Far East Animal Care Center

Reviews 4

TA

Tad C

Was babysitting my sisters kids for a few days while she was out of town and so was her husband who would get back that evening. Dog had an accident and needed sutures on her lip where she had torn it. Called them up they said to take her in to their vet. This vet. I arrived at roughly 3:30 to 4. That they had seen repeatedly over the last couple years for their two dogs and two cats. I walked in and was very upfront. That I was a babysitter and did not have the money that would be required for this work on me and if they could set something up with the owners. I was then told to sign the animal in and that the wait time would be TWO hours. Thankfully that was incorrect went in and saw the vet and everything was fine took the dog to the back for an overnight stay and the sutures. Walk out where the receptionest basically demands a $200 deposit. I repeat what I had already told her earlier. Her reply is that I must at least pay $100 and that they wont accept payment over the phone via credit card from the owners. I have him call them up and he tries to work something out. He sends in copies via fax of his drivers license and the credit card with a letter oking the charge to be made. Not good enough. Apparantly the fax pictures werent clear enough and they still couldnt accept it. At which point he tells me to take the dog and take her to one of the super expensive emergency vets as by this time it is almost 7:00PM and all the other vets are closed or closing. I inform them of this... at which point they demand $45. I repeat that I dont have this money on me and cant pay them that. So the solution to this according to them is to take a copy of my drivers license and then threaten that if the money isnt payed by tomorrow they will be calling the cops on me. My brother in law was enraged when I relayed this information to him. This vet has just lost (going by the other reviews) ANOTHER customer. I am not new to this rodeo. I have house sat and watched houses for others both relatives and not and have had 3 emergency vet take ins over the years and NOT ONCE have I been treated like a criminal or with such a lack of empathy or care for the animal. I have had a vet say and I quote "Well take care of the animal first and worry about the money later." And the other two both had no trouble accepting payment from existing repeat customers over the phone. It seems this vet has a different set of priorities.

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SA

Sandra S

I have taken my pets to Dr. Chavarria for years including the ones I own or the stray and feral ones I have found. He has taken great care of all of them in health and especially in sickness. I used to go to another vet who charged quite a bit even for vaccinations since they would add an exam charge. At Far East, vaccinations are discounted on certain days making it affordable to keep up with all 8 of my pets vaccinations. Additionally, two of my animals were incorrectly diagnosed by other local vets (my dog with cancer after getting a biopsy and my cat with hyperthyroidism) and one serious condition was missed altogether (e.g. retinal detachment) even though I brought up the problem to that vet which shall remain nameless. My dog does not have cancer and is still doing fine after 5 yrs. My cat does not have hyperthyroidism and does not need to be on the medications that were prescribed that made her sick to her stomach and my other cat is blind because her eye condition was not caught in time when I mentioned the problem to the other vet and he didnt even check her eyes but rather told me that what I noticed was normal. In contrast, I have found Dr. Chavarria to be reasonable in recommending what my pets need and doesnt go overboard just because he has the ability to run labs and do x-rays in his office. He manages those conditions that require aggressive treatment as such and when other conditions can be managed conservatively, he does so as well. I disagree with the poor comments left by others and feel that those peoples expectations may have been unreasonable. I work in the medical field helping people and it doesnt mean that there is a great outcome for everyone. Though we would like to see everyone heal well, it doesnt always happen regardless of how many doctors they have seen. I come to Far East and I wait because I care for my pet and even though other offices made appointments, I couldnt be seen in the same day at times and still had to wait. If someone doesnt smile (as written in one of the reviews), I understand that they may have had a hard day or a customer yell at them. He works long hours, is open almost everyday of the year, and patients are seen on a walk-in basis, making it convenient when my pets arent feeling well. Even though I may have to wait longer at times, he is definitely worth the wait.

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NI

Nicole Aquino

I was debating writing a review because I would be acting out of pure emotion. But after seeing the other review on here, I decided I would. My dog I have had for 13 &1/2 years was diagnosed with cancer today and unfortunately it had progressed too far and she was in a lot of discomfort. I ended up taking her to Eastwood (which were amazing despite the fact the outcome was putting her to sleep). So why am I writing this? Two reasons. She had a check up in July 2 months ago. The Vet at Eastwood addressed the fact that she is not spayed and had breast tumors. Why didnt this Vet ask me about it at all? I would like to stop thinking that if he had said anything 2 months ago, we could have bought more time. But I reached my boiling point today. The first time I visited this place I waited forever. Kinda funny considering there was nobody in the waiting room when I got there. And then to top it off this morning the Vet was not there at 8:30 when they open at 8:00. Then the receptionist told me and another gentleman he would be there at around 9:30. So I left. FAR EAST ANIMAL CLINIC, I WOULD LIKED TO HAVE SPENT MY LAST DAY WITH MY DOG AT HOME LOVING HER INSTEAD OF DRIVING AROUND ALL MORNING TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE OTHER THAN HER VET TO SEE HER. YOU ARE GREEDY. YOU CANT RUN A CLINIC BY YOURSELF THINKING YOU WILL JUGGLE "SURGERY HOURS" AND OFFICE VISIT HOURS. My dog needed her vet today and you disappointed greatly.

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NE

necstanunn

I took my dog here as an emergency for snooping onto my kitchen counter (stupid me for having things there) and devouring my vitamin d supplements. I know its a possible life threatening situation. They took him in within 15 mins (there was another family in front of me). As we got into the evaluation room, Dr. Chavarria explained what needed to be done... Induce vomiting, charcoal for cleaning, absorbing, etc and gave fluids for hydration. I didnt have my dog die in my arms as other reviews had posted... And Im sorry for their loss. I had no bad review of this place. The lady up front was nice. The vet was very respectful and gave me the possible outcomes and what further actions needed to be made. He even offered to watch my dog as i go to work. My bill was around the $300 range for the emergency visit, tests, etc and i need to go again for a follow up blood test for another $130 later... Is it high priced? I cant say. I would spend it all over again for my dogs life. And as for morning visits, every veterinary clinic Ive been to has always had surgeries and procedures in the morning... Open clinic hours in the afternoon. Is that bad... Perhaps. To some i can see their point... If you have an emergency, theres an emergency clinic on airway thats 24 hrs. No questions asked.

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