Banfield Pet Hospital

It’s really a shame that I have to update this review, but it’s come to the point that I’m starting to look for a new vet. The last couple months have been really infuriating trying to schedule a teeth cleaning for my dog (yes, something as basic and routine as trying to make an appointment). I just got off the phone with someone from Banfield where I was told that I now have to reschedule my dog’s teeth cleaning from early July to August now because they’re no longer doing Sunday cleanings. And this is after I was originally told back in early May that the soonest they could do was late June. I was shocked to learn they’re now booking dentals 2 months out, as I’ve never had this issue before in the 10 years I’ve been taking my dog here. So then I was told as an alternative, I could get my name added to a waiting list and I would get a call in the early morning if someone didn’t show up or canceled their appointment, which I was completely fine with. Come to find out, they’ve gotten rid of their waiting list (which apparently hasn’t been conveyed to all employees). Also, when I took her in May to get a mass looked at, I was told it could be something as trivial as an infected ingrown hair or it could be as serious as cancer. So it was scheduled to be removed at the same time of her teeth cleaning. Luckily, since then it has gone away (yay!) but the thought of my dog having to wait 3 months for it to be removed is not something I feel comfortable with.
I liked their wellness plan that allowed me to pay a monthly cost that would cover my dog’s teeth cleanings, vaccines and routine exams. And for the most part, they’ve been good about getting my dog in the same day if there was an emergency or concern. But I was just told that they’re severely short-​staffed and they’re having to hire new doctors. I guess the point could be made that they’re doing so well that they’re overwhelmed with customers, but I don’t think that should be to the detriment of their loyal customers (again, 10 years). Maybe they’re just too big for me now, and I need to find a smaller vet that can give more personal attention and I don’t have to worry about making appointments 2 months in advance (and god forbid something happens and you need to reschedule). Not sure what’s going on over there but I don’t think I’m sticking around to find out.

I have had 2 bad experiences with Banfield. A month ago my Pug was acting strangely and would not eat. They were able to work him in because of a cancellation. The vet we saw seemed to lack experience and told us that they could not help my dog and that I need to go the emergency clinic because they were too busy and could not do an x-​ray or further evaluations. I went to the emergency clinic and discovered the my dog have ingested part of a stuffed animal and it was stuck in colon. The doctor removed it and also removed 200 stones from his kidney. This cost me $ 4200.00. Banfield advertises itself as a Hospital and should have had the capability to handle this issue and at a greatly reduced price due to me having a Wellness plan for the last 7 years.
This week we tried to get our pug in to see a vet due to a respiratory problem but, my wife was told that it would be almost 2 weeks before he could be seen. They suggested that we go back to the emergency clinic if we felt he need to be seen sooner. This is totally unacceptable.
A real animal hospital would find a way to help a sick animal not pawn him off on someone else because they have over booked «Wellness Check-​Ups» and are short staffed. First and foremost an animal hospitals should be there to take care of the sick and injured animals.
They are opening another hospital in Mount Pleasant but, I can’t foresee this helping anything
if they can’t staff the one they have now.

I wasn’t impressed with this clinic. I’m seeking a new vet, but my pup needed his annual shots now. I just wanted him to get his shots — period. However, since an exam was required, I asked them to please look at my dog’s eyes and teeth since the breed can be prone to problems with them. The vet barely opened my dog’s lips /​gums and certainly didn’t look at the back teeth or inside his mouth. Same with the eyes… she just flashed a quick light for about half a second from 3 feet away in each eye and said they were fine. Also, my dog has one ear closed — a genetic possibility with this breed. She made a comment that he must have had ear infections which is why it was closed — when I corrected her, she said that she had never heard of that kind of genetic anomaly, nor had ever seen it. When it was time for vaccines, they tried to sell me on a $ 400 a year «wellness program» that, itemized out and eliminated services for true needs, I could get for about half that amount at any local vet. I agreed to have a stool flotation for my dog at the clinic, but did NOT want him de-​wormed unless they found evidence of parasites. They de-​wormed him, anyhow. Needless to say, I will not return to this clinic for any more care.

I recently rescued a 3 year old boxer who came down with a nasty cough. I took him to Banfield yesterday. I came in as a walk-​in and the vet was in surgery until the afternoon. They allowed me to drop him off until he could be seen. This was convenient since I had errands to run. They gave me an estimate of the cost when I dropped him off. The vet called me later in the afternoon and explained the findings of the exam. I went and picked him up. The cost was what I anticipated since they gave me an estimate beforehand. After taking him home, I had a question about his meds so I called the pet hospital. They were very friendly and knowledgeable The next day they called to check up on him. I’m very pleased with my experience there especially with their level of service and how upfront they were about everything.