Westside Veterinary Center

Reviews 3

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Nicholas Hovsepian

Warning! DO NOT BRING YOUR PET HERE FOR WEEKEND/AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY CARE!!!! Theyll keep your pet for hours of observation, but when the time comes to take action, they do not have the staffing. My dog Prunella was brought in late Saturday evening after we suspected she had swallowed a foreign object. I had called the Vet Center after Prunella threw up and had blood in her vomit. Initially, phone conversations with the vet on call ended with the recommendation that we wait to bring Prunella in until Sunday morning. As she continued to vomit blood, I expressed interest in Prunella receiving immediate attention. The male doctor on-call on Saturday night seemed to feel as though Prunella’s condition was non-threatening and that he wished to give her an x-ray and keep her overnight to “ease our mind.” And honestly, he just gave us the impression that he was irritated to have his Saturday night interrupted. However, in the morning Dr. Lewis, informed us that if Prunella had an obstruction and needed to have surgery that the Westside Vet Center could not help her until Monday. She then referred us to Blue Pearl. Because Prunella required immediate attention, I wish we would’ve received this bit of information on Saturday evening. We could have saved a great deal of time, money, and grief if we were initially referred to Blue Pearl. Though I understand it is not ideal for patients to come to the Vet Center during the evening, we were under the assumption that center would be available to provide Prunella with the care she needed. Not until after Prunella stayed overnight at the Vet Center and received $1,200 worth of observation did we receive the notification that the Vet Center did not have the proper weekend staffing to meet Prunella’s needs. The only follow-up we have received post-operation was from Rubin at the reception desk who first asked how things went at Blue Pearl and then said we “more importantly” needed to discuss how the balance of our bill would be paid. As a first time dog owner, I know that I may be naïve to what should be the proper procedure for pet health care; however, I think that the staff available on Saturday was monetarily irresponsible. $1,200 is a high price to pay for wasted time, little prognosis, and a referral to another veterinary clinic where we should have taken her in the first place. This whole interaction has really made me question whether we shall continue brining our pets to your facility. After sending in a complaint, we were told that management would be calling us to discuss what happened. We followed up again and were told the same thing. We have yet to be contacted by management here. We have, though, received a bill in the mail. Horrible service, excuses, and broken promises of being contacted by management. Is this really the way to run a business supposedly centered on the well-being of our pets?

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Dennis Beck

I was a customer at Westside Vet Center for over 30 years. Their prices have always been higher than any other vet on the westside, but I used them because they were two blocks from my house and fortunately, I didnt need them very often. They always tried to find issues when we would take our dogs or cats in for regular checkups and shots. A Westie I previously had, suffered from allergies and I took him in for a checkup. They said he probably had Cushings and they needed to do a lot of tests. I spent a lot of money - over $1000.00 and it turned out there was nothing wrong with him. In the end, they told me to give him 25 mg of Benadryl! Why didnt they tell me to try that first?! I recently took my 13 year old Westie in for his yearly check-up. They told me his liver count was high and started to recommend a lot of very expensive tests. Ive since found out that most Westies his age do have high liver counts. They also told me he needed his teeth cleaned although he had them cleaned exactly one year ago. Hes had his teeth cleaned twice now during his whole life without any problems. Why all of a sudden would he need his teeth cleaned at least once a year with no issues?! They told me they would have to get his liver enzymes down before his teeth cleaning. Since he was asymptomatic, I told them I would like to try a supplement first, which they gave me which turns out to be mostly milk thistle. When they found out I wasnt going to pay for the expensive testing, they then scheduled the teeth cleaning. That was $400.00 with no extractions. He also had a Cyst on his head that we requested they remove because he kept breaking it open. That was $400.00. They wanted us to schedule a visit for the suture removal, which was about three stitches. The wound was completely healed, no issues and they charged $30.00 for less than 15 seconds to remove the sutures. Well, at that point I was pissed to say the least. This was a follow-up and they were petty enough to charge $30.00 after I had just paid them $800. Not to mention the amount Ive paid them over the last 30 years! I spoke to the office manager Murray and he would not waive the $30.00. They have lost a 30 year customer over $30.00. For all pet owners, please be aware, there are cheaper vets on the westside that wont rip you off and wont put your pets through unnecessary stress on expensive testing and routines.

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Madeline Gleich

My second contact with Westside turned out to be an emergency in that my dog, Ellie, could not stop vomiting or even hold water down. I called reception and immediately was put in touch with a nurse who asked more questions about the dog; she already had the chart in front of her. The nurse advised that I bring Ellie in and explained her thinking as to why the dog needed to be seen. An appointment was arranged with Dr Rutherford who was available at a time I could manage. When I arrived the nurse Id spoken to came out and introduced herself. Everyone was friendly and caring. Dr Rutherford was on time and very gentle with Ellie, who was both weak and frightened.. After an examination it was recommended that Ellie stay overnight to be monitored and to receive IV fluids because she was severely dehydrated with some fever. I phoned the next morning and was told Ellie could come home and they would tell me how to handle her still weakened condition. I saw Dr Rutherford again when I came to pick Ellie up and she reiterated the instructions. It was clear to me that although delighted to see me, Ellie had had a safe and comfortable time while staying at Westside. More problems emerged over the next few days and each time a nurse spoke with me first, evaluated the situation appropriately, and made the necessary arrangements for me to come in and see the Doctor. My calls were handled promptly. Ellie and I were at Westside almost every day for the next 4 days. My personal scheduling needs were always recognized and every effort was made to accommodate them. Dr Rutherford even stayed late one night to be able to see me. She was always very thorough, thoughtful and willing to explain. During all of these visits before anything was done, I was given an estimated cost breakdown and explanation of what was recommended and why. Although we were there a lot, I never felt I was told to come in without reason and fees charged seemed appropriate to past experiences in the neighborhood. Most importantly, Ellie is completely well and I feel very reassured about being able to obtain good medical care for her in a timely way should the need arise. I should also comment that a nurse is on the premises 24/7 and is available by phone should something occur "after hours".