HIGHLY RECOMMENDED by everyone I spoke to who's familiar w/ Dr. Blake & his staff! Had I listened to others, I would have saved my precious cat & me trips to two different vets, $820, & lots of time & worry.
Due to being open just 4 hrs on Saturdays (8 AM-Noon) & being jammed pack w/ clients, Mae (my 1.5 yr old Siberian Forest cat) could not be examined w/o an appointment; however, I was allowed to bring her in to have her temperature taken. Due to her fever still being moderately high, Mae was given fluids thru an IV. I was allowed to take her home (WITHOUT paying yet), & to return her for an 8 AM Monday appt.
Mae returned today for an exam & a possible endoscopy (which two previous pets felt she needed). Today's exam by Dr. Blake was just $42. The fluids on Saturday cost me $25. Thankfully, my cat is much better & a bad virus is suspected; no new tests are necessary, & within 3 wks Mae should be fine. This vet could have easily required his own testing of my feline (a repeat of X-rays, blood tests, fecal & urine screens, etc.)-- but he didn't! That's impressive!
This is a small town, highly qualified vet who provides service that so seldom exists in this day & age. (He even treats exotic animals & offers complete dental services, along w/ cremation that provides a choice of three urns.)
Staffer Brooke spent at least fifteen minutes on the phone w/ me during the initial phone call. She was INCREDIBLE-- incredibly kind, patient, & friendly. Katie, the surgical tech who was responsible for Mae both days, was BEYOND EXCELLENT; it's obvious she truly loves animals & cares about providing excellent service to their human caregivers. Susan, who checked Mae & me in & out today, was a sweetheart. This is an older staff who offers small town manners, professionalism, & personal service.
Even the patrons in the waiting area were very friendly.
I've never seen so many doors held nor have I seen so many strangers greeting others as each entered.
Had I taken all the recommendations of BluePearl in Tampa prior to chancing it w/ this vet, my cat would have cost me $2450 for an overnight & a repeat of tests before additional monies for any test or procedure the internist ordered the following day (including the endoscopy it turns out my cat didn't need). I could have easily spent $5000+ on a cat who simply has a bad virus.
If you think you're going to need many services here (& you're a new customer), buy the Yelp offer; you'll get $150 worth of services (in one visit) for $100.
This is a no frills vet-- the building is a decades old four bedroom house converted into an animal hospital. The patrons I met were all country folk. My helpful neighbor, whose beloved "Buddy" had to be put down last week, refers to Dr. Blake as "the animal whisperer." Each person I spoke to about this veterinarian raves about him. One woman in her 70's stated she's used vets "up north & in Florida for years," & no vet even comes close to being as kind & as qualified as Dr. Blake.
Say no more. I'm sold! From word-of-mouth & from my Mae's experience w/ this veterinary office, my Maine Coon & my Siberians have now found a new vet-- a vet who offers well needed & appreciated Saturday hours! read more