Arizona Animal Wellness Center

Reviews 3

KE

Kellie E

After giving this vet a second chance, they have taken good enough care of my dogs that I changed the review to four stars. Both dogs had GI issues with diarrhea and vomiting and the office was very accommodating and concerned about the dogs. They did seem to go the extra mile with making follow up calls to see how my dogs were doing. The only thing at this point that does not earn the 5th star is the cost, as I previously mentioned. They wanted $200 for abdominal X-rays and $500 for an abdominal ultrasound. The ultrasound is done by an outside provider who performs imaging in their office a couple times a week so that price is already set by them, AAWC has no say in that. The X-rays, however, cost more than human X-rays do in some cases (I know because I order them). We will continue to return. My two dogs have been going to this practice for about three years since we moved to Gilbert. We have generally had good customer service, the staff has even helped me chase down my dog in the parking lot after he slipped out of his collar. The reception, vet techs, and Vets themselves have all been friendly. Their new office is gorgeous and spacious. The reasons I give them 3 stars instead of five are: The prices seem above and beyond what other vets charge. Our dogs are healthy and are typically seen for routine check ups and vaccines, but we have been quoted prices for other things that seem excessive. For example, they quoted us $800+ for a dental cleaning for our 25lb dog. Granted his teeth are nasty, but that quote was at the LOW end of expected cost, the higher end wouldve put us out of our mortgage payment for the month. Second, we recently had a visit for both dogs where I had requested only ONE vaccine each so they could be boarded while we went out of town. Thats all they needed and this was mentioned 2-3 times during the visit. So when they came in with two shots for each dog I questioned them and was told the distemper/parvo vaccine wasnt a combo and was a total of two shots. Wrong. They gave both dogs an additional vaccine that I did not request (although yes, they were both due for it) and it resulted in us not being able to board our dogs at our usual facility due to their required 5-day waiting period with this particular vaccine. After the boarding facility told us we couldnt board our dogs, I called the vets office for resolution. The lady I spoke with tried her best to be helpful, she even went so far as to find us another facility that would be willing to take the dogs on such short notice. Luckily we were able to find a house sitter last minute. While I understand errors happen, I feel this was mostly the offices way of being able to charge for additional services... And they never admitted it was their mistake. I was told there mustve been a miscommunication, but had I heard any mention of this other vaccine I wouldve stopped them before administering it. My dogs are currently scheduled for other appointments which I am considering canceling as I have lost some faith in the practice. No one is perfect and maybe they were having an off day, but hopefully they can make up for it in the future if we decide to stay with them.

JA

Jared Evans

So we waited until we calmed down and reflected on our situation so our emotions did not override this review. I dont even want to give this place a single star because the Drs there dont deserve it. The techs on the other hand there are awesome and great!! Maybe they can shed some light on how this place needs to run. The techs are very loving and compassionate about your situation. The Drs on the other hand, especially Dr Sarah, not so much. This is a long situation, but I hope you will take the time to read it. It seems like a trend happening with this place based on recent reviews Im reading now. We brought in our kitty who was vomiting and losing weight fast. This place did a blood test to start. Understandable you have to start somewhere. We get the results back and everything was normal, they suggested we bring her in for an ultrasound if she continued to decrease in appetite and weight. I called in after the 2 weeks recommendation and come to find out we would have to wait another 2 weeks for the ultrasound to be done. By this time my kitty has lost almost half her weight from being weighed the first visit. They use a mobile vet service called vet med and they were booked. During this procedure we were shifted to Dr Sarah. She seems very young and all over the place with her diagnoses. When your animals are like your kids it can be an emotional roller coaster and we feel like Dr Sarah took us on the most dramatic of them all. To go from the possibly of a foreign object to cancer in the matter of hours can take a toll on someones emotions. Nevertheless, things need to be ruled out and we understand that. Dr Sarah recommend extra blood work and X-rays that were not necessary. They need more bottom line I get the feeling and Ill tell you why shortly. We sobbed out in the parking lot our last visit there feeling like our baby didnt have much hope, when just hours before that we were told otherwise. We were then referred to a specialist center in Mesa called VCA. (Amazing place by the way) you have to have a referral though to get in, unless its an emergency. When we told them our situation about having to wait and watch our baby deteriorate even further while we waited for an ultrasound to become available, they told us the Arizona Animal Wellness Center should be ashamed. AAWC could have referred us at any time knowing our kittys situation to get her in sooner, but no they wanted our mighty $$!! So now weve paid for 2 ultrasounds when really only 1 was necessary. Either way my baby is worth it, but you would hope that while someone is in an emotional state of mind that the Drs would guide you in the best direction for your babys health, but I just feel like there is a disconnect with that compassion in the Drs at this place. Just be cautious when you take your beloved here, do your research and ask lots of questions. Maybe this would have helped us, but we thought this place was competent in what they did based on their ratings. We were mislead, but weve learned a valuable lesson. Hopefully they will take this feedback and change for the better.

KA

Katrina Mominee

I recently got my cat about 4 or a little more months ago and brought him here. I thought they were great and everything, seemed awesome because of their special cat rooms BUT honestly, theyre not worth it. All they want is your money. I got my cats shots this July, 7th of 2016. I spent about $200. I am a single 21 year old who had to sell her car to buy her plane ticket. I am moving on October 1st and this vet office said I needed another $75 exam just to tell me hes healthy and has all his shots, "in order to fly." I already know he has his shots and is healthy. So they wouldnt give me a simple doctors note stating that hes good to fly. Luckily, I called United Airlines and asked what they needed, all 5 different calls said the same thing, "all you need is your pet confirmation number and if you want, you can bring proof of the shots. No official certificate is needed. Thats only for International Flights in or out of American." I am only flying to Ohio, therefore, the airport told me I am good. I still wanted a doctors note just to have one and told them what the airlines said and they still said that I needed this $75 exam and that they will not write me a simple note for my cat. So long story short, no matter what facts you know, this place is only in it for the money. Only one of the front counter women were nice. The lady with longish brown hair with glasses kept forcing me and saying, "nope, you need this exam within 10 days before your flight." Well guess what, nope, thats a waste of money when I just got all his health exams and shots done. My neighbors friend also stopped taking his dogs here because they always would push him into purchasing unneccasary things that his dogs didnt need just so they could get more money. Moral of this event, Ive flown planes since I was 9 months old, and once I was old enough, I would fly alone between my parents all the time. I know my planes, airports and rules. You only need the flying health certificate only if its international, not domestic. Dont let them still continue to force it on you like they did me. All you need is your pet confirmation number and if you WANT, you can bring receipts or small things of proof for shots. You can even just have them email you your current shots so they can see its all updated. No extra $75 exam. I give this vet office 0 stars but to submit this review, I have to put a 1 star...