Westside Animal Clinic

Reviews 3

JE

Jeana Garoulis

My almost 9yr old foxhound has been going to Westside for past 7yrs, and my 2yr old lab since she was 10wks old .We normally only have to visit the vet for annual exams and shots, and the occasional ear infection with the lab. Have always found the vets to be professional, competent and kind. However, the same is not to be said for the front desk, where condescending behavior and rudeness are the norm. A call to the clinic can, and often does, involve a waiting time up to 15min. And when someone does answer you, they act like theyre doing you a favor. I let these things go in the past, because as I said, the vets were always good and never treated us like the front did. But I had a very troubling experience the last week of March 2013. I had boarded the dogs in July for 4 days, and it turned out well for all, despite my worrying. They slipped back in their routine like they had never been away. So I was feeling confident about boarding them in March while I attended my daughters graduation from the military in S.C. I dropped them off at 2PM on Mon. Called on Thurs. to see how they were doing. I was told "Oh, theyre fine." Picked them up at 8AM Sat. As soon as we got home, the older dog tried to greet my son, and was unable to make any sound except a pathetic hoarse squeak. I then noticed a gouge on his nose with dried blood. I called the clinic right away and the person who answered (after 7min) didnt know anything, but told me she would go out "back to ask. The answer I got was " Well he was very verbal most of the time" ??? I spoke with Dr Murphy on Mon., and he told me my older dog was barking constantly, and they had to be moved down to the end. I dont know what that meant, but it just didnt sound good to me. He told me to call him back in a couple of days to see how the dog was doing. After I spoke with him, I took the container of dog food we sent with them to board, and noticed that it looked just as full as when I sent it. So now Im wondering what they were eating? I called him back after a couple of days, and told him the dog was still very hoarse, hiding in my room, and not eating as usual for him. I told him how there seemed to be no food gone from what I sent with them. He gave this vague answer of "Well, they werent eating well, so we gave them our food." Really??? And he had no answers about how his nose got cut. Its not that I dont believe my dog was barking, but he is normally not a barker, and gets along with most other animals and all people. Dr. Murphys parting words to me were " Maybe you shouldnt board the dogs again. You should have a pet sitter come in." Ill mail you all of their records." I had no intention of ever boarding them at Westside again, but apparently I also have to find a new vet too. Very poor customer service all the way around. And considering my dogs condition after boarding at Westside, Im thinking pretty poor care too. Over the years, I have recommended Westside to many people. Ill be sure to rectify that quickly.

DA

David Roberge

If I could give an extra star I would.. We (partner and I) just went through a very trying, very heavy few months with the love of our life, our 7 year old yellow lab, Deegan..He was our child.. a companion that we would go to the end of the earth for, and know he would do the same for us.. We had been to a few other vets with him, and the usual un-compassionate, over-priced, almost car salesman-like approach was just what I had assumed was the norm.. Then I came across Westside, after a referral from a friend. Dr. Roy was Deegan appointed Vet. She was amazing to say the least. Not just Dr. Roy, but all the Vets (Dr. Klingener, who assisted us a few times and Dr. Trom, who helped us let Deegan pass so peacefully, thank you..) and Vets techs, all the girls at the front desk and out back were a shocking change of pace.. You could feel the love and compassion not just for Deegan but for any animal that walk through their doors. My dog was special..I knew it, and even if this is how they treat all animals at Westside, they made it very obvious that he was special to them as well. He was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure and given a month, maybe less in March.. The whole team there were so helpful, so kind, and so good to my boy.. He was actually excited to visit every time we were in because of the love he received from every single one of them.. Pricing was actually extremely reasonable, and compared to others in the area, it was EXCELLENT. We ended up keeping Deegan well beyond what we had been originally told with their help (just this Saturday we had to let him go on his next adventure, as much as we struggled with the decision), and I will be forever grateful. For one of a thousand examples I could give, there was a Saturday afternoon in May that Deegan seemed unusually not well, so I left a message expecting a call on Monday.. One of the techs called me at 530 that evening after stopping in by chance. She WAITED THERE FOR ME TO ARRIVE WITH HIM to give him some extra medication and keep him happy. ON A SATURDAY NIGHT! I was blown away! Honestly, if you love your animal and want the best for him, I couldnt recommend Westside enough. Even if you are not local, they are beyond worth it. I again, cannot express the gratitude and love I have for the team there.. Thank you for helping make Deegans last few months as great as they could be given the unfortunate circumstances, and for being so compassionate and kind to Mike and I as we went through this horrible situation..

A

A Private User

We recently moved cross-country to Worcester. I was told it is very difficult to find a good vet out here, so I was extremely grateful when someone I trust recommended Westside vet without any hesitation whatsoever. My elderly dog fell a few days ago and has been limping since. When the limp didnt go away, I decided I ought to go ahead and call. My goal was to check on her injured leg, but secondary to that, I wanted to find a good vet with whom I could start bringing my pets and form a long term relationship. When I got online to find the number, I was disappointed to read reviews in which people reported that the clinic rarely takes new patients. But I called anyway just in case. I am sorry I bothered to call. When you are feeling worried about your injured elderly dog, you are vulnerable. Especially when youve been warned about how there are few good vets around to be found. So, here I was, extremely vulnerable. I called and was placed on hold for 15 or 20 minutes. I started to wonder what it would be like if my pets were patients there and I was having an emergency. Finally, a staff person came back on the phone and with no hint of compassion told me they werent taking any more patients "no exceptions." She told me to take my dog to the vet hospital, Tufts, I think, but she gave me no indication of caring at all and she additionally did not tell me-- a newcomer to Worcester-- when new patients might be accepted or how to get on the wait list for longer term needs. Probably all for the best, anyway, as I worry if that is the type of non-compassionate treatment we would receive at reception if we did eventually get into the clinic. Too bad, though, as it means I am in for a long search for a good vet. Wish there were more good vets in Worcester, or the area, that is for sure!