Animal Health Care Clinic

Reviews 5

BI

Biffard Turkle

“Looking for a Vet who cares?” Yes. We were. We didn’t find one at the Animal Heath Care Clinic on Drew Street in Clearwater Florida. If you are looking for a vet to fumble around with expensive tests and ineffective treatments, Animal Heath Care Clinic is your place. Beau, our 11 year old golden retriever, suffered from atopic determititis and skin infections resulting from it. We exhausted Dr. Moretti and Dr. Denesi capability to help Beau despite having spent ~$850 over 5 months. We did everything theyve asked to include antihistamines, steroids, topical sprays, blood panels, benedryl, switching to multiple higher-quality no grain food dog food, fungal skin tests, yeast tests, frequent bathing with high end dog shampoos, trying to control house allergen sources, supplements of omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, etc. None of the above provided relief. When we independently researched the web and learned Atopica and Apoquel as popular potential solutions to Beau’s allergies. We contacted Animal Heath Care Clinic and scheduled a follow-up with a specific request for the drug to be prescribed. Nicole confirmed that they had Apoquel in stock. Dr. Denesi seemed befuddled and confused with his persistent skin condition, refused to prescribe Apoquel, and prescribed another battery of expensive antibiotics ($85) , a skin biopsy, ($250( and would have prescribed more steroids (less it conflicted with the Vetprofin they had prescribed for him) to treat a skin infection, despite our protests that their previous regimen of antibiotics was ineffective. I later learned that the “bait and switch” treatment was because they did not have Apoquel in stock. I asked for the Dr. Moretti or Dr. Denesi Animal Heath Care Clinic to call me back 2-3 times – a vet never returned my call. We elected to switch to All Care Care Pet Hospital on Sunset Point Road. Dr Rixford and her staff were confident, educated, compassionate and loving. Our experience with them was amazing and significantly different. Apoquel provided him immediate relief. The difference in his skin and energy drastically improved within 24 hrs. Over months, Animal Heath Care Clinic never mentioned Apoquel as an option, because they did not have it in stock, and not because it was not what was potentially best for Beau. They seemed more motivated to prescribe expensive options. In summary, Animal Heath Care Clinic operates more like an ineffective business motivated by profiting from expensive treatments and tests than a place that demonstrates caring and capability to help your pet.

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Dominique Nelson

We did not have a good experience here recently as we felt that our animal was sent home too soon after a surgery and we were not treated well as customers and as concerned dog owners. We did feel that the vet herself took good care of our dog and went above and beyond to do a very involved surgery and they ended up keeping him overnight free of charge when my husband demanded it. The vet also came to care for our dog personally in the middle of the night which she clearly did out of concern and love for our animal. For that we are very grateful. However, the way we were treated as customers was disturbing. We had an issue with our bill in which it was significantly higher than the initial estimate and we did not have the funds to pay it. Initially, they were apologetic for the price difference and agreed to work with us on a payment plan, but when they found out that we were taking our dog to another clinic for a second opinion, the office manager threatened to call the police if I drove away with my dog--even though we had signed paperwork on a payment plan and I had not given any indication that I was not going to pay our bill. We ended up borrowing money to pay the remainder of our bill so that we could take our dog away. I will say that they did ultimately apologize for the misunderstanding, but we have taken our dog to another vet and will not be returning to this clinic. It was far too unpleasant for us especially when we were already dealing with the worry and stress of wondering what was going on with our dog.

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Devin Steele

This place is absolutely HORRIBLE. Every time Ive been there it takes at least an hour for my dog to be seen, even with an appointment. I had an appointment at 12 today and didnt leave until just before 2:30 (and the whole time I was actually in the back was only about 15-20 mins). Theyre either always understaffed, dont have it together, or probably both. The doctor doesnt seem to know what shes doing, I was in two weeks in a row trying to figure out my dogs infection and both times I walked out of there STILL not knowing whats going on, no answers. On top of that, they were holding my dog down to take blood and he was gasping for air at one point because they left him hardly any breathing room. I understand some dogs get dramatic, but my dog is far from it and I sensed they didnt make him feel very comfortable, sort of just leaped on him without easing into it. Furthermore, the front office staff is always rude and everyone that works there, even the actual vet, seems like they dont care at all about anyones pet. Ive never been so dissatisfied with anything in my entire life. Ive been there multiple times thinking itd get better but its just continued to get worse. I left today literally telling them they suck. And Im usually one to give benefit of the doubt and not make a big deal, but overall, this place is beyond ridiculous. Go somewhere else that will care about your animal...Im on the search for a vet that will care for my dog the proper way because he and all other animals deserve it!

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Leslie Redman

I accompanied my Mother (at her request) to the office with her cat who has a long history of urinary problems. My Mom wanted me to come along to ask questions for her and to help her understand more of what is happening with her cat. Mike (a technician) came up to us in the waiting room and mentioned getting a UA (urinalysis). I merely suggested that if the UA showed the presence of bacteria we may like to have a Urine Culture done to identify the specific bacteria. He said that would not be necessary as the UA would show us the bacteria. I disagreed. He then told me not to give "medical advise" to their client. He was very rude. The staff and doctors here are constantly rotating and you never see the same doctor or staff twice. The care is questionable, especially when a technician is rude and incompetent. And, will not even hear the concerns or suggestions of their clients. If you love your animal please DO NOT Take them here for care. With the inconsistency of staff and doctors. Your pets care will be hit or miss at best. And, from our experience with my Moms cat it has been more miss than anything else. They are cheap, but so is the care they provide.

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Jennifer Caldwell

We brought our cat to Animal Health Care Clinic to get spayed, The surgery was a success and they even lent us a carrier to get her home. They get five stars for that, we had no problem at that time. However, a couple weeks after her surgery, we noticed she was having ear trouble. We brought her back to Animal Health Care Clinic to be checked out and spent 70 minutes in an exam room waiting. That was unacceptable so we left. No one ever called or sent a note to acknowledge our departure or to ask us back for another appointment. Time is money, I cant justify losing over an hour away from my business, I dont keep my clients waiting. We brought the cat to another vet to get her ears checked and they determined that she has ear mites. Cats get ear mites from other animals who have ear mites. She is an inside cat without exposure to other animals except for her time at the Animal Health Care Clinic. We have spent a lot of money so far to treat this issue in addition to the time spent at their office and the new vets office. I hate to leave a bad review but Im upset that she picked up the ear mites there and Im upset that we were stuck in a room and forgotten.

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