Garden State Veterinary Services

Reviews 3

JU

Julie Antonio

Brought my cat here because he had what we found out was an upper respiratory infection. He was sneezing, had watery eyes, and was drooling. Of course, his symptoms slowly became more serious from Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning, so we opted to bring him to the emergency clinic rather than wait until Monday for the regular vet. The vet tech that we dealt with was very friendly, helped us fill out the forms and told us the doctor would be with us shortly. We waited in a room for about a half hour, which was not a problem at all and was quicker than we thought it would be. Dr. Arye apologized for the wait and told us she was the only vet working that day, and I explained my cats symptoms to her. She explained to me that he most likely had an URI which was common in cats, and told me it was most likely viral and caused by herpes. I later discovered that these infections are very common in shelter cats, and in this case are usually bacterial and easily resolved with antibiotics. Though I told the vet we had gotten him only a week before from a shelter, she did not explain this to me and instead suggested that he had a permanent viral infection that would cause him to be frequently sick for the rest of his life. She attempted to pry his mouth open from the front, seemed surprised that he would not open it voluntarily, and he almost jumped off the table until I volunteered to hold him down. She then took him to "the back" to have a tech help her- Im not sure why the tech couldnt help her where I could see them. She came back a few minutes later to tell me my cat, who she kept calling "she" despite the fact that I told her several times that he was a male, was breathing loudly and needed an x-ray to check if he had pneumonia. Looking back on this I realized of course he was breathing loudly, he was congested and had been taken away from me to be examined and was most likely anxious. I told her I wasnt sure if I could afford to pay for the x-rays, but of course I wanted my cat to get the help he needed. She explained that if he had pneumonia he would need to be hospitalized. She did not present any additional information or options, and instead told me it would be $230 (though on the bill it was actually $250) for the x-ray and waited until my boyfriend offered to pay for it. About a half hour later, she returned to tell me that he did not have pneumonia but "something was going on" which I assume was her attempt to justify the completely unneeded x-ray. She explained that my first option would be to hospitalize my cat, or I could take "her" home and try to give "her" antibiotics myself. I didnt think there was any benefit to racking up medical bills and additional stress to my cat by hospitalizing him and opted to take him home and medicate him myself. Dr. Arye again implied that I should hospitalize him to make sure he took his medicine, but I declined. She then recommended Clavamox, an antibiotic, for two weeks. Upon reading the box and researching online, I learned that more than ten days on this medication can cause gastrointestinal damage. From reading other reviews it seems that people have had great experiences with other vets, and Im not sure if she was just tired from being the only vet on staff or simply is not experienced with cats, but I left there feeling like she did not care at all about my cats well being and completely ripped off. TL;DR Vet could not care less about my cat and was only out to make as much cash as possible off of us, would not recommend this place unless there are absolutely no other options.

AL

Ali Tango

Completely unprofessional. Took my cat here because my regular vet said he needed an ultrasound. Got there and like others have said, they took my cat back right away leaving me out front to fill out forms. Met with the vet afterward, and only then was informed that the exam they performed while I filled out paperwork cost over $100, and the ultrasound needed was over $400. Then he asked if that was ok. I said well you already did the exam what am I supposed to say, yes do the ultrasound. Then after the ultrasound the vet meets us again to give his diagnosis and offer a bunch of advice about what to do even though I continually say I am more comfortable with my own vet. Now keep in mind I still have not seen my cat since he was first taken from me when I walked in. I reject treatment again and ask for the results to be sent to my vet. After I pay, then I get my cat back. After a day or so of calming down after finding out my cat has cancer, I start to feel like I have really been ripped off. Why did my cat need a $100+ exam when we came straight from my vet who had given him an exam? My vet who called over and spoke with this office before I even got there. So I call the emergency office to express this and am given a bs explanation that they cannot perform any testing without an exam first, and they need to have a relationship with the animal and the owner prior to any testing, etc. etc. I say this is bs because I didnt even meet the vet until after the exam was performed! If I had been INFORMED like a professional and courteous staff would do, that an exam is required before any testing can be performed, and what the cost of that exam is, and maybe actually MEET the vet who would perform this exam, maybe I wouldnt be on here ranting right now. But the fact that I was not informed meant that I was not able to give consent. It makes me feel as though my sick animal, my precious family member who cannot advocate for himself and so I advocate for him, was merely a dollar sign for this office. Besides the fact that all of the "treatments" recommended by the emergency vet were shot down by my personal vet, who explained to me that it would be time, money, and effort wasted to fix a problem that is not fixable. I cannot and will not return to a place that prioritizes bills over compassion, saving time over being informed. Dont tell me you are helping me by examining my animal while I fill out forms. My cat is sick. He is my family and I want to be there to calm him when he is being handled by strangers in a strange place. You took him back there right away so you would be sure that I would have to pay. I will follow my conscience and the advice of a veterinarian that cares more about the well being of his patients, both animal and human, than the paycheck he gets after we leave the office.

FR

Frog Fish

This took place at there Iselin office on rt 27Worst vet place I ever been to. Went in the evening. They took my cat right into the back soon after arriving. I thought I go with it, but they say I stay here. While doing forms a fast food delivery comes for Sara Metcalf, front desk and shes be loudly complaining with the person for what seemed like 10 minutes, really loud too in front of every 1 there. The vet finally comes out, wife tells vet Justine Murray its symptoms. No pooping or peeing. The vet says there is a blockage. What will it cost I ask. $3000 and cat stays here 3 days. I tell vet I cant afford it, can I pay now and take my cat home. Vet leaves me and wife in closed door room, comes back minutes later and says she spoke to the bosses over the phone and we could put the price at $2000 and go up from there. I tell vet I cant afford this, I want my cat and Ill pay the bill now. Im not disputing there prices, I just could not afford it. Vet leaves room again, minutes later comes back, we can set you up with payments, I tell her I have no money for this, can I have my cat, I will pay now. The vet is starring and talking to my wife, my wife is all upset. I tell vet I am not approving any of this. Vet leaves us again comes back says for $540 I can try to unblock cat but no guarantee. I again say no I want my cat, I want to pay now. And you now should be taking money off my bill because your holding my cat against my will. Vets leaves us again in closed room, I tell my very sick (health issues) let us get out of this room. Vet calls us into room again, I am refusing but we go in again, vet says for $136 I can put cat to sleep. I told vet I want my cat. I want to pay now. I ask front desk to call police, which they didnt. I went looking for my cat, I didnt find him. Now Sara does call police, 5 officers arrive, I am not arrested, and 1 officer gets my cat and bill is paid. I thought it was over but now I must go to municipal court for this. I assume they want my wife hospitalized over this? I just wanted to pay the bill and bring my cat home to die in my arms, peacefully as he did, and not alone at the vet. David S. 08830