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7/9/20 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
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2/21/19 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My dog was born without a liver. Western Veterinary Specialists extended his life way beyond normal life expectancy for his condition. And, when his time was up, they were wonderful in helping us through that, too. I recommend them unreservedly.
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5/8/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My dog had bilateral elbow surgery and rehab there last year. The surgeon- Dr. Fullagar and all the vet techs that we encountered were all friendly and knowledgeable, taking time to review imaging with us and answer all our questions, at all of our visits before and after the surgery. Rehab with Dr. Dahlen was non-stressful and really helpful both for on-site physio, and with exercises and equipment recommended at home. Our dog is very anxious, and has some fear aggression, but everyone there really took their time with him and treated him very well. A year and a half later I'm happy to report that he is doing great! I understand that people complain about pricing here, but the vets at Western are specialists and specialist care costs a bit more than a country vet. You get what you pay for and we got great results.
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3/29/18 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
Mirescu was condescending and did not address the issue immediately. Instead he told me Sadie has cataracts which I already know and see a vet for and treat which I told him. He said I was giving her a poor quality life if I did not go see the ophthalmologist and put her through surgery. I spend a lot of time and money ensuring Sadie has the best and longest life possible so for him to say this without knowing her history is insulting. When he began asking questions about her knee I could not understand him for one question and he became condescending, as if I was stupid.Every vet Sadie has seen has examined her knees while she is standing. Mirescu wanted her flipped on her side I said she wouldn't be comfortable and so he got a vet tech. They grabbed Sadie flipped her on her side by grabbing her front and hind legs her back knee was in pain and she looked so afraid. In the end he told me what I already knew, gave some opioids and said come back for surgery if she doesn't get better.
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2/25/18 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My dog developed terrible eye disease in a few days and we were referred here by north VCA on 4th street. The eye specialist and the staff are wonderful. My dog is in a stable condition and continued to be taken care by eye specialist.
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9/28/17 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
My cat was admitted with hepatic lipidosis, which is correctly treated with aggressive refeeding. Best shot is to insert a PEG tube, right away, so that full feedings can be immediately administered. This allows the patient to quickly be released, however, and Western prefers long hospitalizations that bring them more income. She survived and was doing better, but started stressing over the long (10 day) hospital day. Her last night, her heart beat was up to 200 bpm! I later learned that stress exacerbates her disease, but these vets didn't care about her health or mental state - or about my wishes. They took advantage that I was uninsured to milk me for more money, not letting me take her and doing loads of unauthorized x-rays and an ultrasound. Excuses for keeping her were contradicted by their own notes. She was paralyzed by the time they let me have her (without explanation), and died 2 hrs later. These are charlatans, not doctors; they took $11,000 from me to slowly kill my cat.
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9/23/17 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
About 3 years ago I took my cat there. They couldn't help her, but what they did, to me and to other people, is take advantage of our pain and sadness, and slap us with a huge bill that made no sense. But since they know that we are heart broken and can't think straight, they take advantage of this with their huge bills. The staff in this clinic were also a disgrace. What a hell of a place to take our beloved pets. Never again!
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5/2/17 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
If you want to be talked to CONDESENDINLY and be BLAMED for their wrong doing and be told "if you cared for your dog you would". Then this is the place for you. If you want your dog abused, this is the place for you. My dog was not given water from 8am to 4pm the next day. My dog was dragged behind the tech, as my limping dog couldnt keep up. My dog was refused pain medications, 4 other vet clinics said where standard after surgery. My concerns went unlistened to or documentented at their end Staff had no problem telling me I didnt care for my dog and wasnt trying after a week of me calling for help for my dog. All staff kept changing their stories trying to cover each others stories and be condesending towards me. Even laughing in my face wasnt beyond the vet. On top of that, I prepaid a week prior, but was called after I drop my dog off, that if I didnt come back and pay, they wouldnt do surgery. GO ELSEWHERE IF YOU LOVE YOUR DOG - THEY DONT! They are not the only clinic
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1/28/17 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Horrible experience, will never go back. First visit was at 4am, our lab started coughing and would not stop. The vet diagnosed Kennel cough and sent us home with a cough suppresant. Several days later it was worse and she ended up coughing a large mucous like mass so we returned. She had no fever, was acting normally, and her airways sounded clear. Diagnosis: not kennel cough, possibly Cancer. Recommended leaving her the night so they can start testing right away. There was no immediate danger so I say we'll take her to our regular vet. He suggested our vet might not be able to take a clear X-ray or have a "certified" radiologist look at it. That red flag raised we leave. Our normal clinic looks at her next day, declares it is kennel cough (doesn't always present with a fever and airways can still sound clear). Gives her anti-emetic and anti-inflammatory. 3 days later all is good. IMHO, the Vet at Western was fear mongering for the sake of selling us an overnight stay.
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1/20/16 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have 2 dogs- 1 has IVDD, and has needed 2 major emergency spinal surgeries, and now has the cervical version of this disease - it's genetic. Dr. Schiller & Dr. Dahlen have been absolutely wonderful in caring for my dog who was paralyzed after his first disc herniation. He walks, runs and plays now. My other dog had a recent emergency surgery, and Dr. Schiller has gone above and beyond to care for my other pet. This is a TOP notch hospital, with TOP notch specialists! Cost is not an issue, if you are saving your pet and want him/her to get the VERY best help available! Would highly recommend Western!
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8/22/15 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Absolute nightmare, don't go here unless you have insurance or don't care about getting gouged. Cost $715 to walk in the door, for a "consult and blood work" was quoted $5500 for "minor surgery but life threatening if not done immediately". I almost put my puppy down because I couldn't afford to pay. I didn't know there are not standard prices for vets. I ended up taking her Fishcreek got amazing service and the same surgery for $1000.
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7/18/15 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
I'm so pleased with the service, compassion, and knowledge at this clinic. When I arrived in an emotional mess watching my dog die from cancer I didn't know about, they quickly took over. Calmed me, spoke reasonably and factually, and helped my boy. He never left the clinic. When they called at 1am to say he had passed, I was so scared he was alone. But he wasn't, they had someone with him through the night, and at the end. I'm so grateful. I've taken other animals there with various non life-threatening emergencies over the years and each time I'm greeted with compassionate smiles and knowledgeable staff.
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3/28/14 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My cat needed surgery and we were referred to Dr Fugazzi he was great, surgery went well, follow up has been excellent & everyone there has been nothing but friendly & helpful
I have had a great experience with the clinic
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SYSTEM: 2 positive duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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2/25/13 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
For the image they are trying for, and the prices they charge, the service is poor. I was there to discuss cruciate surgery for my dog. It ended up being a sales pitch, for which I paid $200. My conerns were not addressed and my questions were not answered properly. In the end, the surgeon walked out without a word. Needless to say I took my business elsewhere.
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2/10/13 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
We had a nightmare experience with this clinic and would not recommend it to anyone. Paid through the nose for zero diagnosis, treatment, total lack of confidence in this American chain store vet clinic. Our reported problems were not addressed after the event. The management defended their incompetent vet. We watched our dog die traumatically, unaided and were appalled by the poor standard of care. Please do not go here.
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2/5/13 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My 140lb mastiff cut his paw open and needed stitches. They sedated him and stitched him up. He was there for a total of 4 hours and it was less than $500. The paw healed really well and he is one happy puppy.
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5/17/12 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
These are the best surgeons in Western Canada. They do try their best and do give equal value for the money, as pricey as it may seem. Can't speak to the Emergency Department, but the Surgery and Cancer Departments are the pinnacle of veterinary medicine in this region.
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SYSTEM: 2 negative duplicate or disallowed ratings automatically removed |
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1/25/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Thank you dr lisa leyh!!!! You gave us many more years with our dog. I will be back there if i ever need a vet again!
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12/27/11 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
I've had to bring my dog into this hospital a few times, unfortunately, but have always had a positive experience. The front staff, nurses and doctors have always been respectful and kind. Yes, it is expensive, but it is a specialist and emergency centre, so of course it's going to be expensive.
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11/14/11 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
I have a 14 yr old dog who was diagnosed with lymphoma in February, 2006. The staff are compassionate, knowledgeable, warm and gracious. My pet is still with me today, nearly 6 yrs later because of the medical team which consist of Drs. G&N Mauldin, all of the techs, adminstrative, etc. Questions were answered in terms that were simple; they were/are never too busy to return or accept my phone calls and were/are very forthright in what I would be looking at financially for the chemotherapy needed to
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9/21/11 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
Several years ago I presented with a 9 week old English Foxhound puppy with a broken jaw. I was referred to them by my Vet because he felt due to the age of the puppy and the area of the break, I needed a Specialit. I had to go to the Emergency part of the clinic first ($500.) to discuss the injury and talk about surgery options. An option was decided upon and she was transferred to the "other side". Because my puppy was going to grow to be a 75-100 pound dog, the surgery option we had discussed and the opinion I paid for, I was sure that the "other side" would follow instructions. That was not the case. The jaw was repaired in a way that did not permit it to grow properly resulting in permanent deformity. They said that they would do the surgery again and correct their error for an additional $1,000.!!! The surgery and consult already cost me $3500.!! Seriously?? I would never go back. My dog is permanently disfigured as I did not have any more money and they wouldn't help me out.
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9/20/11 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Spent 10 G's hear!They treated me like I was dumb, that I would not understand things.THINGS WERE TOO RUSHED! Dog had surgery ended up in a coma ( IN MY OPINION IT WAS FROM THERE NEGLET ), and they did EXPENSIVE test on her , while in the coma- without my permission. NEVER CALLED TO TELL ME MY DOG WAS IN A COMA IN THE FIRST PLACE!!! Never could tell me why/ what happened why my dog was in a coma. Never could send blood work to my normal vet for follow up. I would tell people to run as fast and as far away from this place, UNLESS YOU ARE A NAVIE MILLIONAIRE! WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!
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8/26/11 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Sep. 2010, my vet told me to bring my pomXpug to Western because they didn't know why my 6yearold walked like a old lady and legs were bruised after a blood test. After initial exam and another blootest,they told me his neck hurts, and his platelet counts were low. After they gave him Tramadol(pain reliever), he's walking normal. They also gave him Prednisone(a steroid)to supress his immune system 'cause they suspected my dog had thrombocytopenia which caused the nect pain. But I thought it was the other way around. He got into a sudden burst of barking competition with my husband's family chiuaua the night he started shaking. The barking caused the nect pain, and the pain that lasted a week screwed up his immune system. He's fine after 2-day pain relieve and rest and had to be wean off the Prednisone. He had 3 more incidents through out the year. I used the remaining 4 Tramadol. I called 3 times the doc's tech didn't return my call and refused to refill the Tramadol for future inciden
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7/12/11 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
My dog, a 14 year old Golden Retriever, was in distress and so I took her to this clinic to be euthanised. As soon as I entered the back door to explain that we did not need an examination the assistant yelled at me. The back room was filthy as was the front lobby. There was blood on the floor yet there was no attempt by the staff to clean it up. The room where I was waiting for the vet to come in was also filthy. There were dirty cups and other debris from the other clients. I had asked the staff to come in to euthanize my dog but they said I would have to wait for them even though she was in distress. To move her they put a leash around her neck and pulled her even though she had a large lump on her neck and was having trouble breathing. I left the clinic with my dog and went to Calgary North. The experience was like night and day. At Calgary North they were empathetic and kind. PLEASE...if you love your dog do not take her/him to the Western Veterinary Clinic.
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5/28/11 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Our 5 y/o cat was vomiting profusely late on a Friday evening, so we went to the nearest 24H vet, which was Western. The vet we saw Dr. Mirescu, who we nicknamed "Dr. Doom". He said the cat as a stomach mass of some kind, and basically told us we could spend $2000 to run tests, keep the cat overnight, etc., or say goodbye then. Being 2 weeks before Christmas, we didn't exactly have $2000 extra lying around. We opted to have him kept overnight, but skipped most tests, save a blood and urine exams, for a cost of $700. The following day we were told the same - cough up another $1500 for another 24h care and tests, including ultrasounds, or take him home to say goodbye. We again opted for just care and blood/urine, until we could return to our vet. He was ultimately diagnosed with CRF, and has been treated by our regular vet with medication, diet, and recently fluid therapy. We will never return to Western for emerg care, as they seem driven by money and not by compassion for animals.
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6/28/10 |
2 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
We found the doctors to be a bit robotic. They wanted us to buy every drug and try every treatment on our dog, regardless of price. Compassion and "guidance" (on whether or not we should do each treatment) was totally lacking. They charged $5000 for an initial scope down the throat and then stomach surgery to remove a bag that had been swallowed. No needle or drug, no surgery or test was out of the question with this bunch. I'll use a small town vet from now on, and avoid these robbers.
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5/5/10 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
Misdiagnosis of my cat many times by Dr. Henderson who is an internal specialist. Basically cost us over $7000.00 for anal gland removal surgery. Would not recommend them to anyone.
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2/23/10 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My rotti had emergency surgery from a twisted stomach, the staff were knowledgable and explained things well despite my state. They took great care of him and I knew they cared about my dog, I would recomend this clinic for emergencies any time.
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12/30/07 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
My English Mastiff Zeus has had 3 operations preformed by Dr. Fowler. First was an operation to help correct his Elbow dysplasia, and the last two were TPLO's. He's a fantastic surgeon and Western Vet clinic is the only specialty clinic in Calgary that I will take my pets to.
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