I thought I'd found my dream vet clinic, but got a rude awakening after spending $2480.33 between Dec. 30th and Feb. 13th for annual exams, dental cleanings, and to have 3 tiny lumps removed from one... Read More
I thought I'd found my dream vet clinic, but got a rude awakening after spending $2480.33 between Dec. 30th and Feb. 13th for annual exams, dental cleanings, and to have 3 tiny lumps removed from one of my three dogs, I took my 3rd dog in for his annual teeth cleaning. I had told them when he had his annual exam a few weeks earlier that he was due his rabies shot, and I did not know exactly when because he was a rescue dog and I couldn't find a record of his last shot in his previous vet's records. Because he tended to yelp when he got shots, I thought he may as well have it when he was asleep, so asked if he could have it when he had his teeth cleaned, and they agreed that would be fine.
When I arrived for the dental cleaning, I was kept waiting almost 15 minutes although I was on time and the only person there. When the staff member took me back to a room, I reminded her that my pet needed his rabies vaccination, which I had discussed with both the tech and Dr. Farmer at his annual exam just weeks before. The tech interviewing me before the teeth cleaning told me he'd need another exam before having the shot (a fact that both the tech and Dr. Farmer failed to mention when he had his annual weeks before), so I told her that I'd just take him to PetSmart or somewhere to get the shot, and to just go ahead and clean his teeth, because it seemed ridiculous to pay $49 for another exam a few weeks after he'd just been examined when he was perfectly healthy. She said he couldn't remain there if he didn't have his shot. Apparently, my perfectly healthy house dog who only goes out 3 times a day to relieve himself was too dangerous to stay in their clinic.
So, I left and took him immediately to another vet. Apparently, in order to soak me for an additonal $49, they were willing to risk a very good customer who had already spent $2400 at their clinic in 44 days, and was prepared to spend the funds for the 3rd dog's teeth cleaning and rabies vaccination.
This clinic looks great on the surface, but watch out for subtle mining for additional dollars. And, I'm not a vet hopper. I was with my first vet from when we moved to this area for 16 years until he sold his practice, and with the next vet for 22 years. Read Less