to treat one of our dogs and bought us many years with her - I believe if we'd taken her to a less skilled vet she would have died much earlier. They referred us out to the vet school as needed and looked for holistic treatments when appropriate. That pup saw Dr. Smith, we now see Dr. Bulter. Their extended hours are very helpful as I work full time and the staff has always been professional and kind. Yes, they are a little pricey, but my husband took our (his) cat to a couple of cheaper vets and she is no better. Now the kitty needs to go to Bowmans so his attempts to get out cheap costs more in the end. If you need options to help with prices (staggering tests, etc) tell them and they will work with you.Another thing I like is they always call for f/u on any visit and when there are important labs, etc. the vet calls not the tech. They take lots of time to go over everything with you too. I wish I could get half the care and f/u from my doctor!! Read Less

I have taken my cats to Bowman Animal Hospital since 1996, almost 20 years. You will not find a better Vet in our area. I have lived up to 50 minutes away through the years and never hesitated to make the drive. The entire staff and doctors are outstanding. My experience has specifically been with Dr. Bowman, who has the most gentle and caring demeanor, Dr. D, who is as sharp as they come, and for about the past 6 or 7 years Dr. Silverstein. It is obvious that Dr. Silverstein has found her calling. I don't know how we would have gotten through these years without her. She goes above and beyond like no one has ever done. She is kind, caring, thoughtful, patient, and beyond smart and knowledgable. I have never price shopped my Vet, it would be a waste of my time and a risk to my cats getting sub-standard care from a discount Vet. You get what you pay for. I have never once left there feeling like I paid too much. I would and do recommended Bowman Animal Hospital to anyone and would never go anywhere else. Read Less

They are the best! Dr. Silverstein is so special as a vet that words cannot describe how much we appreciate her being our dog's vet. The office staff is great and the entire group really cares about you and your pet as a part of their family. The care, commitment and concern for you & your pet is unable to be matched anywhere else. Read Less

I am a long time client of Bowman Animal Hospital.  They accurately have a reputation for being very expensive.  However, for years, I had been willing to accept the price as I really trusted my vet here and they were a very helpful/convenient business to work with.Recently, with a new pet, I made a same-day appointment due to a health concern.  Because it was last minute, I wasn't able to get my same vet.  Instead I was scheduled with Dr. Bowman herself.  As this was her business, I assumed she would be a great vet to see.  That was a huge mistake.  Based on the brief description of my health concern (my cat seemed to have an irritated throat) that the vet tech relayed to Dr. Bowman, she decided before even meeting my cat, that he must have heart worm.  She came into the exam room instructing me about how terrible and devastating heart worm can be.  She seemed to pity me because my cat was adopted from a rescue shelter.  Finally, Dr. Bowman examined my cat and agreed that his throat was irritated.  After a minute of looking him over, she changed her mind on the heart worm and said she need to go check on something and left the room.  She came back 10 minutes later with print-outs from "Pet MD" from the internet and tells me that she's pretty sure my cat has rabies.  Not only was this a shock, I just couldn't even understand how she came to this conclusion.  There was no logical explanation that would conclude he had rabies.  Before I knew it, she had her staff on the phone calling animal control and she was attempting to take my cat away from me to put him into quarantine.  That's when I lost my patience with Dr. Bowman.  I respected that if we were talking about a legitimate case of rabies, that we needed to be very cautious and follow the guidelines.  But she couldn't explain to me why he was at risk for this diagnosis.  My cat had had his rabies shot, was a completely indoor cat and had had no interaction with another animal to cause this concern.  He was displaying no signs of rabies, just a sore throat.  I asked her to please try to treat the concern we originally came in with - simply an irritated throat!  After quite a bit of back and forth, she finally agreed to let me keep my cat and allow me to quarantine him at home.  She agreed to give him an antibiotic shot to possibly help his irritated throat.  So, after over three hours of being locked in the exam room with my cat, I was finally able to leave.  But not before she charged me just under $200!!  It wasn't until later that I looked at the bill and realized she had performed "aqua-puncture" and charged me another $45 for it.  I didn't understand what she had done at the time, but she had given my cat an injection in the back of his neck and mumbled something about that being the cough zone, or something along those lines.  I did NOT give her permission to do this.  Like other reviewers have mentioned - she doesn't seem to respect client's decisions.  She decides what treatment your pet needs and goes ahead and does it without discussing it with you.The next morning, when a doctor with animal control finally got involved in the case and examined my pet's medical records, he immediately dismissed the suspected case of rabies.  Even just on paper, this doctor knew my cat did not have rabies.  This whole situation was completely disrespectful and irrational.  Dr. Bowman never once showed concern for my pet's health, did not seem comfortable handling my pet and did not respect me as a client.  She seemed very interested in making a "story" and generating attention.  After animal control made their conclusion, Dr. Bowman left me a voicemail simply saying she wished rabies wasn't an issue in our area.  She was completely unapologetic for the whole situation.Dr. Bowman could very well be the best holistic treatment veterinarian out there - I can not judge that.  But she is extremely poor at even the simplest interactions with animals and does not respect the wishes of her clients.  Dr. Bowman will never come near one of my pets again and unfortunately because of this, I will never return to this animal hospital again.  This review is completely about Dr. Bowman only - there are some extremely wonderful veterinarians at this hospital that I would definitely visit if they were not associated with this hospital.Update 8/31/2015 - I was very appreciative of a response on Yelp from a staff member in reply to my review. However, I have not heard from anyone from their hospital directly. I have left feedback on their website directly and on Yelp with no response. This is a difficult situation as it is the owner that caused this situation so I do not expect there to be any further response. I just urge potential customers to be extremely careful if they are considering this hospital as someone to care and treat their pets. Read Less

I absolutely LOVED the groomer. The whole staff is welcoming, but their groomer is OUTSTANDING! She was reassuring, she listened to me and recommended the best type of cut for my kitty and all of this was at drop off. Very impressive. I've never had a groomer meetme before the appointment. She called me to tell me Cake was all finished (and went over everything she did) and pick up went easy too. Great place for grooming. Well worth the cost. I highly recommend!!Read Less

Mixed feelings - Dr. Bowman has really helped our cat feel better (she has megacolon). Our previous vet didn't even recognise what was making her feel bad, however Dr. Bowman immediately diagnosed her. The treatments she recommend have definately helped her.On the other hand, we took our puppy to her for an examine and she gave him several vaccinations when he was out of our sight without asking or discussing it beforehand. He was being squirmy so she took him to the back to finished the exam, saying he would do better able to see other dogs. When the tech brought him back out, she listed what they had done, including several vaccinations. We had wanted to talk to Dr. Bowman about what vaccines he should have and when he should get them. We wanted to do the minimum. We also had wanted to space them out, which is less taxing than several at once. So, needless to say, we were not too happy.We found a new vet for the puppy, one who we feel like we can trust. As for the cat, she will continue to see Dr. Bowman for now as Bowman's the only vet in this area that I know of who is skilled in the holistic treatments she needs. Read Less

My dogs love Bowman Animal Hospital! Well, as much as a dog will ever like the vet. They're great. All the staff is friendly and clearly love animals. I love that they have extended hours, they're always open in the evenings and also on Saturday and Sunday. It's hard to find a vet that works outside of normal working hours.They also have a great boarding facility. They're our new go to. Prices are reasonable, they have a great range of drop-off and pick-up times and they'll send you pictures and text messages updating you daily about how your dog is doing.It's also very reassuring knowing that if there ever was a problem while we were away the staff already know our dogs and their medical history, so they'd easily be able to treat any issues.Very happy here! All four paws up! Read Less

My husband and I just relocated to Raleigh and were looking for a new vet for our dog. We are glad we chose to bring our dog to Bowman Animal Hospital for his annual exam and vaccinations. Dr. Silverstein was wonderful with him and we felt completely at ease. She offers some great suggestions but does not force you to get elective vaccinations if you don't want to. She was extremely thorough and honest. The staff is very nice as well and it was very easy to schedule an appointment. Overall, we couldn't be happier with our decision! Read Less

Can't thank Dr. Smith and Dr. Butler for saving my cat, Banderas.  Banderas fell I'll with hepatic lipidosis really quickly.  We took him to our normal vet and paid $40 for them to tell us they wouldn't do anything, literally anything, because they didn't have an ultrasound as they suspected they needed one.  Dr. Butler diagnosed him without an ultrasound and a feeding tube was placed by Dr. Smith. Both doctors care infinitely for him and we're amazing with us.  Thank you! Read Less

I've been a client at Bowman for over four years. My husband and I initially started going to Bowman for a few reasons: 1) we own exotic pets; 2) they have evening and weekend hours; 3) they were easily accessible from my work. Since we started going because of our ferret, we had the great fortune of being teamed up with Emily Hunt as our doctor. I really can't say enough good things about Dr. Hunt. She's great to work with, has compassion, and otherwise, makes us feel at ease whenever we come to her with a sick animal. Unfortunately, Dr. Hunt isn't enough to save this review from turning a bit negative.First, I must say that all the other reviewers who comment on the high prices at Bowman are spot on. The place is definitely expensive, and it seems like the prices have climbed the longer I've been a client there. I've actually been taking my dogs and cats to Vetco for vaccinations the last two years because it is so much cheaper. It's not only the prices that are off-putting...it's the fact that the clinic is constantly trying to upsell services. "You're cat is overweight; buy our expensive prescription cat food (that he will hate)." "You're dog is sick, and while we can't pinpoint what is causing the digestive upset, we feel he would benefit from an extra $300 worth of IV fluids." "If you love your cat, you'll opt to get these cold laser treatments for his UTI." Ok, so I'm paraphrasing some of the conversations I've had, but these are actual events where whomever I dealt with at the clinic attempted to guilt me into buying extra services/products or else I didn't love my pet enough.We began to sour on Bowman as our vet the summer of 2013. Our cat had been showing difficulty with elimination, and I feared he might have a UTI. We took him to Bowman and saw Dr. Hunt. She examined him, expressed some urine and prescribed some antibiotics. She warned us to come back if we felt like he was blocking. After a couple of days of not seeing any kind of progress in his litter box, we took him back. Unfortunately, Dr. Hunt wasn't available to see him, but we did get in to see Dr. Bowman. I felt sure it would be a great experience...after all, it's her practice. I could not have been more incorrect. It was not a great experience. Dr. Bowman examined our cat, expressed some urine, and immediately deemed him to need expensive cold laser treatment for his problem. She tried to sell us six sessions, which would have put us out about $600 (this is in addition to the $300 we had already spent on the cat when we brought him in previously to see Dr. Hunt). We of course hesitated, which made her rudely remark, "How much does your cat mean to you?" I wanted to spit back at her "Obviously enough that I spent $300 at your practice just two days ago," but I'm not one to get into a fight. We settled on three treatments, but I felt like we bought them out of guilt rather than necessity. When we were at the clinic just a few days earlier, Dr. Hunt made no mention of these laser treatments as a way of helping our cat. So, I was annoyed that Dr. Bowman didn't bother to stand behind the diagnosis and treatment plan of one of her own doctors.Since that incident, I've only gone in for one other emergency visit, which again left me reeling from the upsell. I won't go into the details of that here. But the icing on this crap cake I've been swallowing from this overpriced clinic happened today. I called to get an appointment to update my two dogs' bordatella vaccine. I was told they would have to come in for an annual exam and heartworm testing before they would give the vaccine. Keep it! I can get their bordatella from plenty of other places. And the next time they get their annual exam and heartworm test, it will NOT be at Bowman Animal Hospital. Read Less

Several years ago, my precious Onyx was diabetic. I'd worked with a vet and was giving him insulin but after several months, my husband was not able to give him the shots (and I travel). I approached the vet to discuss options and as we were talking, she turned her back and walked away. Needless to say, I left and never will go back. Asked a friend for a recommendation for a holistic vet and he recommended Dr. Bowman. She saw Onyx and I explained the situation with my husband's hands. Dr. B. changed his diet and in six weeks, he was off insulin and just great. He has since passed to Kitty Heaven because of a huge lymphoma in his chest. Four years later, and with five cats, I've worked with several vets at Bowman and they are all wonderful. I prefer the holistic approach and there are several doctors on staff who use both the Western and the Eastern. Bowman is pricey, but these five are my children - and I've found Dr. Bowman will instruct the tech to just charge me for something less costly. I greatly appreciate that. I've often had to wait, but know that when the vet gets to me, I'm going to get the same attention and care that any pet gets at the hospital. When there's an emergency, I remember that if it was my baby in for emergency care, I'd want the attention they're giving that distressed pet. I just make sure I'm not crowded for time when I set the appointment - my kids are a high priority to me and isn't that what it really boils down to? Our priorities? I've seen pet parents come in while talking on their cell (which is incredibly rude to the staff) and basically just hand the animal over. And the staff has been absolutely courteous (more than the parent deserves). They could ask the person to hold or call them back. The techs are amazing, too. Many times when I'm in for an exam, one or two of the other techs will pop in to see my babies and just love on them. These folks truly love the animals. The hours are amazing - I don't know of any other vet who has Sunday hours. Best of all...they're five minutes from my house. Would I recommend Bowman Animal Hospital - you bet! As I said, a bit pricey but more than made up for by the standard of care, the loving attitude and kindness from the entire staff. Read Less

Went initially on Saturday when my regular vet's office was closed. I never went back to my old vet. Dr. Goodwin has taken care of my two dogs now for about three years. She is amazing. My oldest dog was feeling his age, and she has gotten him much more active. (Admittedly, we were part of the problem feeding table scraps). She convinced us to change his diet, gave him some meds for his arthritis, and now he acts several years younger. Our younger dog is doing great with routine care. Believe it or not, both dogs actually seem to enjoy going for thier appointments. What really sets Bowman's apart is the enthusiasm in which every employee seems to do their job. The dogs get greeted at the door and treated like royalty during their entire stay. Bowman's will always be our vet, and I highly recommend them to everyone! Read Less

I'll give one star only because that's the lowest rating possible... This folks gave me a price list when I first started taking my dog for routine shots, etc. The price list for routine dental cleaning was shocking - but I didn't question it - because I was not ready for cleaning my puppy's teeth yet. When the time came, I called and asked how much Bowman charges for cleaning dog's teeth. I was quoted $590.00!!! I called around and found that reasonable and customary charges for teeth cleaning for dogs is $245.00. I talked to a Bowman vet about the ridiculous charges and was told they would clean the teeth for $245.00 also and that the extra was for X-Rays... Duh! That's still $245.00 for X-Rays which is absurd - and I had not ASKED for X-Rays. I expected a direct/responsive/honest answer to my question when I ask how much to clean my dogs teeth. The answer (appropriately) COULD have been ""$245.00 but we highly recommend x-Rays - and they're another $245.00."" (I have no dental insurance and pay less to my own dentist for x-Rays!!!) Guess Bowman is trying to pay for those two new denistry suites that they brag about on their website! A less experienced customer - or perhaps an elderly one - would have paid for x-Rays when they may not have been needed, not knowing that it was optional. Bowman, it seems, thinks it's okay to put their hands in their customer's pockets as they wish - and mislead those who are unsuspecting - or who trust too easily - or if emotionally wrought related to the welfare of their beloved pet, I suspect. Run! Don't open your wallet to these people! There are lots of competent vets in Raleigh and you don't need to settle for this not-so-subtle chicanery! If you like getting what you pay for, find another veterinary practice! Read Less

Being new to the area, I visited about 9 vets before choosing Bowman based on vet reputation and pricing. The care was ok; the pricing was not. Everytime I went I found that there were 'additional' prices for every little thing looked at on my cat (nails, exam, tooth exam, blood pressure, etc.). After 1 year I am looking for a new vet. Read Less

hello my name is jamie smith and i just started to bring my siberian husky named rocky to this vet i love the staff to death and DR.SMITH is awsome and a loving careing person. she will do what ever it takes to make your pet healthy. and for the person who said its pricie its really not because the service that this vet provides is well worth the money. i dont think i will ever changE vets again. i will recomend this vet to people in the future. Read Less

The experience you have here all depends on what vet you get...I think they are all excellent, technically but a few have a lot to learn about bedside manner. Their prices are way above what every other practice in the area charges. I won't be going back to Bowman unless it is an emergency and no one else is open. They use a technique similar to auto repair shops in that they search for as many problems as possible to make the bill as high as possible. I have taken all of my pets there for emergencies (because they are open 7 days a week) and then I take them back to their regular vets for followup care because I don't want to pay the absurd rates Bowman charges when I can get the same care elsewhere and without the ""catty"" remarks. Read Less

About a year ago I took my dog there for a cut where a flap of skin was hanging loose. The staff was very friendly and caring and the Doctor was very nice and thorough. Since the injury didn't appear to be very serious and he wasn't even bleeding I was thinking $100.00-$150.00 tops. I was given a bill for $600.00 dollars. I was completely in shock. They said that they had to take X-rays to make sure there was nothing in the cut. Which made no sense to me because the cut was a flap of loose skin hanging down. They also told me when I brought him back they would like to do another X-ray because some times with swelling the X-ray misses something sometimes. When I asked if it would be another charge they said yes. I told them I would take my chances on that one. Clearly at that point it seemed to me they were taking advantage of distraught patients with their dogs health at stake. A year later my dog had the same exact injury on his other side. I took him to Magnolia A.H. on Capitol. Same procedure, no X-rays suggested. Same exact medication,$155.00 dollars with the same excellent care and staff. They even diagnosed the anxiety my dog was having in the evenings that was causing him to injure himself. With medication he is back to his old self. Read Less

I can't say enough about Dr Alley and the staff at Bowman Animal Hospital. Our Gentle Jacob has Epilepsy, and we can't imagine going through this difficult disease without the support that we get from them. Dr Alley is amazing and we knew from the first moment that we met her that we were in the right hands. She goes above and beyond ANY vet that we've ever dealt with, and she cares so much. I've recommended her to other Epi dog owners, and they feel the same. Dr Alley and her staff are one of a kind! Read Less

I have taken my dog to see Dr. Julie Merriman about 5 times now for various issues over the past year. Dr. Merriman is always very friendly and informative and caring. It is obvious she loves animals and just wants them to be healthy and happy and loved. The staff has also been great, especially Kim, Laura Jean and Chris (Kris?). Although I've spent tons of money there, I have no way of knowing if their prices are competitive. All I know is that my doggie and I are treated very well there, I never have to wait more than a few minutes to be seen (even when I'm really early), and they have taken great care of my little boy and helped him become healthier than when I adopted him when he was eight years old. Highly recommended! Read Less

I was lucky enough to find Bowman after a couple bad experiences elsewhere. My oldest cat was sick when I found Bowman, after I had had the other bad experiences with two other vets. The other two vets blew me off when I described my cat's symptoms, and wanted me to wait over a week for an appointment. I called Bowman and was able to get an appointment the same day. After an extensive physical, in house bloodwork, and X rays, Dr. Hunt determined my cat had liver problems and was dehydrated, and stayed with us for almost three hours to make sure my cat was feeling better after some pain medicine and IV fluids. She also scheduled an ultrasound, which showed a mass in my cat's liver. Dr. Hunt then had her office schedule an appointment with a specialty vet to have the necessary surgery to remove the mass. She kept in close communication with both me and the specialty vet during the whole process of scheduling a consult and surgery, and during the surgery and post-op care. Had she not been as through, or had I not insisted that I be taken seriously, my cat's condition would've gotten much worse, and I'm convinced I could have lost her. A month later, we lost our other cat at 3 1/2 years, who died suddenly from an undetected heart defect. Even though he died instantly, Bowman had us bring him in. They took him in the back and made him look more natural so that we wouldn't be as upset. They took him and us in even though it was almost closing time. They explained our options to us, and arranged for his cremation and necropsy. Some people may say this was ""unnecessary"", but that necropsy was worth its weight in gold, as it revealed the heart defect we weren't aware of. Had we not had it done, my husband and I would still be blaming ourselves for his death. I can't even begin to fully express how comforting the staff and doctors were in both situations; they even sent a sympathy card when our younger cat died. At the next appointment I went to with our older cat, even staff who hadn't been on duty when our cat died expressed their sympathy for our loss. Since then, we've gotten two more cats who have proven to need a lot of care, as they are shelter cats and didn't receive proper care or immunizations prior to living with us. Time and again, Bowman and Dr. Hunt have been there for us, helping us diagnose and treat the many illnesses that our two adoptees have developed. In response to some other posters: I haven't done extensive research, but I believe Bowman's prices are about on par with other high quality vets in the area. Like so many things in life, you get what you pay for. One of the other vets I tried was cheaper, but quality of care was very poor and they weren't as thorough in examining my pets as Bowman's is. Even if it's a little higher than average, I think the level of care they provide is well worth the extra cost. I also do not think they pressure you into having unnecessary tests/procedures done. My experience has been that they give you the options and the pros and cons of each, then let you decide. I've also never had to wait more than 15 minutes or so for a scheduled appointment; their hours are EXTREMELY convenient, as they're open 7 days a week. I have found them to be very accommodating with your schedule. They do offer beverages while you wait, but I don't believe it's a ploy to distract you from a long wait time; they're just being courteous. I've been offered a drink after waiting only a few minutes for an appointment. In summary, it has been a very rough year for us with our pets; I can't imagine what we would've done without Bowman to smooth the way. The doctors and staff have always gone above and beyond to make sure that they do all they can in those rough times. I know that our pets are getting the best care, and that our needs as pet owners are being met. Read Less

I can't say enough how impressed I am with Bowman Animal Hospital. After receiving a botched appointment from another vet, a missed diagnosis and an logical response as to what to do next for my dog, I judiciously searched for another vet. I brought in my dog's records and the x-ray (having transferred them), and was seen by Dr. Julie Merriman. She offered pain meds and was not so inclined to operate for what could be a mild case of OCD - a small lesion on my pup's shoulder. She wanted to try a route of pain meds and rest. Okay, I said, I'd rather not operate anyway. She kissed my dog's snout and we were on our way. I was very touched by her obvious affection for animals. The assistants were very, very nice, very clean and well-groomed (thank God); they all smiled and their smiles were genuine. A very lovely staff indeed (and I hope they all get raises - the public is not so easy to handle). I also took them up on the grooming they offer (having read the good featured write-up on the groomers). What a wonderful job they did on my dog - I couldn't believe it. She came out wonderfully trimmed, bathed and she looked happy as a lark. I know she was well taken care of when out of my site. You know you go to places because you become used to them, you get in a routine, change is hard. And then when you change, and try to change the routine and are apprehensive...when it turns out truly wonderful (as in this case with my changing vets), you think to yourself, ""Gosh! I was getting terrible service at that other place and on top of that they missed her 6 month bordetella shot and she was in there kennel waiting for a surgery that never happened!"" My goodness, what an oversight - that Six Forks animal hospital (I'll never go back). They wanted to operate right away and I said okay, but when their surgeon never consulted with me and forgot his appointment, I took that as a blessing and changed vets. All right, I've expended enough...I hope this will help others in choosing the right vet and groomer. Money well-spent; what a huge difference. I hope my dog will improve with the pain meds and rest. Go to Bowman and don't fool around anymore with others lack of interest and insight. Read Less

This hospital is a good one for yor pets, but they need help with scheduling. If I was appointment #1 in the morning, no worries, I was seen on time. If I had an afternoon appt it meant waiting almost an hour after my scheduled time 2 months in a row for my 30 minute appt. (30 minute drive, 1 hour wait, 30 minute appt, 30 minute drive...just not a reasonable thing to ask, if you ask me). If you're there and they offer you water or a snack, you know they haven't told you how long the wait will really be. This last time they reluctantly told me that the 5:30 client had just been taken ito a room and it was 6:20...my appt was 6pm. I just thanked them and went out to my car to take my dog back home...I did call before they closed and asked to schedule with a vet who respected my time (mind you...this was the 3rd time I'd been asked to wait and wait and wait). I did hear back from the ""resolution person"" the next day, but he was more interested in placating and rescheudling me with another vet there then with hearing some constructive feedback about scheduling problems and told me ""it was an especially delayed night"" when I knew I'd waited just short of an hour two previous monthy visits. It also sturck me as odd that he kept trying to book me for Saturday appts when I tol dhim up front that Saturdays were harder then evenings after work. After booking my dogs recurrent monthly appts a month in advance and routinely arriving 10 minutes early out of curtisy after rushing home from the job that pays for the best vetting I can afford for my dog, I'm exploring other vet options where they respect my time a little better then this animal hospital does. I totally understand emergencies, but I also have a cell phone with me 24/7 and they could have called to tell me the vet was over 45 minutes late and to not rush...nope, that's not their policy, though wouldn't it be reasonable given the frequenty delays with a particular vet at this practice? Wow, what a concept, but they aren't that proactive in their patient's interest. So, I'm looking elsewhere after I take my ""free"" office visit to make sure my dog doesn't have a 3rd reccurrent ear infection, kidney infection, kidney stones, etc. that he's had twice previously and we're not exactly making progress with at this vet clinic. We are after all, in ""vet country"" with the vet school nearby. My advice: Good vet care, just don't let them steamrole you and make you comfortable while you buy one of their toys to occupy your dog who is even less patient then you are. Read Less

Granted, I'd have probably loved any vet after my poor past experience, as the bar was not set highly, but BOY have I NEVER encountered the likes of Bowman AH, and as the previous poster noted, especially Dr. Audra Alley! Maybe all their docs are like her...I stuck with her since she ""worked"" right from the start. Salty got a proper diagnosis, finally, and Audra began helping her immediately, treating her Cushing's as well as recommending optimal nutrition. Salty, the best gal ever o course, gets raw and cooked foods now, appropriately supplemented for her disease and for electrolytes, and has lost weight, mostly associated with her disease, and gained energy! What a bundle of energy and such a hiker/runner now! Years have dropped away from my dog that never did seem quite right the first 5 months I had this 3-4 yr old rescue. (see my other posts regarding her ""other"" lesser experience). Audra and her ""supporting ladies"" immediately gave us comfort and confidence, as they were extremely outgoing, educating, inquisitive, attentive, quick thinking, supportive, and reassuring! They note and take such a THOROUGH account from the owner and the pet ""story"" thus far. The rooms are inviting, CLEAN, comfy; high tech laptop to note and track Salty's record; I barely waited at all to see them, and talked with Audra for THIRTY minutes after the exam! She already had a hypothesis brewing, and she NAILED it folks! I okayed the diagnostics just to be sure, and she gave me that option. After HUNDREDS spent elsewhere in multiple visits to figure out Salty's problems, Audra, her team, etc figured it out after 3 tests and $200! Yes, their exam was $10 more than the other vet I visited in the Triangle, BUT the intelligence, efficiency, compassion, MODERN MEDICINE, and SERVICE were invaluable! At least Salty is not on 5 meds, is not sick from meds, is not uncomfortable/sick anymore! She's spry, she's alive, like I've never seen her, THANK YOU Audra and Bowman AH! Read Less

Seen by Dr. Alley's team. Very efficient, informative, and easy going with the first 2 staff members I met. My Happy dog loves the ladies so that makes it easy. They had obviously gone over the thorough history I faxed to them previously, confirming medical conditions and Rx he's taking. Great judge of canine behavior also. Then I saw Doc within 10 minutes total of my arrival for appt...I've been to many hospitals in the Triangle and inter-state and have NEVER seen a vet so quickly after arrival! She was extremely out-going, calm, intelligent, and exuded confidence and charm with my boy (who is not always the easiest to diagnose or handle). BEAUTIFUL facility, just immaculate, spacious, and comfy. The cost with no tests or treatment, just exam, was $70. But, she actually had advice I hadn't yet heard, and I've had orthopedic, GI, geriatric, HCM, epilepsy, the gamut of probs and pets :] They have a ""whole-istic"" approach to well-being, and look at the diet, environment, activity, people and background of the patient...superior large picture view. I toured their boarding area; very thorough monitoring of their boarders, which is why it costs over $30/night. Typically, I pay $18-20 depending on dog size and food/meds needed. Their medicine is competitive. Other vets in Raleigh should look to BAH's standards of care and service. Read Less

Dr. Deresienski (sp?) has been treating my dog for about five years. She has seen my baby through a myriad of medical issues and I couldn't be happier. I don't know what else to say, but the facility is always clean and the employees are very friendly. My dog's care, because of the problems, has been expensive over the years, but I can tell you that I've definately gotten my money's worth at Bowman's. Dr. Deresienski is a skilled veterinarian and has always taken plenty of time to explain to me what is going on with my dog, even cheerfully, taking my calls for what turned out to be minor issues. Thanks so Much! I would high recommend Bowman's. Read Less

We've taken our dog to Bowman for several years for baths and nail care, as well as for boarding when we're out of town and they've always been welcoming, friendly and caring for our dog. Prices are a little higher than other providers, but aren't excessive. The one time our dog had a health issue under their care, they took the time to call us long distance to confer about treatment. I can't comment on regular veterinary care as we had already established a relationship with another vet, but can highly recommend them for the services we've used. Read Less

My dog had dislocated her back leg. Because my dog is 10yo and I had VERY limited funds, I prepared to have her put to sleep. I, of course, did not want her put to sleep so I called several vets to see if anyone could help me. When I called Bowman hospital they suggested applying for ""Carecredit"" (which I highly recommend). Since Bowman was one of the only places that took Carecredit I drove the 45 minutes to get there. They worked with me, and my dog went in for FHO surgery on her leg. It's been a month since Kali's surgery and not only is she still alive, but she is doing great!! I owe my dog's life to Dr. Smith. She was always available for every little question I had and always took her time with me on my appointments. She never gave me the feeling of being rushed. The staff were wonderful with my dog, I felt very comfortable when I had to leave her for surgery. I've been through two other vet hospitals since my dog was a puppy and I must say, I would easily make the 45 minute trip to Bowman from now on. Read Less

I've been going to Bowman for nearly 8 years and have used several of the Drs. All have been great, but my latest favorite is Dr. Hunt. Typical experience begins with the receptionists greating my dogs by name, a pat on the head and a treat. Visits are quick, with great personalized service. I always board my dogs there when traveling, and am comforted by the fact that I know one of the vets check on them every day. Always a great experience, I highly recommend this veterinary hospital!! Read Less