I've been taking my dog to Petsmart for a while, not often but for a professional bath once in a while and regular check-ups at Banfield.
Something has changed. I walked in there in January and Carlos and three other managers are standing in huddle talking, One woman is on the register with a line backing in to the isles, and even though I interupted (Carlos) and asked for help with a stocking issue - I was told to "come back after 5:00 pm when the sale item would be re-stocked " and then I made my way to the register solo with a 35lb bag of dog food and 2 cases of canned food, no help to the register or to my car.
I dropped my Dog off at the Grooming area at 2:40, they are overwhelmed and I'm early so I offer to continue to shop or look until my 3:00 appt. The woman who I am assuming is the manager tells me "no one is going to touch him until 4:00" I should have left then. My dog was finished at 6:30pm. I wish that was the end of the story.
Within a week he is hacking, his eyes are red, and he's vomiting. Dr. Liou (Banfield Animal Hospital Vet) won't see him during "wellness hours" so he's seen at four o'clock and once again we are given what has become the Banfield perscription.
He needs blood tests, he needs x-rays, not less than 2 perscriptions; it's the same every time. Even if it's just a check up "he needs a basic panel, we need to do a senior panel, he need this panel, that panel" and then pile on the x-rays the bill is never less than $500.
I was a little upset this time because I knew my dog had contracted kennel cough, we've been best of friends and roomates for 8 years. I also knew he had contracted it from Petsmart Grooming located (geographically) inside PetsMart next to Banfield. When I explained my theory to Dr Liou he became agitated and informed that vacinnations aren't guarantees (my dog was vaccinated for Bordatella (Kennel Cough) a couple months ago.
I was nervous, I felt pressured, was I doing right by my best friend? The vet offered nothing until I agreed to the bill. I finally agreed to $300 for blood tests and 2 meds. I asked specifically what the blood tests would cover. What is included in the blood panel. He just kept barking at me "it's a basic panel, a basic panel" I actually called a nurse and just asked her calmly to explain what a basic panel covered. What were the possibilities they were looking into, would this be more effective than an x-ray?
Final Result? I got a letter from Banfield yesterday saying my dog has Kennel Cough and should continue his meds for another week. Oh and do I have enough heartworm medication? Because they are more than willing to overcharge me if I should need some more.
Regarding the other complaints. No one should be forced to come up with $500 bucks on the spot to treat their Pet. Ear Mites are both itchy and painful for a dog. What sort of an Oath did that Vet take to send a dog home in that condition.
Back to me. I don't care if you are all separate entities. Your lazy manager that couldn't stop talking long enough to walk in back and save me $3 a case on the canned food just lost $75.2x a month because I won't be shopping for food there anymore. 1st time in 4 or 5 years. Since Erwin left your Grooming department it's never been as good, I don't know what kind of employee he was but from what I see know he couldn't have been the worst and he was great with my dog. Dr Liou is probably the worst vet I've come across. If personality, empathy, and patience aren't characterisitcs Vets are required to have, then they should be.
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