Banfield Pet Hospital

After taking my dogs here for about 13 years, I will no longer be coming here. What HORRIBLE customer service! They have new front desk staff and doctors and even my several calls to the corporate office have not gotten the issues resolved. They did several hundred dollars worth of diagnostic work without my approval (I specifically said to call before doing any) and even though I paid for it, three weeks later, no one will return my calls or provide me with the report of their findings. So now I have to spend several hundred dollars with another vet to get the same information that they are withholding from me. Against my better judgment I made a vaccine appointment for my dog for today since it’s covered in her wellness plan and when I arrived they wouldn’t see me because one doctor was out and the other was too busy. I had an appointment! I took the morning off and no one could call me to tell me not to bother coming in? The girl at the front desk is so rude and not capable of her job (she’s the one who agreed not to allow any work done before getting my approval). Take your pets somewhere else. They clearly do not care about their health/​wellness.

I had a very short but disappointing encounter with Banfield. I recently rescued a kitten. She is about 7 weeks old now. She is adorable and I love her so much. Being an animal lover, I have taken excellent care of this kitten. She is now eating food on her own, using the litter box on her own, playing with my older cat, and loving her new home and new routine.
I went into Banfield because I just wanted to ask a professional a quick question about getting her to drink water. While she is not dehydrated due to the KMR, I wanted some advice about getting her to drink just water and no KMR at all. Upon entering, I was told that in order to have any questions answered, i would need to make an appt that would cost me $ 52 so the vet could look at my kitty and give me a treatment plan. NO. that is not what i asked. I don’t need a treatment plan for her. She is doing wonderfully. I just needed someone to discuss water introduction options with me, and I think it’s ridiculous that I would have to pay $ 52 for that.
Needless to say, I am just going to resort to google.

I typically don’t post reviews of things, but the team at the Alexandria Banfield saved my dog’s life. This was not our regular vet, but when my dog ate his blanket over Thanksgiving, they were able to get him in right away and into emergency surgery. My dog is doing amazingly well now, and I can’t think Dr. Maxey and her team enough. This is now our regular vet, and I look forward to having a healthy and happy dog for a long time!

We show up around 11:40 for our 11:45 appointment. Pets in and out. At 12:15 I go up to counter and speak to one of the reps and ask him if he knows how much longer it will be and that I have been waiting 30 mins already. he said «I don’t know» which made me slightly upset until he suggested «Why don’t you just reschedule?» which really made me upset. I have already been out of the office for an hour and he thinks that by rescheduling is going to make things any better?!? To make things better he said «There have been people waiting since 11» which was completely false. Horrendous customer service. I would not recommend this place to anyone and I certainly will never step in there again.

I’ve been a Banfield member for over 7 years now. I finally brought my dog up to DC and had some concerns about how to help her with some of the changes as well as noticed a new lump on her back so took her in for a «comprehensive» exam to this location.
I found the staff pretty helpful and friendly. I did not find the actual veterinarian very knowledgable or reassuring. He kept referring to my dog as my baby — «don’t worry, your baby will be just fine.» Which I found really condescending– don’t talk to me like I’m an overly attached emotional wreck instead of a contentious dog owner. I’ve been around animals and veterinarians my whole life and you can talk to me like I’m a grown up.
I expressed concern that I was bringing her into a home with another dog and I needed to alter her food habits so she would eat meals in one sitting. The only part of that he seemed to hear was that I wanted to change her food and here’s a prescription for dog food! Now, I’ll save «dog food prescriptions» for another scathing review, but the point I want to get across here is that I did not leave this clinic trusting the medical advice I was given.
I will be going to a different clinic in the future.

Took advantage of the coupon for afree first visit after moving here from Sacramento. Although I had a scheduled appointment for 10am, I was early and then not seen until noon. The appointment felt rushed and most of it was spent talking to the vet tech. I can’t remember the doctor’s name but she had red hair. My cat is diabetic, which I knew, but then she also said he had a grade 3 heart murmur. I said he’d just been seen in Sacramento before I left. No heart murmur. I asked if his waiting in a kennel at a strange place for a few hours might add to his stress, and she said no.
Read on here AFTER they do have a timeliness problem. I ultimately took my cat to Fairfax Animal Hospital where they couldn’t detect a heart murmur at ALL. Dr. Lui said the environment at Banfield might have contributed to his increased heart rate there, having waited two hours in a kennel for a room and then waiting again in the room for the doctor. I am now a long term client with Fairfax Animal Hospital.

Now take my dog​to Bandsfield Alexandria and had not appoiment, the wait was about 15 minutes, and Dr Diego Recinos gave an excellent treat my pet, I write this because it is very rare to find people who love their profession, I congratulate to Bandsfield by Dr. Recinos

Reading the reviews about the hospital I can understand why the staff is so unprofessional, it’s because of the quality of doctors and management. Front desk employee by the name of Tandi was extremely inappropriate and unprofessional, rolling her eyes, answering with a rude attitude. I bought a pet insurance on the 20^th of the month and she told me that I will have to pay every 5^th of the month, however I do have to pay a full amount for the first 15 days from the 20^th until the 5^th of the month. When I asked to see a manager she said there is no supervisor around. Moments later a lady by the name of Shannon came who was a manager I told her about the situation and she told me that first 15 days are free and then I will start paying a full price. Shannon was very friendly and professional unlike her subordinate who does not understand what tact is and that she works in customer service. After an interaction like that I will never return to any Banfield clinic ever.

This location is terrible. I have reason to believe they neglected and abused my dogs. When I tried to bring this up to the manager, she was dismissive. I tried many times to cancel my wellness plan at both the local and national level but have been given the run around. I will never bring my pets to this or any other Banfield operation again.

Swing by a few locations today in hopes to get a walk in appointment but this location was the only one to accommodate us. They are so attentive and willing to make every experience a memorable one– specially to the little furry pets. I love how they weren’t pushy about the wellness plan and other things they offered– instead they offered me various plans and add ons and allowed me to decide. I just want to say the Male Ethiopian Doctor is BY FAR THE BEST VET DOCTOR! He is absolutely a dog whisperer & got my puppy to take his heart worm tablet and even offered us free food to take home to encourage eating. I don’t know why they’re are mixed reviews but I’m certain that if you go to this doctor you’ll have a better one.

I took my dog in for medical treatment on Monday, May 18^th; I dropped my dog off for observation, due him limping. The doctor informed me that he provided an extensive exam that involved him check my dog hip and shoulders. The Dr. Teferi mentioned my dog was developing arthritis and prescribed Tramadol a pain killer. Yesterday, May 19^th I gave my dog a bath and discovered a large knot/​lump on my dog shoulders. I’m so upset, because if the vet gave my dog a comprehensive exam, he should have identified the knot, because it’s hard. The vet should have tested the area to see if it’s cancerous. The doctor never mentioned anything about the knot, and because of the location, the vet should clearly noticed the knot and made inquiries about the knot. I have lost trust in Dr. Teferi (Potomac Yards) & I have lost confidence in the treatment services I have received from Dr. Shahid (Bethesda Banfield). I try to take good care of my dog (pet), but I can only do so much, because I rely on the advice of the vets; because I consider the vets to subject matter experts. I do believe there are a few good vets that Banfield hires, (I also noticed it’s hard for Banfield to retain their staff), I’m also becoming very concerned about how Banfield is vetting the vets they hire, and if the vets only care about a pay check or if they genuinely care about delivering quality and best medical advice to include actually providing the service they claim they are preforming. I’m so sad, because my dog is still limping, and the limping is probably associated with the knot/​lump on my dogs shoulders, because it’s the size of a golf ball, and yet Dr. Teferi completely failed to mentioned anything or do anything to determine if the knot is cancerous, because it’s obvious that he did not perform the service he discussed with me. I had a very extensive discussion with Dr. Teferi on ⁵⁄₁₈.

The Vets are great. On my second visit I came in early and checked in. But the receptionist didn’t put my name in the system till later therefore I was waiting for over 35 min. I saw people go before me that came after me.
Advise MAKE SURE you get properly checked in.

The first time when I bought my puppy to there, the nurse was so careless cause my puppy fell down from desk. Another time while I tried to call them to make reschedule my appointment, the girl in front desk seemed so impatient just becasue I asked twice about medical terminology. I understand people are busy out there, but be patient, that’s your first thing need to know to communicate with others!

The customer service is ok but the wellness plans seem like a rip off. They pressure you into getting it without fully explaining what is covered and what isn’t. They try to make it seem like they’re saving you money but no. I signed up for it after I was told that a lot of things would be covered like neutering surgery and most vaccines, it seemed like a good investment at first, however there are A LOT of hidden costs. Things like pain medication after surgery and the cone, and certain meds aren’t covered. I also wasn’t told that if my pets got sick and I decided to bring them in at times that weren’t required checkups, it wouldn’t be covered. So what am I paying for every month? I think they make it hard to cancel the plan because I’m guessing that this happens to a lot of people, they sign up, are dissatisfied and decide to cancel but can’t. I’m stuck with it for a few more months but I won’t make that mistake again!

Update to my previous review: Took my dog in today after he broke a nail on a walk this morning, and shockingly (not really) I was told no one could see him… at first. When I expressed my annoyance, being a Wellness Plan member for years and frustrated that my dog could never get seen when he was sick or injured, the girl at the front desk decided to ask the vet if he could be seen. I’ve dealt with this exact injury with another dog… the vet snipped off the hanging nail and sent us on the way with an antibiotic and maybe a pain reliever. Well after consulting with the doctor in the back, my dog’s broken nail went from not being serious enough to warrant a visit with the vet, to now he needs to be sedated to snip off the nail hanging by almost nothing. Why would they risk sedating a dog to avoid one second of discomfort??? Yet again Banfield, thank you for absolutely nothing.

Do not trust your pet’s safety to this place. I thought I was saving money with their wellness plan but learned after a botched diagnosis and the worst surgery ever that my dog’s health is more important than money. I spent two months pointing out a growth but they told me not to worry. I finally demanded that they test it and they apologized for not doing it sooner. When I picked up my dog after surgery, no doctor met with me. They didn’t shave enough hair so they sewed her skin with hair into the suture line. I’m not a doctor and I know that much is wrong. The stitches came out in two days and they tried again (and charged me). Then they went to staples. I understand dogs and suture lines are different but even the doctors were apologizing that my dog was not receiving their best work and I had every right to be upset. I told them I wanted out of my wellness plan and I asked if they would support my side of this issue when their home office called. I don’t know if they did or didn’t but my request to leave them was denied and I had to continue paying the monthly fee.
I am ashamed that I sat in the waiting room hearing other people complain and get upset so often but I never considered that one day it would be me. I waited until they messed up my dog before I went to Caring Hands. Life at carrying hands is so much better. I have never head anyone complain and I trust them so much more.
Do not use the Banfield on Route One in Alexandria. You will eventually regret it.

We have been customers here for the past 3 years and for the most part it was a good experience. I would have given them 5 stars, but people that work in the reception area really bring this place down. Doctors and nurses are great and carrying, but you may have some trouble getting to them because of the front house staff.
Our primary provider is Dr. Teferi and I only had a great experience interacting with him. He recently performed dew claw removal for my 5 yo dog and his paws heeled perfectly. My dog didn’t even wear e-​collar, that is how little the surgery site bothered him!!! Dr. Teferi seems to stick with traditional care and does not insist on expensive procedures right away (we had a limp tale syndrome treated with medication and no X-​Ray and infected lump on the chest went away after few days of antibiotics and without expensive biopsy).
Receptionists really need some additional training or maybe they are understaffed, but it seems to be very difficult to communicate with some of them. They do not honor any of your request (we had a surgery two weeks ago and I specifically ask more than twice if Dr. Teferi is going to be doing it. On the day of surgery I found out we had a different doctor!!! Also if you need prescription filled get a paper copy, because they would never make it happen over the phone (I and a pharmacist called them five times to fill the prescription and it still didn’t happen.

«I’ve been a member here for five years. I have always gotten excellent service and my mommy pays pretty good health insurance for me which has saved her thousands of dollars! The doctors are always gentle, friendly and professional. They remember me and always greet me. I recommend this place to everyone I meet.» –Gemini

Good — but — you kind of get what you pay for.
The vets are good and care about the animals. The whole staff is very caring about animal care and want to take care of their patients. The occasional difficulty is in regard to the Wellness plan — which isn’t too expensive and does a lot of check-​up/​tests for your pet. However, it’s set by their corporate policy and there’s no ifs/​ands/​or/​buts with this thing. You get a comprehensive exam every six months — and if you bring in Fido on January 1^st, you cannot bring him in for a check up until July 1^st. June 30^th is a no go, or you’re paying for it out of pocket. Just read what you’re signing up for very carefully, and you’ll be fine. And really read it — because the vets don’t know what it all entails, so don’t ask them.
But the care is great, they’re terrific and do their best for your pet. They also have a great drop off and pick up program.

Bad customer service, my dog was sick, called to get an apoinment lady on the
Phone said it was too late, they Were closing in 45 minutes! Even tho I live 5 minutes away they wouldn’t see my dog! I cancelled the plan And they CHARGED for the rest of the year!!! At least I don’t deal
With them anymore! We are very happy with VPI pet insurance