Chelmsford Animal Clinic

Reviews 9

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A Private User

In May 2009, I took my dog to see Dr. Jennifer Cushing due to a lump on the front of my dogs throat. Dr. Cushing diagnosed it as a mast cell tumor and recommended surgery, at a cost of just under $1000. After the surgery, Dr. Cushing called me to report that she had misdiagnosed the tumor and in fact it was just fat tissue. I voiced my concern to Dr. Patricia Berchtold, owner, who apologized that my dog was misdiagnosed but did not offer to refund any of the nearly $1000 that I had paid for an unnecessary surgery. Dr. Berchtold stated that they most likely would have still recommended for the fat tissue to be removed due to its location in the neck. Additionally, the same day that they removed the sutures the wound opened up during the night leaving a gaping hole in my dogs neck which required him to have sutures applied for a second time. Fortunately, I was home when this occurred or else he could have bled to death. After the sutures were reattached, neither Dr. Berchtold or Dr. Cushing called to check up on my dog or to apologize for not closing the surgical wound properly. In summary, my experience was awful. I was charged nearly $1000 for an unnecessary surgery which left my dog with a gaping whole in his neck due to the surgical wound not being closed properly. I was reluctant to submit a review, since it is obviously not positive. But after talking to several friends, most of whom are pet owners, I decided that I should share my experience for the benefit of other pet owners.

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Doodl Jones

LOVE this place! Both my cats got cancer a month apart and they were amazing! They saved the one that could be saved and gave me everything I needed to make the other guy as comfortable as we could make him. The Doctors were kind and honest and were willing to talk with me about all options. Dr. Hart and Dr. Hansen are my favorite! They even allowed me to look at the cytology myself. I 100% trust them when I would typically question everything. The staff and nurses are great. When I give my pets over and those doors shut I feel good knowing they will be caring for my little guys. I would never be able to say enough good things about them! A little bonus I thought was really cute, they hand painted cute little animals on my cat’s cone. He looked so damn cute in it and I like that they put the effort in on that little extra thing. When people complain about the price I think, shut up. Running a hospital is probably expensive and if you, as a person, didn’t have health insurance, I’m sure then you would see just how low cost your vet bills really are. Compared to all the vets I’ve been to round the nation, CAH is fair priced. I would recommend Chelmsford Animal Hospital to everyone!

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A

A Private User

We took our cats here after adopting them from the Lowell Human Society. We got a free first exam coupon, so thats why we went. We paid $80 for the meds for the cats that time. The second time it was $80 just to walk in with the two cats for the visit plus all the meds came to $180. Then we get a phone call saying that they forgot to add shots that were given to the bill......seriously? The prices are WAY too pricey for my taste. They always want to give them a shot or do this or do that and never mention the price to you and you feel bad asking, so you never know what youre gonna get hit with when you go to leave. We are now looking for a vet closer to our home and much less expensive....just to walk in. Good place however, if you have the money. They do a good job and the doctors are friendly (though sometimes the front desk staff ignores you, some young girl). Just not my cup of tea.

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Raj Kanapathy

The staff really care... about how much money they can make off your pets. Every time I have come here, they have added on stuff to the bill that I did not ask for. Third time, I know it is not an accident, but a planned strategy. I brought my dog in for a vaccination and I told the person at the front desk, the assistant who took the weight of the dog AND the assistant in the exam room that I am here ONLY for the vaccination. Every single one said ok and imagine my surprise when a "wellness exam" of $60 was included in the bill. I asked Jeanne at the front desk why I was charged for this when I asked only for vaccination - and she snapped back that I cannot get a vaccination without a wellness exam. If that was the case, why was I not told up front?? Please take your business elsewhere - these people only like your money

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courtney miller

I switched to Chelmsford Animal Hospital after having a bad experience with my previous vet. My dog was having problems with severe and chronic diarrhea for +6 months which the previous vet kept treating with very strong medications to mask the symptoms rather than trying to find the cause. Within one visit at Chelmsford Animal Hospital in which Dr. Berchtold really listened to my concerns and the treatments we had already tried, my dog was switched to a hypoallergenic food and prescribed probiotics. His diarrhea cleared up within two days! The office called to follow up and see how my dog was doing a few days later, and Dr. Berchtold personally called a few weeks after that to make sure everything was still going well. The difference between this office and my previous was night and day and I cant recommend them enough.

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Jessica Glacken

I recently had my cats get their yearly check ups. I was told to bring 1 of them back for a follow up shot. They forgot to tell me that I should have also brought my other cat in. I have 1 week to bring in my other cat before the follow up shot expires and Ill need to get the shots done all over again. Im pretty upset that they didnt call to follow up, I had to get a post card and now last minute they cant bill me for the shots. I wish their follow up and appointment setting people were more thorough.

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Crystal Arnott

Ive been a client with Chelmsford Animal Hospital for seven years. They care for my 6 cats, 2 dogs and ferret. The staff is friendly, thorough and most importantly takes their time with my animals if they are scared or nervous, never rushing through a procedure if my pet is uncomfortable. Their prices are lower than most of the other vets in the area and they are accommodating when my animals are sick and in need of emergency care. We LOVE CAH!

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Hilary Rush

I have been taking my 3 cats and two dogs to Dr Hart for about 5 years now. The staff is always friendly and helpful and accommodating. Dr Hart is fabulous and caring. One of my cats has an autoimmune disease and has to take meds daily to prevent skin sores appearing. When she has had flare-ups, Dr Hart has taken excellent care of her and ALWAYS calls after a couple of days to check up on her.

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Lisa Custodinho

We have 3 pets so we are at the vet a lot! Our dog has seen all of the doctors. They are all very nice. Dr. Berchtold is the one who diagnosed our dogs chronic dry eye. Thanks to her he is now seeing a veterinary opthamologist and we may be able to save his sight. Dr. Hart spayed our bunny. She was great. Those two doctors are ones I try to see whenever possible.

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