Longmont Small Animal Hospital

Reviews 10

A

A Private User

I visited this hospital due to a guinea pig showing sudden symptoms of limping, swelling and pain. The first doctor I saw was helpful, seemed somewhat familiar with rodents and compassionate toward my pet. I was stressed so it did not occur to me to request some routine emergency treatments (fluid injection, vitamin C injection). In retrospect I think these could have saved my pets life. It seems odd to me that the vet didnt think of them, considering the symptoms. Immediately after the visit, my pet seemed sluggish. I thought the lethargy was a sign of exhaustion from a stressful vet visit so I gave her the prescribed medicine and let her rest for the evening. The next morning my pet was in critical condition, cold, dehydrated and near death. She seemed to have difficulty moving at all and was suffering severe pain so I rushed her back to the clinic, assuming she would need to be put down. The other veterinarian (Dr. Shaffer) was there and my experience with him was the WORST I have had with any veterinarian. He seemed quite chipper through the whole affair while examining her. I requested euthanasia, and he notified me that this is done through cardiac injection while the animal is conscious. He said that this is painless and death is instantaneous. (I know that this is a lie because I have seen it done before--animals subject to this procedure while conscious vocalize in pain and remain conscious for up to 30 seconds.) I requested a gas anesthetic for my pet to cause unconsciousness before the procedure, and it took some badgering to get him to go along with it. He still refused to allow me in with my pet while she was put down (whenever a vet says this I tend to assume he is doing something underhanded). When asking me what I prefer to do with the body, he casually let me know that they "dispose of" them in a garbage landfill if they are left with the vet. I had NOT requested this information and found it offensive to hear it delivered in such a casual way, as if my pet was nothing more than garbage. Of course I took the body home without question then. In all, this insensitive man Dr. Shaffer charged me $130 to kill my pet--a very high charge for a euthanasia, even for an emergency call. He seemed to have no compassion for me or my pet. Because of him I doubt I will EVER return to this animal clinic. I can forgive the first vet I saw about my pets illness making a mistake, but I cannot forgive someone acting like my pet is worthless as she lay there dying. A lot of people have the attitude that rodents are disposable, and this guy seems to be one of them.

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Alyssa Cote

I have a rat who fell very ill, very fast so I brought him here. The vet flat out told me that almost every time he had seen a rat come in that sick, they dont make it even with treatment, and then proceded to give him an injection antibiotic and 2 more rx in such a rush that there wasnt even time to think, ask questions, or explore other options. That visit cost $100. It would have cost $80 for him to have been put down. All they wanted was money and now Im left with a miserable rat who is too sick to even move or eat and I cant afford to put him down. They dont care about the animals, your family members, they care about how much money they can squeeze out of you.

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Angela Nesbitt

I noticed that Longmont Small Animal Hospital hasnt been reviewed since being under new ownership. I followed Dr. Wunder here from her previous practice over a year ago and have been so happy with bringing my cats to the new place! All of the staff has been very kind and helpful, and I cant say enough about how great Dr. Wunder has been. She noticed potential heart problems overlooked elsewhere, and solved a long-standing health mystery other vets never could figure out, and my cat is doing great ever since! Thanks!

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Monica Boone

Dr. Shaffer saved my dogs life! Maggie was very sick and I was coming to terms with the fact that she might not make it much longer. She was having really bad hip problems and we couldnt stand to see her in that much pain. Dr. Shaffer took her into surgery and after a long recovery she is back to her old self!! We long her so much and didnt even think this was a possibility! We want to thank everyone at the Small Animal Hospital for all of their help and support, we wouldnt have our Maggie back if it wasnt for you!

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Dan Ellison

We were on vacation and my beautiful dog Zoe went swimming in the lake and got a fish hook stick in her throat. We were absolutely petrified. It seemed like an impossible situation and I was even more worried because of the dogs advanced age. But, I brought her into Longmont Small Animal Hospital and Dr. Shaffer did miraculous work. I am eternally grateful to him and everyone at Longmont. Zoe is doing well and every time I look at her, I am reminded of Dr. Shaffer and his staffs dedication. - Dan -

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A

A Private User

My animal was misdiagnosed and became deathly ill. When I tried to get help, the staff person working at the desk was very rude and covered for the vets mistake. I ended up going to a reputable vet with real equipment and real 24 hour service (not just "on-call"). I have been to many vet clinics and hospitals throughout my life with my various pets but this experience was by far the most negative. The treatment that we received was inexcusable!!

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Aaron Wells

These people through incompetence put us in a position to euthanize our pets and were so incompassionate for our situation and tortured our dog in the end poor ability to administer euthanasia medication only increase the suffering of my pet instead of a calm easy passing. I think it would be more appropriate for them to stick to clipping nails and giving shots I would go elsewhere for something complicated or an emergency situation

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Tacy West

The worst vet experience in 50 years of my life! Vet is overbearing and screams at you if you do not lead your family life as she demands. Very low on people skills and lacking all understanding of kindness in difficult situations. Maybe okay for shots but definitely not good for injury. Look else where even though they are not busy. Poor care resulted in the death of my companion. The Euthanasia was cold and protracted.

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Christine Gibbons

I have a calico cat and she is a demon at the vets office. This staff treats her with respect and love even in the face of her claws, teeth and contrariness. They were the first vet office to tell me this is a normal trait in calicoes. They take the time to explain procedures to me and listen to me. They answer all my questions promptly. Im so glad I found this office.

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Lucy Furr

Love these people. They always treat my rats like they are members of my family, unlike other places who either refuse to see them, or treat them as nothing more than vermin. Never have to wait past my appointment time, in fact, if I show up early, they usually call me in early as well. Thank you for providing excellent service to all little critters!

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