UPDATE: The Vet Clinic took this review and made HUGE improvements! Before reading the review know that they have changed and do go over prices, services and have you sign a consent prior to service now. Front desk is more informative and a bit more cheered up this time around.
Original Review
I moved to Leander in August so looking for new services in the area I want to examine why the ratings at this place varied. Since I wanted to get a good understanding of this office, I did not ask my usual questions I just wanted them to function how they normally do which would help other animal owners coming to the area. After my visit, I understand why this place has such different ratings, so I decided to break my visit down. There is a huge problem with their billing I will address at the end.
Front Office (2-3 rating)
I visited the office the week before to fill out paperwork and set up an appointment for my three dogs. The person up front was pleasant enough. I told her that my dogs each needed a Bordetella shot and one required rabies. I told them my old vet would fax over their paperwork, I set up the appointment, and that was it. The woman that worked on this day was the 3-star rating since she was nice.
When I came in with my three little ones, the two women in the front were very diminished. My visit was at 930 in the morning, and they looked like they pulled a 24-hour shift. They had very rude and poor attitudes when either of them spoke. What I was there for was never gone over with me by any of the front office employees. (this is important, and I will explain later)
Veterinarian Assistant (3-4 rating)
I gave them a slightly higher rating than the front because the two that were in and out of the room were very nice. Each one seemed so happy around my dogs. After they had pulled the second one, they stated a couple of things they were doing. Again, with this group as well neither stated what they were going to do before they did it. That is why I didn't give them a 4-5 or 5 rating.
Veterinarian (5 rating)
The Veterinarian was very excited to be with my little ones. He explained what shots were to go to each dog before it took place. He also spoke to me in detail about each dog and any problems they may have. He went over the dental procedure that one of my dogs needed in detail as well as gave me an estimate of the procedure.
Prices (4 rating)
Certain services at my last vet were included in a visit such as a nail trim which is not a huge deal. The prices only slightly differed so while some services are more expensive others were slightly cheaper, so it balances out. Breaking it down:
Fecal Examination - 20
Canine Wellness - 25
Bordetella - 15
Heartworm Test - 30
Rabies - 15
In total I paid 285 in which I figured it would run around 300.
Warning to all new animal owners and Huge Issue!!!
As I mentioned before, nothing was gone over with me on what was being done to my dogs until the Vet was involved. Now since I have had them for nine years, I understand that a Wellness exam needs to be done every year as well as how much it would cost. It would also need to be done upon arriving at a new vet. That still does not mean that you can just do procedures on animals without permission, not explain it or say anything until after you do it and then hit the owner with a bill.
When paying up at the front, I was slightly annoyed because one of the women reprimanded the vet assistant for not going over the dental estimate with me. I said it was already gone over, she did not care and made him do it right then and there. The only reason why it annoyed me was that the front of the house failed to go over everything else!
Suggestions for this place: Get signed permission from the owner of the animal before service. Getting signed agreement makes sure that everything is explained; price, what needs to completed, what the owner is willing to have done to the animal. I say willing to do because a fecal exam has never been done on my dogs, it was never required before, and if things were gone over with me, I would have asked if it was mandatory and if it were not I would have refused.
Suggestion to those coming here: Do not be afraid to be vocal or ask questions especially if you are a new animal owner. I got spoiled by my previous Vet and only asked questions if what they went over did not make sense to me. Also, know and understand that the front of the house is unpleasant at times and focus on the people taking care of your animals which are the vet and the vet's assistants who are very pleasant.
-Hope this helps read more