OK, when I first moved to Lawrence two years ago I had a cat. I also was full-time caregiver for my mom so I never got to take my cat to any veterinary help here for the last two years. When my cat passed away recently and I was seeking a new pet but didn't really know how to go about it. I was given my new for baby brownie as a gift. I was looking for a veterinary clinic to take him to and it was kind a hard to choose because there are so many veterinary clinics in this Town. I think Lawrence has more veterinary clinics than I've ever seen in quite a long time so after searching for a little bit I decided to go with This place. The The location of this veterinary clinic is really tucked away and if you don't know the area you will pass by it. I think they could've chosen a better building so that it would be easily noticed and accessible.The clinic looks small from the outside and unfortunately due to Covid I haven't been given the opportunity to see what the inside looks like. Their Covid policy I don't really care for, although I understand it. Their policy is that when you have an appointment with your pet, you are to pull up, park and the nurse comes out, takes your pet inside and does whatever procedure you ask, then the nurse brings the pet back out to the car with a total of what they've done. Prior to the nurse bringing your pet out, you do receive a call from the vet to kind of give you an idea of what they did and what is the next step. Now for some pet owners who have had their pets for a long time and may have felt comfortable letting their pet go in because they've dealt with these people before, they may have been ok with thatf but someone like me, who just got my pet and having to hand him over to a stranger and not even escort him inside for his first veterinary appointment was a little strange. I didn't like it, as I've stated before I do understand why it's like that I just didn't like it. But fortunately for brownie, the visit went well, the veterinarian name Dr. Roland spoke with me and told me everything that she had done and what to expect in the in the coming months. So far I am pleased with the services I received the pricing was affordable and they seem to all take a liking to brownie ,and that meant more to me than anything. I truly based my return on how he was receptive to them. the fact that he was very playful and receptive I will definitely be bringing brownie back for his future appointments. They really made brownie feel at home. read more

Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital - He's little scared - Veterinarians Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

The veterinarians at Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital demonstrate competence in their practice, but slightly taken aback by the perception of them being money-hungry due to the seemingly exorbitant fees per service, I question the necessity of an upfront $60 per dog "exam" fee that may not always result in a thorough assessment, especially when additional charges are incurred for addressing the initial/exam reason for the visit. Why do I have to argue with them EVERY visit about taking my dog(s) back into another back room without me, to do simple things like a blood draw or nail trim? We are already in a private room, what is it that you are doing that you don't want me to see... this policy I find intolerable. One of my dogs is mortified without me in the room. When I brought my dogs in for their annual heartworm tests, they tried to sell me multiple packages of Heartgard seemed unnecessary since I already had some at home, and I wasn't sure I wanted to purchase from them. I added the heartguard to an existing retailer online order I already had going, and was confused when the retailer said my vet would not approve it? Wakarusa called and said You know you can buy that from us, I said I already had an existing order that I am adding it to from an online retailer. They told me they would not approve it since I am not buying it from them unless I pay them an additional $10! After I have spent thousands there! This experience left me feeling exploited, especially after consistent patronage. They must make a lot of money from Heartguard or get some kind of kickback. I like to have a choice as to where I purchase from without paying a ransom. It feels a bit like a used car sales experience. read more

This is my new veterinary office and Dr Rowland is my new vet, she is the best!!! I have a small dog with some tummy trouble that has been going to the ER this year because he seems to get sick on the weekends or holidays. (And we don't have a vet yet). During our last ER visit they recommended this place and we followed up with them. I can't say enough wonderful things about them. We've done some testing and dietary changes with Dr Rowland's guidance and my little guy is doing well. Thanks so much for taking care of my furbaby. read more

I'm totally astonished by the not-so-great- 1-star reviews! My sweet girl and I had our first visit with the vet and staff members yesterday and I was totally satisfied! Dr. Amend was very knowledgeable, welcoming and professional in her handling of my pet's condition and I left feeling such relief and appreciation. Many Thanks! read more

Expanded hours to try to continue to see as many patients as possible during this time. Pet moms and dads aren't allowed into the building (haven't been for months). You call when you arrive, parking spots are numbered. They come to the car to get your pet. The system could work better, but it's not bad all things considered. I really dislike not being able to be present for an exam/treatment or to be able to talk to the vet face to face. Otherwise, still great as usual. read more

See all

Very sympathetic and empathetic staff for our dear cat's end of life care. Highly recommended

A very nice animal hospital. Clean, bright and open waiting area. Friendly and cheerful staff. No unusual smells. Percy was getting his shots up to date as my son and his cat just moved to town. Dr. Sabra Amend was wonderful as Percy can be quite a handful. Her assistant was also good too. They also provided a loaner carrier to get Percy home. Mark. read more

They are always so happy and excited to see my dogs when they all come in !! And are always eager to help and answer any questions brought their way ! Penni, ivy and tori love you Wakarusa veterinary hospital. !! read more

Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital - Veterinarians Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

I had a really odd experience at Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital. I looked at the three reviews on here and figured they would be a good choice for a first-time pet owner. I brought my cat in and they were quick to get her in a room. The vet and vet techs were all fond of my little kitten and seemed very affectionate, but I found her overall examination to be lacking. They did not look in my kitten's ears during the exam, even after explaining she had lived on a farm with several other cats, which I found odd. They also didn't just de-worm her, they instructed me to get a fecal sample and bring it back, which I also found odd. After her visit, I noticed she was scratching her ears a lot, so I took her to another vet that diagnosed her with ear mites. This could have easily been treated earlier had they looked into her ear canal during the visit. My biggest issue with this hospital was the pricing. For the first set of shots and an exam cost me over $100. Her rabies and follow-up was priced for $75. Then, maybe the biggest surprise, was how much her spay was going to cost. I was quoted over $300, the most expensive spay I have heard of to date. I ended up taking my cat all the way to Kansas City to have her treated at a more affordable ASPCA sponsored clinic and, quite frankly, is worth the drive and gas for the price. Overall, great people who care about animals, but the exam and prices leave a lot to be desired. read more

I think Dr. Rowland is a good doctor, but after taking in my dog following a bout of diarrhea (which has happened to her exactly once before in the two years I'd had her), I was subjected to some absolutely outrageous treatment by her vet tech, who was beyond rude, abrasive, and obnoxious. I do NOT need to buy crappy Science Diet food because of one bout of diarrhea, which was caused either by the two or three chicken nuggets my niece gave her - or the fancy raw food I was trying. Probably the latter, if not both. I am NOT a bad person or a bad dog owner for not buying Science Diet food, which any informed consumer knows is barely better than Ol' Roy and is just a pyramid scheme in which vets are compensated for acting as shills for mediocre food. Do NOT tell me my dog is going to die sooner than she would otherwise if I don't buy Science Diet food, that is a horrible thing to say in addition to be completely false because that food is NOT healthy compared to many other superior brands on the market. Do NOT imply that me not buying Science Diet is practically animal abuse. I can understand a vet carrying the food - why not, given what Science Diet pays and gives for that consideration. What I can't forgive is the hard sell when it's just not that good at all, and certainly not being insulted and berated so viciously and being treated like I'm a terrible, awful person when my dog was in otherwise perfect health just because I won't buy food they sell on commission or percentage or whatever. I complained about that to Dr. Rowland's front office and the doctor called me back and actually defended the vet tech's attitude and actions, saying that the tech "just tells it like it is." RUBBISH. One bout of diarrhea in two years is pretty great for a dog. I don't deserve to be yelled at and insulted. I have never in my life been spoken to like that by anyone (except maybe my mother when I was 16 and she caught me smoking cigarettes) and I found it utterly shocking that the tech felt like that was appropriate, and then even more shocked that the doctor defended it instead of apologizing and making sure I didn't have to deal with that person again. I went back to feeding my dog her Whole Earth Farms canned food (both five stars on the reputable and objective site petfoodadvisor, compared to 2.5 for Science Diet) and found a new vet - one that values professionalism and kindness and doesn't have to pimp themselves out to Science Diet to keep the lights on. If you need a doctor and Dr. Rowland is the only vet in town who can see you, I think she's a perfectly good doctor. However, there are some GREAT vets in this town, not just good ones, so I'd recommend looking for one of those. I'm sure that I'll get some snarky comment from the business manager deflecting responsibility, like the one the last reviewer got about how a vet only looks in an animal's ears during a checkup if they see the animal scratching or shaking their head. The heck? That is crazy. I have never seen a vet fail to check a cat or dog's ears, eyes, nose, tummy, and toes - basic five point inspection. I know that Dr. Rowland always looks over the whole animal so it must have been someone else. Still, the attitude of this office is just appalling. These people have really got some nerve. Don't treat good, caring, informed, cautious, early-intervention pet owners like scum of the earth. Try that out as a business model and maybe your reviews will get better. read more

We love Dr. Rowland! She's so sweet to both our cat and dog. She gives really helpful advice and is really thorough. She always provides options for medications and choices for treatments. I love the follow up calls for the one thing you forgot to check on or question that came up after, and that you can schedule appointments online. Highly recommend! read more

Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital - Appointment room - Veterinarians Near Me - Lawrence, Kansas

The veterinarian was very condescending. Everything she said was very condescending and she gives off a tone of "im better than you" Never going back. Extremely overpriced. If you go- expect to pay at least $50-$60. Not even including the medicine/lab tests that they may perform. read more

I have had many pets over the years, and have had Veterinarian's in Indiana, California, and now Kansas. My dog, Dozer comes with challenges! The ENTIRE staff at Wakarusa Animal Hospital are aware of his issues, but they never treat him with anything but KINDNESS and a loving attitude! From the minute he walks into their lobby he begins to wiggle. Not just a little wiggle, but to the extent that he has been given the nickname Mr. Wiggles! The doctors there don't "over treat, or order unnecessary tests. However, they do order needed tests and provide the BEST care I have ever seen! I recommend this animal hospital to anyone who has a pet! Too bad they don't treat humans! Seriously, if you need a Veterinarian...GO SEE THEM!!!! read more

My wife and I had been seeing another vet for a few years and they were unable to diagnose our dogs issue. After getting an initial diagnosis from K-State we switched to Dr Amend and Wakarusa for the follow up test and care. They have been outstanding! Dr Amend is caring and takes time to talk with us about our dog, even when we were there just for a vet tech appt to have blood work. We didn't ask to see her she just saw us there and stopped to check on how things were going. My wife and I have and would recommend Wakarusa to anyone looking for a vet. read more

I was very surprised to see several negative comments about WVH. We've been going since December when we adopted our dog Kira from Lawrence Humane Society. They've always been very friendly to us, especially Drs. Niedbalski and Rowland, and while the experience at the front desk can sometimes feel a little brisk - can you blame them? They seem to field all sorts of calls, customer issues, doctor requests, and who knows what else all while keeping operations running. We recently had a serious bout with pancreatitis that they handled professionally and with lots of care. Called us every day with updates, suggested a course of treatment, and even saved me money by having a prescription filled at the local Walgreens instead of buying it from them. We will continue going here and when we adopt our next pup, they'll be our vets of choice. Keep up the good work! read more

Love how they treat my furry kids! Excellent from the time they answer the phone until the appointment is over!

I took my dog Frankie in to this vet for the first time about a month ago. Her stomach was distended and she had a case of fleas we couldn't get rid of. They treated her for worms, fleas, and gave her a steroid for the itching. After some time, she started eating normally again and was acting like herself. Today I noticed her hind legs and abdomen were swollen so I called at 5:25, pretty shaken. They advised me that they would see her but if it were after hours I would be charged a fee. I was concerned that my funds would be an issue, and asked if they would work with me on payments. The technician told me she couldn't make a decision over the phone but that it would be best to bring Frankie in and go from there. I don't drive so I told them I'd find a ride and be there as soon as possible. A friend took me all the way over there, we weighed her in at 5:59 according to their clock. I even called when I was on my way to let them know I was still coming in. I brought a stool sample just in case but the technician told me, condescendingly, that if funds were an issue, I'd be better off not testing it. Fine. Dr. Gottstein checked Frankie out and advised me that they could do blood work to determine if it was a protein deficiency or something more serious, like a tumor. It would take 15 minutes but was out of my price range at the moment. I inquired again about making payments as I was very concerned about my pet. They couldn't care less AND charged me $100 for an after-hours emergency fee (the receipt was printed at 6:12pm) AND $26 for the technicians "emergency time" on top of the $49 examination to basically tell me what I already knew. The tech rudely said that she "told [me] all this on the phone", as I was crying on my way out. I feel like they didn't address my concerns about her distended belly in the first visit and loaded me up with meds to shuffle me out quickly. The doctors are competent and caring but the support staff is rude and will tell you whatever they can to get you to come in and give them money. I won't be returning to this office and I really hope my dog's condition doesn't become life-threatening before I can afford another visit somewhere else, now that I'm out $175 for literally nothing. I understand caring for a pet costs money and will give my last penny if it means they're healthy but I feel like they misled me and took advantage. read more

I have had excellent service from the front desk and Dr Rowland. They have always given our dog a complete and thorough examination. If I call with a question or concern I receive a telephone call within a few hours. Excellent service and care. read more

My fiancé and I never really had great experiences with the receptionists here. One gal (who we dealt with multiple times) had very low energy and made us feel like she would rather be doing anything else other than helping us. We never felt like our patronage was valued. The service received on the front end was disappointing, especially since the vets employed here are AMAZING. They were great with my pup, who used to get extremely worked up when going to the vet. Ultimately, we have decided to take our pets elsewhere. read more

We started out seeing Dr. Niedbalski, but are pleased to know the other veterinarians are caring and would be able to take care of our pets at any given time. All of the office staff are easy going, compassionate and keep us informed on treatments. Any time we need anything we can call and speak to one of the employees or vets. When it comes to scheduling they can fit us in any time. I also love that we can purchase our pet food there instead of going to an actual pet store. The office staff is always willing to help with anything that we need. They have never ever talked me into services that I didn't need or have had. read more

I will say I've had pretty good experiences here up until Thursday. My dog has had problems no vet could find out what was wrong with him or how to treat him, including kstate. Was very frustrating went on for 3 months and several thousand dollars between 3 vets and him suffering enough was enough so I made the hard decision to put him down. That is not why I'm giving a 1 star. I went in for the procedure they explained everything to me said 1st shot will sedate 2nd shot will put him down. It will be completely painless. Well that's not what happened, they gave the first shot and he kind of jerked a little bit but then relaxed he was on my lap during the whole ordeal. After he relaxed I thought he had gone to sleep, then she injected the second shot and he started jerking and yelping for what felt like forever but was probably only 10 seconds then whined for another minute or so before finally calming down. The vet tech had not hit the vein with the iv. So she had to insert another iv and they pushed the meds again, and he finally passed. It was probably the worst experience of my life and I was so angry when I left. I never received a phone call to apologize for the situation or anything after. I can't recommend the vet after that happened to me there. Was a horrible way for my friend to go and traumatizing for myself. My last memory of my dog I've loved for 13 years was him screaming and whining, and I paid to have it done to him. read more

All about the dollar, not the dog... Staff is rude--even after seeing me once a month for over a year to purchase monthly meds, they act as if they don't know me. They don't particularly seem to like our dogs, didn't do a thorough exam, and charged over twice as much as our new vet. New vet offers online order and delivery of meds, 24/7 on call for emergencies or questions ("so you don't have to Google"), were friendly, and charged reasonable rates. Goodbye Wakarusa, you've gotten the last dime you'll ever get from me! read more

My kids (Beagles), have been patients for a collective 16+ years. I have so many wonderful stories to share about the amazing care from Dr. Marks, Dr. Roland and staff, but a few should be highlighted. First of all, I moved to the Kansas City area over 12 years ago, yet my loyalty stays with Dr. Marks. When my first Beagle, Molly, was little, she developed allergies. Amongst all of the obvious questions, Dr. Marks asked where she played. Molly didn't have her own backyard, as we lived in an apartment. I told him about at least three parks, and without a further word, he went to all of the parks and got grass samples. Who does that?! Another time, Molly blew a disc in her neck. We didn't know it at the time. Dr. Marks was on active duty in the war. Dr. Roland referred me to a neurologist and got Molly right in. All the while, Dr. Marks was communicating (from Iraq), about her care and health history. Again, who does that?! Finally, when it was time for Molly to go be with Jesus, on Christmas Eve, Dr. Marks' and his wife Shanon's overwhelming care and compassion made it a peaceful event. I had no choice on timing, when Molly's struggles with cancer had to end. My son, Fletcher (Molly's "little brother"), has Marks as his middle name, in honor of Dr. Marks. I can't say enough great things about Dr. Marks, Dr. Roland and staff. Five stars are not enough. If you want to hear more stories, feel free to contact me. Sincerely, Suzanne Willey Prairie Village, KS read more

Clean space. Friendly staff. The vet I met clearly is into maximizing profit and spent a great deal of time trying to convince me to purchase their foods. Interestingly, if you go online to sites which provide unbiased reviews of dog foods this vet's foods are in the bottom third regarding quality and nutritional value. Wish they would spell my name right. I also wish I could have a healthcare visit for my dog which focused on his healthcare and isn't significantly colored by the clinics financial agenda. read more

This place just, barely, goes through the motions of pet care. They seem to can't wait to get their money and send you on your way. Fees are nearly twice of other vets in the area. With the many vet options available in the Lawrence area, there is no need to bother giving Wakarusa my business. Our, terrific dogs, Steve and Cody both, thanked us for our selection of their new care provider. One who thinks the pet is prime over money. read more

If you're looking for a vet, keep looking. You would be better off treating your own animal than leaving it to Dr. Marks (lots of information for home surgery on the internet). He charged $500 for a surgery on my dog. Days later I took the dog to a specialist who said the surgery was never performed. He is either a liar, totally incompetent, or both (I'll go with both). This office cares a lot about your money, but you and your animal not so much. You would like to think people like Dr. Marks don't exist, but unfortunately they are everywhere, and if you love your pet this is especially sad. read more

Front desk is very courteous, know me by name. They remind us when we are in what our pets are due for. Prices are reasonable within the city. When we call for appointments we always get in right away with no problems what so ever. We have had visits with all 3 veterinarians and our pets are loved by them all no matter the breed. We recommend only Wakarusa Veterinary Hospital and the doctors to our family members and friends. Never had a problem here with the office. read more

I don't normally take the time to write reviews, but I couldn't help myself this time. This was only my second time to this particular clinic....first time was for my dog's ear infection and there were no issues. This time I brought both dogs in for an exam, shots, and heart worm meds. The older woman at the front desk wasn't initially friendly but I brushed it off. We saw Dr. Niedbalski and she was extremely pleasant. I can't really comment on her knowledge or abilities though because the exams literally lasted less than 3 minutes each. She checked their ears and teeth and that was about it. She recommended a teeth cleaning and the estimate for both dogs was $1000...no kidding. I mentioned I was interested in flea and tick meds and she told me if I was thinking of buying online that I wouldn't have to because they would price match. A minute later I walked back out to the front desk and asked the unfriendly older female about price matching the flea and tick meds. She looked at me like I was a complete idiot and told me sternly that they didn't do that. I explained that the doctor had just told me they would and she brushed me off, saying she didn't have that kind of authority. Whatever. So then I paid for the visits....which were almost $500 total. I have NEVER paid that kind of money for a simple office visit, shots, and heart worm meds. So that kind of cost accompanied with the rudeness of that woman at the front desk? Bet I won't be back. read more