Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital

Dr. Lukas and her love of retrievers is very transparent. I’d trust her with our baby boys for sure. Dr. Olsen is also pleasant and easy to talk to about our pups.The costs are higher than average for this area, but we like our vets here, it’s conveniently located, and the evening hours are a major advantage. Read Less

Great experience every time. I like the report cards and appreciate the ease of use in the scheduling app. Always meet smiling people behind the desk and I appreciate the efficient drop off and pick up. Read Less

My experience was great. All my questions answered and my dog was loved by the whole staff! Dr Lucas is the BEST! I feel very confident in the veterinarians and their recommendations on how to handle the situations with my dogs over the past years. I also appreciate the veterinarians valuing my opinion, recommendations and requirements in the care of my dogs. Cost of care is always an issue. It's good that I'm given options at different price points to consider. I will stay a customer with my dogs, and I have and will continue to recommend Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital to anyone else who has an issue or just gets a new pup and needs maintenance care. Read Less

The folks here have taken care of most of my family’s dogs, and now both of mine. There are times where I have been a little put off by how direct some of the Vets can be, but I know that it’s only because they care about the animals they see, so I can’t really complain too much. Read Less

We left our dog here twice for boarding, each time for 3 days. The first time he came back with a bacteria in his mouth and really skinny. We gave them our dog's food in rations, and some treats. He was also really sad, he is a husky and is all about playing but when he came he was very upset and he didn't want to eat for two days or play. We thought he was tired or something. We decided to give the place a second chance. The second time he came back with a bump in his eye and in his ribs, he was limping and he had diarrhea for 4 days. We are not taking him there anymore. Read Less

I have used Waggin' Tails for boarding twice and had weird feelings dropping my dog off both times.  I will not be using them again.  This last time after picking up my dog, he acted incredibly weird for about 48 hours after we picked him up.  This review is kind of unfair because it is a "feeling" and not a particular experience, but if someone had this experience as a dog owner I would want to know. Read Less

The staff at Fitchburg Animal Hospital have been taking care of our pets for over 20 years. They are very loving with our dogs and we really appreciate that. Especially our dog Diesel, as everyone there knows him. Thanks to all the staff. Read Less

Had to bring my dog here on very short notice, and the staff were excellent. Very kind, very helpful, and got my dog seen and treated immediately. Also very straightforward about costs, explaining them before anything was incurred. I would absolutely go here again. Read Less

We have had a relationship with this clinic almost 10 years. In the beginning things were great. In the last two years there has been a lot of turnover. It used to be nice to go there and see the same ladies behind the counter and have the same vet examine our dog. This past month with them has been very frustrating. I took my pet for a wellness exam and got sticker shock an hour later when I was given the 244.00 bill. 30.00 of it was an oral medication half of which was splashed on me as my dog moved his head when the vet was coming at him with the syringe. The lady behind the counter was not friendly or smiley nor did she go to any lengths to explain anything. Fast forward to this week, I brought my pup in for a routine procedure and had contact with a different employee behind the desk who at first ignored me for several minutes and then was not helpful when I had questions regarding the final bill. This place has always been pricey but I thought it was worth it due to the quality care I felt my dog was getting + the friendly staff willing to clearly explain things and were prompt at answering questions.  Now, I am thinking due to customer service issues we will be going elsewhere. So disappointing! Read Less

I was looking for a new groomer for my shih tzu in the area and came across Waggin' Tails. Hesitated to bring him in based on the reviews, but thought why not? A lot of the reviews I read weren't based on the quality of grooming. Paid $42 and some change for a full groom (bath, nails, cut, butt glands lol etc.) Mind you the price was very good compared to $50-$55 groomers I had called around to. Price always counts for me because of how often I get my dog groomed. The receptionist asked for shot records and I was able to get my pooch in bright and early on a Saturday morning. Specifically requested for a certain blade size cut and showed a picture of how I wanted my dog to be groomed. 3 hours total wait time to pick my dog up which is about the average time I usually wait for any groomer. Picked him up and he was looking like a boss walking out of the salon! Thank you Brooke!Definitely will be back. Would definitely be interested in using the boarding or vet services. Read Less

The vets here, with the exception of one that has since left, are all, in my opinion, much less than competent in the vet business. They spayed my epileptic puppy and used drugs known to cause seizures. Vet tech's could not competently get a blood sample. Keep stabbing away in the dogs leg until they get a vein. One vet prescribed a drug but couldn't tell me what the correct dosage should be. Vet's and tech's don't like being questioned. I would not recommend leaving your pet with these people w/o your presence. Read Less

The staff is caring and professional, the facilities are very clean, and the vets make sure to communicate clearly with you about your pet's care. There is a very small play area for children in the waiting room. Read Less

I absolutely love this vet, and wont take my Bubbs anywhere else. I adopted him as a senior dog, and the first vet i took him to in madison did not do any of the tests that fitchburg did. They have helped keep my old man happy and healthy! Butch is now 11 and the healthiest he has probably ever been! Thank you Fitchburg Vet! Read Less

The front desk is completely useless.  I boarded my pets for 5 days.  One was on prednisone, the much darker almost black 7# one.  The 15# red one was given the prednisone and the other one was withdrawn cold turkey.  My vet was FURIOUS and the staff did not care or admit any wrongdoing.  I guess I'm lucky my pets didn't die. Read Less

I just moved here to Madison and was struggling to find a place to send my dog while I would be out of town. A friend recommended Waggin Tails, and I'm so glad she did!I was looking for a 2-night overnight boarding and the first phone call went great, the young lady at the front desk was so nice and explained all of my options and pricing. You guys---- they have a Bunk Bed option for your dogs!! It's where 6-8 dogs (I believe) stay in one room win a human! They never get locked up, and can play at daycare while they are there too. I immediately new this would be the best (and very affordable) option. The young gal continued to explain that my dog needed to first have a temperament test (totally normal when new to a daycare/boarding facility). My dog passed the temperament test and we then kept him in daycare for about 6-8 hours so he could get used to the facility for his overnight stay. Since it was his first time there, they offered a free bath and nail trim---awesome!! When I picked up my dog he was happy, tired, and clean. There was also a cute "report card" of how he did, which I really appreciated!When I picked up my dog after staying overnight for 2 days, he was agin super happy and tired, but I was bummed because I didn't receive any report card! I was just a little disappointing since it'd be nice to get some sort of update after two days... So that would be my ONLY tip/suggestion... Just An email or something to update maybe?? Or like the other review said, a webcam would be amazing!! Read Less

I have been bringing my pets (first guinea pigs and now a puppy) to Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital for a year now and have always received excellent service. The vets are wonderful and seem truly motivated to work with pet parents to make sure our fur babies are as healthy and happy as possible. I would highly recommend this clinic Read Less

Beware the high number of positive reviews and low number of poor ones. My negative review was already deleted once. When we started bringing our pets here about 4 years ago we were initially pleased at the adequate care at a lower price than our previous vet. However, the care that we've received at this clinic since the beginning of the year has been nothing short of negligent and careless. After months of breathing issues we had to demand that our dog be given a chest x-ray. It turned out that he had a massive abdominal tumor and lung cancer. The vet at the emergency clinic in Middleton could *immediately* feel the tumor by feeling our dog's side. The vets at Fitchburg Clinic missed this on numerous occasions. We had to put our dog to sleep that same night because the tumor was in imminent danger of rupturing. We will not ever be returning to this vet. We care about our remaining animals too much.Read Less

When we started bringing our pets here about 4 years ago we were initially pleased at the adequate care at a lower price than our previous vet. However, the care that we've received at this clinic since the beginning of the year has been nothing short of negligent and careless. After months of breathing issues, and 4 visits, we had to *demand* that our dog be given a chest x-ray. It turned out that he had a massive abdominal tumor and lung cancer. The vet at the emergency clinic in Middleton could *immediately* feel the tumor by feeling our dog's side. The vets at Fitchburg Clinic missed this on numerous occasions. We had to put our dog to sleep that same night because the tumor was in imminent danger of rupturing. This extremely traumatic event could have been avoided had the vet only listened to our concerns. We will not ever be returning to this vet. We care about our remaining animals too much. Read Less

We've been taking our dog here for boarding and daycare for about 4 years. We really like Waggin Tails....except for one thing. We really wish they had webcams! We board our dog here often and really miss him while we travel. It would be nice to be able to see how he's doing via webcam. I've mentioned this to the front desk staff multiple times and asked them to relay the message to the owners. This time the person at the front desk suggested I write a review on Yelp and/or Facebook and mention it on here to be sure the owners see my suggestion. So owners........please install webcams!!! Read Less

I'm really surprised at some of the overly negative reviews of this place. I've been taking my dog here for daycare for the last year (since moving to Madison). He usually comes 3 timers per week and has had multiple boarding stays. As a regular customer who is there VERY often (3 times per week almost every week), I have seen many many dogs leaving that facility and never once have I seen one covered in poop. I really don't get it. Waggin' Tails has been wonderful to my dog. He is a high energy guy who needs to run. As a full-time working single dog mom, Waggin' Tails has been incredible as it has essentially become a second home to my dog. He loves it there so much it often seems he doesn't want to leave. The staff is friendly and the lobby is always clean. There are always dog treats on the counter for the taking. Yes, sometimes the drop-off and pick-up process can be annoyingly long. And yes, sometimes the desk staff seem oddly disorganized. There seems to be a bit of high turnover with staff in the daycare room but maybe that's just due to the young age of the folks that work there? I do hope they treat their employees as well as the employees treat my dog!All in all, this place feels like family and would recommend it highly to anyone. Read Less

I have to say it's a most impressive place to leave your pet. Walking up you feel like that you're providing your best friend with a luxury experience...and then you get to the front desk and it's like brake slamming. I entered the building and I encountered a woman AT A DOG BOARDING PLACE with her dog pulled closely to her as though my dog might give hers cooties. I wonder why she isolates him if he's there to stay WITH OTHER DOGS. That was just a taste of what was to come. I had just driven four hours. In that time I had my last dog boarding place send over all my dog's up-to-date info. I called a few times to ask about how much it would cost and if they would wash my dogs for me. All was good to go. I got in and as I'm holding my 1.5 lb Yorkie, Luci and watching my 5 lb Morkie, Gatsby, get a little love from the staff, I was told in the rudest of terms that my dogs would need to have their temperament tested. I was a little peeved because I was holding the smallest dog in the world and wondering how, in the four short months I'd had her, she'd even developed a temperament, but I digress. The woman at the desk barked at me and was very rude. For the face of the business you'd think she'd keep her snarling to a minimum, but clearly not. So, I leave my dogs for just a few hours and come back right at close. I had verified AT THE DESK that my dogs would cost a certain amount, but that the dog washing would be complimentary because it was their first time, maybe? I don't know why. At any rate I was willing to pay for it and said so; I clearly stated I wanted them to have a bath and would pay for it.I pick them up and they are filthy. Not only are the filthy, but my 1.5 lb dog is shaking like a leaf. She was terrified and no one even gave a sh** here. They just let her shake. That tells me a lot about this place. Between the receptionist and my dog being terrified I'm pretty sure this place is not on my list of places to come back to. By the way, this is the second time my Yorkie has been boarded and the other one loved her and cuddled her so that she wasn't afraid. She wasn't shaking when I picked her up and she was only three months then. This place is not a place I'd return to. Thank goodness it was free, although truthfully, after the way my dogs were treated (or not) I wouldn't have paid for it anyway. The ONLY reason this gets two stars is for the girl at the front desk when I came to pick them up and a guy that was there who offered to wash my dogs really quickly before I left. They were the only bright spot about this place. Otherwise they'd get a big fat ONE star. Terrible experience. Read Less

I have nothing but great things to say about the technicians and veterinarians who I have met in the past couple weeks. My dog is older and periodically has a complex string of veterinary expenses that often need regular follow ups (cataracts, dental with extractions, mass removal, you name it). Their prices are reasonable, and their hours are robustly phenomenal/work perfectly (unlike many 8-5 clinics) with my chaotic schedule. Although I have had a couple instances where I felt like I had to wait longer than necessary for paperwork to go through, everyone is friendly when I come in, and I always appreciate the detailed follow-up they provide me. Read Less

I've been taking my dog there all summer for daycare and boarding. She seems to have fun there and I love the report card I get at the end of daycare.  The staff is always friendly and I'm always able to get Rosie in, even at the last minute! Read Less

Visiting from San Antonio, TX with our dog for the second summer. Discovered Waggin Tails and Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital last year and couldn't wait to get back.  Well-managed with super staffs at both daycare and hospital. They even have an indoor swimming pool for the dogs. The fact that the kennel and daycare are connected to the veterinary hospital is a real plus. My husband is a retired veterinarian and has been very impressed with these services.We had tried other doggy daycares in Madison before we found Waggin Tails as a result of a glowing recommendation from another discerning dog owner.  We highly recommend!!!Becky Read Less

Our 2 year old German Shepard has been going here for over a year now. He loves it and so do we! The staff is always friendly and helpful. Everyday we pick Champ up he's tuckered out from a long day of playtime- not to mention he loves the pool! The staff works closely with Champ and has helped to train him and control his excitement. We're so glad we found this place! It's wonderful! Read Less

Just picked up our dog after an eight day boarding visit with one day of daycare. A crazy unorganized pick up that took very long. They brought out dogs in no discernible order and once ours came out, covered in poop, they asked if we would like them to rinse him off! Ugh, yes. They couldn't tell us how long he was sick and seemed to have no record of it, how long he's been sick, or how the week went at all. After getting him rinsed off, they brought him out on the wrong leash, with the wrong toys and food. He was also supposed to get a bath and nail trim as a new client, which we mentioned at check in... Of course, that never happened. We had high hopes for this place as the lobby is nice and they have some nice advertised "amenities".  Our poor boy reeks, feels bad, and will definitely be finding a new kennel Read Less

Have taken my 2 small dogs, Monkey and Kennedy, there twice and already have 2 more reservations lined up. Friendly staff members make the process easy to drop off/pick up/make reservations. Also, you get a confirmation call prior to ensure your plans are the same. My favorite feature is the addition of doggie daycare for as many days as you'd like and there's a discount for daycare when boarding!  pups get a bath on their last day which is great when I take them home, happy, clean and worn out from daycare fun! Highly recommended :) Read Less

With two dogs in our family, this is a one stop shop for us in Fitchburg.  Our dogs go to daycare, are boarded here and visit the vet on the other side of the building.  The staff is always friendly and we know our dogs are in good hands.  Doggie daycare has really helped with socializing them to be better on walks and at the dog park.  We always get them daycare time while being boarded to keep them busy while they are at the doggie hotel.  It's great having a place like this in our community. Read Less

I have been taking my dog to this vet for the last 3.5 years. I can honestly say one of the best, if not the best in Madison.My vet is Dr. Erica Olsen, and she is the simply wonderful! Super helpful, always excited to see my dog, and always has some great ideas to make my fat Bully a little more healthier.I have seen at least 4 other vets with my dog and have had the $$$$ signs add up quickly. Not with this place. I am shown a fair price every time and they only do exactly what is needed. Never overcharging me!My dog has some special needs and I enjoy that they work with me to make him as healthy as a dog of his breed can get. They have some of the best hours open for a vet that I have ever seen, and if I need an appointment ASAP, they have accommodated me ever single time (trust me there have been multiple times I needed a vet like right now). I recently moved to the far east side of Madison, and there is no way I would change vets to be closer to home. I'll drive to Fitchburg every time to see Dr. Olsen. No problem!Best vet around. Read Less

I am furious right now. When I moved here in Aug. 14 I asked my daughter where she takes her 2 dogs and she recommended FVH. I took my dog there for a wellness exam to establish a vet/pup relationship. Today I noticed that my dog had a torn toenail so I brought her in for a nail trim. I was told it would be $17. After they took her back to do the trim they came back and said that the one nail is to the quick and they will need to cauterize it and sedate her and it would be $180. Yikes. I said to go ahead and when I came back to pick her up they charged me almost $200. I asked why the difference and the receptionist said and she was snottily clear she "only rings the bills and does not get involved in the pricing" that it was for the nail trim. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The nail trim while she was sedated would have taken less than 5 minutes! Wouldn't you as a courtesy just do it? This is my last visit here and I have let my daughter know and she will go elsewhere AND I will tell everyone I know they take advantage of their customers. That is how I felt.Read Less

I am furious right now.  When I moved here in Aug. 14 I asked my daughter where she takes her 2 dogs and she recommended FVH.  I took my dog there for a wellness exam to establish a vet/pup relationship.  Today I noticed that my dog had a torn toenail so I brought her in for a nail trim.  I was told it would be $17. After they took her back to do the trim they came back and said that the one nail is to the quick and they will need to cauterize it and sedate her and it would be $180.  Yikes.  I said to go ahead and when I came back to pick her up they charged me almost $200.  I asked why the difference and the receptionist said and she was snottily clear she "only rings the bills and does not get involved in the pricing" that it was for the nail trim.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME? The nail trim while she was sedated would have taken less than 5 minutes! Wouldn't you as a courtesy just do it?  This is my last visit here and I have let my daughter know and she will go elsewhere AND I will tell everyone I know they take advantage of their customers.  That is how I felt. Read Less

Wow.  Can I just say, wow?  There are so many good things out, so let's just list them....1. Fair prices.  Fantastic.  I have been overcharged by other vets.  I can get my dog seen, treated, medication and food for him for under $200.  Yup.  Just to let you know I have an English Bulldog, that is nearly unheard of.  2. Really nice staff.  They actually care and like dogs.  They have a smile, given him treats and some nice cuddles when we go in.  3. Great hours.  They are open until 9pm.  Yeah, I know.  So for those of us who can not run home, pick up our dog and then race to the vet before five, there is hope.  There is this place.  4. Yes, ok, it is a little out of the way.  However, they are great.  They are nice.  They are affordable. Read Less

We take both our dogs to FVH and have no complaints and have never had any problems. We've found the staff and medical staff to all be competent and friendly and very responsive to questions. I would (and have) recommend them to anyone looking for a good vet on the west side of Madison. Read Less

Dr Lukas is the best. She's very gentle and kind to my parrots. It is hard to find an avian vet in Wisconsin and we are so thankful we found Erika. Staff is wonderful and always kind. The waiting room is always very clean and cozy. Read Less

We've taken our pets to Fitchburg Veterinary for years. My dog has a lot of anxiety and fear when going to the vet (from a different vet) and Dr. Lukas and all the staff there always understanding and try to put him at ease. We are always able to get in for an appointment quickly and the staff there is friendly and helpful. Read Less

I, and most importantly, my dog Bennie, love this place.It isn't often that we have to board our dog when we go out of town, but Waggin' Tails fits the bill nicely.  Before we found this place we would board him at his vet's office, but we could tell he was very stressed and really didn't like being there.  When we walk into Waggin' Tails, he's still a happy camper and has no problems.  They have several options available for boarding, ranging from a basic kennel to an exclusive stay in a caretaker's apartment on site.  We sprang for that once, and I think that was the happiest we've seen our dog leaving that place.The facility is nice, clean, and the staff is very courteous and helpful with any requests you have.  Included in boarding is a bath, so our dog is returned to us clean and extra fluffy--a nice bonus.  They also hold regular events like cookouts and doggie play dates which are a lot of fun both dogs and humans alike.  Just make sure you plan well ahead, as many times we have called a few days before our trip to find they were completely booked.  The prices are reasonable and the facility is well kept.  I appreciate finding a quality place like this where I can bring my dog. Read Less

We have taken our 10-month old puppy to Waggin Tails for boarding since he was 3-months old. We've never had a problem and he seems to genuinely enjoy his time there. When he was 6 months old we started including daycare with his weekend stays---(he's a Jack Russel and has plenty of energy to burn). The first time we picked him up from this he was filthy...I'm pretty sure he spent the weekend being urinated on by larger dogs----but this is something you can't really avoid with a curious puppy running around with larger dogs. It seems to be getting better as he's gotten older. He comes home tired and in need of a bath but also seems to have had a great time! The staff always tells us that he never stops moving but that he's very sociable and seems to have a great time in the daycare. When we take him to Waggin Tails he jumps out of the car and goes right to the door---makes me feel great about leaving him there. I also think their prices are fabulous for what they offer---no complains there!I appreciate that the staff takes inventory of everything we bring in (toys, treats etc.) we've never had an issue with anything going missing or being destroyed (we've had this issue at other places) and when we pick him up it always seems like the exact amount of food is gone and several treats have been fed. We've been using Waggin' Tails for 7 months and are about to enroll in one of their obedience classes---really looking forward to it! Read Less

I have 3 dogs and have never boarded any of them, I've had neighbors and pet sitters assist in my home  But one of my dogs is quite senior and his array of medications and physical limitations made that arrangement impractical.  I visited Waggin' Tails and they were very patient and thorough other tour.  I was impressed with the facilities, the organization of things, and the caretakers throughout.When I brought my dog in, they were very happy to see my detailed instructions, and referred to them repeatedly in preparing the intake.  When I called to check in on him, they let me know how he was doing - including that he enjoyed playing fetch, a specific request we'd made because he is not mobile enough to romp with the young dogs.  When I picked him up, the reception staff knew my dog by name and said they'd miss the sweet old guy.  They brought him out along with all of the containers and other items we'd brought him in with,  and they noted, without us asking, when he was due for his next pills.I was a nervous wreck leaving my boy with a kennel, but I'm glad I trusted my instincts, it's a relief to have a caring place that can meet my dog's many needs. Read Less

I have not been impressed with Fitchburg Vet.  We have had our dog since he was a puppy, and we know him very well.  He has always had a sensitive stomach to food, but we knew he wasn't sick because he was acting just like himself.  We kept asking the vets about it, and they told us he was sick and needed a fecal, even though his last 2 were both negative.  I finally got the best advice from Pet Supermarket (best pet store in town in my opinion) and they told us about limited ingredient and grain free food.  within 24 hours his poop was normal again.  The vets wouldn't even listen to me, and just kept telling me he was sick.  I was really disappointed that I had to go to a pet store to get advice that the vet should have known. Read Less

For the most part, the staff and doctors at this hospital are exceptional (and the hours and facility are wonderful), with one very glaring exception, which is why I gave the rating that I did. Dr. Janeen Smith should not be trusted to treat or diagnose any pet that you take to the Fitchburg Veterinary Hospital. Being part owner of the clinic, it is very obvious to those that have made multiple visits to the clinic that she is more than willing to prescribe, test and treat just about anything, even if there is no evidence that your pet may be suffering from any of the ailments she suggests in an effort to raise the total bill that the clinic collects. We have filed a complaint against her with the State Department of Safety and Professional Services in hopes that someone regulates her actions more closely. Read Less