Animal Hospital of Sayreville

Reviews 3

RI

Rich Tulko

I have been using this animal hospital for 8 years. February of 2017, my dog began collapsing & stumbling. I called the animal hospital & had her there by late morning. Dr. Spinazzola ran blood work $205.00. One of my dog’s liver counts were high & the white blood cell count was out of range. He ran a urinalysis $65.00 & found my dog had a urinary tract infection (UTI). A heartworm/Lyme test for $59.00 was negative. He told me next was to x-ray the organs to see if they were enlarged $190.00. Fearing the worst, I asked if the x-rays would show cancer. He said, “It could.” “It could”, can mean yes or possibly. The way he said it, made me think yes. He looked at the x-rays & said my dog’s organs did not look enlarged. He told me he was going to put my dog on two medications believing my dog had an infection. He told me he would retest her blood in a few days. If her counts were still off, the next step would be to ultrasound her organs. That would cost $534.00. Knowing my dog, I opted to have the ultrasound done that day. The ultrasound showed a mass on my dog’s liver & adrenal gland along with blood in her abdomen. I had to leave my dog, while the outside vendor responded to the hospital to perform the ultrasound. When I came back, my dog began howling when she heard/smelt me. They kept my dog howling, caged in the back until I paid my $1,125.50 bill. When they finally brought my dog to me, the bridge of her nose was sore & raw from ramming the cage door trying to get to me. Dr. Spinazzola referred me to Garden State Veterinarian Hospital. GSVH told me without removing the mass from the liver & a biopsy; they would not be able to say if it was cancerous. They did say that 2/3 of the time, a mass on the liver is cancerous & a hemangiosarcoma. If that were the case, I was looking at about 3 months with surgery, 6 months with surgery & chemo. They believed the mass on the liver had ruptured causing blood to flow into her abdomen. The Dr. said if the mass was in fact cancerous, the cancer cells were now released throughout her body. Her body was able to stop the bleeding, but next time if it were worse, she could bleed out internally. That was just the mass on her liver, the mass on her adrenal gland was a whole other issue. I could not see putting my dog through that invasive of a surgery for that little extra time. Heart broken, I took my dog home to enjoy whatever time I have left with her. The next day, someone from Dr. Spinazzola’s staff (not the doctor) called to ask how I made out. I asked her if I should stop by for some medication for my dog’s UTI. She called back saying that the doctor said it would not be necessary. How would you have taken this? I don’t think a UTI clears up itself. So, I took it to mean he expected my dog to be dead within days. It has been 4 months & my dog is doing okay. I know I am on borrowed time & she could be gone by tomorrow, but to not treat her UTI while she is still alive does not seem right. What is the harm of giving my dog an antibiotic that he was going to put her on, before I opted for the ultrasound. I also feel, he should have taken something off the cost of the x-ray. If he told me an x-ray does not always show cancer, I would have saved the $190.00, & applied it toward the ultrasound. So, it was a culmination of several things that led to my negative review. 1. Felt he could/should have taken something off the cost of the x-ray since it was unhelpful. 2. My dog being left caged in the back longer than necessary until I paid the bill (ransom). FACT, for 8 years, ALWAYS paid my bill IN FULL the day the services were rendered. 3. Paid $1,125.50 & could not get an antibiotic to treat a UTI. My star calculation: Start 5 stars. -1 star for not taking something off the cost of the x-rays. -1 star for leaving my dog caged in the back longer than necessary. -1 star for not treating her UTI. Total 2 stars. Time to find a new vet.

AN

Angelina Ari

I am actively searching for a new vet in the area where I will be moving to and came across Dr. Spinazzola. I was hesitant because the practice is not AAHA accredited. Still, I stopped in to meet the staff and schedule a time to meet the doctor face to face. This request threw the receptionist for a loop. I waited quite awhile as she asked Dr. Spinazzola what to do and helped someone on the phone. She made me feel as if my request was crazy. She stated he would typically do that over the phone and not in person. The doctor came out and was casually chatting with someone standing next to me. The receptionist told him I was the one who wants to meet with him face to face and he shrugged his shoulders and said a hesitant "sure". One would think he could have acknowledged me with just a hello. Heck, maybe even take 2-3 minutes and talk to me right there and then since he had some free time. Nope. He proceeded to have a conversation about the beach and his tan. My name and number were taken and I was told someone would call me to schedule a time to meet the doctor. I found it odd that it could not be scheduled with me standing right there. Leaving the practice I noticed the parking lot that is attached to the practice. There is a sign that says it is for doctors only. There were two luxury vehicles parked in it. I walked to my car parked on the street. The practice itself was unorganized and dirty in appearance. This difference between this practice and my current one was night and day. I honestly did not expect to get a phone call from anyone and did not want to. However, much to my dismay, I received a call telling me we could schedule the face to face for a $63 fee. A $63 "consultation" fee for a five minute introduction (without my dogs). Treating potential clients this way is completely uncalled for and unprofessional. I work with rescues and senior, special needs dogs. To think of all of the money I would have thrown away at this practice. Not to mention all of the referrals they could have received. How anyone could take their pets here truly is beyond me. It is clearly only about making money here at the Animal Hospital of Sayreville. Thankfully, not all practices and veterinarians are this unethical. I have already met with one doctor at another nearby practice and will be setting up a meeting with another. Of course there is no fee for either.

MO

Mo Mo

I am new to this vet having went there for a second opinion, and I have zero plans of going back to my old vet. I feel so much better about the care of my dogs knowing Dr. Beck is here for us. We had a recent scare with our dog and the entire office stood up to the challenge and helped us out immensely. Its nice to feel like your vet actually knows AND cares about your pet. We even recd a call from Dr. Beck in the evening to check on our boy and a really nice letter in the mail from the office. The office is CLEAN and doesnt smell when you walk in like our old office. Even our anxious dog likes this vet better and seems to be at ease in their waiting room. I highly recommend this office and Dr. Beck because they put the time and care into your loved ones.