Boulevard Animal Hospital

Reviews 5

WI

William Nolter

Please read if you are going or considering going to Boulevard Animal Hospital. I took many pets there over the past 30 years, until now. On June 7th, Jamie was taken to Boulevard Animal Hospital at 1913 Grant Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia and was seen by Dr. Nicolle Chacosky, VMD. She was taken there because for a week or so we had noticed she was constantly licking at her paws. They had become red and irritated, losing some hair and bleeding off and on. Dr. Chacosky looked at her and said she had a skin infection. It was nothing to worry about, and with some antibiotics, steroids, eye ointment, pain killers, medicated baths, and time, she would be as good as new. On June 18th, one of our other dogs stepped on one of her front paws and broke it open. The following day, we took Jamie back to Boulevard Animal Hospital and she was once again seen by Dr. Chacosky. On this visit, we were told that there must have been an abscess in the foot and the other dog stepping on it must have just broke it open. We asked about the area on her neck and were told that it was part of the infection and it was just going to take some time to heal. Jamie was given an additional antibiotic, increased steroids again, more pain killers, and continue the baths. On June 27th, Jamies neck and chest began bleeding and the sores were seeping what looked like puss. Once again, we called Boulevard Animal Hospital and took Jamie to be seen on June 28th. On this visit, Dr. Chacosky did a $15 skin scrape and told us that Jamie actually had Demodex Mites. The Dr. stated that she did not test for that initially because she had never seen a case that severe before. The Dr. also stated that the use of steroids can actually worsen Demodex Mites. The Dr. stated that Jamie could not just come directly off the high dose, she had to be weened off over the next week. She received additional antibiotics, was told to continue with the baths, and was given a Nexgard Chewable to treat the mites which have now been going unchecked and aided by steroids for about a month. On July 1st, we came downstairs shortly after, we found that Jamie had died on the family room floor. We said goodbye, wrapped Jamie in a blanket and took her to Boulevard Animal Hospital where she was later cremated. We were told that she probably had a heart attack. What actually happened is that Dr. Chacosky and Boulevard Animal Hospital were completely incompetent and neglected to do a simple test that could have saved Jamie. The Dr. then gave Jamie a medicine that actually worsened her condition. Finally, with Jamies weakened condition, and lowered immune system from the steroids, they prescribed Nexgard. If you search Nexgard, you will see numerous cases of it causing seizures and killing dogs. A number of Veterinarians will not even use it because of the risks associated with it and a number of local Vets have since said they would not have given it in conjunction with high dose steroids. I have gone to Boulevard Animal Hospital for nearly three decades. Needless to say, my three decade run is over. The fact that Dr. Brett Geffen who has treated many of my animals could come up with no answer other then Im not sure I would have done anything different is a joke. His Dr. killed a dog in three weeks and he may have done the same. Sounds like either a cover story for Dr. Incompetent or maybe Dr. Brett wasnt as good as I thought if these results are something he would have duplicated. Dr. Chacosky wants to say underlying conditions in her excuses. Jamie had her physical 2 months before and got a clean bill of health. If you look up Demodex Mites, the underlying condition was the steroids that she prescribed without doing a $15 test to save my dog.

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Lin Ellerby

LOVE!! I have a male, ridiculously mean-to-people- kitty, Buckets. Dr. Jill is so dedicated to helping him and her staff really goes out of their way to accommodate us when he has to come for visits. Our Daisy mama, is a sweet itty, bitty, kitty and her Doc is Dr. Brett and he is fantastic. The entire staff is still just as nice and accommodating to her. They love on them and the kisses are free :-) I LOVE how they treat my babies (even the naughty one) as their own and sincerely love them! As a pet parent I am tickled how they are treated and the support I get as a pet mommy. I literally can call them at any time and they arent pushy to bring me in to hit me with a HUGE bill. When I need to come in Im normally a mess if not routine and they are so understanding and the fee is never overwhelming. A MORE than fair vet, in my opinion. They are pet parents and people, not just clinicians. They are so open to communication and they offer sound advice as well as textbook perfect answers and can explain in very simple terms. I am more than thrilled (if you couldnt tell). Everyone is amazing! I sincerely could go on forever! They are just amazing!!!

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A Private User

We have 2 dogs that we take to this vet: one we have had since she was 8 weeks and the other is a rescue. We have never been overcharged for unnecessary tests. We always are told what the optional tests and vaccines are, and make our own choices, guilt free. I always feel like they are trying to save me money rather than overcharge. We even asked for a professional teeth cleaning for our rescue (his teeth were black), and Dr. Brett told us to save our money and manually scraped his teeth himself (no charge). Whenever I have had a problem, if I call, they help me tremendously, dont charge a consultation, and call back in a day or 2 to check on my dogs. One time I called after hours, a vet happened to be in, and she waited for me to come and to check on my dog just because of my questions (I am a worry wart if you cant tell), and I wasnt even charged for that after hours visit (although I was charged $12 for the medicine I bought from that visit which seemed pretty reasonable to me!) Anyway, everyone is welcome to their own opinion, but I have always had a positive experience from all of the vets in this facility.

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Ashley Mika

Be mindful when selecting a veterinarian!! Do Not use "Dr. Nicole Chacoski. She lacks compassion and empathy for animals. During an examination of my 11 years old cat she fail to approach him in a gentle way. When he began to hiss and tense-up she instructed her asst to grab a muzzle and blanket. Dr. Chacoski never once explained me what she was going to do. She never attempted to comfort, engage or even talk to my cat in order to defuse his anxiety. Instead, she threw the blanket over his entire body including his face, used her body weight to apply pressure holding my cat down as he struggled. I was mortified! I immediately stepped in and stopped this insensitive act. Ive never seen a doctor treat an animal in this manner. Dr. Chacoskis assistant was super kind and helpful. The staff at BLVD animal hospital are great!! But this Doctor should not be caring for animals in my opinion.

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A Private User

We recently moved from New Orleans area to NE Phila. My dogs were high maintenance in New Orleans due to poor breeding--$12K in 2006 for allergies, orthopedic surgery on hips and knees, airway surgery, and rehabilitation. Our first visit at BAH they diagnosed the root cause of a 2-year battle with food allergies and chronic diarrhea--THANKS!! One of the dogs had an eye punctured by a kitten claw in August--they saw her promptly, not once but twice, recommended a great specialist, and even after care was transferred to the specialist, they followed up with us and the specialist every few days for weeks. Doctor Jill is great--we appreciate all she has done for us and how she interacts with our dogs--Matilda is a little wiggle-butt every visit now. The vet techs that assist are great too--they make the dogs comfortable during even the most uncomfortable procedures.

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