Bay Area Bird Hospital

Reviews 4

SU

Sue Weaver

Brought a very sick pet rat to first visit with BABH because they had a, early AM, same day appointment and the place weve taken our rats before did not have an same-day. We wanted to get her treatment as fast as possible. What a mistake to come here! Arrived on time for scheduled appointment and waited a LONG time.The doctor was rude, abrupt, could not explain whether lab work would be helpful or what labs even could be done (could be cancer, fungal, bacterial, viral). I am a masters degreed nurse, so I know something about medicine and she could not explain herself in any comprehensible way. After seeing vet, another VERY long wait to get the medicine. Solid 3 hours there with 10-15 minutes with the vet. When I picked up refill of medicine one week later, I specifically asked for only one more weeks worth as we had a follow up appointment at that time, and the rattie was so sick I didnt think shed even make it that long. I brought back the same bottles (emptied, cleaned) but they were too busy to refill, even though I had called ahead. Had to cross town again, come back end of day; only to find theyd given me 3 weeks worth in giant bottles- not the ones Id brought back to them. Huge argument over whether Id be forced to pay since they "already dispensed it". They rented us a nebulizer machine that was in bad shape- making horrible noise that even scared the poor rat getting treatments. they knew it, as there was a note taped to box tha tsays it makes loud noise but works "fine". The nebulizer died after 9 days- on 4th of July. I managed to get a loaner after driving 100 mile round trip to a friend in holiday traffic. BABH still insisted on charging me for the second full week of nebulizer rental even though it failed two days into that week and huge inconvenience to get replacement, on my own, on a holiday. When I returned it, I cancelled follow up appointment; telling them rat was dying and would not even make it another day. The front desk clerk was so weird telling me I shouldnt give up hope, miracles do happen, dont stop the treatment. Thank god my child wasnt with me to hear that. I told her: look, I am in this business, I know dying. She will not live out the day. Sure enough, rattie was dead when I got home. DO NOT ever go to this place!

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A

A Private User

Monday my bird seemed listless and was not eating well so I took him to this vet because they specialize in birds and she gave me anti-biotics but said they may not work as she didnt know what was wrong with the bird and she needed $500 up front to do further testing. I paid the $90 and said I would pay the rest later but she refused to do any further tests without the $500 in cash up front. She also explained that the tests may not do any good anyway because the antibiotics she was starting her on to get the bird feeling better, may render the other tests useless. $500 for useless tests? As if that wasnt bad enough, we wouldnt get the results of the tests for a full week anyway and the bird could die by that time but, "If you want the tests, you still have to pay the full $500 up front" I took the $90 worth of antibiotics which the vet says may not help since we dont know whats wrong with the bird, and I was perfectly willing to pay the $500, even tho the tests may be inconclusive, but I guess she would rather let the bird die than take installments. The more the vet talked, the more my head was spinning. I had to ask a couple of times to make sure I understood she wanted to take virtually useless tests and then only if I paid "up front" I am on Social Security but, even if I wasnt, I dont normally carry $500 around with be in case I have an emergency. She said I could apply for a "Care card" but Im not elligible because I pay for everything in cash, not having had credit since 1981 so because Im not up to my eyeballs in debt like everyone else, I guess I am not to be trusted. The funny part is, if you think any of this is funny, the vet is about my age and will soon be on Social Security herself so you would think shed be empathetic towards me or AT THE VERY LEAST show some compassion towards my bird. Can you imagine taking your child to an emergency room and them telling you they cant do anything until you pay them $500 cash up front for tests that may not work, would take a week to show results and your child may die by that time anyway? This vet didnt have one drop of compassion and honestly, I am still in shock. I dont think she knows anything about birds since she kept calling my creamino linnie a "lutino".

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RO

Rose K.

I dont recommend Bay Area Bird Hospital. This is what happened: I brought my Guinea pig to AIMS Emergency Hospital which they treated him and kept him alive with heart medicine, oxygen, heating blanket to get his temperature up, IV fluids, etc. We were told to take him to a Vet that deals with Guinea pigs so the next morning we transported him from the ER to Bay Area Bird Hospital while in critical condition. The Vet at Bay Area Bird Hospital felt that he was going to be alright and that they needed to do some blood work and maybe we could pick him up by 6:00 p.m.. Well, I arrived there at 5:15 p.m. and called from the car to let them know that Im coming to speak to the Vet and pick up my Guinea pig if he is okay. I was told that the Vet didnt have time to talk to me because two emergency cases had just come in but that the Vet had left a message with the receptionist that the Guinea pig was to stay the night for more treatment. I was fine with that but I asked if I could visit with my Guinea pig before visiting hours were over. I was denied because they said that I would be in their way. Well, the next morning the Vet called me and said that my Guinea pig was FOUND dead when they came to work. What? NO ONE WAS THERE OVERNIGHT TO WATCH A CRITICAL PATIENT? If NO ONE will be watching my pet after 6:00 p.m or 7:00 p.m., then WHY am I told to leave him there overnight? I was warned about this place but I couldnt get an appointment elsewhere that treated Guinea pigs. I wish that the ER had more training with Guinea pigs but I must say that they were a million times better than Bay Area Bird Hospital.

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A

A Private User

I have never had such a positive experience with a reptile vet! I brought my 7 year old Chinese Water Dragon for a follow up visit after being seen at All Animals Emergency Hospital (also WONDERFUL!) two nights prior. The Vet that saw us at Bay Area Bird Hospital was very knowledgeable, took the time to review my lizards blood work, explain the results, and answer all of my questions. She reviewed my husbandry techniques throughly with me and made some sound suggestions (backed by explanations) about areas in which I could improve my care. She was very patient and gentle with my lizard and I really felt that she took the time to answer all of my questions, explain treatment options, etc. I did not feel rushed or pressured. She also was very honest about what she didnt know as well which was very refreshing. I have been to a few different reptile vets int he bay area and have been very disappointed with their level of knowledge about this species, their exorbitant prices, and their suggestions for husbandry techniques (e.g. if your vet ever tells you to use a heating pad for a heat source in your vivarium...run). None of them were as knowledgeable, through, or patient as Bay Area Bird Hospital. They are also reasonably priced for an exotic vet. The only thing I would have liked is to find a vet with more experience in dealing with Chinese Water Dragons in particular. Apparently they are not as popular of a species as I thought! Great vet. Highly recommended!

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