Category: | Veterinary Care |
Address: | 2122 ACT Cir, Iowa City, IA 52245, USA |
Phone: | +1 319-338-9955 |
Site: | ccvetcenter.com |
Rating: | 1.9 |
DD
DD Smalls
My dog and I were pleasantly surprised when we received a call bumping us up on their schedule. However this is unfortunately where all professionalism ended. I had made an appointment to have a simple procedure done for my dogs ear. There was a winter storm arriving that evening, so we made sure to be there early. Upon entering a construction area, we were greeted by a three legged cat, who didnt mind curling up next to a near by table saw. Ten minutes later we were found by a large teenager, and lead into a room. Turns out the entire building is now almost completely gutted. We waited twenty minutes. Then I learn they cant find any of my dogs information, even though we had been there the year before for his 3 year rabies vaccination. Im told I HAVE to get him another rabies vaccination and distemper vaccination. Even though I had his rabies tags, they wouldnt even look at them. I asked about pricing and was told Id be given a quote. Another twenty minutes later and the teenager comes back and tells me he is taking my dog to get his blood drawn, no one had mentioned this beforehand. I was concerned because never once has any vet ever taken him to another room or away from me to do anything. Moments later I could hear my dog bellowing and crying from whatever room he was taken to. When he is returned to me blood drops were covering one paw, I could not find a wound. At the hour mark of our being there, we were finally told they were getting ready for his ear procedure. I again asked about pricing, and was told Id be given a quote. Another twenty minutes goes by, then the vet comes back with the shots and some antibiotics. I asked how much the antibiotics were, and was blatantly ignored. I was told then, that the blood draw was unnecessary, and I would not be charged. However, they were not going to do anything about his ear that night. Without going into too much detail, I will say this ear is incredibly time sensitive. I explained how apprehensive I was about not doing anything to his ear that night. Again I was ignored, like she didnt hear a word I said, just smiled and nodded. I was ushered to a desk, expecting to pay for the two shots, antibiotics, and I assumed a small fee for the blood draw. Now I have absolutely no problem paying anything when it comes to my dogs health. He comes first indefinitely!! When the teenager told me how much was owed, my jaw dropped. This had to be a mistake, that number was ludicrous. I asked for a printed receipt. A whole page of charges and fees. Sixty five dollars just to walk in the door. Over a hundred for the blood draw, that I was told was unnecessary. Another sixity, for a test I didnt know about or see. The list went on and on, each charge was at least thirty dollars. The two shots alone were fifity dollars each. Ive never paid that much to vaccinate before, never even heard of anyone paying that much. I asked the teenager for someone I could talk to, and I ignored his insulting reply. A man named Lucas introduced himself, and I started inquiring about some of the fees. This man was incredibly rude and sarcastic. He mocked me and every question I asked. I have never met someone so unprofessional. I quickly realized this man was only interested in acquiring my cash, and shoving me out the door. He then not so graciously took ten dollars off the total amount. In my opinion an insulting amount compared to the hundreds of dollars I paid. I have never felt so husseled by a small business. Its a miracle I even had that amount of cash with me, the paycheck I had cashed earlier in the day was almost entirely depleted. When I make an appointment for something so specific I expect it to actually get done. I also expect some transparency as far as what Ill be paying for, before Im asked to pay. I wish there was the option to give zero stars for this absolutely appaling veterinary clinic. I will never go back there, and I will tell everyone who will listen how robbed I was. We were stuck there for an hour and forty five minutes, and they didnt even touch my dogs ear.
KA
Katherine Schon
My husband and I have taken our 2 cats here for the first two years of their lives while we lived in Iowa City and experienced nothing but care and kindness. Dr. VanderGaast is wonderful and I felt completely comfortable with her and bringing in my two fur-babies for all their health needs, including a spay and a neuter. One of our cats even has a bit of anxiety and is often scared and uncomfortable, and we never had a single problem. They would often be given a few treats to help relax or calm them down while in the exam room. Our female cat can be picky, so she was even give a few different kinds of treats to choose from. We have also interacted with a second doctor when VanderGaast was out, as well as a few assistants that would come to help administer shots, etc. Every one of them was lovely, kind, helpful, and treated our pets with care. We were always in the exam room with them (except for surgery, of course), and we never witnessed any harsh handling of our pets or others that were in the clinic at the same time. In mid 2015, we required a move to Europe and had no idea where to start in moving 2 cats to a new country. Lucas was extraordinarily, helpful, knowledgeable, and warm hearted and I appreciated the extra time he took to begin guiding us through this murky and complicated process. He has helped move numerous pets, and even has a map with pins of all the places he has helped move pets to, which I thought was very sweet. I am shocked and so very sorry to hear about the event with the groomed dog in the summer of 2016. Shocked because I could not believe this was a place where that could happen, and sorry because it happened at all. As a pet owner nearly all my life, it makes my heart break for the owner of the dog affected. But I also think it is unfair that so many reviews are all commenting on the same instance nearly 20 times, many of which even admit to never have received service here themselves. I sincerely hope that the team here reevaluate either their grooming procedures, the individuals they employ regardless of relationship, or a combination. Again, Im am so sad and sorry for this event, but my personal experience has been nothing but positive. I did not observe a clinic culture of animal abuse or neglect and never questioned taking my pets here for their care.
A
A Private User
Previous visits have gone as smoothly as could be expected with a hard-to-handle cat, but todays nail trim was far more stressful than it should have been. The assistant was scruffing the cat in a way that looked as if it was choking him and about to cause injury, and he (my cat) ended up screaming in pain and fear like Ive never heard before. He always growls and yowls, but today was much worse. The other person (who didnt introduce herself - was she a veterinarian? a technician?) seemed annoyed with my cat and actually lectured us on her way out about letting his claws get too long. Dr. Coots seems friendly and competent, but I was less than impressed today with the people who saw my cat and will probably not go back. Also, I would not recommend going on a Saturday morning - too crowded and chaotic with a bit of a long wait.