Denton Animal Hospital

First, to the people who say DAH is overpriced, apparently you haven't been to a Vet anywhere south of Denton. My sister lives if Frisco and has seen 6 different vets. Almost all of which charge an additional, non-negotable charge of a minimum $20/per animal per visit for a "wellness exam." She has 3 dogs and has had to pay approx. $120 per dog per visit for run-of-the-mill stuff. You haven't seen costly and obiviously don't realize the deal you are getting at Denton Animal Hospital. She is now driving from Frisco to bring her dogs back to Dr. Layh as their prices beat every other place she's been to. Also, the markup on most of his meds is only about 1 cent per pill/dose. So I guess some people just don't realize the true costs of vet trips. You can't expect to just spend $20!

Second, I have brought NUMEROUS animals to D.A.H. over the years (about 11 years) and have never had a problem. I tend to have quite the bleeding heart when it comes to dogs. When I have accaintances to have not been able to care for new puppies (their dogs should have been spayed) I volunteered to bring them to DAH to get their 1st set of shots as most of them had worms. Realizing I was doing this Dr. Layh gave me a small discount. I was paying for several puppies to get shots so I could get them to better health and find good homes - and really I couldn't afford it - but who doesn't want to rescue a puppy? I have 2 dogs of my own and have never had a problem. They have even both each had to have an over weekend stay to which I was not really charged.

Dr. Layh may not sugar coat his responses or answers to your questions but he's not there to make you feel warm & fuzzy. His job is to help your animal. And sure he has several younger staff that help but I have never had a problem with them through the years either. And yes, the decor is lacking but I don't take my dogs there b/c it looks new/nice.

Bottom line: I would recommend Denton Animal Hostipal. I would say that at ANY clinic an individual could have a good or bad experience - no matter how good or bad the clinic. That could be said of any Vet in the metroplex. Vets aren't God and cannot have a 100% success rate. But of the other places I have gone to through the years I am most pleased with DAH.

Posted 11/13/09 | Report Abuse

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I took my pound-hound there who had mites/mange, he dipped her in some nuclear stuff and it cleared her up and she's been fine since.....My cousin had a German Shepard who had a terrible skin condition, she took her to a vet on i-35 for years, this vet charged her much money to "fix" it, yet nothing ever worked....I told her about Dr. Dean's dip that he gave to my pup, my cousin took her dog there, got the dip, and nothing has ever broken out again, both dogs are much happier now......On a side note, sure sounds like there are some vindictive folks out there, I have never had a problem with Dr. Dean. He's a quiet dude, he's old school. If you want your egos rubbed then I guess it's not the right place, but he's a good man, quit being spoiled little brats.

Posted 10/19/09 | Report Abuse

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Probably one of the most overpriced and rudest animal places I have ever taken my pet. It took me a while to find a vet that I trusted, and I've found one, but not this place. I tried them out for size and was seriously disappointed by their attitude and their prices. They really did not care much at all about anything, just a bunch of loud mouth talking chicks that accomplished nothing.

Posted 07/08/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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We have three pets that see Dr. Layh. We moved out to the Denton area three years ago and had a bad experience with another local vet. We started going to Dr. Layh and three moves later, we still use him even though it's quite a drive for us. He remembers our dogs and cat, takes great care of them, provides no nonsence advice, and is dirt cheap!!! He is the best vet we have ever used and we will continue to use him. He is especially good with border collies as he himself as three.

Posted 07/06/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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as simple as this... in my opinion the doctor is a complete douche my cat is now worse because of him... he may possibly die... and all he had to do was a few tests that I requested and had money for, and he refused to do them... Thanks Doc for F-ing up my cat...

Posted 04/19/09 | Report Abuse

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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We adopted a dog from a well known operation in the metroplex and we received the typical "free first visit" coupon w/ a list of approved vets. Where we were told our dog had distemper (horrible disease w/ an equally horrible prognosis). "You should return the dog and get another." Distraught, we sought a second opinion and ended up @ Dr. Layh's. Turns out, it was a super-bad case of kennel cough! Dr. Lahy gave us some meds. 2 years later and we are still using Denton Animal Hospital (and still have our buddy, perfectly healthy)!

We have since had 2 "pet emergencies:" 1)dog tried to eat what looked like a poisonous toad; was foaming @ the mouth & vomiting - Dr. Layh made room for us at 7AM on his usual "no visit, strictly animal surgery" day. 2) dog decided to not fully chew his rawhide and had severe blockage - Dr. Layh told us he could see us in 5 minutes, we live very close .

Yes, the lobby is not squeaky clean, the rooms look like animals have been in and out for years, and decor is non-existent. But the prices are amazing, and the service is outstanding. Dr. Layh is a no BS vet, who will shoot you straight and do his best to care for your pet. I will deal with some stains on the floor and veterinary posters from the 80s on the wall if it equals prompt, honest, reliable and fair priced care!

On a side note, Dr. Layh is just a really nice guy. I saw him a few months ago at the nearby gas station, just after quitting time. He had his sleeves rolled-up, and head under the hood, giving help to a gentleman whose car had died. Perhaps this great veterinarian just happens to be a true good hearted man... Now that is hard to come by.

Posted 03/05/09 | Report Abuse

2 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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I bought a new puppy on Monday took her to have her dewormed on thursday and he refused to deworm her because I couldnt afford to get her shots that day I had made an appointment that following week to get her shots. He told us that we needed to get our finances in order really wow and told us he was tired of dealing with these parvo puppies , my dog jus needed to b dewormed . We were also trying to get our older dog her annual rabbies shot and since we couldnt afford for the puppy shots that day he rufused to give our older dog her shot.Seriously dude u have a problem. I would never recommend this vet to anyone.

Posted 01/22/09 | Report Abuse

8 out of 10 people found this review helpful.

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Made appointment for rabies shot for a kitten I was fostering. The waiting room was dirty. Staff was very busy and brisk. As the vet came in and asked no questions and just began working, I assumed that he had been informed by the staff I spoke with on the phone that I wanted only the rabies shot. I received the billing statement, I saw that I was charged for many immunizations that I had never even heard of - except for the most basic, rabies and distemper. I spoke with the vet who was uncooperative and rude. He told me he wasn't a mind reader & refused to refund me. I have been a cat owner for 15 years & have never been treated so rude by a vet.

Posted 12/10/08 | Report Abuse

7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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Our little MinPin got "down in her back" and was trembling in pain and would not eat for days. Dr. Layh eased her pain, immediately with an injection and pills to take for several days. I had damaged her stomach with tiny bits of baby aspirin to ease her pain and then she would not eat or drink. His pink concoction and a blood builder has her back to her normal, spunky self. We are grateful for his expertise and caring attention. Not to mention the extremely fair pricing. Both of our girls have found a new doctor. I have, also, recommended him to a lady I work with for her dogs.

Posted 09/03/08 | Report Abuse

2 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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The person who called our vet a crook obviously does not know what they're talking about. This is the only vet in DENTON who cared when we needed help to put my hamster down. They do not treat small animals such as hamsters either. They have always provided low cost, professional, and effective care to our dog and cat.

Posted 06/02/08 | Report Abuse

3 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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We have been using Denton Animal Hospital for over 6 years now. They are completely out of our way, but worth the drive. They are friendly and provide excellent service. My dog got very sick and the local vet we were using was going to charge us over $500 to treat him. I started calling around and found Denton Animal Hospital and he quoted us around $250! Charlie had to stay a couple of days even. We have referred a few people there and know for sure one has used them and they are perfectly happy too. Anyone who wants a reasonably priced, friendly well qualified vet service, should look no further!!!

Marcy G.

Posted 05/30/08 | Report Abuse

3 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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I would also like to display my disgust for "anonymous" calling the Dr. a Crook. How ridiculous! I come from a family of vets, and having moved out of state from their practices, I had to find another vet. Whereupon I found Dr. Layh. Truly an amazing Dr. who treated my English Mastiff, who suffered from severe vomiting (33 times in 6 hours -on my white carpet!). I took her in and he asked to keep her for as long as it would take to treat her, and I obviously agreed. She was there 3 days, 7 x-rays, meds, and wonderful care that cured her, for under $200. Now, I couldn't even expect that small of a bill from my own family clinic! During her 3 day stint, I called almost 10 times daily, and the staff was always sweet and courteous to my neourotic calling!
I also have a lab who, since a puppy, now 3 years old, has had severe ear problems. Dr. Layh gave me an ear solution, and I have not had a problem with them since. This is an amazing feat, you understand this if you have a lab, to not have ear problems after almost 3 years of it!
I also want to comment on the "bedside manner" Dr. Layh has, because he is an honest, reliable, and trustworthy Dr. I just can't imagine anyone having a problem with him, or his "young staff". They have always been wonderful to me and my husband and our 3 dogs! I have recommended him to everyone I know who has pets!

Posted 05/27/08 | Report Abuse

2 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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To Anonymous that called Dr. Layh a crook:

Dr. Lye did not give your cat Pepto-Bismol. The concoction you speak of is something Dr. Layh calls his "witch's brew" -- a mixture of a few things including famitodine -- a.k.a. Pepcid. Pepcid happens to be pink. It is also a common treatment for cats and dogs. When my other dog got stomach upset Dr. Layh gave me a dropper bottle full of the pink stuff and said it was Pepcid among a few other things.

You also comment you have a problem with high-school students working in a vet clinic -- which makes me wonder how many visits you've ever made to an animal clinic.

The standard at most facilities is that kennel technicians (KTs) are indeed high school age. These young assistants are most often on their way to becoming veterinary med students and gain valuable hours of experience, as well as recommendation letters from their employer in preparation of attending school. Just wanted to clarify that there is nothing uncommon about high school age folks working in a vet facility. The vets that do this are good stewards for involving local young folks that have an interest in animal care.

MY REVIEW:

I used to take my animals to Granville Wright. One day I took my dog in -- he was weak and was having vision problems, he wouldn't touch his food. This was an emergency.

Granville looked at him for a couple of minutes and told me he didn't know what was up with the dog. He told me I would have to take him to DALLAS for a CT scan! (huh!?)

I had told him I'd found some black/grey moldy food someone had thrown over my fence from the alley and then I'd also found some black/grey vomit in the backyard as well (I don't think you have to be a genius to put 2 and 2 together on this one).

He said the only kind of dogs he'd seen in this condition had something very grave going on in their system -- something like cancer. The dog had been A-OK the day before so I refused to agree, but Granville didn't hear me and still told me he could do nothing. WELL, feeling dejected I got in the car and drove my sick kiddo home, got out the phone book and called Denton Animal Hospital. They told me to be there in 5 minutes.

My first impression of the place was it hadn't been updated since the 70s. Yes it's true -- the place looks like a needle clinic, but I really don't care about that kind of thing -- I'm not looking for Martha Stewart Living from my animal doctor.

Dr. Layh took one look at my dog and asked if he could keep the dog for a couple or 3 days, he wanted to put him on an I.V. to hydrate him and he wanted the time to observe him. He kept the little guy for 3 days and didn't even charge for the long stay.

It was decided that, yes, the kiddo had eaten the moldy food and gotten some kind of neurotoxin (Whoodda thought it?). My first experience there ended with my dog wagging his tail right out the front door and it's been that way ever since--we've returned again and again and have had nothing but good experiences.

Dr. Layh is determined and sure in his practices.
I've found him to be no-nonsense, effective, and I like that. His prices are also very, very reasonable when compared to other vets in Denton.

Chris F
Denton Texas

Posted 05/21/08 | Report Abuse

3 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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To say the least, I recently adopted a stray female cat and little did we know, she was pregnant. Denton Animal Hospital was able to see her within 2 hours of me calling in (when she went into labor) and were able to perform an emergency c-section to save her and her 3 babies. 9 days later, mom and babies are more than healthy and happy thanks to the Denton Animal Hospital Staff!

Posted 04/24/08 | Report Abuse

2 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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I took my 3 mo old kitten to this vet for shots and a checkup. During this time she was healthy, showed no signs of sickness, parasites, etc. The vet looked her over and said she was perfectly healthy. I noticed that the room we were in was rather dirty. Paper towels on the floor and pet hair on the table. That should have been my first sign. I took my cat home, and 48hrs later she couldn't keep anything down and was trembling. I immediately took her to this same vet, who told me she probably just had an upset stomach, and couldn't find anything wrong with her. He prescribed her a PEPTO BISMOL concoction(http://maxshouse.com/Drugs_To_Avoid_in_Cats.html). Not knowing this can be lethal to cats, I followed his directions... Only she grew worse... She couldn't even stand up by herself. We stayed up all night and bottle fed her every 30-45mins. I took her to a specialist in Southlake (I brought the pepto bismol) who told me these amounts were lethal to a kitten her size. She put her on a an IV drip and medicated food and the next day she was able to walk again. I confronted the Vet, who proceeded to get an attitude with me and tell me it was my fault, and that my house was probably unclean. VERY unprofessional, also the staff is a bunch of teenagers. I find his fees to be wayyyy overpriced. I have since gone to Grandville Wright, who is AMAZING and truly has a love for animals.

Posted 01/14/08 | Report Abuse

6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

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It might be hard to find a better veterinarian Denton. I never experienced a big crowd in the waiting room and the doctor always saw my pet. Plus, his fees are very good.

Posted 04/26/07 | Report Abuse

2 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Definately one of the best vets I have ever taken any of my animals to. I take all my dogs and cats here for all their needs whether it is for shots to nail clippings. They are very friendly and you can really see the love of animals that they all have there. Very clean and professional.

Posted 05/21/05 | Report Abuse

3 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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