Lakewood Animal Hospital

Reviews 4

SU

Sue H

When I first started taking my dog to Lakewood Animal Hospital I was very pleased. Over time it began to appear their main concern was money. I have taken 2 dogs to this office. My current 19 lb dog was a rescue that had been abused and has separation anxiety. Dr. Amy seemed to care at first. Because of his abuse he gets very nervous an scared. On the next to last visit he needed his nails clipped. Dr. Amy was going to take him in the back. Instead of being kind and friendly to him, she dragged him down the hall on his leash by his collar not even trying to speak to him and calm him. Once she had him in the back he wouldnt let them clip his nails. She told me that I could BUY a mussel from them. Even though they have them in the back that they use on animals, and have used on my dog. Then told me I could take him outside and put it on him. Even though no one else was in the waiting room. I paid around $100 to have him sedated and nails clipped. I tried to make another appointment this past week for a nail clip. I was expecting to pay the same even though I thought they charged us to much the first time, but I was told that it would be well over $200. I cancelled the appointment. If they didnt want to take care of our dog they could have just said so. If that is NOT the reason then it really shows that their concern is money. I am aware they need to make a profit, but SERIOUSLY for a nail clipping! Keep in mind I have worked for a Vet so I know what is necessary for them to do this procedure. It is Vets like this that over charge for even simple procedures and people that love and care for their pets can not afford to pay jacked up prices and the animals end up having to be turn over to shelters or euthanized because a family cant afford the prices. I have since found another vet that is caring and charged less than $100 to check him over, sedate and clip his nails. They were kind and caring to our dog and he was much calmer and excepting of them. As all pet owners know, dogs are a good judge of character. Get a 2nd opinion before excepting the high cost of what needs to be done for your pet at this location. Also if you want to go to this office. We found that Dr. Andrew Olsen seemed to be more kind and caring.

---

BO

Bonster Hamibee

If you want a vet that completely ignores their veterinary oath, this is the place to go. In order to "teach an owner a lesson" they will stop treating your pet, even if they need regular medical attention. Dont let the "niceness" fool you. They were providing care for one of my pets. I arrived one day to pick up a prescription and was handed an envelope. Within was a note saying, without explanation, that they were refusing to provide medical care for my pets from that point on. I tried to get an explanation- none was given. My pet was in the midst of long-term care needing regular check ups, blood work, and ongoing medications due to having a stomach tube. The last contact I had with them was on the phone with me begging for help in finding my pets prescription food. It was out of stock everywhere. Somehow me being in a frantic search for food was enough to get us booted. Apparently, if they suddenly decide they do not want you as a client any longer, your pet gets to suffer the consequences--your animals health be damned. I guess thats why they are always looking for new clients. I should have known when, in the very first visit when I mentioned seeing reviews, I was cautioned to ignore a particularly harsh one. Maybe that should have been my red flag. The second red flag was the multiple times I was forced to drive to Leesburg for care because they would claim to be "uncomfortable" performing common medical procedures on my pet. So my pets medical care has been delayed while I try and find another vet to see him--not to mention the added stress on my pet having to adjust to yet another vet. So much for being the compassionate animal lovers they claim to be if they will risk the health of an animal to punish the owner for some unknown perceived slight. The silver lining for me is that this uncaring attitude towards pets has come to light. I will be sharing my experience with the entirety of the local area. For those who would say they love this vet--just wait until the day you do or say something, unbeknownst to you, which they do not like. They will drop you like a hot potato. If your pet dies because of it, they could not care less.

---

JO

John Reed

My rating shows one star, only because it is not possible to show a rating of zero stars. Or a negative five star rating. Let me explain why I have such a low opinion of this place. I got home around 5 pm and noticed the swelling and called my regular vet, but they were closed, so I called Lakewood. My dog had a golf ball size swelling under her eye that I thought was a bug bite. It was actually a tooth infection. Dr. Olsen said the tooth needed to come out as soon as possible and my dog needed 3 different medicines. An antibiotic, pain control, and an anti-inflammatory. After explaining the medicines to me they insisted on doing blood work at a cost of $81. I said that I would have my regular vet do the blood work before the tooth extraction. They refused to sell me the medicines because I did not want them to do the blood work. Needless to say, I was not happy. After talking about this for several minutes Dr. Olsen turned her back to me and walked toward the back of her clinic. As she was opening the door to the area in the back I told her I was making a complaint to the State Board about her unprofessional conduct. Only after hearing this did she walk back to me and say that she would allow me to take home antibiotics, not the other medicine. Im sure if I had not said what I did I would have left there with out any medicine. I took my dog to Helping Hands in Richmond and she got a complete teeth cleaning and tooth extraction and antibiotics and pain control medicine for a flat fee of $225. Lakewood gave me a written estimate, that they insisted I sign, for between $800 - $1,110. I will never go back to Lakewood Animal Hospital and I have submitted my complaint to the State Board and Better Business Bureau.

---

AM

Amanda Kovack

My first visit with this office was very eye opening on how EVERY veterinary clinic should run. The office is clean and the reception staff is very welcoming. I did not have other dogs barking and growling at my dogs, and instead of checking in and waiting for a room to be available, while I fill out my "new patient" paperwork, I was brought immediately to a clean exam room to do the paperwork. I have never had to sit in the waiting room. If youve ever had to balance 3 dogs and paperwork in the office of a vet, you know what I mean when I say that this was a HUGE relief. During one of my dogs wellness exams, many issues regarding her health were addressed, that had never been addressed by my other Vet. When checking out, I did not have to balance 3 dogs on leashes while trying to pay, and watching over my shoulder for other dogs walking by. Which is also another "stress-free" bonus of this place. The staff here is great with making sure all patients(dogs) are comfortable. In all my times that I have been here for an appointment, I have never had to share the reception office with another dog. My dogs dont get stressed-out here, nor do they have to encounter other peoples dogs behavior! "Amazed" by the way they run things is an understatement. If you want a stress-free veterinary clinic, look no further. Two of my dogs see Dr. Amy Olson, and one sees Dr. Andrew Olson; both of the doctors are very educational and fun. I have never walked out of there displeased! My entire family uses this Vet (16 dogs between us; 3 Pitbulls, 1 Beagle, 3 retrievers, 7 Siberian Huskies, and 2 Catahoula Leopard Dogs!) Sincerely, a very pleased dog mom.

---

---