Sorry to say this experience was very poor. In the past my experiences were good with Dr.Kelly (2 dental cleanings and a neuter back when it was mobile unit only), but the rapid growth may be sabotaging the business.
I received a quote for my dogs ( 4 yr and 6 yr). They had a dental cleaning two years prior which all checked out. The estimate included possible extractions (even though they wouldn't know till the dogs were on the table) and just an FYI a base cleaning was quoted at $271. The deposit for each dog was $100.
I arrive on the day of the cleanings only to be told that if I want my dogs to be comfortable during the surgery I can pay $91 (each) for IV fluids. I declined as I wasn't told about this ahead of time (and at two dogs, that's another $182), and I started to get a bad feeling about "surprise" charges. Of course I would want to have my dogs comfortable. So that sucked.
I am told before I leave, by a quick once over, that the one dog looked good and the other may have some extractions. I signed paperwork, but made a note on it not to make any extractions till they get a hold of me.
About a half hour later I am called with information that my one dog needed 13 extractions to the tune of $671 (additional to $100 deposit). This is about 1/4 of my dogs teeth and they were all the front ones. Anyway, I was pretty shocked and not prepared for that. There was a lot of pressure as they said my dog was asleep on the table and they are waiting for my answer. After discussing with my husband, I called them back and said we want to decline the extractions. Then after being passed from nurse to office manager (not unlike a car dealership) I explain I just don't feel comfortable doing that at this time. I am then told that they will send me home with some antibiotics and painkillers and that they will deny my other dogs teeth cleaning. Wow. They said it's not in my dog's best interest since I didn't do what they recommended. I guess having my dog's teeth clean is not in his best interest or their financial interest if I do not do extractions.
I come to pick up the dogs and since they only did the one, with the meds it came to a total of $361. I ask that they apply my other dogs $100 deposit (who they declined to treat) to the bill. They tell me that I forfeited that deposit. I said that they did not render services. I brought the dog and he was here for his cleaning and they decided to punish him because I didn't do the extraction on my other dog. I guess I win this argument, as they decide they will apply it to my bill. But note to yourself that probably for ongoing interactions you will have to consent to whatever they recommend or they will not treat your fur baby and deny the refund of deposit. Even when a human goes to a doctor, the patient has the right to decline or postpone or think about it.
In the end, I am really happy my fur baby has all her teeth. None of the teeth have fallen out. The ones that they wanted to pull were rated a stage 2 (out of 4). I just looked it up, and it stage 2 and 3 usually require dental cleaning under anethesia (which we did) and stage 4 is extraction. In light of this, I am even more upset by this whole interaction. So I am extra glad I didn't let them pressure me into her teeth removable. If they came back to us with 2-3 teeth needing extraction, we probably would have been fine with it - but 13 teeth threw me off right away. I wouldn't really trust them after this. I will do my best to maintain her dental health, but unfortunately will not be back to Dr.Kellys. As I mentioned, their move from mobile to store fronts must require them to make more money to keep the locations. They have lost that low cost status with all the added expenses. read more