On June 4th we brought our 11 year old Chow-Shephard to Banfield to have her back legs checked out. They did absolutely nothing for her except try to sell you there Wellness Plan, give her all her shots, a pain killer shot and medications. They took no blood samples or xrays because they were short on time and couldn't get her back in to see them until Saturday, June 13th in which they wanted to do a dental cleaning and then due the xrays. Then we were sent home being told her breathing was fine, her heart sounded good and maybe she is just loosing muscle in her back legs. We were given pain meds, antiboitics, and joint vitamins. How do they prescribe anything without knowing what is truly going on her? Anyway on the 2nd day she was very limb and vomiting and I called them to report this. With no concern at all the they told me we couldn't see her until Thursaday, June 11th. and it would have to be a drop off visit. No urgency what so ever. Being said our Prncess died on Wednesday, June 10th. How can they tell you give it the medication with no type of results to look at. Never again will I use Banfield Hospital or get there wellness plan that they charged me for canceling when I only had it for a week.
My family is just truly heart broken and frustrated at this time.
My experience with Banfield Pet Hospital in Renton Landings and Specifically Doctor Little, the Hospital Manager and the front desk Staff.
First visit, I took my 13 year old cat there because I was new to the area and It was close. My cat had an eye infection. they said he had a little dot on his eye cornia. they gave me drops and told me about the wellness plan. 35 dollars a month and you get periodic checkups, dental cleaning, discounts and xrays.
The drops wern't helping and on my next visit it was worse, now a line like a scratch. They then gave me other medication and sent us home with another check up scedule. I called 3 days later and told them it wasnt working. I went in immediately and then was told there was a bubble in his eye and then finally told me they would recommend me to a Opthamologist. I wish they would have done it sooner so I could make the choise sooner. I would have chosen too. By the time I got to the specialist he had only one or two mico measurements left of the layer of cornial covering, and if it bursted it he would have lost his eye.
The doctor wanted to do surgery to patch his eye so it would stop it from bursting, But she looked at his pre surgery blood test. She said with his age and his below average kidney levels, she didn't feel comfortabale doing the surgury. Because if you put him under anesthesia his kidney may not be able to process it out and he could die or have detrimental effects to his abillities. I was happy she erred on the side of Causion. She gave me drops and serum for the eye and I had many visit 3 or 4 follow ups. His eye was healing but, it will take a year to heal. Im not happy with Banfields delay in suggesting that I go to an opthomologist.
A while goes by and Renton Landings Banfield called me and told me it was time for my cats next wellness appointment and dental cleaning. I said ok BUT, he may not be able to have the dental cleaning because his kidney levels are two low and along with his age may not be safe, So I would want to know his kidney levels before they did the dental cleaning because they would have to put him under anesthesia. They said sure, So I made the appointment.
When I dropped him off I told the front desk staff the same thing about his age and low kidney levels and that the opthomologist they sent me to didn't do surgury beceasue she didn't want to risk it. I said I wanted to be called after the blood work and before they did the dental cleaning because I wanted to make the choise.
In the proscess of my check in I was started by one person, then another person took over, I told her the same thing about the age, kidney levels and that the opthomologist they sent me to didn't feel it safe to risk putting him under anesthesia. She wasn't really paying attention becase after I told her all that she asked me "did we refer you to the opthomologist? I Repeated what I had already told her. And reitterated that I wanted to be called before any anesthesia. They said of yes will call.
I wrote on the intake form that the opthomologist didn't feel it safe to put him under anasthesia because of his age and Kidney levels.
Did they call Me after I told about four people about my conserns and that I wanted a call before anesthesia? When about four people said they would call me.
They Did Not Call Me Before!!! They only called me after....and just to ask me If I would approve spending the money to remove teeth.
I was so angry! they made the medical choise to put my cat under Anesthesia and left me out of the decision, even after four people heard my request and I was told yes.
I told that person who called me that, they better take him off ansthesia and wake him up immediately. I tolder I was very angry about there diregard of my request. I can't believe they wouldn't want to put a pet owner at ease or include them in the decision making prossess espessial after multiple request. They were very unapologetic on the phone and even rude to me.
When I got to the office. The Doctor little, one of the practice owners was no different and stood by his decision to not call me and said nothing and did not appologize for his staff for telling me that they would call. Doctor little said it is not his policy to call owners before surgery even if they request it. He said in the wellness program I signed a waiver so he didn't need to call me. He kept trying to tell my about his findings with My cat and I kept cutting him off. Saying I don't care about anything you have to say. I stopped caring about the type of care you would give if you choose as a doctor to leave me out of the decision making prosess of my life long animal I have cared for and been through everything with. he got so angry with me that I wouldn't listen to him, he called "me a piece of work"! I told him I am not paying for this appointment and he told me yes I will and that if I don't it will go to collections. His staff was just angrilly rude to me. Saying in a snyd way to "Have a nice day" when I was leaving. When I went to the front and was waiting for my paper work. I said to the girls that checked me in. Both of you told me I would be called before surgery and they both were silent. No appology.
I Sent the lab results from the Banfield horrible visit to the opthomologist and she told me his kidney levels were the same and that she still wouldn't have put him under anestesia.
I called corporate Banfield and they basically take down your story and send the complaint over to Doctor little and the other community Banfield owners and they make a decision. I got a call from Doctor littles office and that same office Manager and she told me that they would not be refunding my my money. And they have sent me to collections. She was just as rude. After this whole encounter I felt they made me feel like I was a jerk for getting mad because because I wanted a phone call. they didn't seem to comprehend or care that I wanted to be included in the treatments he would recieve. I was reminded I signed a waiver in the wellness contract. This is not how any Vetrinary office has ever treated me before or and personal doctor. I am suprised and Appalled.
These Banfield Hospitals are totally seperate from Pet Smart, they just share commercial space. And They are Franchises so Corporate doesn't help you either.
When I sent the Fax of Bloodworkd to the opthomologist to find out what she thought of My Cats kidney levels and if she would do the surgery, I did so at my apartment complex leasing office. I told the two leasing managers about my treatment & experience by Doctor Little and his staff. One of the leasing magagers said that. She took her dog to banfield also for a dental cleaning and that after it, he could never stand up again and she had to put him to sleep. She said the cause was that they gave him too much anesthesia. She said it was at the Same Renton Landings Banfield Hospital. She said it was the previous franchise owner doctor and that he sold or did something with the franchise in renton landings. Now Doctor Little and his Staff is there. I will forever tell people about my experience with Banfield Pet hospital in the landings Renton Washington and with Banfield corporate.
Following are my personal experience and opinion. Using Banfield's coupon for a "free exam," I took my cat who'd lost his tooth and was exhibiting symptoms of infection. I expected to be overcharged for the antibiotics, but I was shocked and disgusted by what happened when my cat and I got to the Paramus, NJ hospital/store. Keep in mind, that all of what the Banfield vet said, sounds plausible, but I couldn't trust anything she said, due to her focus on making money.
First, the free coupon is false advertising, and is useless, because they won't even check your pet unless you provide written proof of his rabies vaccines, which I didn't have available. (And it doesn't say that anywhere on the coupon.) They insisted he needed a rabies shot before they'd even check him, which I would've agreed to pay for, except that my cat was ill, and not in shape to get a vaccine at that moment. The receptionist said to ask the vet.
The vet comes in and refuses to examine my cat, unless I agree to "sedate" him. I've had pets all my life and have never had to have one sedated just to be examined. Marbles is 11 years old and has never been sedated for an exam. I asked how much it would cost and she had to step out to get an estimate. That's another thing. The vet and the tech kept stepping out and leaving me there for ten minutes at a time. They finally came in at one point with an invoice. When they realized I had no money for them to get, the doctor, without even examining Marbles, said the only thing she could do is possibly start him on "clinical trials of clindamycin." I did agree to try this antibiotic therapy with Marbles, since he's tolerated it before.
Instictively I knew not to put Marbles under general anesthesia, which is what the invoiced drugs were for. I've since researched them online and have found that what Banfield tried to sell me was actually life-threatening for my cat!
1) Animal should have been fasting for 12 hours prior. Marbles had not, and they didn't even ask if he had. The food inside could have caused him to aspirate on his own vomit and die.
2) One of the drugs is contraindicated for cats with hypotension. They did not even check his blood pressure before recommending I allow them to administer this to my cat.
3) One of the drugs is listed on a vethealth website as only to be used for dogs.
They even refused my request for them to take my cat's temperature! What kind of an "exam" is this? After several "stepping outs" they asked if I could remove the cat from his holder, which I did. As I held Marbles, the vet briefly checked his mouth. She said this exam was inconclusive and he needs to undergo "sedation" to be examined further.
When I got home I researched the drugs, and the combination Banfield had suggested was not for sedation, it was for general anesthesia. For a declawed cat (he's an indoor rescue cat). For an initial exam.
Aren't vets trained to examine animals? This "doctor" acted like Marbles was a steaming biohazard. She acted like I was an ATM machine. I can understand her statement that she didn't want to get bit by a rabid cat, but (a) he's not rabid, and (b) every other vet I've ever taken any of my pets to, managed to examine them without sedating them, much less putting them under general anesthesia. And if they didn't have the vaccine info,we'd simply make an appointment to get them the next week when the pet was feeling better.
So, this Banfield hospital is a consumer threat on two levels:
1) free coupon or not, you don't get a free exam, they refuse to examine the animal unless you pay for other services in order to do it, even if you tell them the animal is suffering; you have to negotiate with them even as the cat is on the exam table, as they try to sell you expensive "services,"
and worse:
2) they recommend potentially life-threatening procedures for pets. It's bad enough they do this at all; that they do it for money is even worse.
As it stands, they still recommend that I come in, subject my cat to these procedures, and pay $150, for the (anesthetized) examination alone. That's not even including whatever treatment they may find to be "necessary," which I wouldn't be able to trust anyway, given their unsatisfactory initial handling of my cat.
So now I still need to take him to a reputable vet, to get an actual exam, and treatment he needs for his health, which is really what the veterinarian is there for, not to be a sales associate.
In my personal opinion, keep your animal safe and keep him or her away from Banfield Hospital!
We had scheduled an appointment at the Banfield Pet Hospital located in our local Pet Smart as soon as we saw a worm in our new eight week old puppies stool. I reluctantly scheduled this appointment at the Hospital located in Pet Smart because I had heard for years how they were price gaugers and gave horrible service. I decided to put all this past advice on using Pet Smart's veterinary clinic aside due to the fact that I wanted to treat the worms rapidly and these were new dogs and I am in a new town.
This was a poor decision on my part and I have to accept that since I should have listened to all the past information I had recieved on Pet Smart and it's veterinary services. I printed out a coupon online which stated the Exam would be free and in the small print it said, 'for one pet only', but the receptionist gave us the free exam for both dogs I took in. The receptionist then told us the full set of shots for the older dog would be $120.00 and the younger puppy could only recieve two shots at his age so his cost would be cheaper.
Our appointment was at three o'clock so we arrived fifteen minutes early. We were not seen until three twenty five as several women constantly cackled in the back room that we saw through a glass window in the door and others returned from a smoke break and then caught up on gossip as we waited. The veterinary tech came in to the room and explained that for all the shots and the worms our bill would be two hundred and eighty dollars. I explained how this was odd since the full set of shots for one dog was only one hundred and twenty dollars and the other dog was only getting two shots.
She showed me a huge screen and said she could go over it and then proceeded to tell me that if I wanted to give the dogs two shots of Benadryl it would be forty two dollars more and that would prevent allergic reactions. Having a background in healthcare I saw and recognized that she already had the Benadryl on the total bill and had it listed under it's pharmaceutical name of Dephinhydramine. I pointed that out to her and she said, "Oh yeah". I realized then that I was in a system of switch and bait and oversales techniques with a huge splash of upsell.
I finally agreed to the price if it included the cutting of the larger dog's nails which is another reason that we set up the appointment while having told them the day before over the phone that we wanted the dog's nails trimmed.
When the dogs were brought back out to us I noticed it's nails were not cut. We now had a Doctor who I guess was there version of a hard line used car sales closer who told us that she would not and could not cut the dog's nails and she would be fired if she cut the dog's nails and didn't charge us. I said, "What are you talking about?" I agreed to the price with the nails included. She then informed me that my veterinary tech was a "student". I told her that didn't matter, "In business you stand behind your representatives".
She then dropped the bombshell that the younger puppy hadn't been treated for worms yet and that that would be an additional charge. That was the whole reason for the quick appointment and the main reason for the appointment and the main consultation with the tech for the cost of the appointment. At that point I wanted the Vet tech to come back in and verify what she had told me and the supposed Doctor said she was not going to go get the vet tech because she didn't want me to 'yell' at her. I said, "I'm not going to yell at her, I just want her to tell you what she told me."
This was classic car salesman behavior of having sold you some bull crap and in this case having already shot up both my dogs, thereby obligating me to the three hundred dollars and not having the main purpose of my visit attended to at all. I complained that I wanted to see a manager and the doctor said okay and then immediately told me that the manager wasn't there. Then the Pet Smart manager comes over and he says, "We have nothing to do with this hospital!" I would deny any dealings with them myself as a businessman as well.
Then the doctor tries to insult me by telling me that she will cut the dogs nails for the agreed upon price if I agree to never come back. Yeah, I guess it's hard for her to have someone REPEATEDLY ask for what they were promised. I said, "I surely will never be back." So I guess her getting fired for cutting the dog's nails for "free" was a lie like all of the other verbage that came out of their mouths.
The bottom line is. I recommend a local Veterinary Doctor over this fast food car sales operation that Pet Smart has running out of their facilities. This experience was a nightmare of unequaled proportions in regards to customer service. If you take your pet to Pet Smart to obtain veterinary services then don't say I didn't warn you.
My 17 year old, normally quite healthy and active, tabby cat was losing weight at an alarming rate and was just over 7 1/2 pounds with noticeable swelling in his left hind leg when I scheduled an appointment with Banfield Pet Hospital in Mobile, Alabama. When the Vet entered the examining room, she commented immediately on the low weight but did not physically examine my cat "hands on" for what might be causing the rapid weight loss and swelling in his leg. Instead, she suggested that a Superchem/CBC test be performed assist her diagnosis and also performed a blood pressure examination. The results of the tests reported to me showed no internal problems other than anemia. a heart murmur and some lameness. The Vet suggested x-rays might also assist her diagnosis, but I declined any additional testing. The Vet prescribed Hills A/D to deal with weight loss and I left Banfield Pet Hospital. Total cost for services rendered, $195.44. Well orchestrated Rip Off as I learned within days of my first and last visit ever to Banfield Pet Hospital. Unsatisfied with the Banfield Vet's testing results, I scheduled an appointment with a well respected small animal Vet in West Mobile that had been recommended earlier for a "second opinion" regarding my cat's condition. Within minutes of examining my cat "hands on" and his swollen hind leg, the Vet felt a significant growth in the upper portion of my cat's left hind leg and expressed little doubt that it was fibrosarcoma. He gave me some oral pain med for my cat to deal with the progressively worsening condition/pain but within a week, my cat could not stand up and make his way to his food or even the kitty box. I said my final farewell to my beloved friend I rescued from a high mountain lake in Utah 17 years ago in the presence of MY NEW BEST VET FOREVER on May 29, 2014.
I figure I will just share the lettter I write Banfields coorporate office. Keep in mind they have yet to get back to me and this happened five days ago. I would think an incident this serios they would be more concerned. One women from they specific location commmented on another site where I complained and asked for my info. I refused because they said they would get back o me the next day and they already hae my info. It was just an attempt to make themselves be percieved as helpful on the internet.
Date: April 28, 2014
Banfield Hospital
8000 NE Tillamook
P.O. Box 13998
Portland, OR. 97213-0998
Dear Banfield Hospital:
My name is Sean and I am writing to inform you of my experience at your location in Braintree, Massachusetts. On Friday April 25, 2014 at 5:30pm I brought my ten month old Siberian husky to see the vet for his 9 month routine heartworm test. We entered the building and my dog was acting as he normally does. He was hyper and excited. After waiting about thirty minutes we were called into a room and waited another ten minutes. From there a tech came in and took his temperature with which he struggled a bit, as I expect any dog would. Marissa, the tech, then took my dog Peter to the back room to draw blood. When he returned he was being dragged by the thin orange lead and not guided back by his own collar and leash. He was panting very hard and would not walk to the center of the room. The vet then came in and performed his exam as much as he could. This was very unusual, as my dog has never shown disinterest in the vet. We left with deworming medicine and were on our way. At home Peter would not go out and became incontinent. He is fully housebroken and we figured he was just very stressed out from going to the vet. The following Saturday I was home all day and Peter spent the day lying on the couch. This was very unusual since my dog goes on five-mile runs three days a week and is a typical super crazy husky. I decided to leave him alone still thinking the vet was stressful. What became extraordinarily alarming was when I found out his neck was hurt. Sunday morning when Peter woke up and went down stairs to ring the bells by the door I reached for his collar to put the leash on. He winced and cried in pain and urinated himself right in front of me. He was in pain and would not let my girlfriend or I go near him. Once he calmed down and went to lie on the couch we closely inspected him and also saw he had glass in his front right paw. Thursday night I put mushers cream on his paws and they were fine. Peter spent the whole weekend after leaving the vet at home, inside. We called Banfield in Braintree immediately and explained to them that he was hurt Friday and we needed to speak to someone. This was at 10:58am on Sunday morning. The receptionist whose name I do not have, told us that it is impossible to reach a manager and that there was only an on call vet that day. She also said that no glass is at Banfield. We were later told that there is some glass and even later told that no glass spill has been reported. This is one example of varying stories, thus creating our hesitancy and inability to trust the professional providers caring for our pet. Our entire experience was like this. It seemed everyone had something different to say and when we questioned them, they become very defensive and stopped interacting with us. This made everything very frustrating for us. Our goal was to go and get reassurance that our dog was ok, for someone to say sorry and help us. To our dismay none of these goals were met.
The call ended and we called the VCA. The VCA confirmed that we were right and that our dog’s behavior following the vet was very abnormal. At 11: 14am we received a call back and was told that the surgeon could see Peter in 30 minutes. We arrived in 30 minutes and a tech named Courtney took him out back. When she returned she said I know exactly what you are talking about the glass is between his second and third pad; correct? She then said the doctor was taking care of it and examining his neck. We were then called into a room and asked by the vet to remove his collar so he could examine his neck. We were shocked because we had just been told by the tech that the doctor examined his neck and that he was able to illicit pain on his left side. We then wondered why he would not have taken the collar off or if he had even examined him out back. We were unable to remove his collar because the pain caused him to be very defensive. The petsmart trainer was able to get the collar off without causing any bad behavior, unlike the vet. The vet then diagnosed Peter with neck issues and began telling us that it was an underlying issue that just happened to surface itself after his exam on Friday. The only possible underlying condition in the differential was IVDD, which is more common in older dogs and specific breeds and is not known to effect huskies. All the other differentials were related to trauma, ligament and muscle injury, which was the consensus of the VCA exam as well. The VCA believed IVDD was very unlikely. In addition to telling us we were crazy to think Peter was hurt at Banfield, he said no glass was found, and that it was a lesion that they sanded down and he would need antibiotics. The vet said this lesion had been there a while, however this was not noted on Peter’s exam on Friday. Also his temp was taken and told to us on Friday and was not documented. We were never offered antibiotics, told x-rays could not be done there and to our astonishment found that the vet documented us as refusing these options. Everyone there had no concern and could have cared less about helping us. This is insane. Especially since our dog showed signs of pain and behavior changes after being there on Friday.
The tech was then informed that the practice owner was on the phone. My girlfriend asked that she speak to him in the room. This was for good reason. More than once did staff have conflicting things to say to us and we were getting very uneasy with the differing stories. Also, all morning nobody wanted to talk to us, and we, at this point did not trust her to tell her boss the truth. It’s not hard to believe, seeing as we were told right off the bat that no sort of manager can be reached and that we could not be helped that day. The tech said no I don't have to do that for you and hurriedly walked out the door. This instance is documented by Banfield in an extraordinarily misleading way and depict us as threatening and hostile. Yes we were frustrated. Our dog was brought to the vet and got hurt. We just wanted an apology and for some help and for our dog to be better. Mistakes happen. We have no clue what happens behind the doors of banfield, but we trusted them and it was very disappointing to be treated the way we were. What is true in the documentation is my girlfriend rushing out the door nearly in tears talking about calling animal control. As I am writing this I am thinking of whom I can contact, licensing committees, veterinary schools, animal protection organizations, and so forth. This is how upset we are.
My girlfriend then spoke on the phone with Dr. Massoff. She thought he was clear, empathetic, and willing to help us get through this situation effectively. However we were told he would call us the next day and we never received a phone call.
Once the phone call ended the manager came I to speak with us and was very rude. She never gave us her name and talked in an authoritative tone. She said I’m not here to go over anything and your prescriptions are being made and you need to go to the VCA. This is another instance where I am completely shocked as to how inaccurate it was documented. In her note she says she enters the room and the gentlemen swore at me. The note never says what would have made me curse and I sure hope that upper administration finds this strange. I did say this is bullshit after she said she is not here to go over anything. As I said that I stood up and said I need to leave. As I was leaving she began to yell down the hall at me as if she was kicking me out and I turned and said I was leaving you should have nothing else to say to me. Her note fails to document everything in its entirety and is very misleading. At no time did she show any concern for my pet. My girlfriend was so upset that Banfield’s staff was saying our dog was a biter, but failed to mention this to us in any of our previous visits. She asked to see the notes. The manager started with our first visit, which showed he was perfectly friendly, but she needed to make a comment about how we chose to treat him. She has no license to give medical advice and should not have taken that time to criticize us. We spent just over a hundred dollars and our puppy got better in two days rather than their suggested nine hundred dollar treatment plan when we knew it was kennel cough. Finally, she got to his six-month visit and again there was no note of aggression or warning that our pet was dangerous. I am disgusted that more than one staff member had the audacity to treat us like scum and tell us our dog is a monster when we were returning because he was hurt there. When my girlfriend asked for all the records to be printed out everyone who we had come in contact with was out back and it took her 25 min. to print out the records. We were there for two and a half hours total and did not get to the VCA until 3pm. Poor dog couldn’t get any help until 3pm and his owners were treated very poorly after he was hurt there in the first place. It is possible that Peter getting hurt was a mistake, even though we saw how he was handled Friday, and we are normal considerate people that would have gladly taken an apology and prompt care and continued to be loyal costumers.
Banfield Pet Hospital Reviews
On June 4th we brought our 11 year old Chow-Shephard to Banfield to have her back legs checked out. They did absolutely nothing for her except try to sell you there Wellness Plan, give her all her shots, a pain killer shot and medications. They took no blood samples or xrays because they were short on time and couldn't get her back in to see them until Saturday, June 13th in which they wanted to do a dental cleaning and then due the xrays. Then we were sent home being told her breathing was fine, her heart sounded good and maybe she is just loosing muscle in her back legs. We were given pain meds, antiboitics, and joint vitamins. How do they prescribe anything without knowing what is truly going on her? Anyway on the 2nd day she was very limb and vomiting and I called them to report this. With no concern at all the they told me we couldn't see her until Thursaday, June 11th. and it would have to be a drop off visit. No urgency what so ever. Being said our Prncess died on Wednesday, June 10th. How can they tell you give it the medication with no type of results to look at. Never again will I use Banfield Hospital or get there wellness plan that they charged me for canceling when I only had it for a week.
My family is just truly heart broken and frustrated at this time.
My experience with Banfield Pet Hospital in Renton Landings and Specifically Doctor Little, the Hospital Manager and the front desk Staff.
First visit, I took my 13 year old cat there because I was new to the area and It was close. My cat had an eye infection. they said he had a little dot on his eye cornia. they gave me drops and told me about the wellness plan. 35 dollars a month and you get periodic checkups, dental cleaning, discounts and xrays.
The drops wern't helping and on my next visit it was worse, now a line like a scratch. They then gave me other medication and sent us home with another check up scedule. I called 3 days later and told them it wasnt working. I went in immediately and then was told there was a bubble in his eye and then finally told me they would recommend me to a Opthamologist. I wish they would have done it sooner so I could make the choise sooner. I would have chosen too. By the time I got to the specialist he had only one or two mico measurements left of the layer of cornial covering, and if it bursted it he would have lost his eye.
The doctor wanted to do surgery to patch his eye so it would stop it from bursting, But she looked at his pre surgery blood test. She said with his age and his below average kidney levels, she didn't feel comfortabale doing the surgury. Because if you put him under anesthesia his kidney may not be able to process it out and he could die or have detrimental effects to his abillities. I was happy she erred on the side of Causion. She gave me drops and serum for the eye and I had many visit 3 or 4 follow ups. His eye was healing but, it will take a year to heal. Im not happy with Banfields delay in suggesting that I go to an opthomologist.
A while goes by and Renton Landings Banfield called me and told me it was time for my cats next wellness appointment and dental cleaning. I said ok BUT, he may not be able to have the dental cleaning because his kidney levels are two low and along with his age may not be safe, So I would want to know his kidney levels before they did the dental cleaning because they would have to put him under anesthesia. They said sure, So I made the appointment.
When I dropped him off I told the front desk staff the same thing about his age and low kidney levels and that the opthomologist they sent me to didn't do surgury beceasue she didn't want to risk it. I said I wanted to be called after the blood work and before they did the dental cleaning because I wanted to make the choise.
In the proscess of my check in I was started by one person, then another person took over, I told her the same thing about the age, kidney levels and that the opthomologist they sent me to didn't feel it safe to risk putting him under anesthesia. She wasn't really paying attention becase after I told her all that she asked me "did we refer you to the opthomologist? I Repeated what I had already told her. And reitterated that I wanted to be called before any anesthesia. They said of yes will call.
I wrote on the intake form that the opthomologist didn't feel it safe to put him under anasthesia because of his age and Kidney levels.
Did they call Me after I told about four people about my conserns and that I wanted a call before anesthesia? When about four people said they would call me.
They Did Not Call Me Before!!! They only called me after....and just to ask me If I would approve spending the money to remove teeth.
I was so angry! they made the medical choise to put my cat under Anesthesia and left me out of the decision, even after four people heard my request and I was told yes.
I told that person who called me that, they better take him off ansthesia and wake him up immediately. I tolder I was very angry about there diregard of my request. I can't believe they wouldn't want to put a pet owner at ease or include them in the decision making prossess espessial after multiple request. They were very unapologetic on the phone and even rude to me.
When I got to the office. The Doctor little, one of the practice owners was no different and stood by his decision to not call me and said nothing and did not appologize for his staff for telling me that they would call. Doctor little said it is not his policy to call owners before surgery even if they request it. He said in the wellness program I signed a waiver so he didn't need to call me. He kept trying to tell my about his findings with My cat and I kept cutting him off. Saying I don't care about anything you have to say. I stopped caring about the type of care you would give if you choose as a doctor to leave me out of the decision making prosess of my life long animal I have cared for and been through everything with. he got so angry with me that I wouldn't listen to him, he called "me a piece of work"! I told him I am not paying for this appointment and he told me yes I will and that if I don't it will go to collections. His staff was just angrilly rude to me. Saying in a snyd way to "Have a nice day" when I was leaving. When I went to the front and was waiting for my paper work. I said to the girls that checked me in. Both of you told me I would be called before surgery and they both were silent. No appology.
I Sent the lab results from the Banfield horrible visit to the opthomologist and she told me his kidney levels were the same and that she still wouldn't have put him under anestesia.
I called corporate Banfield and they basically take down your story and send the complaint over to Doctor little and the other community Banfield owners and they make a decision. I got a call from Doctor littles office and that same office Manager and she told me that they would not be refunding my my money. And they have sent me to collections. She was just as rude. After this whole encounter I felt they made me feel like I was a jerk for getting mad because because I wanted a phone call. they didn't seem to comprehend or care that I wanted to be included in the treatments he would recieve. I was reminded I signed a waiver in the wellness contract. This is not how any Vetrinary office has ever treated me before or and personal doctor. I am suprised and Appalled.
These Banfield Hospitals are totally seperate from Pet Smart, they just share commercial space. And They are Franchises so Corporate doesn't help you either.
When I sent the Fax of Bloodworkd to the opthomologist to find out what she thought of My Cats kidney levels and if she would do the surgery, I did so at my apartment complex leasing office. I told the two leasing managers about my treatment & experience by Doctor Little and his staff. One of the leasing magagers said that. She took her dog to banfield also for a dental cleaning and that after it, he could never stand up again and she had to put him to sleep. She said the cause was that they gave him too much anesthesia. She said it was at the Same Renton Landings Banfield Hospital. She said it was the previous franchise owner doctor and that he sold or did something with the franchise in renton landings. Now Doctor Little and his Staff is there. I will forever tell people about my experience with Banfield Pet hospital in the landings Renton Washington and with Banfield corporate.
Following are my personal experience and opinion. Using Banfield's coupon for a "free exam," I took my cat who'd lost his tooth and was exhibiting symptoms of infection. I expected to be overcharged for the antibiotics, but I was shocked and disgusted by what happened when my cat and I got to the Paramus, NJ hospital/store. Keep in mind, that all of what the Banfield vet said, sounds plausible, but I couldn't trust anything she said, due to her focus on making money.
First, the free coupon is false advertising, and is useless, because they won't even check your pet unless you provide written proof of his rabies vaccines, which I didn't have available. (And it doesn't say that anywhere on the coupon.) They insisted he needed a rabies shot before they'd even check him, which I would've agreed to pay for, except that my cat was ill, and not in shape to get a vaccine at that moment. The receptionist said to ask the vet.
The vet comes in and refuses to examine my cat, unless I agree to "sedate" him. I've had pets all my life and have never had to have one sedated just to be examined. Marbles is 11 years old and has never been sedated for an exam. I asked how much it would cost and she had to step out to get an estimate. That's another thing. The vet and the tech kept stepping out and leaving me there for ten minutes at a time. They finally came in at one point with an invoice. When they realized I had no money for them to get, the doctor, without even examining Marbles, said the only thing she could do is possibly start him on "clinical trials of clindamycin." I did agree to try this antibiotic therapy with Marbles, since he's tolerated it before.
Instictively I knew not to put Marbles under general anesthesia, which is what the invoiced drugs were for. I've since researched them online and have found that what Banfield tried to sell me was actually life-threatening for my cat!
1) Animal should have been fasting for 12 hours prior. Marbles had not, and they didn't even ask if he had. The food inside could have caused him to aspirate on his own vomit and die.
2) One of the drugs is contraindicated for cats with hypotension. They did not even check his blood pressure before recommending I allow them to administer this to my cat.
3) One of the drugs is listed on a vethealth website as only to be used for dogs.
They even refused my request for them to take my cat's temperature! What kind of an "exam" is this? After several "stepping outs" they asked if I could remove the cat from his holder, which I did. As I held Marbles, the vet briefly checked his mouth. She said this exam was inconclusive and he needs to undergo "sedation" to be examined further.
When I got home I researched the drugs, and the combination Banfield had suggested was not for sedation, it was for general anesthesia. For a declawed cat (he's an indoor rescue cat). For an initial exam.
Aren't vets trained to examine animals? This "doctor" acted like Marbles was a steaming biohazard. She acted like I was an ATM machine. I can understand her statement that she didn't want to get bit by a rabid cat, but (a) he's not rabid, and (b) every other vet I've ever taken any of my pets to, managed to examine them without sedating them, much less putting them under general anesthesia. And if they didn't have the vaccine info,we'd simply make an appointment to get them the next week when the pet was feeling better.
These are the drugs she ordered:
- antisedan 5 mg/ml injectable.
- Dexdomitor0.5 mg/ml/ Ketamine100mg/ml/ Torbutrol 10mg/ml
So, this Banfield hospital is a consumer threat on two levels:
1) free coupon or not, you don't get a free exam, they refuse to examine the animal unless you pay for other services in order to do it, even if you tell them the animal is suffering; you have to negotiate with them even as the cat is on the exam table, as they try to sell you expensive "services,"
and worse:
2) they recommend potentially life-threatening procedures for pets. It's bad enough they do this at all; that they do it for money is even worse.
As it stands, they still recommend that I come in, subject my cat to these procedures, and pay $150, for the (anesthetized) examination alone. That's not even including whatever treatment they may find to be "necessary," which I wouldn't be able to trust anyway, given their unsatisfactory initial handling of my cat.
So now I still need to take him to a reputable vet, to get an actual exam, and treatment he needs for his health, which is really what the veterinarian is there for, not to be a sales associate.
In my personal opinion, keep your animal safe and keep him or her away from Banfield Hospital!
We had scheduled an appointment at the Banfield Pet Hospital located in our local Pet Smart as soon as we saw a worm in our new eight week old puppies stool. I reluctantly scheduled this appointment at the Hospital located in Pet Smart because I had heard for years how they were price gaugers and gave horrible service. I decided to put all this past advice on using Pet Smart's veterinary clinic aside due to the fact that I wanted to treat the worms rapidly and these were new dogs and I am in a new town.
This was a poor decision on my part and I have to accept that since I should have listened to all the past information I had recieved on Pet Smart and it's veterinary services. I printed out a coupon online which stated the Exam would be free and in the small print it said, 'for one pet only', but the receptionist gave us the free exam for both dogs I took in. The receptionist then told us the full set of shots for the older dog would be $120.00 and the younger puppy could only recieve two shots at his age so his cost would be cheaper.
Our appointment was at three o'clock so we arrived fifteen minutes early. We were not seen until three twenty five as several women constantly cackled in the back room that we saw through a glass window in the door and others returned from a smoke break and then caught up on gossip as we waited. The veterinary tech came in to the room and explained that for all the shots and the worms our bill would be two hundred and eighty dollars. I explained how this was odd since the full set of shots for one dog was only one hundred and twenty dollars and the other dog was only getting two shots.
She showed me a huge screen and said she could go over it and then proceeded to tell me that if I wanted to give the dogs two shots of Benadryl it would be forty two dollars more and that would prevent allergic reactions. Having a background in healthcare I saw and recognized that she already had the Benadryl on the total bill and had it listed under it's pharmaceutical name of Dephinhydramine. I pointed that out to her and she said, "Oh yeah". I realized then that I was in a system of switch and bait and oversales techniques with a huge splash of upsell.
I finally agreed to the price if it included the cutting of the larger dog's nails which is another reason that we set up the appointment while having told them the day before over the phone that we wanted the dog's nails trimmed.
When the dogs were brought back out to us I noticed it's nails were not cut. We now had a Doctor who I guess was there version of a hard line used car sales closer who told us that she would not and could not cut the dog's nails and she would be fired if she cut the dog's nails and didn't charge us. I said, "What are you talking about?" I agreed to the price with the nails included. She then informed me that my veterinary tech was a "student". I told her that didn't matter, "In business you stand behind your representatives".
She then dropped the bombshell that the younger puppy hadn't been treated for worms yet and that that would be an additional charge. That was the whole reason for the quick appointment and the main reason for the appointment and the main consultation with the tech for the cost of the appointment. At that point I wanted the Vet tech to come back in and verify what she had told me and the supposed Doctor said she was not going to go get the vet tech because she didn't want me to 'yell' at her. I said, "I'm not going to yell at her, I just want her to tell you what she told me."
This was classic car salesman behavior of having sold you some bull crap and in this case having already shot up both my dogs, thereby obligating me to the three hundred dollars and not having the main purpose of my visit attended to at all. I complained that I wanted to see a manager and the doctor said okay and then immediately told me that the manager wasn't there. Then the Pet Smart manager comes over and he says, "We have nothing to do with this hospital!" I would deny any dealings with them myself as a businessman as well.
Then the doctor tries to insult me by telling me that she will cut the dogs nails for the agreed upon price if I agree to never come back. Yeah, I guess it's hard for her to have someone REPEATEDLY ask for what they were promised. I said, "I surely will never be back." So I guess her getting fired for cutting the dog's nails for "free" was a lie like all of the other verbage that came out of their mouths.
The bottom line is. I recommend a local Veterinary Doctor over this fast food car sales operation that Pet Smart has running out of their facilities. This experience was a nightmare of unequaled proportions in regards to customer service. If you take your pet to Pet Smart to obtain veterinary services then don't say I didn't warn you.
My 17 year old, normally quite healthy and active, tabby cat was losing weight at an alarming rate and was just over 7 1/2 pounds with noticeable swelling in his left hind leg when I scheduled an appointment with Banfield Pet Hospital in Mobile, Alabama. When the Vet entered the examining room, she commented immediately on the low weight but did not physically examine my cat "hands on" for what might be causing the rapid weight loss and swelling in his leg. Instead, she suggested that a Superchem/CBC test be performed assist her diagnosis and also performed a blood pressure examination. The results of the tests reported to me showed no internal problems other than anemia. a heart murmur and some lameness. The Vet suggested x-rays might also assist her diagnosis, but I declined any additional testing. The Vet prescribed Hills A/D to deal with weight loss and I left Banfield Pet Hospital. Total cost for services rendered, $195.44. Well orchestrated Rip Off as I learned within days of my first and last visit ever to Banfield Pet Hospital. Unsatisfied with the Banfield Vet's testing results, I scheduled an appointment with a well respected small animal Vet in West Mobile that had been recommended earlier for a "second opinion" regarding my cat's condition. Within minutes of examining my cat "hands on" and his swollen hind leg, the Vet felt a significant growth in the upper portion of my cat's left hind leg and expressed little doubt that it was fibrosarcoma. He gave me some oral pain med for my cat to deal with the progressively worsening condition/pain but within a week, my cat could not stand up and make his way to his food or even the kitty box. I said my final farewell to my beloved friend I rescued from a high mountain lake in Utah 17 years ago in the presence of MY NEW BEST VET FOREVER on May 29, 2014.
I figure I will just share the lettter I write Banfields coorporate office. Keep in mind they have yet to get back to me and this happened five days ago. I would think an incident this serios they would be more concerned. One women from they specific location commmented on another site where I complained and asked for my info. I refused because they said they would get back o me the next day and they already hae my info. It was just an attempt to make themselves be percieved as helpful on the internet.
Date: April 28, 2014
Banfield Hospital
8000 NE Tillamook
P.O. Box 13998
Portland, OR. 97213-0998
Dear Banfield Hospital:
My name is Sean and I am writing to inform you of my experience at your location in Braintree, Massachusetts. On Friday April 25, 2014 at 5:30pm I brought my ten month old Siberian husky to see the vet for his 9 month routine heartworm test. We entered the building and my dog was acting as he normally does. He was hyper and excited. After waiting about thirty minutes we were called into a room and waited another ten minutes. From there a tech came in and took his temperature with which he struggled a bit, as I expect any dog would. Marissa, the tech, then took my dog Peter to the back room to draw blood. When he returned he was being dragged by the thin orange lead and not guided back by his own collar and leash. He was panting very hard and would not walk to the center of the room. The vet then came in and performed his exam as much as he could. This was very unusual, as my dog has never shown disinterest in the vet. We left with deworming medicine and were on our way. At home Peter would not go out and became incontinent. He is fully housebroken and we figured he was just very stressed out from going to the vet. The following Saturday I was home all day and Peter spent the day lying on the couch. This was very unusual since my dog goes on five-mile runs three days a week and is a typical super crazy husky. I decided to leave him alone still thinking the vet was stressful. What became extraordinarily alarming was when I found out his neck was hurt. Sunday morning when Peter woke up and went down stairs to ring the bells by the door I reached for his collar to put the leash on. He winced and cried in pain and urinated himself right in front of me. He was in pain and would not let my girlfriend or I go near him. Once he calmed down and went to lie on the couch we closely inspected him and also saw he had glass in his front right paw. Thursday night I put mushers cream on his paws and they were fine. Peter spent the whole weekend after leaving the vet at home, inside. We called Banfield in Braintree immediately and explained to them that he was hurt Friday and we needed to speak to someone. This was at 10:58am on Sunday morning. The receptionist whose name I do not have, told us that it is impossible to reach a manager and that there was only an on call vet that day. She also said that no glass is at Banfield. We were later told that there is some glass and even later told that no glass spill has been reported. This is one example of varying stories, thus creating our hesitancy and inability to trust the professional providers caring for our pet. Our entire experience was like this. It seemed everyone had something different to say and when we questioned them, they become very defensive and stopped interacting with us. This made everything very frustrating for us. Our goal was to go and get reassurance that our dog was ok, for someone to say sorry and help us. To our dismay none of these goals were met.
The call ended and we called the VCA. The VCA confirmed that we were right and that our dog’s behavior following the vet was very abnormal. At 11: 14am we received a call back and was told that the surgeon could see Peter in 30 minutes. We arrived in 30 minutes and a tech named Courtney took him out back. When she returned she said I know exactly what you are talking about the glass is between his second and third pad; correct? She then said the doctor was taking care of it and examining his neck. We were then called into a room and asked by the vet to remove his collar so he could examine his neck. We were shocked because we had just been told by the tech that the doctor examined his neck and that he was able to illicit pain on his left side. We then wondered why he would not have taken the collar off or if he had even examined him out back. We were unable to remove his collar because the pain caused him to be very defensive. The petsmart trainer was able to get the collar off without causing any bad behavior, unlike the vet. The vet then diagnosed Peter with neck issues and began telling us that it was an underlying issue that just happened to surface itself after his exam on Friday. The only possible underlying condition in the differential was IVDD, which is more common in older dogs and specific breeds and is not known to effect huskies. All the other differentials were related to trauma, ligament and muscle injury, which was the consensus of the VCA exam as well. The VCA believed IVDD was very unlikely. In addition to telling us we were crazy to think Peter was hurt at Banfield, he said no glass was found, and that it was a lesion that they sanded down and he would need antibiotics. The vet said this lesion had been there a while, however this was not noted on Peter’s exam on Friday. Also his temp was taken and told to us on Friday and was not documented. We were never offered antibiotics, told x-rays could not be done there and to our astonishment found that the vet documented us as refusing these options. Everyone there had no concern and could have cared less about helping us. This is insane. Especially since our dog showed signs of pain and behavior changes after being there on Friday.
The tech was then informed that the practice owner was on the phone. My girlfriend asked that she speak to him in the room. This was for good reason. More than once did staff have conflicting things to say to us and we were getting very uneasy with the differing stories. Also, all morning nobody wanted to talk to us, and we, at this point did not trust her to tell her boss the truth. It’s not hard to believe, seeing as we were told right off the bat that no sort of manager can be reached and that we could not be helped that day. The tech said no I don't have to do that for you and hurriedly walked out the door. This instance is documented by Banfield in an extraordinarily misleading way and depict us as threatening and hostile. Yes we were frustrated. Our dog was brought to the vet and got hurt. We just wanted an apology and for some help and for our dog to be better. Mistakes happen. We have no clue what happens behind the doors of banfield, but we trusted them and it was very disappointing to be treated the way we were. What is true in the documentation is my girlfriend rushing out the door nearly in tears talking about calling animal control. As I am writing this I am thinking of whom I can contact, licensing committees, veterinary schools, animal protection organizations, and so forth. This is how upset we are.
My girlfriend then spoke on the phone with Dr. Massoff. She thought he was clear, empathetic, and willing to help us get through this situation effectively. However we were told he would call us the next day and we never received a phone call.
Once the phone call ended the manager came I to speak with us and was very rude. She never gave us her name and talked in an authoritative tone. She said I’m not here to go over anything and your prescriptions are being made and you need to go to the VCA. This is another instance where I am completely shocked as to how inaccurate it was documented. In her note she says she enters the room and the gentlemen swore at me. The note never says what would have made me curse and I sure hope that upper administration finds this strange. I did say this is bullshit after she said she is not here to go over anything. As I said that I stood up and said I need to leave. As I was leaving she began to yell down the hall at me as if she was kicking me out and I turned and said I was leaving you should have nothing else to say to me. Her note fails to document everything in its entirety and is very misleading. At no time did she show any concern for my pet. My girlfriend was so upset that Banfield’s staff was saying our dog was a biter, but failed to mention this to us in any of our previous visits. She asked to see the notes. The manager started with our first visit, which showed he was perfectly friendly, but she needed to make a comment about how we chose to treat him. She has no license to give medical advice and should not have taken that time to criticize us. We spent just over a hundred dollars and our puppy got better in two days rather than their suggested nine hundred dollar treatment plan when we knew it was kennel cough. Finally, she got to his six-month visit and again there was no note of aggression or warning that our pet was dangerous. I am disgusted that more than one staff member had the audacity to treat us like scum and tell us our dog is a monster when we were returning because he was hurt there. When my girlfriend asked for all the records to be printed out everyone who we had come in contact with was out back and it took her 25 min. to print out the records. We were there for two and a half hours total and did not get to the VCA until 3pm. Poor dog couldn’t get any help until 3pm and his owners were treated very poorly after he was hurt there in the first place. It is possible that Peter getting hurt was a mistake, even though we saw how he was handled Friday, and we are normal considerate people that would have gladly taken an apology and prompt care and continued to be loyal costumers.
Sincerely,