Riverside Animal Hospital South

Reviews 5

JA

Jane Wang

This is one of the possibly worst vet group Ive had the unfortunate experience to deal with. In medicine, we have a saying, "do no evil." If you cannot assist an animal, then at least do not hurt it. My adopted cat has an issue of scratching (to the point of self-mutilation). I came to the Riverside Vet Group to find an answer. I felt in my initial exam, I was told to give my cat a number of shots - antibiotics, a steroid shot, and a test for bacteria. This made me a little suspicious. Usually, vets do tests first before subscribing shots. I felt that I was being ripped off. In fact I asked what the side effects are for the shots, and was told smugly that every shot has side effects. Yes, thanks for restating the obvious, but Id like to make informed choices before letting you put needles into my pet. I picked a bacteria shot but was told to do a steroid shot instead (because that is a short term solution to prevent scratching and so they can justify that they did something positive). I was told the culture test is going to come back and tell me the real answer. My cats culture test for bacteria was contaminated during sample handling and was inconclusive / false positive. I was advised to do more shots. When I complained the lack of capabilities, I was asked, "Did your cats symptoms somehow resolve?" The symptoms still exist, but this is the vet that gives your animal as many shots as they can justify (TO MAKE MONEY) and they hope and pray that the issue goes away. This cannot be the right way to do treat animals. The unsuspicious owners will be duped and the victims will be their animals who cannot speak. Their plan for my cat is to subscribe as many shots as possible till the symptoms go away, or the animal falls deathly ill due to side effects. I have no plan to let that happen. I am filing an ethical complaint against this group at the New York State. Do not take your pet here. It will be worse off.

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A

A Private User

Actually, the New York Post got it right. They may not have identified the correct vet in their article where a horrible incident happened, but the Riverside Group in the W. 70s is just as negligible. I took my cat there after he collapsed a few years ago (my first visit), and was told he couldnt even be seen until I paid nearly $500 up front. While I was in the waiting room coming up with the $500, and my cat was suffering, I was then told the amount needed to even see a vet was raised to $750 and then again to nearly $1000. After tests and exams by an extremely cold vet, the diagnosis was incorrect. I was told there was an infection and gave them more money for medicines and food. A week later, my cat collapsed again and I took him to the Animal Medical Center, who diagnosed him correctly with cancer. The Animal Medical Center was kind, correct, understanding, and saw me through, communicating with emails for the next 2 1/2 years as I took my cat to a homeopathic vet and he lived happily, against all odds. The fact that Riverside additionally sent emails to its clients asking for reviews in the manner they did shows their desperation and lack of dignity. Their main reason for this, they stated, was so they could get new clients. That shows where their interests lie. Please, if your pet is in trouble, take him or her to the Animal Medical Center, or for regular visits, to reputable vets like the Gramercy Medical Group (Dr. Jay Krulwich) or to a homeopathic vet like Dr. Jill Elliot.

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A

A Private User

I went here three times. Each time, I tried to give them the benefit of the doubt about the problems that arose, but things just got worse as time went by. When when I emailed the office with questions, the office manager did not respond...which is irritating when they send you an email right after you leave thanking you for your business and assuring you that email is a great way to communicate. My first vet, Dr. Gambino, was wonderful, and she handled my dogs multiple issues with care, love and attention. However, she left to do a residency, and the person who was assigned to my pet was just, well, terrible. She muzzled my dog by tying his mouth shut with gauze (he has never, before or since, had to be muzzled). The charges for medication were outrageous (about a 60 percent mark-up), especially the holistic remedies, many of which can be bought at 70 percent less at PetCo. The real problem, however, was the fact that on three different occasions, I was kept waiting for at least an hour..twice when I was already in the exam room. I understand that emergencies happen, but in two of the three cases, there was clear indication that there was no emergency. Once, there wasnt even any other patient! Anyway, I really wanted to like this place (I live less than a block away). The staff could not be more pleasant while you wait. But in the end, well, I just dont trust them to do the best for my dog. What a shame that they lost Dr. Gambino.

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CA

carolyn luciano

with regards to antibiotics for a chronic ongoing bladder infection that any dr there should be well versed in handling as I was dr freedmans case for near six years: just an update: dr freedman refused to fill medicine for Sydney today. I have no idea why , as many times in the past ( many many times) , covering Drs have prescribed and filled the medicine, in fact , dr freedman was Sydneys vet for about six years! perhaps his feelings are hurt in some way. nevertheless this was at my dogs expense today. she and I waited all day for medicine only to be told at close to five that nothing was there for her. as the credit card is only on file at 79th, Sydney, because of dr freedman, will have to wait now until Monday. if you could please when you get in to the office and when you get a chance please fax a scrip to the 79 th street office for Monday. I really appreciate the efforts you made today * on your day off, no less* to help Sydney today. like I said it has always been a group effort at the hospital when it comes to writing time sensitive scrips and filling them. and its too bad that dr freedman, one rotten egg has to spoil the batch and Sydney now will suffer until Monday I always thought it is supposed to be an animal hospital after all and I guess my patronage to dr freedman fir six years meant nothing as far as service today thank you for trying anyway hopefully riverside vet can fix their problems sincerely car l

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A

A Private User

Our precious cats have been fortunate to be in the care of the Riverside Vet Group/Ansonia Vet. Hospital on W. 79th, an affiliate of the Riverside Animal Hospital on W. 108th St. We were appalled to hear about the recent irresponsible and devastating article by the New York Post attributing a tragic malpractice at a similarly-named but totally unrelated clinic in Washington Heights, to the Riverside practice on W. 108th. The craven journalism of Rupert Murdock comes closer to home! Because the 108th and 79th facilities share some of the medical staff, I want animal lovers to know about the quality of care given M and Q (names from James Bond!) over their many years. Dr. Freedman and the staff at 79th street have been absolutely fantastic in their professional care and their level of personal concern. As senior citizens, M and Q’s health needs increased greatly in recent years, and I always felt the advice was sound, realistic, and compassionate, with thorough follow-up phone inquiries by the very caring desk staff after office visits and medical procedures. In addition to the office visits Dr. Freedman spent considerable time on the phone patiently going over test results and discussing next options. When we sadly lost M to a fragile heart condition, the office’s expression of sympathy was as for one of their own. Cheryl NY

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