Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center of Westbury

Reviews 3

MI

Michael Filoramo

When I came home from work one night to see my beloved dog of 13 years, a dachshund, lying in her bed nearly motionlessly, I was petrified. Rousing her with her favorite treats didn’t seem to work, nor did trying to help her up myself. She simply lay there, staring at me confusedly, unable to hold herself up. She was quivering in pain. I was terrified, confused, knew that I had to take her someplace that would be able to provide her with the care she needed. Moreover, I needed to take her to a physician that could give me answers and a plan of action going forward. So I bolted out of the house and drove to Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center of Westbury——a place I had taken both of my dogs to in the past and received thorough, flawless care. From the moment I got there, the receptionist was extremely kind, professional and calming. She set me up with the appointment I called for on my way over, and gave me the paperwork I needed to fill out. After an initial examination, the vet tech told me he believed my dog had a bulging disc in her neck, which was pressing on her nerves and causing immobility. While she wasn’t paralyzed in any of her legs, the vet reassured me that she had an excellent prognosis if we were to take the surgical route. She would be given an MRI the next morning, then go straight into surgery upon confirmation of her initial diagnosis. While everything was explained to me clearly, I was nervous about the decision to give my dog surgery. All of this was overwhelming, and I felt uneasy about making a decision of any kind. I was confident in what the doctor told me, but like any dog owner going through a similar situation, there is an inherent sense of doubt and uneasiness that comes with having to make a decision as big as major surgery. After speaking with my family members, I made the decision: I would have my dog undergo an MRI and surgery. Turns out they were right——Not only did my dog have a bulging disc, but they found a ruptured disc, too. Dr. Santare was the neurosurgeon who operated on my dog. Never have I met a veterinary professional who was as professional, caring, kind and understanding as herself. Over the next few days, both herself and the other veterinary staff were in constant communication with me, every step of the way. They allowed me to come in whenever I wanted to spend as much time as I wanted with my dog. They pampered her, took wonderful care of her, and gave me detailed and clear at-home instructions for recovery. I can’t tell you how scary it was seeing my dog walk again but wobble around and fall. At times I wondered if my dog would ever be the same, since she’s 13 and a dachshund, who are naturally prone to spinal disc-related injuries and ruptures. I remembered how they promised me initially that she had an excellent chance of a great prognosis. While she was wobbling around the next two weeks, and while I held my breath every time, it turns out they were right all along: Today, my wonderful dog is back to her normal self. Dr. Santare performed a precise and flawless neck surgery on her, the entire staff took excellent care of her and ensured a perfect recovery, and today she is her hyperactive, goofy and loving old self. Thank you Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center of Westbury. You saved my dog’s life, and you sure brightened up mine.

DA

Dalena Tran

I brought my 8 month old Shiba Inu here last night at about 11 pm after she got into a bottle of pills. First of all, let me say that the night staff I interacted with were great. The receptionist was nice and the doctor was very competent and friendly. I walked in and at first they tell me I have to call poison control (which is a $65 charge) to tell them what happened, what she ingested, how much and her weight and age. After I give that information, the receptionist over the phone gives a vet the information, then I am given a claim number to give to the vet I am seeing for them to call to get the instructions. This process took 20 minutes. Now my question is, what if it was a life or death situation? 20 minutes could be fatal. And why am I calling? I am not the doctor or technician. I have already given all that information to the vet staff .. The doctor tells me my puppy should stay overnight. Im told they round on the pets at 8 am and I should get a phone call with an update between 9 and 9:30 am. By 10 am, I dont get a phone call. So I call them myself. I speak to the vet who first of all does not at all sound confident in my puppys care. AND could not even specify her correct gender. Busy or not, the LEAST you could do is look at what the gender of the pet is. She says she thinks my puppy should stay for observation until 5 or 6. I say I will come in to visit around 2. I come in at 2:30 (I even called ahead to tell them Im coming) to see my pup. I ask to see the vet and the tech said due to emergencies coming in, it would be an hour to an hour and a half. Which is ridiculous. My friend and I agreed to wait and took her outside and she was running around, making me think that she did not need to stay the extra hours. I decide I want her discharged. 3:30. No one has come in to see us or check on us. So I go to reception and tell them that I want my dog discharged NOW. The receptionist tells me she will relay the message. She then comes in and says it will be about a half hour as the doctor needs to finish the paperwork after she is finished with an emergency. 4:30. Still have not been seen by anyone. I angrily walk out to reception again. Same answer. 5:00. Im told the vet is next door and will come see me next. 5:30. The vet tech comes in and tells me that the doctor has released the paperwork and I can take my dog home. But the doctor still can not see me. I have been here for 3 hours and I have NO report on the care given to my pet. 5:45. I am left to dispute one of the charges on my invoice. I am furious and extremely displeased with the service. I will not bring my dog here again.

CY

Cynthia Corso

My Rating is more like 2.5 stars - After my Golden Retriever ate a few corn cobs he had to have surgery to remove which my personal vet performed around 7 pm. However they did not have the resources to care for him overnight, so I was referred to VREC. I was told they could care for him overnight and administer fluids and meds as necessary. Initially I felt good about the facility and the Dr I met with that night. There was some concern my dog may have some fluid in his lungs so extra care was needed. I was given an estimate that rocked my world--it was double of what my vet charged who did the actual surgery--I mean WTH!! $2500 to watch my dog and give him fluids and meds?? But what choice did I have, my dog is like one of my children--so out came my credit card. The next day I was told I would get a call between 9-9:30 at 10:15 no call so I called and was told a Dr was on another call and would call me back--at 11 no call so I traveled the 25 minutes to get a report in person and to visit my pet. Upon arrival I had to wait over 45 min and had to get "snippy" to at least get a report that there wasnt an issue. When I finally got to see the Dr I received a very good thorough report however I would have appreciated being able to see my dog while I had to wait for the Dr. Later that day I get a call informing me that the intake Dr did not include certain medications and the estimate had to be redone. Im like OK--just meds what choice do I have. I said I was coming in later with my kids to visit and would take care of it when I picked him up. I was told another deposit had to be made before I visited and they could take the info on the phone right now. I mean, are you kidding me, I already gave a deposit of $1700 and now youre saying I couldnt visit until I made another deposit??? So I had to give another $1100 for meds apparently??? Clearly this place has money issues--although with the recent construction taking place I dont know if thats a result of good business or ripping people off and taking advantage of them??? I feel they have good Drs and staff members, but their pricing is beyond ridiculous and they clearly do things that may not be needed to jack up the bill. I will now try and find a more responsible priced 24 vet or at least ones that dont hold me hostage.