Animal Emergency Center

Reviews 3

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Stephanie Crespo

So a few weeks ago I went to the ER after work because my dog was paralyzed in his back legs. Idk what caused it, it literally happened out of nowhere. I was in a panic and I took him to the first ER I found on Google. BIG MISTAKE! Now rushing out of the house with my dog I forgot my wallet at home. I wasnt thinking, my dog has been home in the same spot for over 7 hours because his legs werent functioning, of course I wasnt going to be thinking straight. Now I get to the ER and the ladies see that my dog in so much pain. They treated my dog like it was completely normal to not have working limbs. They took forever to answer the door and then tried dragging him out the car after the fact I told them that he was in a lot of pain and was really nervous. After we finally got him inside, I told the lady that I forgot my wallet, to start on him and ill rush and get it. the doctor denied seeing him until I had the money at hand. So I had to take my dog back into the car to get my wallet to come back for care. Now bare in mind that I have a huge 80lbs pitbull. I was so upset because I dont live 12 mins away. Its almost a 40 min drive to get to this office. but obviously I came back with my information and my credit card. they took another half an hour to even care for him. THERE WAS NO ONE ELSE IN THE OFFICE! STITCH AND I WERE THE ONLY PATIENTS THERE! After the doctor came in and did what I couldve done at home, he told me that he would need a ct scan or an mri to determine what he has. They didnt have access to those machines in that office so I had to wait until the morning to care for him. He told me they could care for him for the night but when they showed me the charge on 1,480 dollars I denied the offer. Thats extremely to expensive for me, especially if I knew he needed the mri and possible surgery. The doctor told me that I should get xrays for him in that facility because the vet offices usually ask for them. When he gave me a price of 400.00 dollars for the xrays I denied that offer as well. Why would I get xrays when you said you dont feel anything wrong with his bones. I feel like he just wanted extra money from me and he didnt have any compassion about my dog. Well to end the story I just asked him for medicine to keep him from pain at night so I could take him early morning to the ct place. they charged me 400.00 bucks for the pain meds and then they gave him a shot to hydrate him throughout the night. Now do I believe they really gave him something to hydrate him. No I do not!!!!! His tongue was extremely dry and his poop was as hard as rocks. I stayed up with him all night crying trying to care for him until the morning visit. Unfortunately I had to put my babyboy down the very next day. The vet was completely honest with me and told me even with surgery he wasnt going to make it. We didnt do any ct scans, they didnt try to take my money, they cared for my dog with so much compassion and understanding. So yes I would always recommend the ct place over on Maitland but I dont suggest you take your pet to this clinic for emergency care. They shouldnt be working with animals at all. People that work with animals should always being loving towards the animals and care for them like their own. To me this place seems like they just want the check. RIP STITCH <3 you were an amazing dog and mommy will love you forever !

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Laura Wallace

I visited the Animal Emergency Center over the weekend with our sweet kitty, Mittens. We had no idea what happened to her, we just found her sitting in a pool of blood and feces howling in pain. She was having trouble getting up on her back legs and I was as distraught as I could possibly be. I called their office on my way BC my GPS took me to an incorrect location. I was met at the door by a technician and shown immediately into a room. From the looks of the parking lot I may have been the only person there at that time. Mittens was assessed quickly and the decision was made to take xrays and give pain medicine (pain meds being my immediate priority). A print out of the services and amount owed was given to me and I gave them my credit card (3 different views on x-ray and pain meds = $538.85). Being an emergency/after hours I fully expected their prices to be higher than my normal Vet. And that they were available on a Saturday and Sunday (we had to go back) I was just grateful to have them. The x-rays proved no broken bones and all organs in correct place. Dr. Wester went over a few prognosis and strongly encouraged me to leave Mittens with them overnight for observation, however he fully supported me in my decision to take her home. He pumped her full of fluids and I was given enough pain medicine to get her thru the w/e so I could try and get her to our regular vet on Monday. Out the door Saturday was a total of $751.17. Unfortunately Mittens got progressively worse overnight and we were back in on Sunday (again, what would I have done if they hadnt been available?). This time the parking lot was full of vehicles and they were very busy. They took Mittens back while I waited and about 45 minutes later I saw Dr. Wester again. He believes she threw a blood clot Saturday that got worse overnight and I fully agree with that prognosis. Unfortunately at that time she had no feeling in her back legs or tail. While Dr Wester did give me a possible treatment plan, I knew it was time to call it for our sweet baby and Dr. Wester agreed. He was very compassionate and thorough, letting me know everything before it happened. I am so grateful they were available for me and at least we were able to alleviate all pain for Mittens and keep her comfortable. I would fully recommend Animal Emergency Center and Dr. Wester knowing they have to be able to substantiate and support an after hour Clinic. They wont perform any services without your consent and of course they have to get payment up front, unfortunately we are at a day and age where that is just what it is. People want to do everything they can to help their pets and in the heat of the moment you may make decisions your wallet cant support. It wouldnt be right for the Clinic to be responsible for that. And its impossible for them to know who would or wouldnt make good on their balance. Its a business, one they seem to be pretty good at based on my observations so dont take it personal.

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Cher Foster

I took my male cat here because he had urinary blockage on a Friday night a few weeks ago. My normal vet was closed and this was the place they referred customers to after hours, so I did not think to check around, and was far to panicked to do so anyway. After I filled out my paperwork, the girl who came in to first look at my cat proceeded to chuckle condescendingly at the fact that I live in Geneva, which I thought was very rude. After the Doctor (who did very little to assuage my concerns) came in to confirm that my cat was blocked, two techs came in and proceeded to go down the list of what they would be doing to him and the things they would be giving him, which was fine. However, after they finished, they just stood there staring at me. I finally asked if they wanted payment now, and they said yes, that full payment was required before they would do anything for my cat. The total came to just over $2000 (although I did receive around a $100 refund the next morning because they had over-estimated), for essentially a 12 hour stay, a urinary catheter, and a hodgepodge of medicines. Obviously I wanted my cat to get better, so I forked over almost all of my savings to them. The next morning, I came to pick him up and was told by the vet tech that he had been a "giant turd." My cat is one of the sweetest, most affectionate cats I have ever seen, so my only guess is that they were not treating him right. Now, for comparison, I needed to bring him back to an emergency clinic later that day as my normal vet closed at noon, so I took him to another clinic in Casselberry. The staff there was exceedingly nice and charged me less than half the price that the Animal Emergency Center did, also only asking for half of the money up front, and after they had already taken my cat to the back to start treatment. My cat was favored by the staff for being so sweet and adorable, so obviously they had no problems dealing with him. The Casselberry clinic looked at the charges from the Animal Emergency Center and were aghast that they charged more than double what the Casselberry one does and that they charged for the actual hospitalization (Casselberry does not). The Animal Emergency Center is just out for money and clearly does not care about you or your pet. The staff is cold and did absolutely nothing to calm me or my kitty and seemed only to get excited at the prospect of money. If you are every unlucky enough to have to take your fur baby to a pet ER, DO NOT take them here if you value your pets well-being and your bank account. This is the first bad review I have ever written in my life, but I felt it was warranted. The one good thing about them is that they did get my cat unblocked.