Banfield The Pet Hospital

Yes, Banfield can be pricey. Yes, Banfield is very corporate. But it is the best pet hospital i have yet found. I take my Spaniel there and both he and I enjoy the place. World class care. Even though its corporate, all that means is that the care is less personal, and the prices can be higher. The quality of care does not suffer for it. The vet and tech both told me all the vaccines my dog needed, and the others that were optional, so i could decide, based on his lifestyle, which of those I wanted him to have. They then did a routine physical, and asked if I wanted anything else checked, as this was an older dog whose medical history was uncertain. After catching a nasty yeast infection in his ear, the Doctor sent me to the front, where the assistant was very helpful in booking my next appt. I highly recommend Banfield!+!

Posted 04/23/09 | Report Abuse

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I agree that they are a bit pricey, but most vets are, and I haven't had a bad experience there yet. I have been bringing Cody, my 9-year old border collie, there for the past year. I have found that the services I have gotten have been very thorough, and the techs are wonderful and very friendly. Every time we go in Cody gets tons of attention, treats, and good care. I put him on the Wellness Plan for the first time a few months ago, and feel that it has been worth my money for all of the care he has gotten so far. They have never been pushy or tried to make me buy something he didn't need.

Posted 05/02/08 | Report Abuse

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All I've read is negatives about Banfield. I just bought my second puppy and started her on the Wellness Plan. How can people say it's expensive. I took our first dog to a local vet in walking distance from my home. I asked about an estimate on cost and her first round of shots would have been $65 each plus the initial exam. We figured it would be close to $250. Then we would need to spay our dog and without a plan it can cost up to $400 providing no complications. We said no to that and drove to Banfield. It's not as convenient to get to but not a big deal since we have a car. The staff and doctors at Banfield are great. Both dogs are on a plan. People have to realize that owning a dog COST MONEY . .

Posted 03/06/08 | Report Abuse

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overall very unimpressive and uncaring. Much appearance of the corporately owned mentality....decisions made by bad business people instaead of caring doctors.

Posted 05/13/07 | Report Abuse

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Be very careful when you get the Banfield Wellness Plan for your beloved pet. My dog Misty passed away in December after I could not get a call back from my vet. I called three times and left messages that I had an emergency, and finally got a callback the next day, over 9 hours after my dog died ! To make matters worse, Banfield kept right on taking the payments for the wellness plan out of my checking account for three months after Misty died. When I contacted Banfield's corporate offices, I spoke with a man named Chris, who matter of factly explained to me that they kept on taking payments because I used the plan and saved money on services. So I guess this is their way of getting back some of the money I saved by using the plan. Now I ask you, how callous is that ?? Your pet dies, and all Banfield can think about is recovering part of the money you saved on services for your pet. Based on my experiences and in my opinion, Banfield doesn't care about your pet at all, just about money. I will not recommend them to anyone. If you have had a similar experience, please contact me. I think it's about time this is made very public on national television. This policy sucks !

Posted 04/02/07 | Report Abuse

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Took my dog to banfield hospital.I was treated very badly and they did tons of tests that weren't required.They are only concerned about money.The wellness plan is a rip off.I decided to go to a real vet and got better service and payed a lot and i mean a lot less.They try to make you think you are saving a lot of money on the wellness plan.Actually they hike up the prices and when you get your bill it states if your on the wellness plan you would have saved this amount of dollars.RIP OFF I DON"T RECOMMEND THE HOSPITAL OR THE WELLNESS PLAN.I forgot to mention they said my dog had to be on medication for being over weight.Took her to a real vet she just needs to be on a diet not medication.THEY ARE OUT FOR THE MONEY.THEY CHARGED A 1000.00 DOLLARS

Posted 11/06/06 | Report Abuse

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Hi. I've been going here for about 1.5 years and am now looking for a new vet. Dr. Lieu is condescending, snarky and uses scare tactics to push unnecessary testing and treatments. The convenient location and hours were the reasons I kept coming back, but after my last visit, I decided my dog deserves someone who cares about the pet and not the money.

PROS: Nice vet techs (nurses?)
CONS: Dr. Lieu is condescending/insensitive, uninformed front desk

Posted 10/26/06 | Report Abuse

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My dog Surabi had 5 puppies on the 29th of June 2006. On July 5, 2006 I took my Chihuahua Surabi to Banfield for emergency care. The dog was shivering, her body was really hot and she could not stand on her own. Dr. Glimer admitted her right away and started treating her. After about an hour later Dr. Glimer told me that her calcium level was very low. Dr. Glimer expressed her concern about the puppies being away from their mother and told me to bring the puppies to the clinic but something was not right, so I decided not to bring the puppies. After my dog being treated she told me to give her 1/2 a tum three times a day. She told me it was ok for my dog to feed her puppies. Long story 6 days later my dog ends up again in the Clybourn emergency room. The doctors that treated my dog that night and the following morning told me that Dr. Glimmer gave me a wrong advice. Usually after an episode of low calcium in a small breed the best is to hand feed the puppies. I feel that I paid this clinic for an advice that made my dog end up in the vet in less than a week. They almost killed my loyal companion. By the way I took this matter to court and it will be going to trial on December 28, 2006.

Posted 10/26/06 | Report Abuse

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Banfield is very close to my house, so when one of my cats started acting oddly, I took him to the vets there. I took him three different times. Each time, he was examined and the vet said he was fine.
Eventually, I took him to another vet. He was diagnosed with a malignant tumor that had completely taken over one kidney and he had to be put to sleep. If the cancer had been detected earlier, he might have been able to be saved. Banfield did no bloodwork or urine culture - just told me he was fine and sent me home with him.
These vets seem, on the whole, to be fairly inexperienced and to operate on an "assembly line" system. They're trying to get the visits over with as fast as possible, and they miss things. Really important things.

Posted 03/08/06 | Report Abuse

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i went to this vet because they are located inside the petsmart i buy my pet supplies at. i was told there is no connection between the two companies, the doctor just leases the space inside the store. i had my cat taken here for all his shots and i believe they took good care of him, he didn't seem at all traumtaized afterwards. they even put a cute bandana on him when i came to pick him up. the cost seemed reasonable and i ended up getting pet insurance for almost nothing in case he had any health problems down the road (he's a purebred persian, they are known for having health problems :-) parking is easy and they're open 7 days a week, just call ahead and make an appointment.

PROS: friendly staff
CONS: none

Posted 10/31/05 | Report Abuse

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i have two cats i have taken here for everything-- their rabies vaccinations, getting their butt shaved, having their nails trimmed, getting their hair cut (lion cut) and i have never been disappointed. the vet is top notch, answers all my questions and doesn't rush me and the groomers are absolute pros. they cut my cat's hair with ease and i don't even think the cats mind it. they are located next to pets mart and their hours are great, i typically go in the evening after work. there is ample parking and the inside is very clean despite all sorts of creatures running around.

PROS: skillful vet and groomers
CONS: somewhat pricey

Posted 10/19/05 | Report Abuse

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