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3/21/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
If you want the best for your pet, go here. They go overboard on tests and checking into issues, but I KNOW what the problem is when I get home. If money is an issue, try another clinic. I'm fortunate enough to be able to use their services, and if I could not afford this kind of care, I would try the clinic on 142 and Stony Plain Road. Also good, cheaper and longer hours.
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4/25/18 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I have to agree with the negative reviews posted here. Dr. Kolla is a straight up liar when it comes to fees, he will tell you that a procedure will cost $600 and after the work is done, there's a $1500 bill waiting. Extra charges without permission is the norm, don't expect professional ethics. Dr. Kolla should be ashamed for lying, cheating, and stealing from people that are in troubled states. He and his staff use guilt and pressure as a policy, implying that you are a bad pet owner if you don't choose the most expensive options. As the final straw, I took my small dog in with a slight cough. Dr. Kolla and his staff strongly suggested I do tests and observation to the tune of $2000. They refused to give me a diagnosis, or other options, and implied I didn't love my pup when I didn't approve. I elected for bloodwork, paid for it, but didn't order other services...they took my money and never did the bloodwork or return my calls. Dr. Kolla is a rotten greedy scumbag, not a healer.
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1/26/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I know most people who write reviews are doing it out of anger - but I have nothing but positive things to say about Westbrook. Dr. Kolla and his staff are so committed to preventative health care of my pets. We have pet insurance, which has helped with veterinary costs - but the clinic has always gone above and beyond to make sure we understood what our dog and cat needed, and the options available. They have repeatedly saved our dog's life, or improved his quality of life. Proper vet care does cost money, but I have found Westbrook DOESN'T charge for many of the little things other clinics do. I would never hesitate to recommend Westbrook. My family members have brought their pets there for over 30 years. Thank you!
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7/17/17 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
Very expensive. Does have free rechecks though which I found out a lot of vets charge for. Great if you have a complicated issue. The vets have lots of experience and will bring in specialists as needed. I felt like no stone was left unturned. Not great for simple matters as costs are always higher than at other vets. Good bedside manner-I always felt that my pet was seen as an individual. But you do pay for that!
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2/6/17 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
The good: Dr. Kolla is a good vet, very knowledgeable. The bad: Vet care is not cheap, and we recognize that and are prepared to pay. However, after many years with Westbrook, we decided to switch clinics due to the exorbitant bills we were paying. I had two other vets go over my bills from Westbrook after paying $2400 for a dental for a cat. Both vets pointed out the same items where we were drastically over-charged. When two other pets needed dentals, we got quotes from Westbrook and two other clinics. Westbrook's quote was almost twice as much for the same services. The final straw was when Dr. Kolla insisted on doing a surgery on a pet who was too ill to handle anesthetic - he acknowledged that the surgery (non-essential) would be risky, but the pet would be more comfortable afterwards. I honestly felt that he was putting his fee for the surgery ahead of my pet's life. Our new clinic resolved the urgent health issue, THEN did the surgery. Avoid Westbrook.
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1/30/17 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
My family and I have gone to this clinic for almost 40 years and it used to be a wonderful and reliable place to seek treatment for our pets. Things have changed over the past few years. There is a distinct lack of communication between the vets themselves and between the vets and the front of house staff. This lack of communication greatly affects the clients, who are often given incorrect information, leading to a great deal of confusion. As others have commented, there is also a tendency to over test animals, creating exorbitant bills for simple conditions. Due to the lack of communication these tests are run without the foreknowledge or consent of clients, despite the fact that veterinarians are obligated to be forthcoming about these things prior to treatment. Despite all the years that I and my family have been loyal to this clinic, I can no longer support them. I suggest looking elsewhere for medical treatment for your pet.
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11/28/16 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
Dr Kolla takes advantage as much as he can. I took my dog in for simple diarrhea (which she has gone in for twice before) and he told me the bill would be $1400 and then shamed me for not being willing to pay this much. He must get kickbacks from the insurance companies and the PWR testing company because each time he tries to charge me $300-$400 for this test (even when she just had it done months earlier). I have given them enough of my money and will be taking my dog to a vet that cares about the animals, not just about how much money they can charge! Side note: Dr Marshall is honest but will not go back given the beahviour or Dr Kolla
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7/14/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My pets have been cared for here for over 20 years, they are a very caring and professional team at Westbrook
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12/8/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
If you are looking for the best care possible for your pet, THIS IS THE CLINIC FOR YOU!!! Staff and doctors are all very caring and very professional! Doctors are all VERY friendly and thorough. Your pets comfort always seems like the top priority here. They are also always very accommodating to get your animal in to see a vet in a hurry if you are concerned. GREAT CLINIC and I strongly recommend.
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3/8/14 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Way too much money and simply a sales pitch for added goods and services when you walk in the door. I feel extremely ripped off and my dog is no better for it. These people are unreasonable and take advantage of every dollar they can get from you.
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8/2/13 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
5 |
I found the staff and vets to be very polite and caring. people tend to forget that owning pets costs money.I would recommend Westbrook to my friends and family.
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7/4/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
Almost $300 for a lion cut for a cat!?!?!? I've always suspected they have been overcharging me, but I'm finding another vet now for sure. FYI, it should be about $75.
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5/28/13 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
There was once a time I thought the care and attention to my cats was first rate. That is no longer the case; lack of communication between staff, adverse reaction to medication not noted in pet file, mistakes in the recovery period. Even prescribing medication they were told created adverse neurological reaction to. This is not the veterinary you want to take your pets to.
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5/2/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
After reading the numerous bad reviews for Westbrook, I was astonished. Late summer one of our two cats became very very ill and we had to rush her off to the emergency vet clinic, where a day of treatment cost us $1200. When we picked her up they hadn't even washed the diarrhea from her bum. We then took her to Westbrook, at the advice of my father. We are a young couple and this was the very first time we had ever encountered a sick pet. A week after staying at Westbrook our kitty came home to us a little weak but good as new. The cost was around $1800 for various test, IV, charges, medicine and what-not. Quite frankly I think most pet owners need to realize that pets are expensive, and if you're not willing to pay for anything that they may need you probably shouldn't have them. After just that one visit the staff still remembers us, and our two kitties. Everyone is very personal, and you can really tell they just want what's best for the animal.
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11/12/12 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
Dr. Kola has a great bedside manner with my pets and me and I give the "Staff" excellent ratings for that. However, the policy of the clinic seems to be to assume that you will want all kinds of tests/procedures done which drives the costs up. Once I took my dog in for a dental cleaning which she definitely needed. THe staff quoted about $300. when i came to pick her up, the bill was $1300! THis was due to many teeth being pulled because they couldn't be cleaned. A more thorough examination would have revealed the extent of the damage and a more accurate quote, and a better informed decision for me. I took my pet in recently because he had been injured and paid $450 for tests, xrays and they wanted to put him on an iv and keep him a couple of days. Nothing was broken so i didn't accept the treatment plan which would have cost another $400. He got better on his own at home. Obviously, tests and procedures are sometimes necessary, but vets should use experience and knowledge first.
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3/27/12 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Took my dog to get her shots updated. They brought her inside, and then came out a told me she had a mild ear infection, and that they wanted to put her under general anesthetic to clean her ears out, and then kennel her for the day as she would be woozy. I declined, believing this was completely unnecessary for treatment of a minor ear infection. They told me it was too late and that they already given her the anesthetic. Cost me $300 dollers more that the cost of the shots I wanted. NEVER take you pet to this place.
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12/11/11 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
NO COMMUNICATION. I was done my treatment and no one has called to check on my dog. I am getting all my records transfer over. I work at a vet clinic and I have NEVER seen service like this. the front end staff is no help and confuses me. I can never get a hold of the doctor and I have been waiting three weeks to here from him. Even worse I have left several messages for Dr. Kola to get back to me and nothing. SAD
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6/27/11 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
We have a couple of dogs, both of which needed emergency care. The veterinarians were very helpful and caring, and charges were kept to a minimum for what they did. I know there are some things that are better priced at other clinics, but I very much appreciate the veterinarians, who have no say in the pricing charged for certain things,and I am grateful for their help.
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7/29/08 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Run and run fast! This place is just plane scary. Tests and tests and lots of $$ and no results.
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5/31/08 |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
Dr. Kola has tended to my family's pets for years, and he is a very good veterinarian. But while I speak highly for his professionalism and positive attitude towards animals, I wish I could say the same for his front end staff. They are not diligent in communicating fees or other financial matters before giving animal treatment... they just add those services in, and bill without your permission. Also, the front end staff are pushy about selling their food products and unnecessary services, like pulling additional dog teeth. It is as though the staff were given a "cash cow" directive to maximize sales, to the exclusion of being attentive to the pet owners and the pets themselves. If you can get Dr. Kola, then do consider this clinic. But don't expect stellar service at the front desk. And be prepared to say "no" to all the extra fees, and "yes, please inform me in advance of all the costs".
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