VCA Miller-Robertson Animal Hospital

08/12/11

disappointing receptionists

by machris at Citysearch

We were politely asking questions about our pet's medicine when out of nowhere, the girls we were talking to rolled their eyes right infront of us. It was totally uncalled for. Fortunately, our pet has already been checked so we immediately left in pure displeasure.

12/24/08

Competent, but very expensive and commercialized

by Kamus at Citysearch

I switched to this vet after mine relocated. So here's the good news - I think they are quite competent clinically. But the problem with VCA Miller is that they are very expensive and have rigid processes that they require, that cost you even more money. Very commercialized! Here's some specifics:

1. I gave full history and had my dog examined by a vet. I went over his medications (heartworm and eye drops) so that I could get my refills when due. They didn't mention at the time that this was not sufficient!

2. His needed a refill on his eye drops. They refused to refill as they were originally prescribed by another vet. They say it's a legal requirement. If so, when I saw my vet in the lobby and she looked at his eye briefly (just a little goopy) wouldn't that be enough? If not, maybe she could take him in a room for 2 min to look more closely? That would be okay too, but no - I had to make an appointment for a more formal (and costly!) examination before they would dispense a refill on medication.

3. I had already paid over $500 in examination, urine test and antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. After 2 days and a completed 2 week course of antibiotics he was 100% fine. $500 for an exam and tests and a course of antibiotics??? Based on my last vet, this is very expensive.

4. I also had a prior $100+ charge for exam and stool culture before they would continue with his heartworm medicine. Apparently another legal requirement that lets them charge inflated prices for simple everyday needs. (is it really a legal requirement? 'cos the internet searches I did said not all vets require that if treatment has been continuous)

My advice would be to find a vet that cares about your animal first, and make fair and appropriate levels of revenue. You want them to charge reasonable prices for good care, not recommend or require costly exams or tests in order to maximize their profit.

• Pros: Clinically competent
• Cons: Overpriced, very commercialized, rigid processes cost you even more

10/25/08

Will try to screw you out of as much $$$ as possible

by malfernan at Citysearch

I've been taking my dogs there for a few years. Mostly for vaccines, but this place has been steadily declining in the past couple of years or so. The front desk staff are constantly distracted, they keep charging you for things you didn't authorize -- one of their favorites is to charge you full price for a vaccine because your pet is due, even though a low-cost vaccine fair is coming up. Always double check your bill because sometimes they charge you for things you didn't get.

Anyway, I took my terrier for a physical exam and because she had a couple of tiny little bumps that looked like zits to me, they told me it could be cancer so they had to biopsy. Of course in the end it was nothing, except for all the money I had to pay including some tests they messed up.

Now today I took my dog in for allergies and the British doctor tells me that she's got a heart murmur and we have to do a bunch of expensive tests. I've decided these people have screwed me out of enough $$, so I'm getting a second opinion on the heat murmur or risk having them put my dog through surgery or something.

Anyway, I could go on with a lot of little things like missing appointments, rude and distracted staff, test results that take forever, or that sometimes never come unless you actually call and ask, etc. In the end please go somewhere else.

• Pros: They have free(though cheap) dog treats on the counter
• Cons: Too expensive and on the incompetent side

10/17/08

PLEASE don't do it!!!

by lizzenup at Citysearch

I have never in my life actually taken the time to write a review, but after taking my dog to this place for years and initially being happy with their service, I have watched all of the wonderful, caring doctors disappear- the staff will never tell you where they have gone! The best vet of all time, Dr. McMillian, retired and this place has declined rapidly since then! The remaining doctors are apathetic, incompetent, and always looking for a way to con you out of money with tests, etc... Steer clear of Dr. Willoughby at all costs, just as other reviewers here have warned. He told me my dog needed surgery when a second opinion revealed that the "mysterious bump" under my dog's chin was nothing more than the equivalent of an age spot on a senior citizen (my dog is 20). You and your pet deserve better- this place will disappoint you!

• Pros: proximity, place is sanitary
• Cons: doctors aren't caring, gouge you, parking lot is tiny

04/25/08

Never Again

by rhortx at Citysearch

I've taken two pets here a number of times each, and though I did get a good and thoughtful vet twice, a young woman who I believe was early in her career, I have to say that I will never go back after my last visit in which an arrogant and imperious englishman snapped at me (at the end of a visit that cost around $600 though he couldn't really identify the problem), telling me that if my cat didn't get better on his own I would HAVE to bring him back to be sent out for intense, multi-thousand dollar investigative medical procedures. He is the one who told me that it would be multi-thousands of dollars, so this is not an exageration brought about by my intense dislike of the man. I should have been warned years earlier when one of the vets failed to diagnose distemper in my puppy, which went blind and had to be put down. There are probably some good vets working here but I will never go back.

• Pros: Occasional good vet
• Cons: Ineptitude combined with Very high prices