I rarely leave negative reviews, but our experience at Animal Care Clinic was frustrating from…read morebeginning to end.
We brought our senior cat, Huck, in because we had been battling fleas and ear mites for approximately three months. By the time of our appointment, we had finally gotten the flea problem under control, but the ear mites remained our primary concern.
During the initial visit, we were told Huck needed a comprehensive senior exam, which cost approximately $600. We gladly paid because we wanted to make sure he received the care he needed. We were also informed that he required extensive dental work, estimated between $1,700 and $2,700. Fortunately, the final cost was on the lower end of that estimate, around $1,700.
At the first appointment, we were assured that the medication prescribed would address both the flea and ear mite issues. Unfortunately, months later, we are still dealing with the ear problem.
Communication throughout this process was consistently poor. Before appointments, no one provided helpful instructions such as whether we should avoid cleaning Huck's ears beforehand. For his dental procedure, we were told only that drop-off would be between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m. No one mentioned paperwork. When my boyfriend arrived, he was immediately handed paperwork and told it would take about 20 minutes to complete. Naturally, this caused unnecessary stress because he wasn't expecting it. In reality, it was only one page and took just a few minutes.
At Huck's dental follow-up appointment, we arrived early by mistake, then returned shortly after our scheduled time. While waiting, one of the receptionists assisted us while actively eating and speaking with food in her mouth. This was not the first time we had experienced this behavior from staff and it came across as unprofessional.
Although our appointment was scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Huck was not taken back until nearly 10:50. We requested to speak directly with the doctor because we still had concerns about his ears. After examining him, the doctor stated that his ears appeared darker than normal but was unsure whether the issue was ear mites, yeast, or something else. We were then told that microscopic testing could be performed--but it would cost an additional $103.
At that point, I was extremely frustrated. We had already spent well over $2,000 between exams, treatment, and dental care, and the original issue that brought us in still had not been resolved. Being asked to spend even more money simply to determine what was going on felt unreasonable given the circumstances.
While we were waiting, another customer was attempting to pick up medication for his pet after receiving a text notification. Staff appeared unable to locate the medication and repeatedly searched different locations while asking the customer the same questions. It reinforced the impression that the clinic was disorganized and lacking clear communication.
My biggest concern is not the cost. Veterinary care is expensive, and I understand that. My concern is that we spent over $2,000, received repeated assurances that the treatment would address the problem, and yet the original issue remains unresolved. Combined with the poor communication, lack of preparation for appointments, long waits, and unprofessional interactions at the front desk, this experience left us feeling disappointed and frustrated.
I sincerely hope the clinic improves its communication, organization, and follow-through with clients because pet owners deserve clear answers and that their concerns are addressed.
