Petmobile Pet Hospital

Reviews 3

AN

Anne Kelton

Recently I took 4 of my 7 pets to Petmobile Pet Hospital, PPH, for their annual shots for a remarkable experience. First I chose PPH because of their low-cost shot clinics (currently Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-3 and 5-8 p.m., and Saturdays 9-2:00 p.m.) During these clinics, their prices are considerably cheaper than neighboring competitors’. I know because I called. Currently PPH’s complete set of shots for a dog, including the OSHA fee, is $44, and the additional and optional exam fees are $25 for a minor exam (ears, nose, mouth) or for a major exam, $51. The competitor’s charge is $200 -$250 for shots. The exam fee is $60. I chose to take my pets in September, first because that’s 2 weeks before their annual shots were due, and also because September marks the beginning of PPH’s slower season, making a shorter wait time likely. One of the 4 pets I brought was a disagreeable, FEISTY Chihuahua named Promise who from the get-go vociferously complained from the confines of his carrier. Upon arrival at PPH, my pets were weighed and temperatured. For the sake of safety, when a large-enough space for my daughter, me, and the 4 pets was made available, we were invited into the lobby where I had enjoyable conversation with other waiting clients. (Because it’s a first-come, first-serve basis, having a relaxed attitude while waiting makes the experience pleasant.) When paying in advance, the cashier, Cindy, informed me of the importance of getting the Bordetella shots for my dogs even though I didn’t expect to board them or have them groomed, i.e. they could be exposed to kennel cough at any location. After paying, I began asking the techs, Jimmy and Christina, what we could do about uncooperative, yappy Promise. “I want his toenails trimmed. Do you have a tranquilizer dart? I think we have to make him unconscious.” I needn’t have worried. My daughter, Jimmy, and Christina took the protesting Promise to the back lab area, somehow wrapped him in a towel, and Christina deftly clipped his nails in about 10 seconds, administered his shots, and took a blood draw for his heartworm test. (By the way I paid $20 extra for the heartworm test, but dogs have to have the test first for the owner to be able to buy the heartworm/flea/tick preventative meds which I always buy.) Next, all my other pets received their shots and Dr. Cochell capitalized on the opportunity to teach the new tech, Alicia, the fine points of administering vaccinations and me, the difference between ear mites and ear wax in my cat’s ears. We sat in the vaccination clinic to wait a while for the canine heartworm test results. While waiting I observed another client asking questions about her puppy’s breed eventual weight. Lisa M. referred the question to Rene stating, “I like to refer dog questions to Rene, and answer questions about cats myself.” Rene said she didn’t have that information on the top of her head, but that she would get the answer momentarily. She left to retrieve the information and returned in 2-3 minutes with the requested information. I GIVE PPH AN A+ for knowledgeable and cheerful personnel and extremely low-cost service. I am more than willing to wait and consider my visits to be fun and enjoyable whether I wait or not.

EV

Evette Whitehead

I took my very sick dog to this hospital on Tuesday. 9/4/12 expecting quality care as stated on the website. I wanted her close to where I live so I could visit her when I wanted to. What I got was a different diagnosis every day by a different vet and the funny thing is the first vet that saw her was correct in her diagnosis. I took her in on Tuesday afternoon after being told that morning that I would have to come back at 1pm because I didnt have an appointment - my dog was dying, she was critical and they had me come back and wait. Red Flag!! I should have run then. After she saw the first vet and was diagnosed with a blockage in her stomach/intestines, she was put on an IV and given fluids because she was 75% dehydrated from throwing up so much. Dr. Diaz thought she should have surgery on Wednesday after she had stabilized. Thank you Dr. Diaz for diagnosing her correctly. Then I get a call from the vet on Wednesday, 9/5/12 saying she didnt need surgery, she had pancreatitis and was getting better. Then the vet on Thursday, 9/6/12 said she needed surgery on Friday morning. Then the vet on Friday, 9/7/12 called and said he didnt want to do surgery because her blood test had come back better than they were on Tuesday - yes, she was dying on Tuesday. He did suggest getting her somewhere that could do a sonogram on her. I took her this afternoon to Dr. Taylor in Rockwall and they said immediately that she needed a sonogram today - not to wait. I dont understand why this wasnt suggested on Wednesday by Petmobile when they couldnt decide what was wrong with her. I am so disappointed with this clinic for treating a critically sick dog - there is a different vet there every day, that was not explained to me up front. I didnt know what relief vets were - why would I? That should be explained up front when a very sick animal is brought in. The care she received by regular staff seemed to be very good though, it was just a different diagnosis from a different vet every day then me being asked what I wanted done - I dont know - Im not the expert. But little did I know that I knew exactly what was wrong with her, I dont think they know how to make a decision about a critical patient. Plus, with a critical patient, you need one vet observing that animal every day - not 4 vets in 4 days. My head was spinning by the time I talked to the 4th one today. I was done. I will never take any of my pets there again. I got my Sophie taken care of this evening at the Emergency Hospital on Belt Line Road by Dr. Daniels - a vet that knew exactly what needed to be done by looking at the xrays and how to do it quickly and expertly. Fortunately, the story has a good ending - Sophie gets to come home tomorrow after the wonderful care she received at Emergency Hospital from their staff. This place might be ok for vaccinations and minor things like that, but please dont take your critically ill pets there - for their sake and your sanity. It makes me sick to think what might have happened to Sophie if I had left her there.

HO

Holly Williams

I have been using Petmobile for the last 3 years for my two dogs basic needs (vaccines, heartworm prevention) and have had pretty good experiences. The vets and staff have generally been very kind and loving towards our pets. Yesterday, however, I had a very negative experience which will lead me to never give them my business again. I dont know if this is their norm, but I hope not, because the way I was treated yesterday will surely make them lose business. My dog somehow got her nail caught on something, which caused it to break at the nail base and was therefore bleeding off and on throughout the day. I called for an appointment and was instructed to bring her anytime between 4 & 4:30 to be seen by a vet. That to me meant that, within a reasonable time, that she would be assessed and treated around that time frame. I arrived a few minutes before 4, only to be told that the vet was at lunch and would not return until 5, then I would be waiting behind 3 people. I proceeded to inform her of what I was instructed over the phone and that the woman I spoke to should have been forthright with me so that I am not waiting for 1-2 or more hours for my dog to be seen. I even explained to them that I have two small children at home waiting for me and that I had driven 30 minutes to get there. She basically shrugged her shoulders and told me there was nothing she could do. She couldnt have cared less and had zero concern for my pet. I told her I was leaving and she did not attempt to stop me. There were at least two other staff members at the desk and no one attempted to stop me. The customer service was completely lacking and completely disrespectful of my pets needs and my time. I will never come back to this practice in the future. I have plenty of sympathy for a vets needs to take a lunch break. I am not angry at the vet. I am angry at the staff for telling me incorrect information over the phone and being told something completely different once I arrived, with no attempts to keep me as a customer. The solution is simple-COMMUNICATION IS KEY. Do not lie to a customer over the phone if you cannot accommodate them. Do not waste a customers time. Luckily, I was able to get my pet the help she needed in a timely manner with a different veterinarian.