Banfield Pet Hospital

I’ve had my dog enrolled in the wellness plan for several years. I will say it has been good to us for routine veterinary care (vaccines, dental cleaning, lab work) and I like that I don’t have to pay an office fee. This is the only reason I give any stars. However, my recent issue with my pet required more than routine care and I feel Banfield failed us there. I I took my pet in in March for a cough that was treated but he’d also had a sore/growth on his rear for two weeks that I had the vet check. The vet expressed his anal glands and said it was a sore caused by my dog licking back there. To the vet’s credit, it did look scabbed over and like it was healing so she advised I leave it alone and let it heal on its own. The next week it started to look worse and was protruding more and bleeding so I took him in again. This time he saw a different vet and that vet just said how “weird” it looked, checked his anal glands and proceeded to squeeze the growth forcing a good amount of blood out, applied neosporin, fit him for an ecollar and sent us on our way. Fast forward 3.5 weeks, I took him in again to see the same vet due to it seemingly scabbing over then bleeding again and again and worsening. She again said how “weird” it was, checked his glands, measured its size, said to continue neosporin for 3 more weeks and if not healed to return for a biopsy. (I was quoted $415 for just a biopsy!). I gave it a few more days and by that point my dog had been in a cone for 6 weeks with it continuing to worsen and bleed. I decided to take him to another clinic for a second opinion and immediately upon seeing my dog, the new vet diagnosed him with a Perianal Adenoma, provided diagnosis education, discussed the removal and recommendation to also neuter my pet and explained these tumors are caused by testosterone which increases the likelihood of more of these tumors in the future. The vet at the other clinic was confident in his diagnosis and said a biopsy wasn’t really needed, it just needed to be removed. I ended paying slightly more than the BIOPSY ONLY quote Banfield gave me to have the entire procedure done (tumor removal and neuter with anesthesia, meds, etc!) I cannot imagine how much Banfield would’ve charged me after the biopsy was completed to have it removed and how much longer my pup would’ve had to wait before they came to the correct diagnosis and the conclusion of removing it. I am so disappointed in my experience with Banfield when I presented with a non routine need that apparently required higher expertise. I will not be renewing my wellness plan and will be switching to the more experienced clinic that provided me with a second opinion and my pup with appropriate veterinary care. Read Less

Thank you for taking care of my daughter Coco! She would not still be with me if it was not for Dr. Vara and staff who show nothing but love ams compassion for my dog. I see them treat all the other dogs in the same way! From the bottom of my heart thank you for giving me just a little bit more time with my best friend/daughter and companion! Read Less

DO NOT EVER BRING YOUR PET HERE! I called as a courtesy to say that my pet had passed away and I would be bringing my pet in. When I got there the front desk staff person Dawn asked if I was ready for them to take my pet. I said No and asked for a PRIVATE area to say a final goodbye to my pet. Dawn told me to take a seat in the PUBLIC waiting area and let her know when I was ready for them to take my pet. After repeatedly having to ask for a private area to say goodbye to my dead pet I was finally taken to a private exam room. While trying to say goodbye to my pet I heard and saw the Chief Vet staff DR. VARA complaining about me, "How much longer is she going to be? We have appointments today... Well her" dog/cat "was on borrowed time; wasn't going to live forever. She has other pets at home." I also heard the vet techs in the back surgery area saying, "Do you hear that? She is so loud. All her crying is going to scare the other clients away." What other clients? It was right before 9 am and I was the only one there when I came in and was leaving the office. Upon check out again front desk staff Dawn-- selling, selling, selling: "Since you are so attached to your pet did you want a private ceremony? It's only $180 and you get a really nice urn." Seriously! The next day the front desk staff at this vet office called me saying, "Hi. I see that" dead pet's name "came in for an appointment yesterday and I was just calling to see how" she/he "is doing." Really?!! My pet is dead and if the staff communicated with each other then they would know that. When I asked for my pet's medical records a few days later they wanted to charge me $30 for each pet's records. I had to fight with the office before my pet's records were finally given to me. No compassion, empathy, or concern for the welfare of my dead pet was shown to me-- A client who has been bringing all of my pets to these vets for almost 10 yrs!! Read Less

The people here are some of the best. Dr. Vara caught a simple problem with one of our cats that another Vet gave us the impression she was terminal. They run the tests right there and can tell you right away what's wrong. Everyone gets their regular checkups here and their teeth cleaned. I wish I got this kind of service at MY doctor! Read Less

I recently had an experience with Banfield Pet Hospital where I had to take my little puppy to the vet since she had been tested positive for Parvovirus. When I arrived at Banfield and let them know my puppy's situation, the staff here took care of my puppy immediately. They were all so kind to me and my puppy and very helpful. I left Banfield happy and my puppy is now doing much better. Thanks to the vet and rest of the staff :) Read Less

The service here is always top-notch. Dr. Poppe consistently demonstrates the utmost care and compassion for my dog and cat and is willing to answer questions, and the staff are always available to help. I love the wellness plans on my pets--have definitely saved us money. Read Less

Dr. Poppe is the best veterinarian! He truly cares for the well-being of your pet and understands that your pet is part of your family! Having other dogs, I've experienced my fair share of vets, and Dr. Poppe is great!!! ! My dog, Bailey, has been with Dr. Poppe since the beginning. Recently, I had a major scare finding Bailey on my balcony collapsed after drinking paint thinner. After receiving terrible service at the Animal ER that night (located on 4315 Fredericksburg Rd.), the next day I dropped off Bailey at Banfield for all day monitoring. Dr. Poppe called me every hour with updates on Bailey's health! He even gave me more information about Bailey's prognosis than the ER did. It was such a relief to know that Bailey was in great hands and he had her best interest at heart! Read Less

I used to go to this Bansfield and loved it my dogs has been with them since he was a puppy. The most recent experience with them made me want to leave this place all together. The front desk staff should be completely replaced.  If you prefer to go to a Bansfield that actually cares go to the one on The Rim. Read Less

Awesome customer service! My dog was really sick this past Monday, vomiting and diarrhea. We called Monday morning and they were able to squeeze her in. She was dropped off around 9am and I was quickly called back after some results. I spoke to the vet, who was extremely nice and informative. The lady at the front desk and vet tech are also very sweet. I've had a wellness plan for 2 years and just moved to SA. This is definitely going to be my location of choice. I was really amazed at how quick and efficient they were. There's been times I've had to leave her all day. Btw my dog gets sick about every 3 months whether it's an injury, virus, ate something bad, etc!  So finding a vet I love is very important! Read Less

I have been taking my Maltese to Banfield Vet in California since she was a puppy 10 weeks. She is now 4 years old. Today I brought her to the Desavala location in SA. In my opinion the initial puppy package was beneficial for her because it covered her vaccines, and included discounts on other services that came about through that first year.Years 2-3 I did not have pet plan.Now my dog is about to turn 4, and I re-signed her up for the Banfield pet plan for adult. So far it's been a great deal for us. Her vaccines have been covered yet again, and she also got a professional dental cleaning- (not at the Desavala location) Today my pet was dropped off for the "drop off appointment" service it's New Year's Eve and they got her in no problem and no wait. The first desk gal was very informative and let me know I still had an ear exam left on the plan, and fecal exam. My dog is presenting with pain to her ear and lethargy. I was a little nervous about having to bring her to a new vet but so far it's been a good experience and no out of pocket fees because the plan is covering all the issues. One star docked because the location looks old and smells like a pet zoo. Read Less

These are the most incompetent people in the field of veterinary medicine. Over the years I have collected a few stories of the garbage and lack of knowledge these people have. 1)I presented my dog with canine papillomas. The doctor stated they were not contagious... they very much are! 2)I presented my dog with flaky, smelly, bumpy skin. The doctor wrote it off as "schnauzer bumps". Upon doing research online my dog's skin looked nothing like what would be diagnosed as schnauzer bumps. If he had done a skins scrape (like the doctor I went to for a second opinion) he would have found that it was a skin infection.What I find the most troubling is how the staff handled a very recent Parvo case with my mom. My mom had adopted two 7.5 week old schnauzer puppies. Unfortunately one came down with and died of Parvo. I do not blame Banfield for her death, however I do blame them for the second pup getting sick. First of all, had the sweet pup made it through the first day, the staff would have sent her home for the night to be with the other pup. How can this make sense when Parvo is an EXTREMEY CONTAGIOUS disease!? Secondly, when my parents brought in the second pup to be tested for Parvo, the doctor looked at the dog, saw that he was showing no symptoms, DID NOT GIVE A TEST and stated "Well, some puppies get it and some puppies don't." Lastly, when the first pup passed, no one on the staff gave my mom any advice on how to prevent the second pup from getting sick and sure enough 4 days later the second pup tested positive for Parvo. Luckily my parents went to a different hospital and he is recovering.Being a dog trainer, I know I don't have all the knowledge someone with "DVM" behind their name should. However, I know enough to know that what was being said to my mom was severely incorrect and careless. I have had other positive experiences with other Banfields, but my general thought of this franchise is that they are "the Walmart of vets". You get what you pay for. Read Less

Ive been going to Banfield for 6 years now.  This location is the slowest location.  It is so stressful coming here.  Both times took me at least 45 minutes to be seen then both times I was left in the room to wait another 30 minutes.  Im glad I'm moving to say the least. Read Less

I will start out by saying I really miss bringing out baby here and will be considering returning soon. We had 2 different vets that always looked over my baby I don't remember one of them but the other is dr.marks. Both were very wonderful UNDERSTANDING and seem to try to work with you the best they could. Even the staff especially the women were very very nice. We currently go to a different location due to the fact its closer to us and I SERIOUSLY DISLIKE it. One of the vets is rude and especially if you don't buy everything she is recommending and even when you explain why her tone and attitude changes imm. We are giving the current vet one last chance and then if it doesn't change, we will more than likely def be returning to them cause I couldn't be more thankful for how amazing they were when I would go in with our fur baby.Read Less

Great place to take your pets! i have a 1 yr old cat named Indi and my friend has his sister on their own wellness plans and thus far have received amazing care and treatment ever since they were kittens. We also had a Puppy part of their wellness plan but it was not easy getting him off of it. If you get a wellness plan, make sure you can afford the monthly payment and if you are wanting to cancel, you have to call corporate. The vets and the front desk do not deal with that, so any questions regarding the plan, you will just have to call corporate about. The service is great! affordable and conveniently placed inside a Petsmart, so you can also get some shopping done there as you wait! Definitely recommend! Read Less

They will continuously raise rates on you and give you a hassle about canceling AFTER your pet has died. DO NOT sign up for the Optimum Wellness Plan, it is there to suck money from you and nothing more. Read Less

I was very disappointed. I had an appointment and ended up waiting for an hour. I thought their prices were going to be more affordable than at a "regular" vets office but it turned out to be the same. All I needed were shots for my dog and a consultation cause she is a little older, all I got in the end were the shots because they did not seem to know any more than I do or can find out online. In the end I don't think I will ever go there again, it is not worth it. Read Less

New client offer is worth it. I just went here because of the proximity, and it was pretty good. The wait time was a little long, but it was my first time to the vet, too. Great thing is: you can shop while you wait. The vet and vet techs were really good with my scared guy. :) Read Less

I was a little hesitant to sign my puppy up on a wellness plan because I was worried about what kind of staff I would get stuck with for the duration (I've had plenty of bad experiences), but I have absolutely no regrets because the people and the place are awesome! The staff is very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. The treatment my pet has received from them has been phenomenal :) Read Less

The Banfield hospital at Dezavala has been wonderful for us and out little maltese. We got her as a puppy and signed up for the wellness plan, and it is has not only saved us money it provided us with a partner in providing a healthy life for our dog. We absolutely love the people and the vets there. They've been wonderful to us and we don't know how we would have gotten through the first phase of our puppy's life without them. BTW, having the spay/neuter covered in the plan was absolutely phenomenal. Read Less

Took my cat here to get neutered and it was a pleasant experience.  The staff and specifically Dr. Vara was very nice and helpful even though they were busy, I eventually got my one on one time.  You can tell she loves her job and animals.  They also made sure he was up to date on any necessary shots.  It's a little pricey to get one of their wellness plans (banfield.net/optimum-wel…) - but well worth it. Read Less