Stuart R. Hodder, DVM

Reviews 3

ME

Melissa Vickers

Approximately a year ago, I began taking my dog, Bella, to Bliss Pond. Unfortunately, I was less than thrilled with both his services and his demeanor, and I have now switched Bella to VCA Wickabog Animal Hospital in West Brookfield. Each time I took Bella to an appointment, Dr. Hodder’s office was locked. I had to knock until he heard me (there was no receptionist working during any of the visits), and then wait outside for him to unlock the door to let me in. Our initial visit involved having her yearly shots administered – one of which was rabies. Dr. Hodder gave me her rabies vaccination tag which was good for three years. Unfortunately, at my new vets office, I was notified that due to the differences in state regulations between MA and AR (where we had moved from), her AR vaccines did not meet the MA 3-year regulations, therefore the vaccine Dr. Hodder administered was only valid for a single year, rather than three. As Dr. Hodder was provided all her previous vaccine records, he should have seen this and notified me of the state requirement differences, and then issued the correct type of rabies vaccine to her. During her initial visit, Dr. Hodder commented that Bella was overweight. He was very hateful about it. Instead of suggesting a different type of dog food or a more appropriate serving size, he told me to feed her whatever I cooked for my family - 1 cup, twice a day, with 1/3 of her food being lean protein and 2/3 being carbohydrates and veggies. Oddly, he never once advised me of common human foods I shouldn’t give her, such as onions, garlic, avocados, various nuts, grapes, raisins, etc., which luckily I was already aware of. Also during her check-up, I mentioned she was having seasonal allergies and wanted to confirm I could give her Benadryl. He emphatically told me NOT to, and instead gave me a tiny pouch of Calcarea Carbonica - basically holistic powdered seashells. It cost $20.00, and he told me I was NOT allowed to give her a dose unless I called him first and he gave me permission. At the check up, I asked him to look over a few concerning lumps on her. He glanced over them and told me they were perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. I wanted a second opinion. Dr. Blanton @ VCA Wickabog looked over her lumps and said one looked a little troubling. She biopsied it and it was mast cell cancer. Luckily, were able to get clear margins. Had we continued to see Dr. Hodder, we never would have found out Bella had cancer – at least, perhaps not until it was too late. I tried to contact Dr. Hodder twice, during business hours, to request he fax over his records to VCA so they could administer the whatever vaccines she needed for the year. I received no answer, so I left a voicemail with detailed instructions for him to transfer the records. I never received a call back, nor did the records get transferred. While at VCA, I overheard the receptionist leave two separate voicemail requests for Dr. Hodder to send the records. On a follow-up visit 3-weeks later, they had still been unable to contact him or get any records. I was told they have had problems with Dr. Hodder for years, and he refuses to send any records they request. Fortunately I had saved copies for my own records, which I was able to provide VCA Wickabog. Had I known all the problems I would have with Dr. Hodder, I NEVER would have taken my dog to see him. His serious medical oversights, his disdain of non-holistic treatments, his locked office, his hatefulness, and his lack of cooperation with other veterinary offices – I would have stayed far away had I known then what I know now. I hope my review will at least give others something to consider before choosing Dr. Hodder as whom they place their pets’ care and wellbeing in.

SU

Susan Connolly

Dr Hodder is one if the most compassionate, intelligent Veterinarians I have ever met. He does not rush assessments of his patients, explains his findings and how he came to that conclusion. Dr Hodder treats the whole being of the animal, incorporating his knowledge from many fields of medicine into his practice.

MI

Misty Martin

The nicest vet Ive had in years, takes great care of my pup ♡