University Animal Hospital

Reviews 3

GE

Georgia Dengate

We first got our cat as a kitten from a shelter which meant that there was a high chance he would be sick. And he was. He had an Upper Respiratory Infection (a cat cold) that ended up being pretty serious. Our initial experience here was not the best...I felt the vet (that shall remain unnamed) was extremely patronizing and gave us few options. He got worse and worse and needed more medication, which we were given, which was out of date... We drove back immediately to rectify the problem only to be told by a receptionist (who we havent seen since and hope no longer works there) that that form of medication (liquid) was out of stock and that wed have to take a different type. For an extra $15...In the end we argued with the vet who eventually agreed to give us the meds for no extra charge. He got better. A year on and Mr Kitty decided to eat something bad. He kept violently vomiting so being the closest vet open and he not liking car rides, we went back. We were pleasantly surprised with our treatment - it was brilliant. We saw Dr Tascon who was great at explaining the details and really gave us options for treatment. Mr Kitty had some fluids and an anti nausea medication. The vet was so concerned he took both our numbers and called us on his day off, to make sure Kitty was ok. How many vets do that?! He left on my voicemail his own personal number in case we were worried. Awesome. TRAGEDY STRIKES! 2 weeks after that incident, Mr Kitty eats about 9 inches of ribbon!! Gah! After 24 hours of vomiting and no eating, we take him back to Dr Tascon who was sympathetic to our being 10 minutes late as Kitty doesnt like his carrier too much. He recommended an X-ray and told us the price and gave us more options, but we agreed that was best. He was honest and told us he wasnt sure and that the best way to be sure of any foreign object was surgery. Pet Insurance people. Were thankful we have it. So Kitty stayed there and had surgery at 2pm. Dr Tascon phoned us shortly after the procedure and what a surprise: pulled 9 inches of ribbon. He didnt have to remove any of the small intestine and said everything went well. Mr Kitty had to stay in overnight and we went to visit him. It was heartbreaking seeing his little paw with a big IV in it :( He was pretty out of it. The staff were great and understanding of our fussing. I brought his favorite toy which they noted on his chart so not to get lost :) They also allowed me earlier to leave a tank top with our smell on it which they noted on his chart he slept on :) Im rambling a bit. The next morning we were phoned by Dr Tascon to come pick him up. When we got there we were taken to an exam room and had the basics of his meds explained to us by a Tech. Dr Tascon then came in and gave us a bit more detail, signs of infection etc etc. Mr Kitty is now much better and through the worst. He doesnt like his meds but, which animal does? To sum it up: Awesome. Couldnt ask for better. Oh and Elena at the front desk was seriously the biggest sweetie ever, we are so incredibly happy with the service.

A

A Private User

While University Animal Hospital is currently the second oldest Animal Hospital in the area, it has changed ownership over that time. Pets used to get some of the best care in the valley, but in the past few years, quality of care has been slipping. We currently have 2 dogs and 1 kitten. A dog we used to have had issues with a broken foot that had to be re-set 3 times by different doctors; the administrative staff has issues communicating effectively with the doctors. Once, we had the reception staff "lose" one of the dogs state registration information and shred the original documentation related to the dogs adoption/vaccination. A mistake, surely? No, we were informed (first by the person who shredded it, and later by the administrative supervisor) that it was our fault for not ensuring that they KNEW we wanted the originals back after "scanning" it into the file. Luckily, it took one person (the grooming supervisor, even though the dogs hadnt been in for grooming that time) to find the "lost" registration (a week later, in one of the doctors personal files, we still dont know why), but no luck on the shredded vaccination/adoption paperwork, and caused us not to be able to board the dogs here or anywhere else, while we were out of town (quite the monkey wrench as were getting ready to leave, you can imagine). Chalking all that up to a fluke, we continued to take our animals to University Animal Hospital and receive decent care... until now. This time, my kitten was the unwitting victim. While being boarded at University Animal Hospital over Thanksgiving, my cat had some surgeries. Even though having the surgery at University Animal Hospital was more expensive than most other vets I found in the valley, the peace of mind that the cat was being boarded and watched by a Vet while recovering outweighed other considerations... I was wrong. Not only was I charged an exorbitant amount of money for being duped into the wrong surgery, but this time the DOCTOR informed me that it was my fault, the correct surgery could be done, but it would all be out of my pocket because I had signed the 35-line itemized estimate, and hadnt known (among all the codes for medicine, etc) that the wrong procedure was listed - and I had signed for it. Covered legally, Im sure, but hardly in the best interests of the pet. Not only that, but returning the cat to me after Thanksgiving, I found a missing collar (no idea where that is, Im told) and that someone doodled all over the cat carrier in permanent marker. Definitely my carrier, but unexpectedly (and rather un-artistically) decorated anew. The lack of organization and respect has reached such a proportion that I am forced to look for a new vet to care for my animals. Im confident I can find a veterinarian and boarding facility who will not only keep my pets best interests in mind, but who wont constantly tell me Im wrong, while being expected to fork over higher and higher prices. Enough is enough.

KA

Karen Dougherty

I was impressed by the number of good reviews that University Animal Hospital received and after taking my dog there, I whole-heartedly agree. Ive been copying this review to a number of sites so that everyone can hear how awesome UAH is. I took my dog there to be neutered. My dog had a medical condition that made the surgery a bit more complicated, so I was nervous. From the second I walked in, everyone was incredibly helpful and kind. Even at 6:30 am, the front desk staff were friendly and made the entire check-in really smooth. They walked through all the records that I had with me. When it turned out that my dog was missing a shot, they were more than happy to do it for me while my dog was there. They informed me that the shot is one of the required ones, but they werent remotely pushy for me to do it there and then.The nurse then took us back, and again she was friendly and chatty and super kind to my dog. Dr. Koch was beyond amazing. He was so caring with my dog and walked me through the surgery. The medical condition my dog had complicated the surgery but it wasnt possible to tell exactly how extensive the surgery would be until he was under anesthesia. Dr. Koch explained all the possible options for the surgery and answered all the questions I had. The consultation was short but I never felt rushed. Dr. Koch made me feel so comfortable about leaving my dog in his care. He then called me multiple times during the day to update me with the progress of how complicated the surgery would be, when my dog was out of surgery, and how he was doing with recovery. When I arrived to pick up my dog, the discharge nurse sat with me and went through the surgery, my dogs recovery at the hospital (they had taken him out for a potty break and someone had even sat with him for a long time petting him while he was waking up so that he wouldnt be scared), and all the post-op instructions. Any questions I had about what to do or not to do, she answered completely, even giving me tips on how to give my dog his pain meds. She was super gentle with him when she brought him out to me. It was truly a wonderful experience, and I would recommend University Animal Hospital to everyone!