Hoboken Animal Hospital

Reviews 3

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George Inhulsen

Extortionists! I brought my puppy there in an emergency situation (broken arm). Costs were $884.15 paid in full before I left their premises. Told to return later in the afternoon to pick up. Soon after I got home, I received a phone call from them stating they couldnt proceed because they found flees on the puppy and couldnt "take the chance" of an outbreak in their office (b.s.), cornered me into another $97.85 for a 3 month supply of Frontline OVER THE PHONE. Final cost of the first visit $982.00. Told me they wanted to see puppy after six weeks to remove cast, but insisted on check ups every two weeks for additional x-rays (more pure b.s.). EVERY TWO WEEKS would have been roughly $225 per visit X 3? You do the math. I refused to go. Spoke to a couple of people I know in the field and they both agreed the price was extremely off. And although a checkup in between the first visit and last visit is considered standard procedure, six weeks for a cast on a puppy is a third too long and dangerous to the animal! And 3 (intermittent visits) is pure greed! In fact, when I showed one of my friend the itemized list, she flipped out over the $95.00 charge for the .01ml shot of telazol, (a medicine that costs $60 for 5ml bottle). Do the math. This place preys on peoples emotion and lack of being "in the know" of how vets do what they do and robs us blind. Its not like were in the middle of the desert, just about EVERYBODY has a pet in Hoboken! My friends Dr. (boss actually), put two calls into this place to request the records be faxed to his facilities and they ignored his requests. They even called me to get my "authorization" (another b.s. move) and I gave it to them. Still ignored it. How would a Dr. know the name of the animal, know my name and they need to check into it?? So I go back there and insist they only remove the cast, no x-rays. They fired back a refusal to do so unless I agree to x-rays. I said ok, BUT ONLY ONE (+$112.00), they did TWO (che-ching +$52.00). Plus another .01ml of telazol, (CHI-CHING +$95.00). When they presented me the bill it was another $367.00! I refused to pay the additional film since they ignored my request of only one. They said they had to take more money, uh, I mean more x-rays. Then I said they need to work with me on the bill, they said nothing they can do, the price stays. Then I requested a payment plan, they said ok gives us $250.00 now and the balance in 30 days by post dated check. I agreed, paid them $250.00 and upon my return, wrote them a check for $117.00 dated 9/3/13. They ignored the agreement and deposited the check the next day! EXTORTIONISTS!! Dont use them for your animals care! They dont care about your animal, or you. They just want your money and are full of B.S.!!!

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Donald Timpanaro

I had an emergency with my 1 year old dog Snickers, and called this Vet for help. After reading these reviews I was scared what I was getting myself into but I decided to give them a try after my wife convinced me reviews mean very little, especially when folks bark mostly about price, excuse the pun. I was never a person to shop by price, especially for a hospital or doctor so I tried it out and found great staff, understanding, compassionate, helpful, empathetic and pleasant folks. I spoke to them with respect and I they treated me lovely in return. Maybe the bad reviews on google are coming from people who think the world owes them something, many Hobokenis can be like that. Or maybe competition is trying to taint their reputation?? It didnt matter, I gained confidence in the hospital during my first phone call and about 20 seconds into our conversation. They did some tests on my dog Snickers and sent me home with meds, but my dog deteriorated so fast I couldnt get him to eat, drink or take the meds. In fact, his health got so bad over night, you couldnt hold him without making him whimper and cry. He laid motionless on my bed and frightened the crap out of my entire family. I thought he was done. We rushed him back immediately. It turned out, the dog was going through multiple phases of kidney and liver failure, bleeding and neurological symptoms which all proved very painful for the dog. He was in very bad shape.They admitted him for more tests and put the dog on IV, catheters, fluids and antibiotics. He was an inch from death. He spent a few days in their care and the staff allowed me to visit Snickers as much as I wanted, in fact they encouraged it. There were days I sat in the lobby for hours with my pet to help him recover from the depression that was setting in from being away for so long. I even had my family and work colleagues visit the pup, the hospital was very accommodating and the doctors were always available to talk to me when I had questions. Snickers is doing great ... these guys saved my pet. And even if it turned out worse than it did, it wouldnt change how I feel about the Doctors, techs and admins here. I know down deep inside.... they did their best to save Snickers and they treated me fairly. Donald T

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Molly Fonseca

Horrible, horrible, drawn out and horrible experience. I went in with a Friends of Animals certificate to get my puppy neutered, as Hoboken Animal Hospital is a member of this national program. Even though this national program - which the hospital requested to participate in and legally agreed to abide by - covers "day of post operative care, including post operative pain care" - the hospital charged me $50 for a pain injection, and wouldnt listen to me when I argued that it should be covered under the certificate I had already purchased. Furious, I then contacted the Friends of Animals organization, who then contacted the Hoboken Animal Hospital and faxed to them the agreement they THEMSELVES had signed -- that explicitly states that post-operative pain care is included, and that I should be refunded the $50. BUT it gets better -- after chasing this credit down, the manager had the audacity to tell me that she was giving me this credit "out of courtesy" - not because this pain care is covered in the certificate. The manager still claims that they are not responsible for it. So -- if you plan on going here, watch out for this, because they WILL try to rip you off. Read the back of your certificate, print out the agreement that the hospital signed when they joined the program -- and call Paula at Friends of Animals and explain. UPDATE - my puppy has developed an urinary tract infection from the antibiotics Dr. Rich urged us to take home with us after neutering. 2 weeks later -- before he has even had his stitches out -- Dr. Rich refuse to treat him without charging an additional $47 exam fee, just to simply do take a sample of urine, do a urinalysis and prescribe medication. Not to mention how rude and insulting they were on the phone explaining all of this. Once this is all solved, I will NEVER again be returning here. Ever. And I urge you all to seek a different animal hospital, as well. While it is convenient, you pay -- in more than one ways.