VCA Southwest Michigan Animal Emergency and Referral Center

Reviews 5

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Justine Lumbard

WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!!! After coming home to my what has been always healthy cat, laying on my couch not being able to move, breathing fast, crying and drooling, I tried my normal vet that I love and trust first, but with such short notice they were unable to see me before they closed, but advised me to try this place. I spoke with them on the phone about the symptoms, and told them I had never been there before, and they recommended I bring him in, but they were going through a shift change so there would be a bit of a wait. When I arrived, the woman at the counter, was on the phone, and it took 10 mins for someone else to acknowledge me. Once I had filled out paperwork the receptionist was unfriendly, short, and very unsympathetic, and made NO mention of what typical procedure was or payment was required in full at time of visit. They took my cat a little while later into the back, and i was seen by the vet in a reasonable amount of time, He showed no sign of concern for my cats condition, just told me they put him on oxygen and there are a series of test they could do and would bring me an estimate shortly. The vet assistant shortly came back with an estimate for $710.00 which they required up front prior to testing. I asked about the severity of my cats condition, and they wouldnt give me any answers. I was willing to pay for the tests but didnt have the funds in my checking, but in my savings, and the banks were closed. Long story short, they refused to work with me and allow me to pay the following morning, gave me no answers, and sent me away with a $115 exam fee....My cat ended up passing away 4 hours later. The rudeness of this place is unreal. DO NOT GO HERE!!!!!

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Angela Bowers

Weve visited this emergency clinic several times over the past few years. Two times for our senior lady and once for our young husky for eating trail mix. Last year, Dr. Baker provided beyond exceptional service for our 14+ yr old husky when he performed a scheduled surgery to help her breathe. He was so gentle with her, took a lot of time to explain everything to us, called me prior to and post surgery and continued to follow up on her way beyond any required time frame. Our young husky had to spend an overnight earlier this year as a precaution for eating raisins and they treated her well (shes a very boisterous and opinionated husky). This week, sadly, we had to say goodbye to our gorgeous old senior lady at midnight at the clinic. We called to say we were on our way in with her. Unsure if she could walk on her own, my husband ran in and within a minute, we had two staff members out with a stretcher - however our indomitable lady decided to walk in on her own power. They were gentle with her, the vet came out and shared the findings and we knew it was time. They got her ready and we paid the costs for the visit and cremation services that were available, and when ready, a staff member took us to a quiet room where our lady awaited with another staff member and blankets on the floor. They gave us privacy and the time we needed, asking for us to ring a bell when ready. The vet came in and she was kind and gentle and didnt mind our complete blubbering selves. Overall for what had to happen, we and our gorgeous lady were treated with kindness and respect, even at midnight on a Monday.

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Tammy Slone

If I could give them a zero star I would we went there last night because my friends puppy was sick he was throwing up and had diarrhea we tried to take care of him on our own but he wasnt eating right. Then he started to have seizures so we called the nearest vet clinic and we asked if we could bring him up there they said that we would have to go to Kalamazoo emergency hospital. we walked in there and they denied us treatment after we drove an hour to get there and said that they were denying us treatment because we did not have the money up front. the puppy was obviously having problems and she could see this but these people are heartless and all they care about is money this place needs to be closed down and a better clinic opened some place that cares about the animals. I even told them that we would get paid Thursday if there was any way they could check on the puppy they refused us and I tried to keep him alive until Monday to take him to Fawn River Animal Clinic where they actually care about the animals but he did not make it through the day. do not take your animal tothese heartless people they care nothing about the animals and will not treat them if you do not have the money up front some of us live paycheck to paycheck and its ridiculous that they would refuse an animal in distress regardless of the owner situation. I know other states where it is illegal to deny the treatment of animals the animals are just held in the clinics until owners can pay or until they are rehomed denying animals treatment is cruel.

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Jennifer Davis

While I dont necessarily agree with not seeing an animal due to the owner situation, I also get the fact that they have a business to run as well. If you are needing emergency services you should expect to pay emergency prices. Its just like a person going to the ER instead of their doctor. Its going to cost a premium. These people saved 1 of my dogs lives after she had complications from a surgery their normal vet had done. It was midnight on a Sunday and all of her stitches ripped out of her stomach. Her insides were literally hanging out of her. I rushed her right into them, they examined her, told me what it was going to cost, I agreed and they got her taken care of. They were wonderful with their follow up of calling me to tell me how she was doing. I picked her up the next morning and all was well. I sadly had to take my same dog back there when she was dying of Lymphoma at 3AM years later. She passed away on the exam table. They asked if we wanted them to give her medicine to quicken the process. We did. We were there for awhile afterwards as we were heartbroken. They didnt charge us a dime. They were so friendly and compassionate. We did pay for her to be cremated and for her ashes to be returned but not for her to be seen or the medicine to be administered even though we fully expected to have to pay for it.

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Shelian Dobermans

Female Doberman 4 days post whelp spikes temp of 104.4 @ 11pm. We dont mess with elevated temps in post whelp bitches. Off to SWMAEH we go. Dr. Thellman was very thorough and I was very pleased with the quality of care and kind staff. However, this is an EMERGENCY clinic and had the issue been Metritis, Endometritis, Pyometra, or Hypocalcemia I may well have lost her. Dr. Thellman was in Surgery with a life threatening emergency and had several, other critical patients to care for before we even met him! I understand not wanting 2+ vets sitting around doing nothing, but not having a back up Vet to call in to assist with patients, seems absurd. I arrived at the clinic at 12 Midnight and was there until 5am. They examined, did a single x-ray, CBC and blood Calcium. It shouldnt have taken 5 hours, and had the clinic been appropriately staffed, it wouldnt have. Thus, I give you 5 stars for Quality of Care, but 0 stars for appropriate management. The receptionist was referring callers to Grand Rapids, having to tell callers the wait was 3+ hours. I myself will be looking for alternative Emergency Clinics, that are more appropriately staffed.

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