Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital

Reviews 3

AN

Andrew Olaharski

Mixed Review here regarding my experience of Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital... First, the good: They took very good care of my dog, Salmita, who was diagnosed with a torn ACL. The veterinarian took the time to explain the different procedures and the scheduling of the operation and the procedure itself were all seamless. The hospital is filled with dedicated veterinarians and technicians who will take care of your pet. Now the bad: The hospital will truly do everything in its power to separate you from your money. Many examples of this, but I will list the following as these stick out the most in my mind. 1) I chose to perform the lateral suture procedure (the less expensive of two options, quoted $2800). Everything in my paperwork stated the LS procedure, but when I come in to drop off my pet, they state that I will owe $4200 for the other operation. Had I not checked and corrected the front office I would have assuredly been grossly overcharged. 2) They stated that they needed blood work done on my dog before they could start the operation and would get it done for me for ~$150, I opted to get it done by my local vet and it was significantly cheaper. 3) I received a phone call on Monday morning at 9:07 AM stating that my dog was ready to be picked up (operation was on Sunday; I was obviously at work and could not pick up until after work - stated 6 PM). All was good until I went to pick up Salmita and they stated that I would be charge for additional hospitalization. What? "We charge you extra for checking on your dog - 12 hour blocks". This was not mentioned to me prior to the operation and it most assuredly was not stated during the phone conversation to inform me that I could go and pick up Salmita. 4) A consultation with their physical therapist will cost you ~$150 - even after spending 3K, they are going to charge us to even consult with their PT? Cmon...why is a consultation fee needed when you know that my dog just had an ACL surgery? 5) Removal of sutures - thank you very much, but I will have my local vet do that. So the short of it is that your pet will receive very good care, but be prepared to be surprised by ghost fees and then ready yourself to pay through the nose. Had I had more time I would certainly have shopped around more for comparators, but that simply wasnt the case this go around. I will not be making the same mistake twice!

A

A Private User

My recent experience with the Mass Vet Referral Hospital left me with a bill of $1250. My 5 year old Cat had eaten a bunch of grass and then was vomiting for two days and then stopped eating and drinking so on the thrid day I took her to our regular vet and she did bloodwork (it was fine) felt her stomch, intestines were a little hard and took xrays. It appeared that the xrays showed some sort of mass in her stomach and she recomended we go to the woburn hospital right away. When we got there it was $146 just to be seen. Then they looked at the X-rays, wouldnt tell me anything about them except that they can be misleading and recommended a $350 ultrasound. The ultrasound showed there was no blockage and a small part of her intestine was inflamed. They said it was most likely irritated bowel syndrom or cancer and if it were cancer the cat would last 9 months with chemo. I said Im not going to treat her for cancer.... And even after that they kept saying they couldnt do a biopsy because of where the inflammation was, they would have to do surgery for a biopsy and kept mentioning that as the next step when I was clear I was not going to treat this Cat for cancer. Anyway, they recommended an additional $1000 in unnecesary tests (feline aids, chest Xrays for $300 and so on) and I said no to all of them. They kept her overnight and gave her some anti nauseau medicine and an IV. They still ran additional tests that I thought I was clear about not running like a thyroid test and additional bloodwork. The next day the cat looked traumatized after being in the kennel with all the loud barking dogs and we got her to eat and were out of there in less than 24 hours total. The Hospital tried to charge us for an additional 12 hours of care which costs $141 dollars per 12 hours. I protested and it took a week to be refunded. In the end it ran me $1247 to give my cat an ultrasound, fluids, some meds and 1 night of care. Thats RIDICULOUS. I never even got an actual diagnosis. I got an "Its probably something in her diet." You think? Maybe it was the grass I had been telling you about all along. Unless you have tons of money to spare youd have to be crazy to take you pet here. You can find so many more reasonable options in Stoneham or the MSPCA.

CH

Christopher Force

This place was the most TERRIBLE experience I have EVER encountered in pet care. Saturday the 5th of March my dog took a turn for the worse. He was already suffering from pancreatitis but began to show signs of something more sinister. My primary veterinary office had already closed for the day and this office was the next option I had. I called them ahead of time to discuss his symptoms and potential costs. Because we arent all made of money, which I explained to the woman I spoke with on the phone. I was advised of initial fees and told that I am responsible for paying the costs but they cannot refuse my dogs medical needs nor keep him if I was unable to pay then and there. On that, I brought him into Massachusetts Veterinary Referral Hospital immediately. My dog was suffering from severe neck pain - unable to lift his head, look left or right and could barely walk. The veteranarian hinted that euthanasia was a POSSIBILITY due to his age and then left the room with my dog; leaving me to have a panic attack in the exam room with no additional updates for an hour. When she returned she brought with her a quote for $4,000 to keep my dog overnight and provide fluids. This didnt include her cost of $3,000 for the MRI she said he needed. The woman seriously sounded like a saleswoman - it was all about money with her and she refused to treat my dog unless I gave her $4,000 up front. When I brought up the phone conversation I had she said "I dont know who you spoke too but they lied. You have to pay upfront, we wont treat him otherwise." I felt lost and hopeless. These people are cruel and not sympathetic in any way. They are sales professionals with a vet license. In the end I left with my dog, bank account half empty, and some pain medication which, in my opinion was just masking the problem. I ended up bringing my dog back to to his wonderful primary vet this morning and the problem was diagnosed and the proper medication administered in under 25 minutes for 1/4 the cost. I am happy to say that he is already feeling better and got the treatment he NEEDED. From a REAL vet not a saleswoman. I would NOT reccomend this place to ANYONE. I am disgusted by this place, the way they made me feel and the anxiety they caused me. They used me.