Northside Veterinary Clinic

Reviews 3

MI

Michael Rushton

This is tough. Ive been taking my two cats to this practice for years and on the whole, theyve been friendly, professional and kind to our cats and to us. However, this last experience has made me question whether the overriding priority of this clinic is necessary care for the animal patients or their bottom line. After taking my two completely indoor cats in for a recent check up, we were told that both of the cats would require tooth extractions based off of diagnosed redness, inflammation and swelling in several of their canines and molars. Our oldest cat is only eight years old and already has had all of his teeth removed (sans canines) by this practice several years earlier when he was diagnosed with advanced stomatitis. He was visibly in pain, his breath smelled like carrion and it was obvious something was very wrong with him. We felt like the extractions of those teeth at that time were necessary and proper and they did the procedure well. Within two weeks he was back to normal. This was different. Neither of our cats had exhibited any signs that would indicate advanced dental disease to the point that extractions were necessary- no change in eating behavior, no bad breathe, nothing. We were surprised. When we asked the vet if there were any other options she just kind of shrugged and said that ultimately it was our decision but that in her opinion, several of their teeth needed to come out. Fair enough. Heres where things get shady. After printing out the estimates for their potential procedures, we specifically asked them NOT to send this estimate to our pet insurance carrier, Trupanion, and only send the estimate to us, personally. Weve been around the block a few times at this point and wanted to get a second opinion- especially considering the estimate for both cats came out to well over $2000 and we werent even sure if our insurance would cover the procedure. At the very least, we didnt want to flag the insurance company to a condition that may or may not require surgery. So, Im sure you can guess what happened by now. They ONLY sent the estimate to Trupanion, while not sending the estimate to us at all. The way we found out is that Trupanion emailed us saying that theyd be happy to cover the claim. Great. Except we specifically asked for a claim not to be put in before we had a second opinion. Which we got. A second vet looked at our oldest cats remaining four teeth and said that there was absolutely no redness or inflammation enough to cause concern and at the very worst, he would put in an estimate for a proper cleaning but that in reality, all we really needed to do was be more diligent about cleaning them ourselves. Our younger cat he diagnosed as having redness and minor swelling and recommended a professional cleaning- but that, again, the diagnosis of extraction was wildly premature. Unfortunately, the damage was done as far as our insurance was concerned. If at any time in his life those teeth would need to go, Trupanion would be able to look at the estimate for the extractions sent by Northside and point to that as proof of a pre-condition. The $1000+ surgery at that time wouldnt be covered because of Northsides bad diagnosis and even worse administrative blunder. At the end of the day, Trupanion required a signed letter by the second vet stating that he saw no cause for extraction to occur for us to effectively close the claim. Again. I cant say that this clinic is all bad. I think theres a population of people in the neighborhood whos pets are effectively their children and who can afford unnecessary (although not necessarily superfluous) procedures and who logistically arent able to garner a second opinion and havent had to deal with the intricacies of insurance companies that much. For those people, this place is probably great. But if you are reasonable adult that just needs necessary and affordable care for their pets, my latest experiences here have cast doubt on whether this is the place for you. It wont be for us moving forward.

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Rebecca Arnold

Be careful, SCAMMER VETS. These guys unnessicarly UPSELL to you like crazy. I hate to say it, theyre pretty nice, but after 1.5 years of taking my dog there it just becomes apparent this is constantly happening. Google it. There are expose articles showing how the entire Vet industry is apparently corrupting, even reputable clinics with nice vets. For ex, they up-sell expensive omega oils when you can get just as high quality online for far less $$. Im into natural remedies but a vet in a lab coat hands you these things like they were medicine, not pointing out sometimes that it isnt, its just a luxury supplement but with a high price tag. I knew something was definitively awry when my favorite vet there, Lieberman, insisted on a certain blood test on my elderly pooch in order to prep for tooth extraction surgery.."just to be sure that one of the lab results was normal vs a potential virus or something. It was over $200, and when getting the result, he said "Its good to know its nothing...but we see that virus a handful of times in a year." Um, what? This guy sees thousands of dogs a year. Many each day. My dog is old and that result was common for old dogs. Why would he do this test (stressing and hurting my dog w/a needle unnecessarily) if the likelihood for it being a virus was minuscule? I smelled a rat. And was shocked. And sure enough, when Lieberman had checked my dogs teeth, he concluded with total certainty that he needed some rotting teeth in the back extracted via surgery. Said there was pus (sorry) in the gums. I got the estimate: $1,300 or more. My dogs Michigan vet charges $200 for the SAME procedure! WTF? I know NY is pricy, but this was ridiculous. I also doubted it was necessary. At 16, shes only around a few more years, is that $ worth it? She and shows NO problems like soreness nor eating issues. I got a second opinion and that Dr. said - dont do it. Its totally unnecessary. The gums were fine, teeth are old but if shes eating fine and showing no pain, why on earth would you put the dog through the stress of a big surgery unnecessarily?! So, BE WARNED. This lovely neighborhood vet is part good, part crooked..I hate to even say it. But now you know.

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A Private User

I inquired for a house-call vet and they have a doctor there, Dr. Daniel Leiman, who does house-calls ... he turned downa a house call to see my dog because apparently I have a tough dog?! ... and he hasnt even met my dog and what is he basing this on? ... he kept blabbing about how he loves animals and he cant help them if he gets hurt?! wtf is this doctor on! ... You can turn down the house call request but to hastily do it based on no substantial reason is ridiculous and to blab about how you love animals?! yeah ... thats showing a lot of love right there Dr. Lieman ... And further more ... he then suggests I bring him in the clinic?! ... DUH?!?! are you stupid Dr.? ... thats why Im calling for a house call coz I dont want to bring him to the clinic because the dog gets scared and anxious when hes brought to the clinic ... but hes not tough and out to get you -wtf?! whered you get that? ... Dr. Lieman, I will give you a million dollars if this dog comes to even biting you if you do a house visit ... you turned down the house call which is such an insult to my pet and I ... and YOU DIDNT EVEN TRY!!! is the worst part! ... I called you in 5 seconds you just said your dog is tough and I have to turn you down and that was it! ... you havent even met the dog! I hope when you get sick and go to the doctor, I hope the doctor attending to you, 5 seconds into your conversation, says ... youre a tough case I have to turn you down