Banfield Pet Hospital

Reviews 5

AL

Allison M

I have 2 dogs and after having been with Banfield for 5 years & the Newport News location for 4 years, I have come to realize it is not a vet that cares about your pets well being. You are just another name in their computer system. BEWARE - they are friendly to your face and to your pet, but dont let that fool you! They do not have your best interests in mind. They are part of a big corporation that is just looking for more and more $ at your pets expense. My wellness plan is over $650 a year, and they still find ways to take more $ at every visit. The prescriptions got to be too expensive to fill through Banfield, so I began using PetMeds. Though I pay Banfield close to $1000 a year for my two dogs (we go in for visits 3-4+ times a year which is more than my plan covers) they still over looked my pups when it came to filling their prescriptions through PetMeds. Even though I called multiple times to follow up, they lied and denied receiving my prescription request and gave me the run around for over a month until it was "legally too late" to fill my already-paid-for prescription. When asked why they never made us aware of any issues with the meds, there was no excuse. Now my babies will be late for their flea & heart worm pill unless I pay the extra $ to buy the pills directly from Banfield. Not to mention my poor dog has not had his desperately needed allergy pills in a month because of their lack luster performance. When we found 1800PetMeds, a more affordable source for the dogs meds - they found a way to back us into a corner and extort more $ at the expense of my dogs safety and comfort. If you wonder, wont they be liable? No, they are a big corporation and the Newport News branch loves to remind you of that. "You will have to call corporate, we dont handle that here" is the response you get for any complaints you have, or even if you have to remedy a mistake THEY made with your plan. There were even MULTIPLE times where THEY scheduled my dogs comprehensive exams (included in my plan) before my renewal date and tried to charge me $200 when picking them up from their appt. After it happened the first time, I began asking to make sure it wouldnt happen again (though I shouldnt have to). Still, another employee lied and it did happen again, forcing me to go through the same embarrassing situation another time. They dont even deserve one star. Either they have company policies that encourage employees to scam more money out of clients OR the Newport News location has such poorly trained employees that my dogs needs fell through the cracks even though we are very careful and diligent. For pet owners that think of their pet as family, please do not not fall for this corporate con like we did for so long. Its cheaper to go to a local vet, and they will truly care about you and your pets.

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MA

mailee vang

My dog got injured with a small cut on her ankle. I called my vet tech friend in California and recorded the cut for her to see if its anything serious for the emergency room. She showed it to her veterinarian and They told me its nothing serious that needs to be taken to the emergency room. I just needed to clean it, but for me to take her to my vet and have them prescribe antibiotics so she doesnt get an infection. I took her to banfield. they took a look at the cut and immediately said for me to just take her to the emergency because she is going to need stitches. They refused me antibiotics because my dog wasnt actually seen by appointment. If I had an appointment then they would have been able to prescribe the antibiotics. I called my friends vet in California again, and he said they are insane to think she needs stitches for such a small cut. He suggest I take her to a different vet. So I took her to colony animal hospital (did a walk in by the way) and the dr there said her cut was so small, it is unnecessary for stitches. For me to just keep a cone on her to prevent her from licking the wound. Also the cut isnt even bad enough for antibiotics, i just need to monitor it for a couple of day and if the cut started seeping and draining then for me to call them and they will have antibiotics ready for me. That I didnt even need to bring her back for a visit. Im definitely changing vet.

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AP

April Mooneyham

I did not see the Vet at Banfield- instead I came in to price their prescription cat food and hopefully make a purchase. After being told that I would have to sign up for a Banfield MedCard- I obliged. I was then told that my prescription would have to stay with Petsmart/Banfield. I then asked if I could have a copy of the prescription so that I could attempt to price other vendors at which the desk clerk copped an attitude and said that I couldnt make a copy of it. While I understand that this is a medical prescription, it is just cat food. I believe that Banfield wanted my prescription (solely) only because they wanted me to buy from them exclusively. I asked for my prescription back and the forms I had filled out. The woman handed me my prescription back but would not return my forms with my personal information on it. Her demeanor and attitude were unprofessional, at best. I suggest dealing with another vet office. PS- the food is MUCH cheaper online!

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LI

Linh Vinh

I would give zero stars if possible. This vet office is uncaring and unprofessional on the best of days! I dropped off my dog for a follow-up appointment for his eczema (chronic condition of inflamed skin patches). When I picked him up, he was miserable. He was acting skittish and afraid. His eye was bloody, and his head was wet with what seemed to be saliva. It looked like another dog had attacked him. Everyone at the office insisted that he must have just rubbed his eye until it bled even though he is 10 years old and has never done anything like that before ever. No one even attempted an explanation for the saliva all over the top of his head. The worst part about this whole ordeal was that no one even cared that my dogs eye was BLEEDING. I entrusted my dog in their care, and they act like its normal for a dog to come out in worse condition than when he came in. If you love your pet, please dont take them here.

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ST

Stephany Elsworth

Evidently no one keeps records at this facility. Each time I go in, even though my dogs have been going to the same location for the last two years, they hand me a stack of paperwork to fill out that asks the same routine questions. Theyve also gotten really good at adding fees that arent covered on their wellness plans. I had to bring my dogs back for a follow-up appointment, as recommended by their veterinarian, and they charged me $15 per dog for "doggie day care." Their veterinarians change constantly, the staff is lackadaisical, and they seem much more interested in collecting fees than in providing quality pet care. Im seriously considering dropping Banfield all together once their yearly wellness plans expire, and will definitely be changing their hospital for the duration.

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