Anonymous
map-marker Doylestown, Pennsylvania

A 4 hour wait & $80 later for a bandage

Banfield Hospital 9585 W. Colonial Drive Ocoee, Fl 34761- WHAT A JOKE! I took a pet cat in for an emergency visit as instructed to do so by a prior phone call to this clinic. I was told to bring him in immediately due to a 1 inch open puncture wound to his chest. 2 hours later I was finally seen by a technician, 3 hours later I was seen by the doctor who gave me the wonderful news that my cat needed surgery and since they closed @ 5:00 pm services could not be rendered. If an assesment had been made 3 hours prior I could have spent the $80.00 @ a real place of treatment. Their motto is "Treating Your Pet Like Family" well this is one family you will never touch again. Robin Clark Winter Garden, Florida 34787
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1 comment
Guest

im sorry to hear that, the banfield that i go to is really good, however we took my boyfriends pup to the one buy his house and it didnt seem as good as the one i go to.

Artist Gli
map-marker Warrington, Pennsylvania

Banfield only about money

I have a 12 year old boston Terrier who has been dealing with extreme allergies for 4 years. At first we went to a Banfield in MD, got nowhere but spent thousands of dollars. I finally found a great vet who understood my dog's needs and my budget and we did what we thought best for my dog and her circumstances. We moved to Pa and all my dog's allergies disappeared! For 8 months she was great! Then, right around when we brought a Christmas tree in the house, she started itching and went downhill quick. I took her to Banfield, because it is close and has walk-ins. I explained that i know my dog and I know how to deal with these allergies. I've had her tested, done the special food and vitamins, etc. They looked her over, left the room and then came back with an itemized list of how they believe I should "treat" my dog. $900.00!!!! Obviously, I said you must be crazy. They came back with $600, then $500, etc etc. All the while I'm getting the guilt trip from them. Two hours later, I ended up paying $200 - I didn't want to leave without the medications needed to help my dog. But I will never ever again be treated like that or have my pet treated like a meal ticket.
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pistonsmom
map-marker San Jose, California

Messages NOT returned

I have left 5 messages in the last three days to talk to the vet about my cat, who was diagnosed with beginning stages of kidney failure. I have NOT gotten a call back...All I get is we've been busy.....the doctor has your messages,,,,blah blah blah I just want a REFILL of the meds that helped him feel better. The *** who answers phones (Sherry) is RUDE, and UNPROFESSIONAL. I she doesn't get call backs and gets rude treatment when her animal is in ill health. These people are uncaring and selfish. I will NEVER have another animal taken there. EVER
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2 comments
Guest

Your dog died because of congestive heart failure, not Banfield's incompetence. When a dog is in heart failure there is medication to slow the process down but not cure it. Banfield couldnt have done anything for your pet. If your dog was in distress you should have taken it to an emergency room, not waited around for a phone call.

People on this site constantly blame Banfield for things that have happened to their pet for 2 reasons. First, their inability to understand medically what is going on with their pet and second, not wanting to pay for quality health care. Things that are described on here could happen anywhere! And just because Banfield is in PetSmart doesnt mean it is a low cost clinic nor does it mean it is low quality, it is the opposite.

In addition, people like to rant and rave about Wellness Plans. They are WELLNESS plans, not insurance...with contracts. If you dont read the contract you cant be mad when it doesnt work out the way you thought it would. The WP is a great money saving tool if you know how it works.

Guest

I called on my dog (who died because of Banfield's incompetence)

At the time, she had labored rapid breathing due to congestive heart failure. I called 3 times. Finally, the receptionist called back and said that the Dr on duty for that day was too busy to call back.

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kkpissedcustomer
map-marker Washington, District Of Columbia

BANFIELD Pet Wellness Program

Do comparison of cost with www.luvmypet.com $62 for all shots for a year. $375/year for a pet wellness program... It's not worth it. I had bad experience with Banfield on Jefferson Davis Hwy, Alexandria, VA. Long wait. Vet loves to alarm you for tiny little problem: they would order x-ray, re-hydrate, this and that for simple vomiting problems. It was my first dog. Puppy vomits often. Don't be alarm. Feed him/her chopped up chicken with rice. Slowly ease in regular food. The vet could have suggested that, but instead they order expensive x-ray, etc etc.
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Loss:
$400
6 comments
Guest

I understand that x-rays are expensive but I believe the doctor was just providing you the best medicine. Yes, puppies vomit alot but it could be for many reasons and x-rays help a lot to view the abdomen and look for any proliferations, enlargements, parasites, etc. The best thing a vet could do is start explaining to you what the ideal thing would be to do even though it may be expensive and if so then to start treatment B, C, etc with the owner's budget

Guest

Everyone has good and bad things happen concerning their pets... I use Banfield....

I have found their vets and staff to be first class... Their exam rooms are clean and I have found the prices to be fair.....

I will continue to use them.... My dog even loves the visits.......

Guest

Thanks for the pointer! I have six rescued cats, a stray dog, and two guinea pigs.

I have a real vet but he charges around $175 for a year's vaccines. For good basic vaccines on healthy indoor kitties, this is a good deal!

Guest

FYI: Luv my pet doesn't throughly examine your pet. They state exactly what they do: provide vaccines at an affordable cost.

They are not a pet hospital. And as far as your puppy vomiting, it could of been an obstruction, or parvo, or something. That is what a good vet does, investigate. I saw a puppy die from an obstruction (he ate a sock).

Symptoms: vomiting. And even if your pet wasn't obstructed, there are many things that could cause vomiting.

By the way, the first year of a puppies life is very expensive. $375 is a deal.

When you add up all the vax, exams, hw test, fecals, dewormings, (like a responsible owner should do), then it costs about that. If you just want to through your dog up on the vax table for his shots, and not get a thorough exam, then so be it.

Guest

My suggestion is that you find a VCA hospital. Their mission statement reads "where you pets health is our top priority and excellent service is our goal" I have been to several locations and always felt as if my pets were receiving the best care and the doctors and staff were always knowledgeable and professional. I would never go to anyone else.

Guest

You are an ***. Dogs, puppies especially can get into things and eat things they are not supposed to.

This is why the doctor did x-rays- to see if their was a visible foreign body. Vomiting is never okay or normal.

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Anonymous

BAnfield not for us

July 07 gota 5 month female poodle. the next day we took her to Banfield at Briarcreek in Raleigh NC. they sold me on the wellness plan, i signed up. first I had to wait 1.5 hrs. no big deal they had an emergency. I told vet that Annie ( our pup) I saw signs of flea bites and worms, so I wanted her treated for this. They did a stool check and I was told she did not have any that they could see, then it was recommended to give her benadyrll before shots would be better of course extra, no problem, after 3 hours she had her first set of shots set an appointment next round. so about 30 days later back again and I again I stated that I still saw worms in her stools, treated her. 30 days later , I come with a stool specimum I am still seeing worms. leave her there, about 3 hours later I get a call wondering if Annie has been in a different enviroment as she had tape worms that come from fleas and I needed to get rid of the fleas to get rid of the worms. But they did not see any fleas on her.Well now, that just floored me, Annie had no fleas ( not since the day we got her) they treated her and the excsue was that tape worms did not show up in test. I had already told them she had them. Every time we go we get a different person, they never have time to talk, they get what shots she does or does not need mixed up, so I have to tell them look at her records , she has already had that, then its a oh . I had her spayed there and regret that. Anyway I am getting a new Vet, instead of a puppy mill this is a Vet Mill, they are so busy they do not have time to properly look after the pets, they do not listen
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Anonymous
map-marker Warrington, Pennsylvania

Dont go to banfield for emergency services

We have had our Bernese Mountain dog for 2 weeks. I signed up for the Banfield wellness plan the first week. During the second week that we had our puppy she broke her leg trying to jump her dog gate in the kitchen. I took her to Banfield and patted myself on the back for buying the wellness plan. Well the office visit was free and I received 10 percent off of my total bill. However the total bill was 850 for the visit, xrays, casting of her leg and various medications. They recommended that we see an orthopedic specialist. Well during the night she got off her 200 cast and 50 O collar. The next day we take our puppy to the orthopedic specialist expecting to pay twice as much as the previous day. They redid all of the xrays and recasted her leg. To our suprise the bill was only 225. They suggested that some of the medications we were given ( antibiotics that cost 90 ) were totally unnecessary. Frustrated and Ripped off!
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3 comments
Guest

A WELLNESS plan has nothing to do with emergency services, that is for preventitive care. Why do people think that animals are "cheap", it's medical just like if it were your child, if you can't afford it then don't have one, if you can then don't *** about it

Guest

you need to read the reciept they gave you and review everything you were charged for. I've seen several puppies with broken legs and it has never been over $300.

You really need to see what all they charged you for. If you get a huge bill like that again, ask what all the charges are for.

Guest

It's an E collar...not an O collar! If you're going to make an argument...sound edukated.

(haha yes I know it's really spelled educated). ***

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Anonymous
map-marker Manchester, Maryland

I want to agree

I first started taken my pet to Banfield when my min pinscher was not being treated right in front of me on a military post in Fort Hood, Texas. I never had a problem with the vet Dr. Laura. The vet tech's were unprofessional and uncaring especially when my dog was eatting herself raw on her legs and under arms. Glad to say that once the vet nurse and vet Dr. Laura took a look at her. They diagnosised her with a thyroid condition. We PCS to Baltimore, Maryland in Feb 2007. Transferred my insurance to Glen Burnie, Maryland were I had to pay an additional monthly fee on top of the regular fee because the insurance was switched in the middle of the month. Well the vet techs are terrible, horrible and unprofessional and uncaring. I have complained about them and nothing has been done. My min pin was really sick and I left several messages that were not returned. I called 2 days with messages left and not one was turn. Bansfield if they do train these people. They dont train Customer Service Skills. I am getting ready to PCS to Georgia and I truly hope that I wont have this problem again. If I doooo I will be back on here to tell you my experience.
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anotarytogo
map-marker Los Angeles, California

Banfield Pet Hospital - Murrieta, CA

My dog still still has a lump on her throat that's been treated for 3 mo's by the *** Vets and staff at Banfield. Why continue with a multitide of tests and meds? Dr. said because surgery is last resort but now I know the real reason why: She isn't qualified to perform surgery! I want my $600 back and I want the world to know that Banfield is a first-class rip off. The nerve of them dumping ME!? I'm looking for an attorney - I want to sue these RBs for their lies! What makes matters worse is when I call the location, they won't tell me any names of medical directors, owners, nothing! When I call the HQ, they tell me they stay out of it all because it's a franchise. My poor dog - she would have been completely healed by now if I would have taken her to a qualified veternarian. Shame on you Banfield!
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2 comments
Guest

The person who commented on the consumer's story sounds rather disgruntled...as in you are probably working for this vet hospital. Are we a bit worried? :eek

Guest

are you even aware of the problems associated with doing a surgery on a throat? You really should look up a dogs anatomy.

if you find a lawyer who will take the case I would be amazed. i would also enjoy listening to the judge finding for the vet instead of you. Let's leave the medical diagnosis to the professionals shal we. By the way, I noticed you didn't site a second opinion from another vet on here.

Is that because you are too lazy to take your beloved there, or because you know they will side with the original vet. your a ***.

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Anonymous
map-marker Olympia, Washington

REGRETTING TRYING TO SAVE $$

my german shephard has been acting depressed and not eating for two months and the vet was very confused after MANY TESTS of finding nothing. After a third visit and him totaling ignoring the fact that the dog was limping everytime we talked, I went to another vet and the dog was diagnosed within 30 minutes of having Panosteitis(long bone disease in GS)an ailment of GS's till they are 18mos of age. It is very painful for them. She was given Rimadyl, and she now acts like a 1 yr old puppy instead of a 10 yr old dog. This Vet at Banfield never once entertained the thought of this disease. IMAGINE THAT!!!!!
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Anonymous
map-marker South Bend, Indiana

Banfield Pet Hospital, Mishawaka, Indiana

I was actually there that day, the dog was soaked with Hartz flea powder by this owner which as we all know does not work and stunk up the whole clinic. Not finishing the antibiotic prescribed by the Dr is a sure way to make your dog sicker and reistant to bacteria which you also mention. I have been going there for months and the Dr. and nurses are the best caring throughout the exam. The Dr. cured my dog when 5 other local vets could not. Guess what, you are an adult and can make a decision to except the treatment or not. I do not see how you can complain when you do not follow any treatments. Your dog seemed sickly to begin with and was clearly untrained. Best you try to get a free visit from somewhere else! Or give your dog to a caring owner. Trying to cure you dog for free, shows your ignorance and in my opinion is abuse to your dog. Try following through on treatment and then make a comment. I am sure the Vet would be glad to hear you are not going back. Free office visit does not mean free cure! Tell us how the cure goes, since you wrote your comment on the same day as your visit, this is certailnly not enough time to cure your flea ridden German Shepard. Sorry you had to pay to take care of your dog. Oh by the way dogs do not talk, so vets need to use diagnostics to figure out what is wrong with them.
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3 comments
Guest

obviously he has a lot of reading to do in this website. if he feels they are so wonderful.

Guest

By the way if you were in the office that day you should know that my dog was NOT flea infested, nor was she covered in Hartz Flea Powder. I have tried the Hartz Liquid 4 in 1.

Which has kept the fleas away for the most part. Infact a few months previous when I thought she may have fleas I took her to the groomers which specialize in German Shepherds they only found 2 fleas on her. So unless you have the facts straight I would suggest you not say we are bad parents. Nor has my dog ever had an odor problem.

By the way, I always follow through with my treatments for my pets and children.

Sorry you have had such bad luck with local vets but I myself will continue with my local vet and not one that has had numerous bad consumer affairs reports. If you need proof, type in Banfield Pet Clinic into Google and see for yourself!

Guest

Nice, but you're missing the point. The dog, by the way, is neither sickly, nor abused.

I resent the fact that you think someone would be "cheap" in caring for a member of their family that way. The point was to help the dog, not bill me for several items that may help her before the treatment even had a chance to work. We have a wonderful, caring Vet who sees our dog on a regular basis. The reason we went to Banfield in the first place was due to the fact that our Vet's office was closed, and the dog was obviously miserable with her condition.

By the way, if I shared my client's confidential information with others that were visiting my office, I'd be in serious trouble.

The fact that you think you know that a specific flea treatment could "stink up" an entire office shows once more that the staff has shared information with you that you probably had no business knowing.

Maybe next time you try a new physician for one of your ailments, it will be the same Dr. that treats others you know and they will know all about YOUR private problems.

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Anonymous

Banfield Pet Hospital

For years I have had an ins health plan for my dogs thru Banfield. After moving to Ocala, Fl from Ft.

Laud. I have become very disappointed with Banfield. You think you are getting a good deal with their pet hlth coverage, but are really being ripped off. The quality of care sucks.

My poor little dog had rectal bleeding for almost a month, they kept giving him antibiotics and said he needed his anal sacs removed....$800 +(with my plan almost $700). I took him to the vet my new husband uses for his dogs. Who was apalled not only at the price of the surgery, but at the fact he did not need this surgery at all.

He had toxidia parasites. I am ready to sue the pants off Banfield.

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18 comments
Guest

Owners how many of you when signing up for the "plan" knew that it was NOT "insurance" please say "aye" in your comments. They act and treat me as a dumb *** that needed to be taught reading lessons.

I was aware that these plans are NOT insurance. I am not pissed about the price nor the fact that they are trying to *** blood. What I'm pissed about is the things they did to my pooch. They repeat themselves saying that we needed this and that and I bought it(medications) for my pooch little did I know that I was shoving my pooch closer and closer to death.

Luckily, thanks to my education background(biology student pre-med) in medicine I took him off the medication and took him to a different vet. After week he was up and running.

Banfield P

@mckeon

Please be encouraged to call us to discuss your experience, 877-500-2288. Thank you.

Guest

I brought my dog to banfield on emergency as she washaving issues breathing they said she neededcalcium

and gave it to her prescribing over the

counter

the next day my vet tested and said they were killing her with too much stop calcium she had blood in her lungs

banfield still is trying to charge me $500 for trying to kill my dog even told me I needed to fix my champion golden or she could die

false vet said no way she is fine

it will be a cold day in *** that I ever give them a penny

they lost this kennel I've got 5 dogs and 3 cats rescue 50 animals a year

none will ever go to banfield

Guest

I was dumb and enrolled my pup (now 11 months old) in the Puppy Plan because Banfield was the closest and she needed to go to a vet. They charged me $100 and $25 a month.

When she was a puppy (2 months old-ish) she fell off the bed and got her foot caught in the bed frame. It never got swollen and she would only limp anymore if she played too rough. I recently took her in to get a fecal exam and I picked her up and she wasn't walking on her back right leg. I tried to brush it off thinking maybe she twisted when she was getting her legs checked out but I woke up the next morning and it looked like there was a golf ball in her ankle and she still wasn't walking on it.

I immediately called them PISSED because when I dropped her off she was walking on all 4s. They told me to bring her and when I picked her up they gave me free pain meds and said to keep her rested for a couple weeks. I did my best at this, and the swelling at gone down, but there was something sticking out. I took her back in for a 2-week check up and the vet said "Well, we can do x-rays but it's going to be $488.

I won't be able to tell you what it is without an x-ray." Well I got her to narrow it down for me that it could either be a broken bone, a broken bone that is calluced from healing, or a bone infection. I had my dad call down to their vet and I went there yesterday and it cost me under $100 and he knew just by looking at it what was wrong with her ankle. He did the x-ray just to be sure, but he was right without it. Once this plan is up, I will not be going to Petsmart again.

They will *** over and try to get as much money from you as possible.

They don't care, they just want your money. :(

Guest

I took my kitten to Banfield in Champaign, Il with a coupon for a free exam that I found online. They seemed really nice except that they were shamelessly pushing the Wellness plan.

Being in college, I was hesitant to go for something that would cost that much money, so I said I would take a brochure and think about it just to shut them up. My kitten wondered around the room and when I picked him up when the vet walked in, I noticed a dead flea on his nose.

I know that this isn't a bad story like everyone elses, but I could not get him out of there fast enough. Clean your floors, Banfield, that's just disgusting.

Guest

I believe the name of the parasite is actually coccidia. Toxidia is the genus name of certain butterflies

Banfield P

To clarify, Banfield Wellness Plans are not insurance. Unlike insurance, our Wellness Plans are preventative services Pets need throughout the year, packaged together at a highly discounted price and with the convenience of a 12-month financing option.

At Banfield, it’s our mission to provide our clients and their Pets with high quality medicine and exceptional client experiences on every visit.

We apologize that your visit to one of our hospitals was unsatisfactory. To address your specific concern, and to help us improve our overall service, we would appreciate it if you would call us at 1-877-500-2288 to tell us what happened.

Banfield P

To clarify, Banfield Wellness Plans are not insurance. Unlike insurance, our Wellness Plans are preventative services Pets need throughout the year, packaged together at a highly discounted price and with the convenience of a 12-month financing option.

At Banfield, it’s our mission to provide our clients and their Pets with high quality medicine and exceptional client experiences on every visit.

We apologize that your visit to one of our hospitals was unsatisfactory. To address your specific concern, and to help us improve our overall service, we would appreciate it if you would call us at 1-877-500-2288 to tell us what happened.

Guest

It's time to end the *** Don't you guys see we all have been SCAMMED, CHEATED and DECEIVED!!

Guest

Banfield Pet Hospital is a sham. I was a loyal custom and did not pay attention to the warning signs. I was paying thousands over the years while I noticed that my friends, whose pets did not have the Banfield Wellness Plan had healthy dogs,while mine were needing medicine and operations all the time. After the first wellness check up many years ago. My dogs had a overall condition of excellent health.

They were in excellent health. There after it was one problem after the other. Once a Banfield vet tried to make me feel guilty for not paying 700 dollars for medicine and treatment. I was told that caring pet owners would do that. My dog got well with out the medication. Another time the Banfield vet wanted to take out my dogs eardrums because of an infection. I said not. I did not want my dog to be deaf.

The infection cleared up with medication ( I sincerely thank God I did not have the $2000 operation that was being pushed on me). Still I was trusting of Banfiled. Then one of my dogs developed a problem, with an abnormal urinalysis. A vet tech. took me outside and gave me the urinalysis and told me that there was nothing wrong with my dog. When I refused treatment I was treated with rudeness and insulted by the vet. I left and went to another Banfield hospital. I thought I would have better treatment. It was so odd to me that my friends who did not use Banfield had dogs who did not need medical treatment all the time. One Banfield doctor looked at all the money I was spending on my dogs at Banfield and stated thatI was definitely not a neglectful pet owner. I have spent thousands of dollars at Banfield. There are more instances of money grabbing and my dogs being always ill with something. This last incident has made me want to sue Banfield. It was cruel, callous, calculated, arrogant actions that forced my dog to live with a cancer that could have been removed when it was 2 - 3cm by the vet's own record, but I was told the surgery could not be done. In fact when he told me he thought my dog had cancer I asked where was it. He told me he did not know (in fact he did know, he knew where, and what and it could have been removed with minimal complications to my dog. He made the decision that my dog would not have surgery. He put in his notes that surgery was not an option for the dog. I did not say that. I was told that he did not know where the tumor was. A month later I found a hard lump in the anal area of my pet. I ran to Banfield. The same doctor told me that that was the cancer. I asked about surgery, he again denied it. He told me that my dog would deteriorate and die soon. I began preparing my family to loose our pet. My dog was still active, playful as this monster tumor began to grow. He was eating and running everyday, maintaining his weight. I went back again after the visit a month ago. I asked for the tumor to be removed and was denied. This time by two doctors. They told me he had had a good life and the one doctor told me that my dog would not greet me when I came home and would deteriorate. It would cost me $100 dollars to put him to sleep. I said I would not do that to a dog who was so wanting to live and so eager to play go out for a walk and had so much *** in him. The Banfield doctors refused to do the surgery. My dog was still going for walks and runs, he was now having difficulty passing stools as the tumor was blocking his small intestines at the anus. I modified his diet to allow more fiber to make passing stools easier. The doctors at Banfield did nothing to advise me as to how to support his will to live and make his life comfortable. My prayers and Gods care for my dog helped me with his diet and exercise. Now four months later, it was time for the wellness plan comprehensive examination. Both doctors seemed amazed that my dog was still happy, active and maintaining his weight. I asked again about the surgery. I was told no and that he could live a year with this tumor. Is was so cruel to force him to suffer slowly and die. He was being denied treatment and being forced to die. My dog wanted to live and he was working so hard to stay alive. I was giving him medication for pain. I was out. I asked Banfield for a prescription for more medication. Both doctors were reluctant to give me more but did concede to a prescription of 20 tablets. I order through Petmeds. I wrote them a letter and told them about my dogs struggle to live. They were able to talk the vet into giving me an order of 30 tablets. Banfield was forcing my dog to die. He wanted to live and I wanted to support him. I found another veterinary care facility and ran into a friend there. God was watching out for my dog. She introduced me to a vet who did the most thorough examination of my dog that I had ever seen in all my years at Banfield. She examined him and had the surgeon examine him. Now the tumor was huge! It was ugly.I was so touched my dog's will to live. He was feisty, active energetic and suffering with a huge cancer. They made no promises,told me the same possible outcomes the Banfield doctors used to deny the surgery, but they could and would do the surgery if I wanted it. It was up to me. They had done this for other dogs who were the same age as my dog and had both good results. They found that his lungs and liver and kidneys had not been affected, there was not spread of the cancer. I had the surgery done and my dog did well! The tumor was encapsulated. He did not loose his sphincter muscle control. He could pass stools right after the surgery. It was an amazing surgery. I am so grateful for the skill of the surgeon and the compassion of the facility. I am so happy for my dog who wanted to live. The vets at the care center treated my dog with such loving care. They saw his will to live and supported it. They were surprised at his rapid and solid recovery. I can not put into words the cruelty, the callousness the arrogant manner in which Banfield tries to force my dog to die. I begged Banfield to help my dog. The doctor denied my dog the care he needed and the corporation stood behind him. I called the corporate office to cancel the wellness plan as was told that I would be taken to a collector if I did not pay it. The surgery cost me thousands of dollars because the tumor was so large. I do not have money like that. I went into debt to have the surgery. It has been worth it. I love to see my dog smile and play. He wanted to live. The BAnfield doctors and corporation continuously denied my dog the surgery. I had many an emotional conversation with them before going forward with the veterinary care facility that did do the surgery. After calling and emailing my complaint, the Banfield doctor was now willing to give me an order of 30 tablets with 2 renewals for pain medicine. Before that not only did Banfield want to force my dog to die, but was not willing to have him have the medication for pain that he needed.They were not planning to renew his pain medication prescription because they thought he should be put to sleep. After the surgery the vet who was giving the primary care for my dog had samples meds and gave me the pain med without charge. After many complaints, I have never heard back from BA

Banfield. I am angry, I am still paying for a wellness plan scam that is out to victimize the pet and the pet owner. I was a believer in Banfield. Like others I thought I was acting in the best interest of my pet. I ignored the warning signs, believed in the vets and the hospital. After the horrendous experience of the cancer and the forced suffering of my dog, I think Banfield needs to be investigated for consumer fraud. Preventative care necessitates that a cancer be removed as soon as possible. I did not know where the cancer was. The Banfield vet did. I did not choose the costly ultrasound to find it (this was not required at the facility that successfully removed the tumor). The Banfield vet denied the surgery. He both knew where and the size of the tumor six months before the other facility did the surgery and forced my dog to inhumane suffering for six months. It was emotionally traumatic. I have more incidents of the money focus abuse of myself as a consumer at the risk of my pets health. All are recorded in the medical records at both clinics.

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Anonymous
map-marker Santa Rosa, California

Banfield Pet Hospital

Be very careful about purchasing a wellness plan with them. They tell you that you can transfer the plan to another pet hospital but when you attempt to do so then they make you renew the contract for another year. This is not consistent with what they tell you when you purchase the wellness plan. Care was often provided by a vet student or graduate vet that was not licensed. I would say care was adequate but certainly not great. They almost always try to upsell you on your "wellness" visits. They tend to try and find problems that encourage you to purchase expensive products or services.
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1 comment
Guest

Does anybody on this planet read things before you sign??? Everything on that very legal contract very clearly states what the plan is, and isn't.

It clearly states it is NOT INSURANCE. The duration of the plan, how to cancel, and how it works. You are basically paying off the services you use over a year instead of in lump sums. So even if your pet dies before the year is up you have to pay off the services you used.

That is fair. The plan is for preventive care only. In hopes that taking consistent care of your pets prevents illnesses. You do however get a discount off other things not preventive.

The contract doesn't claim to cover illness.When I worked at Banfield I had to force people to read the contract. Most people didn't want to be bothered. I also followed up by mailing them facts on the plan. Still ignorance is bliss I guess.

The same people who didn't want to take a second to read where the first to throw a fit when something happened. I also made sure that people were sent reminders 30 days before the contract was set to renew so they could cancel it. No matter what was said to get you interested in the plan you still had the chance to read the contract. There is no excuse good enough as to why you didn't read before you signed.

Im not saying Banfield gives the best service ever, but still READ BEFORE YOU SIGN. It would save you a lot of grief. If you didn't then don't blame someone else for your laziness. Oh and PS Veterinary medicine cost money!

Most the diagnostics are the same as ran for people.

Medicine is not cheap by any means. So please expect to spend some money if your pet is sick.

Anonymous
map-marker Washington, District Of Columbia

Banfield South Tampa

Horrible, horrible place. They conned me into their wellness plan and almost killed my kitten in the process. Above and beyond that the veterinarian (Stephanie Monitor) is mean, nasty, unprofessional and combatitive. I have never been to a veternarian who put money in front of an animals well-being. I'm in the process of reporting the vet to the state licensing board. DO NOT buy into the wellness plan - it's all about money not your pet with no way to opt out -- NO WAY. Not only that they have some corporate muckedy muck call if you miss a payment(we didn't miss, our cards switched over and I neglected to let them in on the secret) and in no way shape or form can they send you a paper invoice - I've never heard of such an operation. It's all a scam. Stay away. Bad, bad people. Find a little mom and pop vet and you'll be way better off -- your pet will love you!
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9 comments
Guest

Is this location a Charter (Dr. owned), a Partner (part Dr.

owned), or an Associate (Dr. has no ownership at all) hospital??

Most are not Charter hospitals. Hence, i HIGHLY doubt that this DVM is a "busienss woman" (i laugh at that comment).

Bets are the APC (Average Patient Charge) rules the roost or the corporate nags come down on the DVM (goal is usually $100 to $110 per client/pet visit, and this number is watched like a hawk folks). Gratz!

Guest

I agree that the wellness plan is a scan and you can't get out of it. I have had so many bad experiences with this specific pet hospital. If you love your animal, do not take them here.

Guest

The comments defending the vet are suspicious. Real clients do not troll sites like this looking for opportunities to defend their vets.

I would put money on the fact that you guys are plants -- either you work there, or you are friends of the vet, or you ARE the vet herself!

Banfield is posting reviews on itself! That is unscrupulous!

BTW I know for a fact that all vets do not love animals, check out badvetdaily.blogspot.com

Guest

I agree with Sarah. Dr.

Montor is very knowledgeable and very polite toward her customers. Yes, she is professional and one must understand that she is also a business person. I have had her treat my 4 dogs, and they have done very well while under her care. She is very empathetic toward each situation and not "money hungry" as some other veterinarians this area.

If she were to leave Banfield and open her own practice, my pets will go with her. We must remember that the wellness plans are exactly what they are. You pay for preventative medicine on a monthly schedule.

If you add teeth cleaning and vaccines the plans pay for themselves. To maintain ourselves and our pets healthy and avoid disease, we must practice preventive medicine.

Guest

You have the grades to make it into any carreer, nut you chose Veterinary medicine. We chose a profession that is to cure, and therefore, we must also be polite to the patients, be it animal or human and their families. As a physician we need to worry about the financial aspect of our practice, but we must show repect to our clients.

Guest

I agree with the vet student above - this lady does not know what she is talking about. Dr.

Montor is very sweet but she is also a business woman - and deals with the financial aspect of caring for your pet like a professional. wellness plans furthermore are pre-paid packages of PREVENTATIVE VX AND TESTS. They are not treatment plans or insurance.

... read the agreement before you sign and maybe you'll feel better about your decisions in the future.

Guest

I would not place all Banfield in with all the bad apples, The one in San Antonio is Great at Agora Parkway-Yet we have run in to a BadBad Apple her in Charlotte in some small town call Pineville where money is much more inportant then your Pet. we where Quoute approx.

$300.oo for an Ear Swab for our pet . what gives either you are in a plan or your not . it sound to me that not all Banfield are in thier own Plan. Or i should say some have made their own Plans.

What a BAD BAD Place Pineville Banfield in N.C. stay away.

Guest

what did she say that was nasty on combative i wonder if you are going to complain that someone called you for your own mistake? BTW this is a different sarah, it's just funny that we both are commenting on this.

Guest

I COMPLETELY disagree with this person... I am a vet student from Canada who came down and spent a few months working with Dr.

Montor this summer as a learning experience. She is an incredibly knowledgeable and empathetic veterinarian, and most certainly NOT "nasty, unprofessional and combative". In fact, during 4 months working with her, I never once saw her get angry or raise her voice at anyone! Also, Wellness plans are not a money grab...

They end up saving you a ton of money compared to paying full price for the same services, and mainly function to ensure pet owners follow through with their preventative care (one of the major problems in our profession is client compliance -- if you've paid in advance for your services, there's a much greater chance you'll actually follow through and have them done). If you changed credit cards and didn't tell Banfield (and missed a payment as a result), that's your problem -- not theirs! You should be responsible for your own financial agreements and understand fully what they entail. What would have happened had you missed a car payment from the same mistake?

Would you be slandering the car company? Anyone reading this should not be deterred from going to Dr. Montor -- she is an incredibly well qualified and kind veterinarian. And please remember, vets as a rule are NOT in this profession for the money!

We have the grades to get into medical and dental school, yet choose to go into a profession where we work far worse hours and get paid less for it, along with getting less respect. And why do we do it?

Because we love animals. Period!

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Anonymous

BANFIELD VET IN STAFFORD, VA

I brought my cat in to Banfield on Wednesday for runny stools, the "vet" told me that he would have to stay overnight. I signed a form and wrote in the blank, not to go over $200.00. The next day when I picked him up, the bill was $337.98. And NO MEDICINE was stocked at the Vets! I had to wait till they ordered it. I waited till Saturday, no medicine yet, I went by the Banfield, and they said I would have to drive 40 miles round trip to Fredericksburg, VA to the other Banfield to get my medicine. When I got there, the *** behind the counter didnt know anything about it, so after waiting forever, she came back with the bottle of 100 pills, for $99.00 !! Nope, not gonna pay that amount for this medicine, besides the vet back in stafford never told me how many pills Bobby would need, but she did tell me that the medicine would be cheap. I am so mad at Banfield, for overcharging me on tests I didnt not authorize, and for not having the needed medicine my cat needed. I went online and bought the medicine at petmeds.
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1 comment
Guest

since Dr. Nezar left, that place is a disaster!

kndlv

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Cincinnati, Ohio

What is the true cost of Banfield?

Read all the reviews you can but ignore bad reviews about the vets. You can find good and bad vets everywhere...banfield does not have an exclusive on low quality vets.

The problem with Banfield is the cost. there is no real savings in fact it will cost you more. They offer a wellness plan but every visit you need something additional that is not included. Up Selling. Banfield is more like a car dealer that a true MEDICAL professional. I will not renew my contract. They got me for the first year but I will find a quality private vet. T

Suggesting you do the same.

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13 comments
Guest

First of all moo's mommy at least they told what your cat has. :)

Guest

i am picking up my puppy today and i am choosing to go to banfield because 1 a private vet is too expensive and they make u pay upfront the whole cost which sometimes could easily bankrupt you 2 they spread the payments out 3 puppies need lots of shots not to mention worms and i need mine neutered. you need to read the contract this is a good deal where my vet use to charge me 30 for a rabies shot... 1 shot 30 dollars then the heart worm i had to pay 50 for 1 pill a month ridiculous.

Guest

i took my year and a half old kitty there when he became sick..the vet did blood work only..no xrays nor did she suggest any..said he had failing kidneys..that he needed an i.v. treatment for hydration because he was dehydrated..that he needed special prescription food, and that he would need these i.v.

treatments once a day at home..it was his first time there...i had tried to sign up for one of the wellness programs when i first brought him in...after they got the blood work back and saw his numbers were high on certain things that could indicate kidney failure, they told me i could no longer be eligible to get the program, since he was already sick..and he would need additional things done...said it could also be that he ate something toxic,since he was at such a young age for kidney failure, as well as he was constipated, yet they still didn\'t suggest an xray, or even a cat scan(pardon the pun) to see if it was just a blockage of some kind...she told me how to insert the needle just under his skin to inject the fluids daily, which they happen to sell a ten day only supply of,along with the i.v. line and a set of ten needle points for $58....if this is something he would need for the next two years which she informed me he could have left if we kept him on the special diet and the fluids daily, as well as sold me a laxative to help with his constipation, then why do they only sell this fluid in ten day supplies...meanwhile, while researching online i found out two things from other cat owners that have senior cats with kidney failure, which was that A.) they only have to do the fluids to their cats twice a week..and B.)that the fluids can be bought by the case..for varying costs,but roughly about $35. for a 12 bag case..12 bags of 1000 ml. each for $35....the i.v.

line CAN be reused i found out from a doctor, and the needles can be bought online for about 36 cents each...banfield said that the i.v. line absolutely cannot be reused and would sell me another for each new bag for 26 dollars and change each..and the needles were overpriced as well for the ten day supply...i called the next day to ask more questions as this was all mind boggling to me this news about my cat and i.v.\'s and all..and asked her if my cat was going to die soon? like, was he really this bad?..she told me:\" well, everything dies eventually\"...i said this is what i paid you all that money for? for you to say that to me..the caring and compassion seemed to be lacking fully...she never said to bring him back in after awhile to see how he was doing..or to let her know anything..like that was it...she was done!..by the way...the special prescription diet cat food for renal failure,i also found out researching online..is supposed to be introduced slowly into their regular food so that they can get used to it..and wean them off the old food and onto the new..another thing she failed to tell us..so we bought all these cans of the one flavor only food, which has pork in it..(i\'ve never heard of ANY cat food with pork in it)at $1.59 a small can..and a small bag of dry food for $38.!!

and went home and tried to feed it to him...he took a few bites..and refused to ever touch it again...he wouldn\'t have it, even when mixed with reg. food...he hated it...it should\'ve been told to us how to do it by the vet, but she didn\'t..another thing she \"forgot\" to tell us, was about the lock on the i.v. line that stops the fluid from coming out..and that you have to move it up, so the fluids can come out..i gingerly inserted the needle into the skin..but we noticed the fluids weren\'t coming out, and made a frantic call to the hospital to find out what happened..they told us on the phone to push the thing up..and it worked finally...the next day..we called back there, to make sure we had done it right, as we aren\'t at all experienced with giving i.v. fluids...we were told that no we couldn\'t come in to be shown one more time how to do them, unless we paid $37.for their time..something that would\'ve taken maybe ten minutes..so we declined...it seemed at that point that it was all about the money...unfortunately, the i.v.\'s proved to be too much for me to handle doing..it\'s really hard..both physically holding the cat and trying to get this big needle into the extra skin behind the shoulders, and keeping it in, and making sure i\'m not poking him elsewhere with it, while my partner holds the bag up in the air and squeezes it to get the fluids out faster than the 5-6 minutes it takes to do this..the physical part of doing it is something i cannot do..i just can\'t and my partner absolutely hates anything to do with needles, so he\'s no help there...so..we stopped..unfortunately, out cat is doing very poorly..we decided to just give him whatever cat food he would eat..and lately, we open can after can hoping that maybe he\'ll eat some of this, since he wouldn\'t eat the last..and he takes a few bites and stops now..if that..he drinks water alot tho, which is good and goes to the box on his own..we make him as comfortable as possible and pray for the best..but he\'s lost so much weight..and is pretty much out of it..i bought this stuff called \"tripsy\" online, from pet well being.com,it\'s all natural for cats w/kidney problems..herbs and stuff to help prevent any more crystals from forming in the urinary tract, and all that..it gives him a bit of energy, tho i have to fight him to give him the little bit by dropperful, but it does seem to keep him going so far...otherwise, banfield was of not much help to us, except to give a maybe prognosis, not answer any questions with any real answers(well,everything dies eventually)and take alot of our money...thanks for nothing banfield...i\'ll let you know when we bury our baby...we\'re hoping he\'ll hold on till at least after christmas..after all the money we spent on banfield, we couldn\'t afford to go to a private vet for a second opinion, but he is really not doing good at all..and banfield was of not much help to us..i won\'t ever go there again...wasted alot fo our money and didn\'t really help us much..i did ask the vet about the twice a week as opposed to the daily i.v.

treatments..she said, \" well some vets do it that way..i do it this way\"..i\'m shrugging at this response..doesn\'t really answer my question does it?... :sigh

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-388734

Sorry but hey at least it loves you :sigh

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-388734

I have been a tech for 7 different vets and completed one year of nursing school. The IV line MUST be replaced with each bag.

It is a sterility issue. The exposed side of bag is open to unsterile conditions, when u pull the sterile line out of the bag and it touches the unsterile side of bag = contaminating the fluids. IV fluids every day is a bit much for maintenance, but depending on severity, It may be warranted for a few days. X-rays should have been offered, but bloodwork gives a pretty good estimate of what is going on.

Stool can also be felt via a comprehensive exam of the abdomen.

Guest

for the record, the wellness plan coverages are spelled out plainly in the papers YOU sign when you purchase them. If you price check and get the accurate prices for all of the services it includes you would see the savings.

I have worked in the vet field for years and have just recently quit my job (due to unethical practices and poor employee treatment) at a privately owned vet\'s office to go and work for banfield. I also used to take my dog there when she was a puppy (only changed vet\'s when I got the job at one)and even though i signed up for the plan after she had already gotten some of her shots at another vet, they agreed to let me use the credit for the unused shots to cover the cost of additional dewormers, (she had rounds and tapes very badly-poor pup off the streets) they also went out of their way to make it clear they love pets in general and mine was always treated as one of the family there. being in the field as long as I have you would know that just like human doctors animals doctors go into a \"practice\" and not a perfect! which would mean that most complaints on here could have easily happened at any other vet in the world.

all that said it is truly a sad sad day when a pet is lost because of an oversight or a bad judgment call and my thoughts go out to those who have lost.

I had a dog that was half-collie (also lab/husky mix in her-she looked like a black husky) there is a medication you cannot give collies, my parents did not tell the vet that she was half collie just that she was a lab mix, so they gave her the medication, 6 days later she was dead, this stuff does happen unfortunately, but with some of these cases, it sounds like it could have been a reaction not something the doctor did specifically. one last thing, no there is no monthly quota that you have to fill as far as how many wellness plans you HAVE to sell

Guest

Both of my dogs are on the plan and it is well worth it. All vaccinations are covered, they get 2 dental cleanings a year, they get internal testing and routine screenings, and we get a discount on anything additional, i.e.

grooming or medication. There is no cost to bring your pet in to be looked at if you suspect there is a problem. No other vet office would offer that! Yes, there is a monthly fee, but in this economy especially, I would rather spread these payments out each month than be handed a hefty bill all in one shot.

Or worse, decide that I can't afford the large bill and then have to cut back on their care. This is just my personal experience.

Guest

they definitely try to up sale way too much. they're probably trained to do it but for the people that don't know any better it's so unfair!

i took my dog in for vaccines and they tried to get me to spay her.

...she is already spayed!!

if they would look at the paperwork that i filled out then they wouldn't have looked like such idiots and i might have higher respect for them.

it's great to go in for vaccines during the wellness hours and not get charged for exam fees but owners need to be VERY careful when listening to the suggestions of the vet/assistants. they always try to get me to pay them to bathe and clean my dogs' ears, clip their toenails, etc. after they're a little dirty from the park. that adds up to almost $100.

i go to banfield for inexpensive vaccines but if my dogs were to have an issue i would take them to the local animal hospital, instead of the 'walmart of vets'.

Guest

They give you the option if you want something done, its not like their making you!!!!!

Guest

I take all of my three pets to Banfield, and so far I have saved $5000 on them in the two years I've been going there..so I'm pretty satisfied.

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