DC Machead

Review of Hope Advanced Veterinary Cente...

In a word, unethical. I was outside with my dog to...

In a word, unethical. I was outside with my dog today at a sidewalk restaurant and he rolled over on his side with his legs extended and panted extremely heavily. He didn't appear to be able to stand up on his own, which is very uncharacteristic of him. In a panic, I picked up my dog and drove to my vet.

I called my regular vet who was closed and was directed to Hope. I entered Hope to see an empty waiting room and the only patient was leaving. By this point, my dog was beginning to act somewhat normal, but I wanted to play it safe. The tech said it would be $84 to take a look at the dog. They came out and said the dog's vitals appeared to be normal, nothing to be alarmed at and the vet would be with me shortly thereafter. The vet chatted with us for no more than 5 minutes.

When I finished up, I was charged $184 at the front desk. They tacked on a $100 charge for a 5 minute chat with the vet who told me my dog was fine. Telling me the dog was fine for $84 was ok, but telling me to have a seat and wait for the vet to tell me the same thing and charging me $100 for that left me feeling taken advantage of.

Update 8/6/2019:
The fee WAS communicated clearly. I was told it would be $84 to look at the dog. I was told the dog was fine and to have a seat. Then the vet told me the same thing the tech told me and for that, I was charged $100 extra. I was quite literally in and out within 15 minutes including the wait.

If I was told up front it would be $184, I would have paid it. I wasn't. I was told it was $84.