Memphis Animal Clinic

Reviews 5

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Doug McQuirter

My family has two dogs, both of whom are rescues and sweet beyond belief. One day recently I arrived home from work to find that one had obtained an injury sometime during the day, and it was soon clear that he needed emergency care. My wife and I prepared ourselves for a visit to the areas after-hours emergency vet. She called up our regular vet, at Memphis Animal Clinic, hoping to still catch someone but not expecting to as it was closing time. Very soon after calling, though, she and I were surprised to hear Dr. Stephen Tower answer the phone. He told her to come right away and they worked on our dog as if it was the only dog that mattered. Dr. Tower and his techs remained there for over an hour after closing, making absolutely sure that our dog was going to recover with a minimum of both discomfort and chance of infection. A few days later, he personally checked and gave our dog a clean bill of health! Now, what separates Dr. Tower from the rest is not that he made sure his patient recovered under his watch or that he stayed over past closing time. It is his total compassion for the animals that he treats, as well as his ability to remember every animal and their humans stories. He remembers the personal preferences of my wife and I and knows that some methods of treatment are better for us than others due to a number of factors, one being that we have a 14-month-old daughter! He is as patient, observant and comprehensive during a routine vaccination visit as he is during an urgent-care situation. He shows great empathy with his patients; if they are in pain then he is in pain, if they are feeling better then he visibly perks up. He also has cultivated a fine group of technicians and support staff, and his newer associate, Dr. Field is knowledgeable, caring and enthusiastic and we are excited for her to help our pets in the future! Memphis has numerous fine veterinarians but we are lucky to have found such a wonderful clinic and its doctors.

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John Thien

We boarded our dog for 3 days (Thu-Sat) and arranged for a Sunday pickup because we are from Florida and couldnt stay til Monday morning to pick her up. I talked to clinic personnel 3 times about the Sunday pick-up. Once when I called to reserve a spot for the 3 days stay, once when we stopped in a day ahead of time to "pre-register" and finally when we dropped the dog off for boarding. We were charged $15 extra plus charged for Sundays boarding even though we were to pick up the dog between 8 and 9am. We were supposed to get a call confirming all this and never got it. We showed up at 8:30, no one was there. The Sunday cleaner showed at 8:45 and we politely waited out in the parking lot for her to bring our dog out. By 9:30 I started banging on the back door but no answer. Finally after 10:00 a woman opened the door to the back of the clinic where the animals are kept. She couldnt hear my earlier knocking because her radio was so loud. She had no idea we were in the parking lot waiting for our dog because no one told her (so she says). So we wasted 1 1/2 hours waiting to get back to Florida because of incompetence and no communication on the part of the clinics staff. My other observations include 1) an overpowering smell in the front office of the clinic and the back area where the animals are boarded---a smell so strong the dog and her blanket smelled of it all day 2) the total disarray and dirty conditions in the back room of the clinic (presumably where animals owners are not usually permitted) 3) the small (10 x 20) concrete area where the dogs are put to relieve themselves twice a day. I would not call this a pet-friendly facility and if returning to Memphis will not board my dog there. If you are considering them, go visit them first and ask to see the facility so you can make up your own mind.

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Ruth Ann Racely

To Mr. John Thien/reviewer: John, as you know the clinic is not open on Sun., ever, period. They tried to make special arrangements to accommodate you. These things can go awry, as any regular traveller can tell you. VERY few clincs would even TRY to make a special arrangement because of experiences such as yours. You are not a local, regular customer, meaning the Clinic does not know your history, records, expectations, etc. I know u verbally tried to do everything you could and tried your best, but please realize: everyone is human. Im NOT judging, but in 15 years, as a regular with 3 spirited pesky dachshunds, Ive have never asked for a special weeked accommodation, although I often have to leave them the extra day when I would love to get them on Sun. so I can make an 750am flight on Mon.! But when boarded, the pack doesnt smell loverly after several days, so I have them groomed prior to pickup. The largest kennel is a Suite; this is what is expected in an urban setting. If you go to the vast Memphis suburbs, where land is cheaper, you may find more spacious facilities but not close in and convenient. Travelling with pets requires serious compromises and extra expenses for owners; it is to be expected and thats just the way the world seems to work. Ive found it helpful to be delightfully surprised rather than eternally disappointed. Its all about managing expectations, isnt it? Im so sorry for your experience but: this is a WONDERFUL, CARING clinic--ALL doctors and staff. Ruth Ann

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A Private User

Very Disappointed!!!!! New to Memphis, took my dogs here for back pain and fell in love with the vet and staff. They were so kind and helpful. Saw that they offered grooming and was excited to try it. When I picked my dogs up from being groomed I was shocked! It was extremely overpriced for the job done ($55 per dog). Both my dogs have long hair, are groomed regularly and have been to multiple groomers throughout their lives. I have never had any problems before. Their hair was uneven, they still had little mats on their stomachs and worst of all one of my dogs was burned by the clippers. Within two days she had a big scab where she was burned. I made an appointment w/ the vet to show her. The vet was not so kind and helpful this time. Even though she admitted that the burn was "probably" caused by the clippers she tried to say my dog had problems b/c of allergies. I know nothing about being a vet but I do know my dog, her allergy problems and that she had no burns or wounds before she went to be groomed. I felt like she thought I was trying to swindle her. While she did not charge me for the office visit she did want to charge me for the meds needed to treat my dog, which amounted to more than the grooming visit ($60). I was stunned, said no thank you and took my dog to her old vet in AR where I was charged for an office visit, given meds and it still came out $10 cheaper. My dogs doing great but unfortunately were still looking for a good vet and groomer in Memphis.

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Chris Craig

I met with Dr. Tower because I had some questions about my cats passing. I did not feel that he was given the proper care. Maybe he was...maybe he wasnt. But thats not the point. He was extremely defensive and very, very aggressive. When questioned, he stretched his arms across the table, leaned forward and angrily raised his voice to me. He eventually stormed out of the room and slammed my kittys files on the counter at the front desk. He had no sympathy. I did not deserve that treatment during my time of grief. It would be like an ER physician attacking the family of someone only because they had questions as to why their loved one passed away. Dr. Tower is an insensitive, unsympathetic, unprofessional jerk!! If you want your vet to be caring...look elsewhere.

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