Bel Air Veterinary Hospital

Reviews 6

A

A Private User

Do not trust Bel Air Vet Hospital with your pet! I have referred my case against BAVH to the Maryland Board of Veterinary Medicine, investigation is ongoing. I hope this investigation will lead to positive changes in their medical and business practice. However, you need to be aware of what happened as you look for a place to care for your pet. My experience leads me to the conclusion that they employ vets that are irresponsible and dishonest. My cat left two spots of bloody urine outside of her litter box. After looking her symptoms up on the internet, I took her to BAVH. The vet looked at her backside and said she was full of blood. He said in 1% of spayed cats their reproductive parts grow back and they come to heat. He asked me if she was "showing herself" to me. She was not. He diagnosed her with "vaginitis." The vet gave me Clavamox and sent me home. I was not offered a urinalysis, blood work, or an x-ray. A month later I was back and they conducted the tests which revealed that she had bladder stones. The vet said she would need surgery and that "its nothing to it." I dropped her off at 8:00am for surgery and expected to hear from them when she was out of surgery. By 4:00pm I called. The vet said the surgery was difficult. She had a hard time getting the first stone out. She said she pulled, pushed, tugged, used the saline solution and still couldnt find the other two stones. Then she said, "actually, my technician found them." She also said, "shes full of poop, I guess it will come out." I was quickly losing confidence in my vet by this point. The next day I was able to take her home, still groggy from being on morphine. Two days after the surgery she seemed to be getting worse. Having no confidence in BAVH, I called the Animal Emergency Hospital and explained the situation. They wanted to see her immediately. When they examined her, they said she was in critical condition and her stomach was full of urine. It turns out that she had a torn urethra in the same area of the surgical procedure performed at BAVH. They had to aspirate her stomach to draw out the urine. She wound up staying in the hospital for 2 weeks with a catheter in her stomach. After all was said and done, by payed $3000 + for emergency services thanks to the poor care given to my cat at BAVH. This was in addition to the $1800 + I payed for BAVHs services. Though initially owning responsibility for the torn urethra, they quickly changed their tune and refused to take responsibility. When I pressed the issue they said I was a difficult customer. Funny, for all the years they gladly took my money I was never deemed a difficult customer. But when I asked them to take responsibility for their practice, suddenly Im difficult.

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EL

Elizabeth Bertholdt

I have two rescue pups (10 & 13 year olds mind you haha) - one being a silly, yet loving chow chow/spaniel mix, and one being a special needs shar pei/pit mix. I was recommended Bel Air Vet actually by another veterinarian clinic, mainly to help accommodate my special needs pit mix during boarding. Since then Ive taken both my boys there and have trusted their practice with all concerns (being a concerned mommy, many). Theyve always welcomed me and my "special needs" boys, without any hesitation or harsh judgment (those with special needs pit mixes will understand). From the loving front desk, to the caring techs, to the wonderful docs, I absolutely love this practice. When you fur babies are family, you take them here - they really are a caring staff. We board them, also, during family trips, and they honestly pay personal attention to them - even giving me a run down on their behavior, when I return to pick them up. Going away and not totally worrying about your pups is a big plus in my book. Great practice (and this is coming from a person who has vet teched).

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BR

Brian Godfrey

I was handed a written prescription for my dogs Tri Heart Plus which is great. I went to order from an online pharmacy because they have generic and its more cost effective than the brand only offered at the vet. The online pharmacy told me that its illegal to scan and email the prescription so I asked them to call the vet to get verbal authorization. The online pharmacy called back stating that Bel Air Vet would not authorize. I called Bel Air Vet and was given an attitude by the receptionist who told me we wont authorize over the phone. I asked if that was a law or their choice. She rudely spoke over me and told me its not our choice, its our policy. Whats the difference? Who made the policy? Whos choice was it to make that policy? Anyway, although I like the Docs, Ill now need to shop for another vet. So your policy and the receptionists poor attitude just cost you years of annual business. Oh and plenty of negative press.

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CH

Chris G

The doctors are great, but the receptionists are rude and condescending. We took out cat to an emergency vet in town for treatment for an injury. After a number of tests and being boarded overnight, the doctor there recommended we take our cat her regular vet for a few more tests since "they would cost less and did not warrant completion at the emergency facility," (the doctor said this) nor did our cat need to be kept for observation any longer. When we called to make an appointment and explained the situation (as well as the emergency vets suggestion), the receptionist insulted us and asked why we would "endanger our pet" to save a few dollars, and said that it sounded like we shouldnt have a cat at all. Absolutely will not return to this office again. With any pet, for any reason. There are many other offices in the area that provide better service, with equally knowledgeable doctors.

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A

A Private User

I would never go back to this practice. After taking my 3 cats there for shots and frontline, i called the next day to question what they did. They forgot to give the rabies shots and one of the techs put the frontline on my cats back near her tail. The vet had to explain to her that for cats you put the frontline on the neck where they cant lick it off,,, how does a vet tech not know how to put frontline on a cat? Brought all 3 cats back today for rabies shots and when we asked how long it would take to get the certificates, instead of simply saying " it just takes a few minutes" the vet gruffly told us,, "youll wait as long as it takes me to do it." Youd think someone would be nicer when youve come back because of mistakes they made in the first place.

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A

A Private User

I sent my Italian Greyhound there for a weekend board. When I dropped him off he needed some shots. They could not do the shots then so I didnt get to hold him, he gets very nervous around strangers...and especially the vet. They also would not let me go back and see where he was going to stay! I know this is because of insurance reasons, but it made me very hesitant to let him stay. They said there were sick dogs and police dogs back there. What lovely company for my 10 pound dog. He also lost about 2 pounds. Prices are decent, but they charge a 25 exam fee in addition to any shots that may need updated.

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