Complain about a product or service

Banfield Pet Hospital

Maura of Greenwood Village CO (07/07/08)
1. They pressure you into signing up for their pet insurance, but never tell you that it's only for ONE location 2. They then put your dog through many, many unnecessary tests to justify how much you're saving on your plan. My dog has had diarrhea several times. She eats things, I explained that to them every time. Each time I brought my dog in, she had to stay for several hours. They took blood tests, they pulled every fluid they could. Then they'd finally give me some antibiotics for the dog. I got conflicting instructions every time I was in there--from the same doctor. Give her rice, that will help. You give her rice, that's the worst thing you can do, that makes her used to people food. My poor dog was traumatized.

When I moved away from that facility area, I brought my dog to another one of their locations, one that was close to my new location--figured my insurance would just transfer with me. I actually liked the doctors there, they NEVER put her through what the other facility had. However I learned then that the insurance they sold me couldn't be transferred to another facility. They don't tell you that, they rush you to sign the paperwork when you're in there (because they're always busy and completely disorganized).

They advertise themselves as ONE company with multiple locations, they're all found through one web site. Any other company I've ever done business with has contracts that apply to ALL locations. They completely misrepresent themselves. And in the end, your animals have to suffer as they put them through one needless test after another.

I've stopped going to them. I can't subject my dog to it any longer. I would have stayed with the second location in Lone Tree through the end of the contract because they showed some restraint and more actual caring for animals, but they wouldn't let me do that. I called their central office and was told That's just the way it is. Now they've sent me to collection because I didn't finish the contract. These people are just in it to make as much money as possible, they couldn't care less about the animals.

Caroline of Knoxville TN (07/03/08)
We were customers of Banfield for a year and most of the service we received was very good and friendly. However, my complaint is with the corporation, not the individual location. I feel the corp. office pushes their staff to practice medicine in a way that is always about how much money they can bring in.

Here are a 3 examples: You want to get a Rx filled somewhere else, they will charge you $11 just for a piece of paper, unless they don't sell it there. They will match prices, but you have to have that proof on hand and it has to be for the exact quantity that they sell. Their wellness plan covers office visits, but there is usually always other costs. My dog had yeast in his ear. It was $27.50 just to get his ear swabbed. They wanted him to come back for a recheck in 2 weeks for another $27.50. That doesn't include the medicine that was $25.

My dog has hip problems. They wanted to run tests that were over $200 and put him on medicine to see if it would fix the problem. I had to ask if we could just try the medicine first before the test, since that was all they were going to do to fix the problem.

I dropped my dog off, because he was having diarrhea. I wrote down that I had given him Imodium AD how much and when. When I picked him up they charged me $10 for 2 pills of loperamide. After I got home, I looked at the Rx bottle and noticed what they gave me. Lopermide is Imodium. They gave me what I already had at home. Their pills were capsules with powder inside that they wanted me to split in half. I bought a whole box of that stuff for less than 2 pills. Not even that, my dog had already been on it for 2 days, which is the max. he should have been on it. That is why I took him in.

Now I can't trust that the medicine they give me can't be bought cheaper at Walgreens or maybe something I already have at home. I can't trust that the procedures aren't excessive. Again, the staff and doctor were great most of the time. But they are pushed to follow procedures that are only about the money.

Wendy of Norwalk CA (06/24/08)
I brought my pug in for her initial exam and vaccinations on June 10th, 2008. I also asked them to clip her nails. They gave her 7 vaccines all at once and then took her back to clip her nails. It took a long time. then the vet came back and said we have a problem. He told me that one of Colby's toenails had fallen completely off and they were trying to stop the bleeding. About 15 minutes later he brought Colby in with her paw in a compression bandage. He said this was commmon in older dogs (Colby is 8) and it would heal just fine.

A couple hours later Colby started having a severe allergic reaction to her shots. We had to rush her to the closest pet hospital (VCA) for emergency treatment. While they were treating her they said who on earth would give a pug 7 vaccines all at once? The doctor also asked what happened with her paw. I explained that it had come off while clipping and the vet bandaged it. The ER vet unwrapped it and the inside (quick) of the nail was still sticking out. He said this will never heal this way. He told us they should have removed the rest of the nail (the inside) in order for it to heal, and that the compression bandage was the wrong thing to have done. So we paid VCA to do a mini-surgery to fix this, in addition to the fees to take care of her reaction to the 7 shots.

The next week I took my other dog for his shots (but insisted that they not give all at once) and told the office staff and vet that the hospital said that they should never give 7 shots to a dog under 25 lbs all on the same day. They acted very surprised and said they do it all the time. I explained Colby's reaction and they said you refused the option to have her admitted all day so she could be given benadryl and monitored afterwards. I told them that it had never been suggested and they said it had been an option. I also told the vet about the toenail issue and she said she had not heard of any problems like that, and that it would have healed eventually, probably just not as fast. (I asked for a different vet so this was not the one that made the error).

Basically, nobody at the Long Beach CA office seemed to care or express any concern over these issues. I called headquarters today to see about transferring my contract to the Buena Park office which I had been to before and the staff were much more friendly. After discussing how this works, I asked to talk to someone about my concerns of the care at Long Beach and was told by Carrie that this is not a complaint department. I asked if they had a quality care department at corporate that monitored quality at the different hospitals and was told Sorry, but no. I asked if they just didn't care about their reputation and these issues and again was told, Sorry but no.

I was SHOCKED that the corporate offices have NO quality control process over the individual Pet Hospitals! So I'm going to transfer to another hospital that is managed better. The moral is to find a Banfield you like because they are all run differently (I've already prepaid for the whole year so I'm stuck with the Banfield system for now).

I had to pay over $400 to deal with my pug's allergic reaction to having 7 vaccines all at once and to have her toenail surgically removed in order for it to properly heal.

Louise of Brandon FL (06/23/08)
My husband had knee surgery and will be laid up for serveral months, I do not drive. I had my puppy spayed at Banfield Pet hospital in Brandon fl. six months ago. Friday June 20, 08 I noticed a large discolored lump with infection on my dogs belly. I called Banfield and they said to bring her in. It took three hours to find someone to drive us there. When we got there a Dr. Guppy checked my dog. I was not allowed in the examing room. The doctor returned later and told me there was a suture that had not dissolved from when she was spayed six months ago and my dog would need surgery to remove it.

I explained that I had informed Banfield three times about this stitch and was told not to worry about it. The Dr. made no comment on this. She told me to bring my dog in the next day Saturday June 21,08 in the morning and she would perform the surgery and my dog would have to stay all day. I found a friend who was kind enough to take serveral hours from work to drive us Saturday morning. The receptionist had me fill out forms and told me they would call when my dog was ready to go home. Four hours later they called my home and said the surgery was not performed because they do not do surgery on Saturdays.

It was so hard to get her there and this was the only chance I had to bring her in I was quite upset when I was able to go back and get her I spoke to a pet nurse and expressed my dissatisfaction and asked why the dr who works with this hospital does not know that surgery is not performed on Saturdays and the receptionist does not know this as well. She had no answer, she apoligized I explained my situation she had no answer. I had put on the pre-surgery forms that I needed Frontline it was never offered to me until I asked for it.

My dog remained caged for six hours for no reason has not had the surgery. She is on a antibiotic which I had to ask for the first time I brought her in and a topical antibiotic which I also asked for. I also had to pay a office visit and for the oral and topical antibiotics which I feel was wrong because this was a oversight by the vet staff. I would not recommend Banfield to anyone.

I will need to bring her to a new vet for the surgery and I have a plan with Banfield that I paid for for a year.

Natalie of Mt. Laurel NJ (06/22/08)
I recently took my cat to get checked up because she was coughing/wheezing. I thought maybe hairballs, or something even stuck. First red flag, I had to wait 2 weeks even when I told them she was doing it ALL DAY long. I bring her in, get's Xray's, get's checked. The Vet said because he could not SEE her doing it, he can't tell. He said the X-ray was clear of anything blocked. Sold me all of these meds to help hairballs. Cost of visit : almost $400

A few weeks later: she was okay for awhile, back to normal, then all of the sudden it was back and even worse. What do you know... my cat has asthma! Banfield robbed me. They misdiagnosed my cat, I could have used that money and time to actually HELP her than help her get worse.

Sharon of Austin TX (06/14/08)
My Jack Russell, Sadie, was attacked by a deer in my yard. She was critically injured. I called Banfield to see if I should bring her there or to the Animal Emergency center. I was told the doctors had a meeting in fifteen minutes but that Dr. Collins would wait and see Sadie. We arrived within ten minutes of my call. Sadie was treated which resulted in an eight inch incision (top-to-bottom) on her left side. Drains were inserted and removed a few days later. The day before her sutures and staples were due to be removed I called to see if I needed an appointment or if I should just walk in. I was told to walk in.

Within twenty minutes of this call, Sadie had ripped out half of her stitches and all her staples by scratching. I called immediately and was told they were closing in ten minutes. I explained the extreme nature of her injury and was told wrap some ace bandage or whatever you have around her and bring her in at 7:00 a.m. I told the receptionist I was almost there. He again spoke with Dr. Tilley who would not wait FIVE minutes to see her. I told John that I was totally disappointed in their refusal to treat a regular client in severe distress.

I went immendiately to the Animal Emergency Hospital where Sadie had to be sedated and the wound debrided and resutured. She would not have made it through the night had I followed Dr. Tilley's advice. Obviously my four dogs and our Pet Insurance will be seeking more caring, attentive and supportive care immediately.

Erin of Marietta GA (06/07/08)
In early May I took my 11 year old cat into Banfield because of behavior problems he developed after he lost is older sibling. When I dropped him off for his exam I repeatedly asked that he be sedated as soon as he went in the back office due to how stressed and unmanageable he became any time he was taken to the vet. The woman at the front desk assured me it would be done. My cat was already so upset that he had used the bathroom in his carrier. After cleaning his mess I left him in Banfields care thinking he would be okay.

I received a call from the vet 2 hours later asking if my cat could be sedated (because it was not included on the sheet I signed acknowledging the charge for the sedation they had not done it yet). Come to find out my cat had been sitting in his carrier the entire time panting and crying. I asked that the sedation be done immediately and explained how upset I was that this had not already been done. The vet said that he would speak to the front office woman and straighten out the misunderstanding. When I picked my cat up that afternoon I was told that the situation had been handled.

On June 7, 2008 I took my cat in for a follow up. Because of his needing to be sedated I was to drop him off at 9:00 and then pick him up later. The same front office woman checked me in. I again stressed the need for him to be sedated and asked that it be done as soon as he went back. She once again assured me it would. I pointed out that she had not put the request on the information she asked me to sign. She responded that she had made note for the doctor and vet tech. After she took my cat back, I asked her again if he would be sedated immediately and she stated yes.

I received a call at 11:00 from Banfield with a question and I asked if my cat was sedated and doing okay. I was told that he had not been seen yet and so he was not sedated. I insisted on speaking to the doctor who told me that they never sedated an animal upon arrival in the morning because they are too busy with the number animals coming at that time. I told the vet that I would be back to pick up my cat immediately and that they were to do nothing with him.

When he was brought out to me it was obvious that he had not been removed from his carrier during his two-hour stay and was left to sit in his own feces and urine the entire time. Had I known that he was not going to be sedated as I requested I would not have left him on his own. I have to wonder since this happened on two different occasions, is this Banfields corporate policy when it comes to treating their patients or is it simply the incompetence of their local representation.

Carolyn of Bensalem PA (06/03/08)
On March 14, 2008 two 10-week-old kittens were brought to Banfield Hospital and seen by Dr. Jerry Godfry for: initial visit, physical, feline leukemia virus vaccine, rabies vaccine, feline distemper combo vaccine, intestinal parasite fecal exam, and leukemia/FIV test. At this initial visit we were told we had one female kitten (named Oreo) and one male kitten (named Tiger). When Dr. Godfry was administering the vaccines he administered two vaccines to Tiger and then proceeded to administer the same needle/syringe to Oreo that was already empty from Tigers administration. When I alerted him to what he had done his comment was: Oh, that was empty. He carelessly blew off my concern and asked me if I was a nurse. Visit totaled $651.70

On April 4, 2008 we were at Banfield again to see Dr. Godfry for the next set of distemper and leukemia vaccines and a well checkup. At this visit Dr. Godfry seemed disorganized and unsure of what vaccines the kittens were suppose to have. Once figured out, the vaccines were administered. The next morning, April 5, 2008 Tiger was completely lethargic and unresponsive to stimuli. I brought him back to Banfield and he was treated with antihistamines and observed for the remainder of the day. I feel the kitten was given the wrong vaccine. Visit totaled $129.04. At this visit I made an appointment for both kittens to be declawed and spayed/neutered on May 20, 2008 specifically when Dr. Godfry was not working. The appointment was made on a day I was told Dr. Godfry was not working.

On May 20, 2008 I dropped the kittens off for the procedures and found out Dr. Godfry was performing the surgeries. The kitten had not eaten since midnight the prior evening as requested by Banfield. At 4pm I found out that Tiger was out of surgery and okay. Oreo was going in. At 5pm I received a call from Dr. Godfry asking for my permission to treat Oreo at the emergency care center because he thought Oreo was a female so he proceeded to open the abdomen and search for ovaries. He had difficulty finding the ovaries and found what he thought was an ovary and followed it down and ligated the tube in two places. What he ligated was actually the ureter from the kidneys. He had mistakenly said the kitten was female when he was a male. Therefore, he performed the wrong surgery because he failed to check the sex of the kitten and carelessly cut a ureter. Oreo was taken to the emergency center were a left nephrectomy and neuter were performed. After speaking with Dr. Godfry at 5:30pm and giving him my cellphone number to call me as soon as he knew what was happening I have never heard from him again.

I have tried resolving this matter with the Banfield Corporate office in Portland Oregon without success. I filed the complaint with them on 5/21 and called twice after that and no one has responded.

Economically I have paid out $780.75 for both kittens treatment. In the future I will pay out an indefinite amount of money for yearly kidney function tests and who know what else related to this mistake. Physically, Oreo has lost an organ. This kitten was depressed for a week after due to a hard collar in place, stitches and mutiple operations. The whole event has been a physical and emotional hardship on my children, myself and my whole family.

Vicki of Silverdale WA (05/27/08)
I just want to say I have read other peoples complaints and I am not one of them. I don't know what other states are like but have been with this clinic for over 10 years and have had the best care ever. The staff knows me as do the doctors. I have two cats born with leukemia and Banfield in Silverdale has shown the upmost care and concern when I bring my cats in. They have always been polite and forth coming with all information. I cannot speak highly enough of this team.

Granted the ladies behind the desk can be short but how would you feel for 10 hours a day, dealing with customers who are irrated to begin with. I have both cats on the wellness plan and it has saved me money. However those other Banfields are being run is sad if there are that many disappointed customers but I give a big bravo to the clinic in Silverdale.

Rita of Mesa AZ (05/27/08)
Padded bills. Have multiple pets, 3 w/Banfield vet insur, 2 at vet down the road w/no insur. Cost for 3 at Petsmart/Banfield over $1800, in last 6 months - they say they need multiple tests, but no real change in pets health status. 2 pets at other vet cost $240 in 6 months, and are doing fine. Banfield vet said one dog would die without treatment from test they did.

Then never actually gave treatment because they wanted more tests. This put off vacinations and they charged extra fee for missing scheduled vacination, Clerk said, That's just the way it works. Dog is still alive, no observable health problem, and he never received their critical treatment. Banfield renewed yearly contract without notice, so to cancel insur, must wait until 12 month period over. Refused payment (my check) delivered by my son because I was not personally there. Sometimes will not let him bring dogs in, other times it's okay for him to bring dogs in. We never know what Banfield Hosp staff if going to say/demand.

Tired of losing money on worthless insurance and needless medical tests. Vet has us bringing dogs back often, dogs may be suffering from improper meds, gettings tests they don't need and are painful. Keeps my grandkids worrying when vet requests new tests - kids ask are they going to die?

Sharon of Cary NC (05/26/08)
I had my cat scheduled for a procedure and the day before they called and said I had to bring him in for another visit at my cost before the procdure because the vet he saw last was no longer there. The never have the same vets so why wait until the day before when I was already given the cost and it did not include the extra visit?

$35 not oringally quoted

Crystal of Greensboro NC (05/15/08)
I just wanted to let everyone know what happened last week with my Pomeranian at Banfield. I have the optimum wellness plan which I didn't know did not cover any extras. I thought it covered if he got sick, and also was not informed I couldn't cancel (I looked at my contract and it's not on there)

My dog Maverick had severe diarrhea, after it took 2 days to get an appointment. I waited 2 and a half hours, no vet, but they came back with a bill saying that he need iv therapy because he was dehydrated, and a host of other tests. The final bill would be $400!! For diarrhea!! I got mad, left and got another appointment at a local vet. She was fantastic, she did not want to run all of the tests because they would be expensive and try a broad spectrum antibiotic. Guess what, $65 and my dog is completely fine now. I have only met the vet 1 time, and I have been there 6 or 7 times for puppy shots. I hate banfield and will not go back, even for covered routine shots. I feel my puppy's health is more important. Don't use Banfield!

Shirley of Miami FL (05/12/08)
I have a 2 and half year old maltese/shih-tzu mix, and I got her from a lovely woman when she was 10 months old. Her vet's office, at that time, was far from where I live so I asked for her records and went to Petsmart's Banfield hospital here in Miami. At first I was greeting wonderfully and told about the health plan. I went to the first couple of visits and they seemed to go well... One thing I didn't like though was that the actual vet only saw her once. All of her shots and other visits for checkups were done by techs.

It started becoming a pain when I went for her second round of shots and they asked me to leave her all day, I thought that was kind of odd, but left her. I got a printout of what they did but never, STILL, saw a vet just the techs. I took her time after time and again, I only saw the vet on the very first visit when I got her for the first time, but never again.

Every time I went to visit, the front desk ladies were not very polite, they took calls in the middle of you explaining, YET AGAIN, why you had an appointment scheduled - you'd figure they had all that information in the system. Once I waited for an hour and half in the room and no one came by, I finally stepped out and asked and they said they were sorry that if I had the last room they usually forget someone is there.

The next time I visited, a year later almost, I was told he had tartar and that she needed a teeth cleanin and I had to leave her the whole day because they were going to pretty much drug her up for the pain, I was asked to upgrade my health plan (which starts the contract all over again, which they didn't explain) and I did so she could have her teeth cleaned.

A month later I get a letter in the mail from the county for a ticket I was issued for $261 for not having her rabbies shot. I was SHOCKED because Banfield's receptionists and techs told me they now sold the tags and did the certificates for the rabbies shots which they didn't previously. So I trusted that they tag they gave me and the certificate was all I needed. Never having had a dog before I figured that was it. Well, they didn't bother telling me that I still had to send it to the county for their tag. So I had to take time off of work, go to the county office and show them that I did have her vaccinated and they discouted the ticket down to 200. So I call and ask Banfield to confirm and they said yes that I should have gotten a yellow copy (which I never did) and had to send that in myself. Now I'm an organized person, extremely, to avoid situations like these and I know there was not copy given to me to mail to the county.

Next thing... A few months ago, she started vomiting a lot and didn't eat and didn't poop at all, so I go there with my sister in law and her dog since she had the last appointment of the day and ask if I can see the vet for an emergency... The girl said to wait that she wouuld as the vet, she came out and said no, to go to another clinic that was open 24 hrs (not at all related to Banfield) and I said that she was really sick, and she said, sorry the Vet said no - meanwhile I never saw the vet nor was allowed to speak to him at all. I also told them I was very upset because the PLAN I was paying for was with them, NOT the other clinic so I wasn't able to pay emergency fees . What choice did I have but to take her home and hope for the best.

Now I don't have children so she is like my child, and this was EXTREMELY upsetting for me, that they didn't care about the life of my little one. I asked if there was anything in the store I could buy to help her feel better and they didn't answer, so I left. Next time I went in (a couple weeks ago) for her shots, I decided not to leave her there but to wait until they put the shots, in front of me, the TECH AGAIN - no VET did all this. Out of curiosity I asked what the third shot was for right before he was about to put it in. The tech replied it's her rabbies, I immediately told him to stop, her rabbies was given to her earlier this year and lasts until 2010. WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE PEOPLE! I thought everything was in the system, then he said oh yea you're right like if nothing was wrong. I was SOOOO upset, I vowed never to go back again.

The worse part is that I 'm stuck paying the stupid plan until November because I can't cancel it and I cant downgrade it to a basic plan because they contract will start all over again if I change it. I'm not the only one either, my sister in law is never going back, her dog has been taken numerous time and the techs tell her she needs the dogs teeth pulled out, about 8 of them, and that it'll be a lot of money and when she said she would think about it, the vet wrote in the notes she got that she declined alternate treatment - WHAT alternate treatment?? They never even told her there was another option.

Recently, she was pooping pools of blood and she took her to another clinic that really took care of her. If you have a pet and love that pet like your child - DO NOT put them in Banfield's TECH's hands - obviously you will find it hard to see a vet there. It's hard to believe that some people go into the Vet field to make money out of poor people that love their pets. They treat the poor defenseless animals like if they didn't matter. Too bad dogs/cats don't talk because Banfield would be out of business once everyone hears how they really treat animals. It's a shame and we are 2 less people that they will have as customers.

The damage would have been that both my little dog and my sister in law's would have died due to negligence and lack of care.

Jeanne of Metairie LA (05/11/08)
Ok, I've been reading the complaints against Banfield and I am very sorry for the losses, but this is ridiculous. I work at a Banfield. I don't agree with everything and I know every hospital is different, but some of the things that I've read are either exaggerated or downright untrue.

1. DO NOT ADOPT AN ANIMAL IF YOU CANNOT PAY FOR IT'S CARE. I'm sorry, but having an animal is a CHOICE and it should not be taken lightly. Depending on the breed, animal, etc.. there can be large vet bills and if you are thinking of adopting/buying an animal you need to be responsible for these.

2. As for the story about the dog with Parvo in the other room. I don't know how each Banfield works, but we do see dogs with Parvo. What are we supposed to do? Turn away a dog with bloody diarrhea and vomit when it MAY or MAY NOT be Parvo, a disease that if not treated with quickly result in DEATH for the dog? So, what? It's completely ok for us to see your dog, but I guess you really don't care about the person in the other room who's dogs is DYING. MY mistake. Your Banfield, OBVIOUSLY, should have looked out for YOUR best interest.... screw anyone else. (We also disinfect every surface the infected dog touches after it's been in a room with hospital grade disinfectant).

3. As for not being able to cancel Wellness plans. WPs are NOT insurance. They are more of a payment plan, you end up saving money in the long run, anyway. You are paying for the basic services performed on your animals every month in the form of your monthly draft as opposed to paying, say, $200 for all your vaccines in one visit. You cannot cancel the WP because if you did you wouldn't even be paying the MINIMUM for the services provided.

4. If you're having a problem with Banfield, read over your WP forms again, it most probably explains why. Or ask your receptionist. Generally, they'll be happy to explain. But, in the end the animal is your CHOICE, not ours. We'll do our best, but don't be upset with us because you CHOSE to enter into an agreement you weren't responsible enough to enter into in the first place.

Breanne of Ventura CA (05/08/08)
Exactly as sent to the BBB, CA Vet Board, etc. (IF ANYONE HAS COMPLAINTS, I recommend you do the same!!!):

9/27/07, our cat was seen for her 6 month check up. The doctor told us that she was sick and described the condition as treatable, but did not tell us she could die. We did what was recommended, until 2 days later when I noticed that my cats ears and eyes were yellow. Yellow = very sick rushed her to emergency, spent $7,000.

Went back to hospital to pick up records, & the doctor aggressively confronted me (something a doctor should not do). After speaking to Cheryl, someone from corporate, she said that they would only allow for her wellness plan to be canceled (we have 3 cats and 2 dogs total & I wanted to cancel all of them. Doctor isn't good, why would I go back?).

We had 1 last check up left, so I agreed to transfer to Oxnard for the visit (unhappy about doing so). Oxnard they lost the fecal sample we brought in, they lied about the blood work they ran on our animals (said they ran it, talked to us about everyone being in good health. We went to pick up the paperwork from the blood work, and nothing was ever run. Several days later, they called and said a completely different story. How do I know my animals were seen? Doctor from Oxnard was confused, said she did a dental. They never did a dental on my dog!).

Spoke to Cheryl again, & she blatantly laughed 4 separate times at me (my story was nothing to laugh about). She also lied about calling corporate and would not return my calls. I tried to go up the ladder to resolved issue & was told nothing could be done. Banfield did not live up to their part of the contract! They did not provide adequate/reliable care for my 5 animals lives, which I entrusted in them. I would like a refund. I now need to take my animals to a new vet and will spend hundreds of dollars (if not thousands) in doing so. The vet care that I'm now seeking, will need to be redone by our new vet, who I have no clue if it was done properly, or ever done at all, by Banfield. After all of the reports I filed, they continue to defiant, rude, and not willing to work with me whatsoever.

My animals are now under NEW vet care at a wonderful veterinarian office, they are all doing good. Since this incident with Banfield, I have been sick to my stomach that a company would do this. I have taken countless days off to deal with corporate. No matter what I say, or how much I cry, they could care less about my animals and only care about their money. Banfield is disgusting and should be shut down.

Eric of Baltimore MD (05/08/08)
The anti-Banfield complaints listed here would be much more believable if it sounded at all like the accusers had a basic understanding of how to use the English language. I think I'll wait for Banfield's side of their stories.

General irritation

Jennifer of Austin TX (05/05/08)
I have worked for Banfield 2 years ago, and believe me all they care about is the money! There are a few of us whom are actually trained and care alot about helping but many of the people hired never graduated from highschool, and they let them do surgery on YOUR animals. The people who are actually smart enough to be in college end up quiting because the company realizes they can hire a new ignorant person for minimum wage instead of giving the educated, actually certified people a raise! The doctors too are burnt out and some actually care whereas some are in it for the money.

Ive actually seen a doctor be [angry] because the dog got better on conservative therapy because they wanted to run more tests to up their profits! While working there i have actually had a doctor tell me to disregard the protocol to keep any unvaccinated puppy out of a room where we have just discovered PARVO in another dog! This is so they can get you in and out of rooms so they can scrape in more money. Parvo is highly contagious and almost always results in death! RIDICULOUS! I was actually remanded for taking off tests from the estimate we never got around to doing during a comprehensive exam. Go to a REAL vet unless you dont care about your animal!

Barbara of Port St Lucie FL (05/05/08)
I brought my animals in 3 dog sebastian my 2 cats mr and mrs kitty and I explained my situation to them that i had 2 major back surgeries and wasnt working i had no money so my boyfriend went in to fill out a pet care credit form at no time were we informed that there would be a down payment or deposit so after they were knowledgable that i had no cash or money period

You would think they would have said something about the deposit but they waited until everything was done to inform me that they needed 100 dollars before they could put the credit through now they are threatening me to put it on my credit the entire amount owed which i still am unaware of the total and to top it all my 1 cat is still very ill and could die from this infection which they told me he was better and hes not at all better.

I am facing losing my cat and this 100 dollars there demanding that i dont have and wont have. They are demanding it now or they will put the entire bill on my credit i feel this was a very deceptive way to do business and would like to know my rights here in this situation. we also informed them not to go over the approved credit because we had no money to give them now they are also harrassing us on the phone. this only took place on friday 5/2/08

Lori of Ridgefield WA (05/03/08)
I took our 4year old boxer in because he would yelp when trying to lift himself on the bed or couch and walked as if he was in pain. The receptionist, nurse and the doctor all each asked me why I brought him into them and I said the same thing each time. Neeko is in pain and he yelps when trying to get onto the bed which he can't do and on the couch.

The doctor checked him out head, neck, spine and hips and then look at me and said he thinks he may have something going on with his abdomin. He said he wanted to run these test CPL, CBC , UA, Blood cell count and take some x-rays of his stomache. All tests came back fine but the x-ray in which he said he sees a blockage. Neeko deficated that morning at 5:00am and this was 8:00am when I took him and there was also no vomitting. He said to take him home and feed him chicken and rice and let hime know the following morning if he poops.

My husband took him outside to go pee while I finished up the paperwork and as soon as Neeko went outside he pooped once and peed three times. The symptoms for prompting a CPL test is vomitting and not pooping which he had not vomitted and did poop prior to us bringing him in. The blockage on the x-ray was poop because nobody took him to go in the nine hours he was there.

Neeko didn't get better and he progressively got worse through the night. The doctor sent us home with the x-rays in case we had to take him to a 24hour emergency center. At 5:30AM the following morning off we went to the 24hour vet center with x-rays in hand. As soon as we got inside the vet tech noticed he was limping in the front in pain. They asked us what has been going on and again I told them the same exact thing I told the three people at Banfield.

The immediatley wanted to take and x-ray of his upper body and also noticed he was'nt looking up and didn't want to as if it hurt which we didn't even notice. They gave him some pain med's and muscle relaxer for the x-ray. The doctor looked at the Banfield x-rays while they were taking the upper body ones and said his intestine looked good and that the obstruction was poop like we had thought. Neeko has a strained or pulled muscle from his collar and rest and some anti-inflamitories should get him back on track.

We are out 366.00 for test that were wrong and did'nt have anything to do with the reason why we brought him into see the doctor at Banfield in the first place. I had to take two days off of work to deal with this and the mental toll it has taken on my family and Neeko has been damaging. The emergency vet did in three and a half hours what it took Banfield to try and get wrong in 9hours. I am really considering a lawyer.

Barbara of Troy MI (05/01/08)
I have been taking my pets to them for quite awhile now and have had nothing but very good treatment for my pets. I feel sorry for those who have had bad experiences, but I can only give praise for the experiences we have had. They are very prompt, sincere and caring.

I have been using their Wellness Plan for my 2 chihuahuas and find that it has saved me alot of money and many a headache.

Tammi of Willow Springs NC (04/25/08)
My daughter's Guinea Pig had been acting differently for 2 weeks (sleeping more than what she thought was normal and not hopping around as much). We noticed that there was discoloration when she went to the bathroom, so we called Banfield to have the vet look at her. My regular vet for our dogs & cat doesn't treat guinea pigs. We were told to come right up, and upon arriving were greeted by a very friendly receptionist. The whole staff was very friendly, but we sat there for almost an hour before the vet came into the room. Twice we asked where the vet was and was told she would be right in.

When the vet finally came in, she examined our guinea pig and said that her breathing was labored, but her lungs sounded fine. She was given a complete exam, and we were told she needed antibiotics for an upper respiratory infection, but that otherwise she was healthy and would be fine. My daughter was very concerned, but the vet reassured her that our pig was otherwise healthy. We took her home, and gave her the first dose of antibiotics. Our pig ate some timothy hay, drank her water, and was running around and seemed fine.

The next morning, my daughter started screaming - our pig was dead in her bed. I called Banfield, and was told they were sorry but that these things happen. How is an animal fine one day, then after one dose of antibiotics, she's dead? We had her for 3 years, and she was my daughter's little buddy. I'm so disgusted right now - and I feel like I have no recourse in this matter.

My daughter is heart broken. We had our little pig for almost 3 years and were very attached to her. She would run to the cage door when we came home - all excited to see us. Every night she would squeak at my daughter to play. The cost isn't significant, the guinea pig was $30. It's the emotional toll that this is taking on my daughter that concerns me - to see her pig dead in the morning after being told by someone she thought she could trust - a Veterinarian - that her pet would be fine.

Christopher of Oviedo FL (04/22/08)
I brought my 4 month old boxer puppy in for skin treatment Dr. Scott Swetman told me within one minute of being in the room with my 4 month old puppy that he had mites (cigars with legs) did not take blood work, nor did he take a fecal test which was charged for in the examination fee. The doctor basically said there is nothing we can do until 30-60 days pass by and then we will go from there if his medical case is not cured. The medicine he ended up giving my puppy does cure the mites disease but is dangerous if given to a dog under 50 pounds and older then 6 months. Again, my dog is FOUR MONTHS and 27.5 POUNDS. NOT over 50 Ibs and NOT OVER 6 MONTHS!

A friend of mine who is a vet tech went to the vet with me. WHY? Because my dog was found dead not even 3 days later. When we went to the vet to tell Dr. Scott what was going on my friend questioned what was done with my dog whom is the vet tech. Doctor scott then said that my dog was not given a blood test after we asked. The medical records were shown that I myself read and saw and half of the stuff said that I declined what needed to be done when they did not even mention half of the medical treatements that my puppy needed. I then showed Dr. Scott of my picture healthy, he then close my phone and smirked and laughed in my face and said I did not kill the puppy. I then said, I need answers, what did my puppy die from? He smirks and said prove I killed the puppy.

What kind of veterinarian does this to an animal? He is in it for the money. That is really all banfield cares about. NOT the animals but the money. Pathetic! To anybody who is reading this, I strongly would think twice about ever bringing your animal/animals to any Banfiels Animal Hospital. It discusts me to have this happin to me and to see it happin to anyone else. Not only did i loose a best friend but my other dog lost a friend as well and that breaks my heart even more. banfield should be shut down for good! I googled banfield to find out there corporate number and it does not even show up even after Dr. Scott Swetman refused to give me the corporate number. My dogs are like family members to me and i lost a family member due to the INCOMPITENCE of Dr. Scott Swetman and banfield animal hospital.

LOSS OF A BEST FRIEND, LOSS OF A FAMILY MEMBER , GAVE HIM MEDICATION THAT ATE AWAY HIS SKIN AND GAVE HIM INFECTIONS. I AM DEVISTATED AND DISCUSTED THAT A LICENSED VETERINARIAN COULD AND WOULD DO THIS TO SOMEONE THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME .

Dolores of Tempe AZ (04/13/08)
On April 4, while shopping at Pet Smart, I purchased a flea/tick product over the counter from the Banfiled counter. A perscription was NOT necessary and the product was on display on the counter. A product insert was promised but not given to me. Upon arriving at home, I was going to open the product to apply it on my dogs buy couldn't figure out how to open it and noticed that I didn't receive a product insert telling about the product and warnings, etc. I called Banfield and they were closed for the evening so I left a message.

I then went on line to read about the product, K9 Advantix. what I found shocked me. The product isn't a medicine but is listed as a Pesticide which is to be applied to the dogs skin and absorbed into the body. I read about what other consumers had to say about the product and found that it caused neurological damage to their pets. I decided that I ABSOLUTELY would NOT apply this on my dogs.

I called Banfield the next day and they said I would have to talk to the Manager, Gerard who would be in on Monday. I left a message and asked that he return my call. He did not return my call. I called again on Tuesday, and was told that he was with a client and if he could call me back. I said that I had already left a message and he did not return my call, so I told her I would hold. He came on the phone and I told him about the product and that I wanted to return it. He said that he could not take it back. I then brought to his attention that it was NOT a prescription but was purchased over the counter and that it was listed as a pesticide. He then said, Let me check.: He then came back on line and said that he could take it back but said that it would take 6-8 weeks for me to receive a refund.

So I waited until the check cleared a couple of days later and the following Saturday, took the product back with the receipt and a copy of both front and back of the check showing that it had in fact cleared. He was not in and they said that according to his notes, I would receive a refund in the next 6-8 weeks. I asked that they contact him by phone and let me speak to him. He absolutely would not give me the refund and told me that I had agreed to wait 6-8 weeks for the refund. I told him that I had proof that the check had cleared and that I should be entitled to a refund on the spot. He wouldn't budge and I told him that I was appealing to his sense of fairness and that when HE returned a product anywhere else, that he didn't have to wait 6-8 weeks to get his money back. He would't budge and I told him that I was going to call the corporate office on Monday. He then threatened me that if I called the corporate office, that HE WOULD NOT give me a refund at all. He also said that if I had used a credit card for the purchase that he could reverse it at that time but since it was cash, I would have to wait.

My question...Is ther ANYTHING I can do to get my refund now? Proof that the check had cleared should have been sufficient reason to refund my money. One of the clerks, Deb, was totally sympathetic to me and also did not understand why he was doing this. She signed a card showing that I had in fact left both product and receipt (and copy of the cleared check) at Banfield and made a notation on the Message log that I had been there.

Not only did I not get my money back but developed a splitting headache from the encounter with him and was unable to function the rest of the day. I had to put off the rest of my errands and had to cancel a 4pm appointment because I was unable to deal with it because of the headache. I went home and went to bed. Today, I am still not feeling well. May seem really petty but it's the principal and unfairness of the situation that has warranted my complaint as well as being threatened.

Keith of Raleigh NC (04/12/08)
On April 8, 2008, my dog Tango, a 6yr old Maltese was administered anesthesia without my consent by the chief medical veterinarian at Banfield during a procedure. In 2004 Tango was given an ultrasound based on a high level of enzymes that were found during lab work and was diagnosed with a liver shunt. Because of the liver shunt Tango was unable to metabolize the anesthesia and began to seizure several times. The seizures bagan on April 10, 2008.

The vet at Banfield was fully aware of the condition that existed because it was a prt of Tango's records at Banfield. Even after being given a substantial dosage of Valium to sedate him, he still continued to have multiple seizures. Tango developed brain damage from the seizures and on April 12, 2008 we ultimately made the decision to have him euthanized.

Keith of Raleigh NC (04/12/08)
On April 8, 2008, my dog Tango, a 6yr old Maltese was administered anesthesia without my consent by the chief medical veterinarian at Banfield during a procedure. In 2004 Tango was given an ultrasound based on a high level of enzymes that were found during lab work and was diagnosed with a liver shunt. Because of the liver shunt Tango was unable to metabolize the anesthesia and began to seizure several times. The seizures bagan on April 10, 2008. The vet at Banfield was fully aware of the condition that existed because it was a prt of Tango's records at Banfield. Even after being given a substantial dosage of Valium to sedate him, he still continued to have multiple seizures. Tango developed brain damage from the seizures and on April 12, 2008 we ultimately made the decision to have him euthanized.

Anastasia of Baltimore MD (04/09/08)
I had to have my 17 month old choc. Lab put to sleep on 04-03-2008! On Sunday 03-31-08 Mocha starting vomiting and he couldn't hold anything down. On Monday morning 04-01-08 I rushed Mocha to Banfield. After getting a full report of what happened they needed bloodwork. Of course that wasn't covered under my wellness plan.Worried about my dog I went ahead and paid. The vet(Chief Of Staff) said it must have been something on the grass that Mocha ate. At this point my dog was still alert and himself. The vet said that he would give Mocha a shot(Still yet to know what the shot was)at no cost to me.He said that the shot usually runs around $194.

That evening we went home and Mochas' condition got way worse. Returning again on Tuesday morning with Mocha only to be told that he needed an x-ray to see if he had swallowed something. $214 dollars later(because that wasn't covered by insurance either) I was told Mocha had a foreign body in his large intestine the size of a ping pong ball!!

With a copy of the x-ray I was rushed to the emergency vet in Annapolis. Told that Mocha would need a $1200 surgery. Arriving there the doctor on call said the x-ray was not accurate.That it looked like the object moved around in each picture!! I was also told that the bloodwork taken was non-conclusive and would need to be retaken along with another x-ray. Mocha went through more testing even though he was dehydrated and lathargic!!! I received a call from the emergency hospital Tuesday evening only to be told nothing was in Mocha's intestine. The Dr. there told me that it looked like a severe case of Pancreatitis!!!! Mocha needed I.V fluids and pain medicine. This all cost another $700 dollars!!!!

Wednesday I recieved a call telling me that if finances were a problem then I should maybe consider putting the dog down. At this point I was running out of money because two weeks prior I was at Banfield and spent $400 dollars when Mocha suffered a seizure and they needed bloodwork then too!!!! Talking me into renewing and upgrading my wellness plan to save me alot of Money(HAHA).

Thursday I collected all records from Banfield and Annapolis and went to a vet willing to help me try to save my dogs'life. Everhardt Animal Hospital was the only people that treated me and my dog with respect!! They had three Dr.'s that reviewed all the records and said What an intresting case! They were really sorry that I didn't come to them three days prior. I had no choice but to release Mocha from his suffering. This was very hard on the whole family(Four kids included that cried Themselves to sleep!!!)This cost another three hundred dollars.

When I called Banfield to tell them the news, I was told to call a one hundred #. Calling this number they told me the plan was just renewed and I still have to pay another 6 months.

Valerie of Princeton, NJ (04/09/08)
My kitten died of a terminal disease. I wanted to discontinue the plan, as no longer alive, she could not receive preventative care. Banfield would not allow it, saying she received more care than the plan itself in terms of dollars. Other companies that offer the same insurance, such as Veterinary Pet Insurance, cancel the program if the pet dies. I have to continue to pay for a dead kitten.

As a student, I do not have the finances to continue to pay for a dead animal. By the fact they will not allow you to cancel, they have no respect for my dead pet or myself and I am very disappointed and shocked that they allow these practices.

Abby of Long Beach CA (04/08/08)
My fiancee and I adopted a dog at a local shelter. He had several problems, including a limp. When he runs, he is unable to use his back, left leg. We took him to the 24 hour hospital in Long Beach (the VCA) and they said that nothing was wrong with his leg because when they touched it, he did not whimper. When I joined Banfield I bought the Wellness Plan. When my dog went in for his check up, I asked them to take X-Rays of his leg. The vet went over the X-ray with me and said that my dog has a fractured femur and it is disconnected from his hip socket due to previous abuse. Dr. Kavanaugh said that my dog is in chronic, severe pain, and has been for a long time. She said that he would require surgery within one to two weeks.

It is now five weeks later and she has not returned my phone calls, nor has anyone called me to schedule the surgery. My dog is now out of the (7) pain pills she gave him to tide him over until the surgery. I was able to talk to her one week after my dog's appointment. She said that the hospital was ordering equiptment small enough for my dog (who weighs almost 17 pounds- he's not THAT small). That was one month ago.

Since that phone call, I have left 4 messages for her- none of which she responded to. I am very angry about this malpractice, so I tried to cancel my wellness plan. I was told that I could not cancel it because my dog had received $800 worth of services. They told me that I would have to wait for one year- until my plan expires-and continue to make monthly payments. If I do not make the payments or have by bank dispute the payments, they told me that my case will go to their collections agency, which will affect my credit.

My dog's pain gets worse every day. I know this this beacuse when he puts his foot on the ground, he cries. He whimpers/cries at least three to four times a day- more than before we sought treatment from Banfield. He ran out of pain medication and they will not give us more. I will have to keep paying my monthly dues of $35.00 for the next 12 months for a services which I will not allow my dog to receive.

Aric of Saint Paul MN (04/07/08)
The people here over schedule the appointments. The last three times I have had a big hassle - one of dogs was due a shot so I had a 9 am appointment - when i get there they they took her in back and said the doctor would be in shortly and i could walk around petsmart for about an hour so i did, then when I come up they say they need another half hour so I walk around again, then when I come back they say they need another hour! I demanded they just give her the shot but they say they have sicks dogs and I'll have to wait another hour. So I leave the store without my dog and drive all the way home and literally as I walk in the door the phone rings and its them saying I can pick up the dog!

What a waste of time and gas -today I arrived for a 10 wellness check which usually is a drop off but when I set the appointment I told them I want an appointent as to not gas and time so they said ok and made it for ten- when i go in they ask when do i want to come back -I told them no this is an appointment and they said no its a drop off and I explain that this was discussed and approved and they say well we had a full 9am schedule so it will be a while so I could go walk around for a while and wait - I said either see my dog now or I am cancelling and they coldly handed me a card with the number to cancel which I did - unless you like looking at dog food for hours on end stay away!

Kelley of Plymouth MA (04/06/08)
We put our VERY loved family golden down yesterday. He was bleeding in the abdomen due to cancer that had ruptered through his system.

I have the wellness program w/Banfield, I FAITHFULLY took him in for his comps. I brought him in in Feb. he was having episodes where he wouldn't lay down at night, could only go backwards. The Vet told me sometimes they can have these episodes. He told me that maybe we should have a Neurologist look at him, or better yet, videotape one of these episodes for him to view. Well, a little over a month later, my best friend is gone. He had cancer. WHY wasn't this shown in the blood tests? AND with the vet PATTING his STOMACH as HARD as he could because my golden was OVERSIZED.....

I am ANGRY.....as hell and haven't gotten of mind yet to tackle this. At the point I took him in at the end of Feb., that blood test should have shown that the red cells where depleted. Did they EVEN TAKE BLOOD? I am wondering about how MUCH they really do for those comp exams.

NOONE can replace my dog. After becoming empty nesters, that boy entertained me, guilted me into exercise....listened when I talked...sometimes even answering with his low howl.

And out of the blue I had to be told that he only had hours to live. AND that was AFTER Banfield told me to take him to another vet as they wouldn't be able to handle it.....

So why the insurance? It didn't cover ONE bit of the 1K it cost us yesterday to find out WHAT was going on with our pet and then to put him to peace.

When I calm down, I WILL approach Banfield with WHY....didn't they REALLY guide me, not give it as a thing I could do.....it should have been a YOU MUST issue...... I have words for them and they are NOT professional, not compared to the vet hospital I took him to yesterday....they are hacks as far as my mind is concerned.

I WILL get ALL my pets records and investigate, not that it will bring him back, but it may help another pet owner not HAVE to go through what we are going through this moment. And DON'T tell me it is because I am grieving and in my angry stage, because I am not angry. I am needing answers why they didn't DO THEIR JOB.......

Tarry of Killeen TX (04/01/08)
On June 13, 2007, my husband and I had woke up at 4:30 am and had smelled a very awful oder. We looked around our house to find it was a large mess that our 6 month old Great Dane had made, not knowing what was wrong we cleaned up the mess and continued to my husband's surgery. We later get a call from my sister (who was staying with us for a short visit) that our puppy was not able to get up or move at all and would not drink or anything. So I have her take him to the banfield pet hospital here in killeen.

They ran some test and took his temp to find out that he tested positive for parvo and had a temperature much higher then anyone really knew. So what do they do? They give him a HOT bath where he began to have convulsions and all they do is make my sister pay $250 (because I was at the hospital with my husband who had just gotten out of surgery) so she could leave due to a family emergency. I call them, as they had instructed my sister to have me do, and they tell me my options.

A. they can treat him for parvo which would come out to roughly $3000 per week, B. wait and see how he does over night with just some I.V. fluids then start treatment in the morning, and C. I can have him put down. I could not make this decision with out talking to my husband first. I hung up the phone and I asked my husband who was not quite awake from his surgery yet. He tells me to start the treatment and I called them back and give them our decision. I called them that night and they tell us he looks better.

Then, the next morning I call to check on him and they tell me that they had not started the treatment yet and that he had passed over night. We go to say our goodbyes and they ask us what we wanted to do with him and we had him cremated. We also requested that we find out what he truly had because the facts and symtoms they had told us and the things they had done did not match. Come to find out he had distemper and there was really nothing that could have been done. Had we known this we would have had him put down and not have let him sit in a cage suffering.

Then we get the bill. We were charged for many tests that we had not even known about and for 3 sets of the parvo treatment that he was never even given, along with many other things. My husband and I didn't have the time or the energy to protest the bill and the people at the front desk were so rude and heartless that we just didn't bother arguing with them. We paid the bill, got the remains of our puppy and went home. My family has had many other problems with Banfield in many different states. Yes, they will be nice to you on your first visit but after that they are very rude and heartless. You should never have to pay for this type of treatment.

Stephanie of Fort Hood, TX (03/31/08)
My husband cat came to live with us when we got married.  About 8 months after he deployed to Iraq, his 15 yr old cat became sick.  Banfield is in the pet store here so I kinda figured the vet should be trust worthy.

They told me he was dehydrated and had ear mites.  They gave him fluids and sent us home with mite meds.  When he continued to get worse I called them and they suggested with his age I should just have put him to sleep.  I took him to a different vet!!

Vet #2 did exams and found he had cancer. I had asked Banfield to check him for anything.  I had a 12 yr old cat who passed a few years back from cancer, so I SPECIFICALLY asked for them to check for cancer, told them I would pay, they told me they did.

Terry of Fort Wayne IN (03/28/08)
I have notified Banfield on several occasions that I wanted to cancel my agreement and was told that I could NOT cancel. Reading the agreement I noticed that I had to give them notice at least 30 days prior to the anniversary date. I told them that on 5 separate occasions, I have tried to get services from the location in Fort Wayne, however the doctor was either in school, on vacation or they don't have a doctor. The local staff even told me that they have had a lot of complaints and I might want to find a different vet for my dog. After being threaten with law suits and rude employees, I ended up paying them the balance of the year to get me out of my agreement. DON'T DO BUSINESS WITH THESE CLOWNS! NOT A NICE COMPANY TO DO BUSINESS WITH!

Christina of Chapel Hill NC (03/22/08)
Banfield killed my dog. My father took our healthy little dachshund in for minor surgery to remove well-contained tumors from her abdomen. The surgery went fine, she was doing really well and in recovery by 11:30 that morning. My father arrived to pick her up in the evening. The vet wrapped a bandage around her chest before she left with my father. He wrapped it so, so, so tightly. She was so heavily sedated that there was no sign of labored breathing. He suffocated my dog to death. She died on the ride home, within a few minutes of leaving the hospital. My mother discovered just how tight the bandage was when she tried to feel for a heartbeat and could not even get her finger under the stretchy material. This was after she thought our dog was sleeping on her lap only to discover she had been lying there, dead. My panic-stricken parents brought her back to the vet. The doctor who did this said he didn't mean to and well, since he (my dad) was there would he like to have her cremated? We don't believe he meant to do this, but we still wonder why he did this. But my sweet dog whom I've known for half of my life is just as gone as if he'd clubbed her.

Since then I have contacted Banfield numerous times pleading for either an apology or some reason for why this happened and an account of the recourse that was taken. They have only responded by offering a settlement that included a refund of our money in conjunction with a nondisclosure statement. This is not what I asked for! I WANT ACCOUNTABILITY! We rejected their refund. The grief is still unbearable. As a side note, the day of the settlement meeting, I had a chance encounter at the grocery store with a woman who said she now has a three legged dog because of Banfield. She would not say anymore because she had signed the nondisclosure statement but was wracked with guilt about doing so. It was no accident that we met, I believe. But of course, this is anecdotal. But this problem is bigger than anyone even knows.

Raschelle of Pala CA (03/21/08)
About four months ago my cat Aster was bitten by a stray dog that got into my house. The dog bit my cat's right front paw and broke both bones in the leg. I had previously been to Banfield and registered him for a wellness plan. Of course that does not cover the injury to his leg; however, they had told me all of the services that they offer at that time, which included the x-rays to see if the bones were indeed broken, and the surgery to fix the bones. When the incident occurred, I immediately contacted Banfield. The woman who I spoke with said that their facility did not perform any of the procedures that were necessary to care for my cat, and did not even give me another facility to contact. I ended up having to wait two days to take my cat to California Vet Specialists because that was the next closest facility.

By the time I got Aster into the vet they told me that he had acute kidney failure, and that it was so extensive that there was nothing that could be done to save his life at that point.... Needless to say after holding onto him for as long as they would let me, he had to be put to sleep. I blame the death of my cat on Banfield and the ignorance of its employees.If it wasn't for their not having equipment to do procedures that were supposed to be covered, my cat would still be alive.

Sara of Ruther Glen VA (03/17/08)
I took my dog to the Banfield Hosptial in Fredericksburg, VA. The first office visit was fine however it bothered me that the Vet. Tech was in the room longer and for majority of the office visit rather than the VET. The second time I took him, the front staff was horrible and terribly rude not only to me but to my dog as well. He is 8 months old and was whining because he wanted to visit with the people behind the counter. The lady, who was actually the Manager of the Office, told me I might want to consider taking my dog to some training classes to calm him down.

The third visit I took him to was at that point that they began to tell me about the insurance plan for the dog. It seemed like a great plan and the prices to me where unbeatable compared to the other Vet offices I had called around on. I opted not to enroll at that time. A month later when I decided to get my puppy neutered, I enrolled in the program. When I signed up, the only reason why I did was because the Vet Tech told me the total bill for the surgery would be roughly around $175. I was amazed so I went through with it. That day he needed some boosters and because of the plan that I chose he was able to get a few other things.

When he was done and I picked him up he could barely walk and had welts all over his body from where I assume he was given the boosters. When I took him home that night to give him a bath he began to shiver very badly and yelped every time we went to pick him up or even touch his hips. He could barely walk around the house and was whimpering every time he would move. When the day came for the surgery I brought my dog in and they told me to wait for the call to come and pick him up. I received a phone call later that afternoon around 3:30 telling me to come and get him. When I got there he had blood on his two front legs that they didn't even wipe off and his incision was crooked and he was shaved in place that he should not have been shaved. When I went to the counter to pay, the total bill was $313.19. I was outraged, paid the bill, and left. I cancelled my service with them. I have four other dogs that are at my parent's house who have all been neutered and I have never been treated so rudely at a vets office as I was there.

Jessenia of Stamford CT (03/11/08)
I decided to take my new puppy to Banfield because of the great prices available. The service I received was absolutely terrible. The vet tech had asked me during his 3rd visit if I was interested in neutering my puppy, and I had indicated to her that I was still unsure. She then told me that one of his testicles hadn't dropped and that it may be necessary to neuter him. For the benefit of my pup I decided to have him neutered based on what she had told me. On the day of the surgery, I asked the vet again if it was necessary, and she indicated only if the testicle dropped which was very unlikely from one day to the next. I left him and waited for the call to pick him up--and for the price because they told me that they will have to charge me extra for the neutering even though I got the package with the neutering (just in case). When I received the call I was told that their was no extra fee needed because the testicle had dropped. So I said oh good so the surgery was not needed right? WRONG... they still neutered him, even though I specifically stated to the vet I was soly having him neutered based on what she told me. They should have called me with this new information before neutering the dog.

Well, let me tell you that these people were not sympathetic at all! They turned around and said well... if you didn't want your dog neutered why did you purchase the package with the neutering? I was extremely upset. I complained to the manager, and he was just as stupid as his staff. I had to explain to them after they put me and my pup through unnecessary surgery, that the package was purchased just in case down the road it was necessary. They also administered a vaccination that I never even knew they gave him. They would tell me that they were administering one thing, and the next thing I know they are giving him unnecessary vaccinations without my approval.

Yes, it is the pet owner's responsible to follow up and follow through, but it is also the responsibility to provide your clients with the utmost respect, care, and accurate information. They have a duty legally to ensure the safety and care to the pets they care for. I think it's horrendous when they can turn around and tell me that I couldn't get out of my contract because I would be breaking it, and it will have to come out of pocket. So I have been stuck with them for a year and pay my monthly fee because I have no other choice. The staff is not courteous and does not provide you with enough information up front.

The vet techs are not educated enough to provide the care that they advertise. Everything associated with this place is a rush. They rush to get you in and out. They also take your pet to the back and claim that this is necessary for one thing, and then they end up doing, only God knows what and return him to you without even letting you know if they administered anything extra. The only reason I knew about the extra vaccinations is because I requested them to be faxed over to me, which took them 2 hours to fax 2 sheets of paper. I guess that is the reason that they say you get what you pay for! Banfield is the worst place to take your beloved pet. Trust me, it is so much more worth paying the extra money so you can get the care that your pet deserves.

My dog is a beautiful pure breed that I was planning on breeding one day, for the sake of having one of his litters when my children get older. My kids were looking forward to this, and now that will not be possible. I had to stay stuck paying for a service that was terrible, and I believe they are legally liable for neutering my pet without my ok. They should be held accountable for that. I didn't even get an "I'm Sorry!" I wish I would have done some more research on Banfield because I know for a fact I am not the only one who has encountered a bad experience--and I am sure I won't be the last. This organization should not even be in operation. My experience at Banfield was the worst experience of my life, and I am happy to have now found a great vet. Please do yourself a favor, and don't take your pet there! It is not worth it.

Kristen of Shepherdstown WV (03/05/08)
IF any of you complaining actually paid attention and asked questions, ALOT of these complaints wouldnt even be necessary. The Wellness Plans are beneficial and DO save you money, but you as the consumer have to learn to READ the brochures given and the contracts signed. If you really arent happy you CAN cancel within 3 days. As for the vet techs, they have a set list of things they are supposed to do when they come in the room. If your dog is squirming, YOU are supposed to hold it still, but 95%+ of you WONT...

Have ANY of you ever thought that the people at the front desk are DOING THEIR JOB when it comes to wellness plans or selling items up front? You tell me where someone DOESNT try to sell you something. Half the pet owners out there are negligent about certain petcare items, such as flea and tick prevention or heartworm prevention, but yet its the RECEPTIONISTS fault for noticing YOUR records and caring about YOUR dog. Seriously people, dont blame EVERYTHING on the people you work there, takes TWO TO TANGO, YOU have to have played a part somewhere in there.

Heather of Pineville NC (03/04/08)
Today, I dropped off my kitten to be spayed. I also dropped off my 2 male cats for checkups. The receptionist mixed up the cats paperwork and put the wrong name/paperwork on the wrong cage. The anesthesiologist never checked the sex of the cat in the pre-op exam. The Vet never checked the sex of the cat in the pre-op exam. So my MALE CAT WAS CUT OPEN FOR A SPAY. Do you get the level of incompetence here? It took 3 people screwing up for this to happen. How can there be no checks and balances in place??? Why is there no identification ON THE ANIMAL??? When I brought my kitten in last December, she had ear mites. I was given medication and told to return with the medication in 3 weeks. No one told me I was supposed to GIVE HER THE MEDICATION. So my other cat got a serious case of ear mites. There is only 1 Vet at that hospital. It is obviously understaffed and highly incompetent.

Simon of Chattanooga TN (03/03/08)
Pet was initially diagnosed as having cysts or simple, operable tumor. Immediately after surgery, DVM stated unequivically, that the tumors were malignant, had mastisized and would recur in 3-6 months. When I asked about a biopsy, he dismissed the idea, stating it won't tell me anything I don't already know. I ordered a biopsy which indicated the tumors were BENIGN. A second opinion supported that finding.

Surgery cost $400 and the biopsy $90! I suffered anxiety and great distress due to DVM's rash misdiagnoses.

Raquel of St Augustine FL (02/15/08)
The experience was awful. I already made a statement. Everyone should stay away from this place. If you LOVE YOU PET, DO NOT TRUST YOUR PET TO THESE PEOPLE.

Have a lawyer contact me. MY MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PET IS DEAD, AND THEY CHARGED ME 9 months after my contract was terminated without authority and after my dog had passed. Yes, they knew she was gone.... How dare they? I have called repeatedly trying to resolve this issue, and they have not so much as tried to cooperate.

Raquel of St. Augustine FL (02/15/08)
My Little Brussles Griffon Terrier was in need of immediate care as she was not only my pet but also my therapy pet. She was coughing and not breathing properly. I brought her in, and she was treated for an EAR infection. The vet gave her antibiotics, medications. I asked about the cough, and 500 Plus dollars later, discussed with me the insurance program that would save me money. I signed up. Again, she was not well. I drove one hour to be seen again. She needed to be seen immediately. New to the area, I looked in the phone book and noticed there was a Banfield closer to my home in Orange Park. I called and spoke to the Vet tech, explaining that my therapy pet was ill, and it would take me 1 hour to get her there vs. 15 min to Orange park. I specifically asked, if she could be seen at this location without any problem. The vet responded, no problem, just take her over and I will fax the records over right away. I asked if I had to sign anything or if there was going to be any fees and she said, no. My girlfriend and I took my pet in the car; she called a friend of mine who is an experienced dog trainer and explained the symptoms. He suggested we seek immediate medical help and have a chest xray taken. I brought my dog to the Orange Park location where one disaster after the other only added to the stress that followed. First, though there was no one waiting, but they kept me waiting for over 90 minutes. A huge vet tech took my little dog back into a poorly organized room, did not properly restrain her while trying to insert an IV and caused a terrible Hematoma not to mention two punctures--that is called sloppy work. The dog is now sick and over stressed, and I am further stressed as an MS patient.

Now I am left to wait in a room for another hour with a trembling dog. Her records have yet to arrive, and the DOCTOR IS WINGING IT. I end up telling him what to do and where to look. Somewhere in the middle of the consult I call my trainer who called the Original office and then they talked to the Manager and got the doctor to return and treat my dog--not just look at her ear. A heart murmur was identified, an enlarged heart, a cough of unknown origin--not kennel cough--was noted and bloodwork was done. This and more meds were given. When I was to check out I was given an unbelievable bill that should have been covered by the insurance. That is when the clerk told me that my Banfield insurance was null and void at the Orange Park location. I was dumb struck! I explained that I called before, spoke to the vet teck and the vet at the other location prior to coming to this location and asked specifically about the charges, and I asked to speak with the manager. I was left to wait yet another 50 minutes. I am also diabetic. By now, I am ready to pass out as my sugar level plummets. I was faint, sweating, dizzy, feeling disoriented and they are yelling at me about paying an almost $800 bill. I was too sick to be outraged. I called my friend for a ride as I couldn't even drive.

I called my trainer to speak with the Manager and  told the clerk that I was having a medical problem. THEY TOOK MY CREDIT CARD PRIOR TO TREATING MY DOG AND HAD SWIPPED IT TO SEE IF I HAD AN ACCOUNT WITH BANFIELD, WHICH I FOUND STRANGE. I told her I was leaving and gave her my phone number. My trainer called the office manager and spoke with her for over an hour. I called the other mall location by the Jacksonville Airport location to try to find out what happened. The vet tech had left for the day. Someone else was now there. I receive a call from the Orange Park location, threatening to call the police on me for leaving without paying. This, and my dog is still sick. My trainer and I were both on the phone with the vets and the office manager and then headquarter trying to get an answer as to how this can happen.

I NEVER USED THEIR SERVICES AGAIN. TWO MONTHS LATER, MY BELOVED DOG DIED OF CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE. BANFIELD CHARGED MY ACCOUT EVERY MONTH AN ADDITIONAL MONTHLY CHARGE-AFTER THAT VISIT EVEN THOUGH I HAD COVERAGE FOR A YEAR. THERE WERE ALMOST 9 MONTHS OF UNAUTHORIZED CHARGES FOR A DEAD DOG. I THINK THIS IS CALLED FRAUD IN SOME STATES.THIS PET SAVED MY LIFE WHEN I SUFFERED A TIA 4 YEARS AGO. SHE WAS NOT JUST A COMPANION. SHE CARED FOR ME AND COMFORTED ME WHEN I WAS CRIPPLED WITH PAIN. SHE NEVER LEFT MY SIDE, AND I AM A YOUNG, VIBRANT WOMAN WHO WAS STRIKEN WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS BUT BLESSED BY A FOUR LEGGED ANGEL. BANFEILD CLINIC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR THEIR CONDUCT, THEIR LACK OF PROFESIONALISM AND THEY HAS CROSSED THE LINE. THEY HAVE MUCH TO LEARN ABOUT INTEGRITY. THEY DO NOT DESERVE TO BE TRUSTED WITH OUR PETS. THEY DO NOT DESERVE OUR MONEY AND THEY WILL NOT GET MY MONEY ANYMORE.

MY DOG IS DEAD AND THEY MISDIAGNOSED HER ILLNESS.

Kimberly of Paramus NJ (02/09/08)
We took our 8 month old dog Butch to Banfield for a follow up visit from a previous eye problem which they prescribed meds for. We stood and waited for over an hour which made Butch restless. We FINALLY got into a room, and a nurse came in and said it was routine to take his temperature. Since Butch (and us) had been waiting now at this point for over 2 hours, he obviously did not want to sit still. The nurse proceeded to try to grab him as he tried squirming away. Since he did not stay still, the nurse threw her hands on his back and slammed him to the ground as he screamed in pain. He got up and his back right paw immediately went limp as he hopped around crying hysterically. We were shocked by what happened and asked what she did to him to make him like that. She said he'd be fine, and the doctor would come look at him. As the doctor came in, he was still limping and it was clear that his knee cap was popping in and out. She examined him and told us he had a hip problem and he needed to have a hip replacement. We stared at her knowing that our puppy was only 8 months old and NEVER had any problems before this.

She said she needed to do a bunch of tests on him and recommend him for hip surgery and therapy. We said absolutely not because at that point it seemed like they just wanted our money and didn't even bother to notice it was his KNEE, not his hip! After we denied her, she told us to take him home and maybe it would go away! After taking him home and watching him for a few weeks, his limping got worse and worse and he shreiked in pain whenever his knee popped out...which was happening more and more often. There was NEVER anything wrong with our dog before this, and now he couldn't even walk on a leash without limping.

Banfield charged us money for the visit and all the medications that he was prescribed, and we said we should not have to pay since they injured him at a FOLLOW UP EYE EXAM. They fought back and said they did nothing, and it was VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR A NURSE TO HURT A JOINT. We took him to another vet who told us that it wasn't his hip at all, but rather the force of the nurse had caused his knee cap to pop and would need future knee surgery which could run into the upper thousands. Banfield employees and doctors are extremely incompetent and do nothing but make situations worse. Now my poor dog will have to endure an operation for something that should've and COULD'VE been prevented. I will take this to court if I have to. I refuse to pay for all of these bills because these Banfield people hurt him out of NEGLIGENCE.

Cynthia of Rancho Santa Fe CA (02/09/08)
I heard about Comfortis which is supposedly a wonderful new product for fleas. When I ordered the product I was told I had to have a Veterinarian write a prescription, and that the dog had to be seen by the Vet within the year. My dog was seen by the Banfield Vet in July '07. They refused to assist me because they said they never heard of Comfortis. I suggested they look into this product; and they told me they had not heard of it ,and therefore refused to assist me in getting this product for my dog.

I will now have to pay for another vet to look at my dog to write me the prescription. It will cost me time and money, and most importantly I am disgusted that a Banfield veterinarian refused to return my calls or to do research himself on a product that is now being recommended by many knowledgeable veterinarians. The receptionists were beyond rude, and I am very disappointed.

Sandra of Saint Peters MO (02/07/08)
I've been taking my dog Shadow to this hospital for 2 years. I started out with them when she was a puppy. We purchased the Wellness Plan Package and in only 2 years it has saved us over $1000. When we signed up on the plan it was explained very clearly that this plan was for certain services, mostly shots and what not. I'm appalled to read all of these comments about folks who purchased these plans without first reading what they were about. When Shadow had some stomach problems the doctor there had to order additional tests and we were very aware that these were not included in the health package, as the package is not insurance but rather like a payment plan to make it easier on me. Overall I have always had a pleasant experience at this hospital, and they even recognize me by face. That means the world to me.

Stephanie of Killeen TX (01/25/08)
I got a puppy from the Harker Height pound for $10 and was told I need to get her a rabies shot that would be $8. Three days later I go to Banfield thinking it would be convenient and I figured that since they are such a big clinic in conjunction with PetSmart, I assumed they would be equal if not better-priced to other clinics. Boy was I wrong! I knew my pup may need more than just an $8 rabbies shot, but I was not prepared for what I was told was highly recommended. I would like to say that if I did not care about my dog, I would not have taken her from a kill shelter and I would not have brought her to the clinic in the first place to see what she needed. I have been a pet owner before, and I have also had a puppy from the pound. Never have I paid so much for vaccinations! Just because I have the abiliy to pay $300 for shots (Just the first visit- They wanted to see her twice more that month with actual bills equaling more than this visit!) doesn't mean I should and it also does not mean that I do not love my dog. If I did not want to provide her with a high quality of life, I would have never have gone to the pound in the first place.

I hear great things about Dr.Laura from the people who are happy with this clinic. I am confused, because the vet I had was very much an older man, but Dr. Laura is a female, and it is her name on my bills, though it was not a Dr. Laura or even a female who treated my dog. Also, they scared the heck out of me about ghiradia, which other vets say isn't a huge deal and is common. Not only did they scare me, but much of the stuff they told me contradicted what the pamphlet they gave me said. Everything they put in front of me they said they, Strongly suggested. If a vet strongly suggests I need something to save my dog, I agree. They said parasites were eating her insides and my toddler could contact this, they they said treating it was optional. How it was described to me, it would be inhumane on several levels to NOT treat it.

After my second time there and vet bills totaling $543.52 for both visits; This was over a two week time span and they tried to set up a 3rd. appointment for 10 days away. Then the woman went on for 20 minutes saying why I needed their wellness plan--I said NO 6 times before she said I would pay less today. I should have only had to say No one time. I asked why if it was such a deal, why they didn't tell me about it the week before; She said it's not talked about on the first visit because you may not stay at that clinic. When I went to sign for it, I saw the part of $34.99 being deducted from my bank account each month. In that woman's 20 minute schpeil, she neglected to mention this. I put my foot down; To be at this fee, plus the dog's other costs in 2 weeks...I felt like I was being taken. In the last week, I have brought her to two different vets who have both looked over the Banfield vet bill and they agreed that I had been taken for a ride. In addition to absurd charges, they said immunizations that my dog needs weren't given. They also said you can spay a dog at 6 months, but Banfield told me not until 1 year. (My dog is between 7-9 months). I am just warning you to beware. If you have costs, such as children and a mortgage, car payments, field trips and you go in and feel like youre experience is going how mine was, definitely find a new place. I would suggest you start with the new place, though. If only I had!

Bills totaling $543.52 that were unnecessary, in addition to stress and fear for both my dog and my family.

Rachel of Oxnard CA (01/25/08)
My sister couldn't keep her cat, Jabu, so I offered to take care of him. Jabu is about 12 years old and diabetic. Banfield is right behind my house, so signed up for a wellness plan. For Jabu's first comprehensive visit, I brought in his past vet records showing that he was up to date on all of his shots, that he was on insulin, the amount prescribed and that he had recently had a couple teeth extracted. The vet techs carted Jabu off to the back and told me to pick him up when they called. At the end of the day, I came back and they had re-administered all of his vaccinations and the only thing that they brought up in our post-check up conference was that he was obese. Duh! The cat weighs over 16 lbs! They also offered me a feline pedicure. Did they not look at Jabu? His first owner (I am his third) had the poor guy declawed!

I had to hunt the doctor down and ask about his blood work and getting a prescription for insulin. She seemed really put out and said that she would call a prescription in to the local pharmacy. Two days later I go to pick up the insulin and she had never called it in. I called Banfield and the lady on the phone promises the doctor will call the preceription in, and yet it never happened. I took Jabu back one more time in hopes that this time they would actually do something about his diabetes and had to force the doctor to do tests. Of course, they take him out of the examining room and come back 10 minutes later with Jabu and say they will call with the results. Apparently, while in the back they gave him another rabies shot! Jabu was sick from that shot for two days. I finally had to call and ask for the blood work results and there were no results to be had! (I am afraid to find out what happens in the back.)

Out of frustration, Jabu and I went to another vet who simply took blood from Jabu's ear and used a regular glucometer and gave me instant results. The new vet didn't even charge me! He took the time and explained what to look for when it comes to diabetic cats and even wrote a prescription for me to hand to the pharmacy and asked me to come back in two weeks for a follow up. I went in to Banfield to complain and to cancel my wellness plan and they said that I had to pay for the remainder of the plan or for the services rendered. What services? They also said that they would have the district supervisor call me and, of course, she did not. I also requested Jabu's records and there is no supporting evidence that any tests were ever done. They also continually put extra charges on the bill that I did not want-- things like flea controm medicine and pedicures. If I didn't read the bill before leaving, I would have paid for things Jabu didn't need and that I didn't ask for. To be honest, I am still not sure what I paid for... except for the vaccinations that he did not even need. Spend your money wisely -  go to a real vet.

I think that the doctor and techs are negligent. The did not perform the services that they said they did. They also were constantly trying to sell me things I did not need. Jabu was declawed by his first owner (I am the third) and they offered a pedicure service. Look at the cat's feet! The doctors spent the least amount of time with me and were hard to get a hold of when there was a problem or questions.

Jay of Long Beach CA (01/16/08)
In January of 2007, my son's 6 year old orange feline tabby cat was sick with some infection of the bladder. I took him to the vet at Banfield to check on his bladder and run some blood work. They said they did run blood work and there is nothing wrong with cat, so they gave me some antibotics to administer. A week later, he was in worse pain - urinating all over the kitchen instead of his litter box in the den. I took him back to the vet and the vet ran some tests and said nothing was wrong. Two days later the cat was urniating blood. I took him to the vet again and the vet says he cannot tell what's wrong. I am furious and ask for another vet. They gave me VCA address in Fountain Valley, CA, so took my cat to VCA and explained what's wrong. They looked at him and quickly stated that this is a fatal emergency. So he had to be rushed into surgery, they found the problem, he had bladder stones in his uthera and his bladder that was blocking.

He made it through the surgery. (This month is one year anniversary of his near fatal death and now he is doing well.) The vet at VCA said that this problem has been going on for a long time for my cat. She stated that the vet at Banfield should have noticed it in the blood work quickly. She also stated that she looked into my cat's arms and did not see any needle marks showing that Banfield commited a malpratice by faking tests and charging me for services that I never received. I also signed up for the wellness plan. They told me that the wellness plan will cover his surgery and everything. When I asked Banfield to cover his surgery due to the vet's mistakes, they refused to do so. I ended up with $5,000 dollar vet bill for the emergency surgery that could have been easily prevented by administrating the correct oral medicine much earlier.

I suffered for weeks trying to figure out what's wrong with my cat and made several trips to Banfield vet and the vet said nothing was wrong. I spent a lot of money at Banfield and ended up with emergency surgery bill that was Banfield's fault due to error in not doing their job. Also I am deaf, I requested to discuss with the vet over the Video Relay Service since my primary language is American Sign Language. They said no, come in to the office and we can discuss in person. I wanted to explain over the relay so it can be easily explained instead of writing down on paper with pen back and forth. I am stuck with payments on the vet bill since I am on SSDI and it's killing me finacially. 

Jennifer of Geneva IL (01/16/08)
When my mom got her puppy, Dakota, she immediately signed up for the Banfield Wellness Program. The ONLY vet Dakota saw was at a Banfield clinic in Joliet. When Dakota was 3 years old, she began to limp every once in a while. My mom followed their schedule for vaccinations and exams perfectly. She was so picky about the care of this dog. So when Dakota started limping, she immediately took her to the Banfield clinic. They of course ordered x-rays (which were extra $$) and told my mom Dakota had probably aggrivated her ACL. They gave her a few pain pills to give Dakota and told her it would heal itself. Over the next 6 months, the limping became more frequent and more severe. So my mom took Dakota back again. They ordered more x-rays (more $$) and told her that Dakota had torn her ACL and that she needed it surgicaly repaired, which they could not do. She then had to find a surgical vet to perform the $2000 surgery to repair the torn ACL.

Dakota went in for surgery the day before Thanksgiving, 2006. When the doctor cut Dakota open to repair the ACL he found that there was no hard bone tissue at all in the knee area. Dakota did not have a torn ACL, she had osteosarcoma, bone cancer basically. So they ran more tests and it was so far advanced that the cancer had spread to her lungs. Long story short, Banfield vet was the ONLY vet who took care of Dakota since she was 4 months old and they could not diagnose CANCER? By they time we found out, it was too late. She lived another 2 months after the initial surgery. When I called Banfield to tell them their doctor misdiagnoised the condition and Dakota died because of it, I got no sympathy at all. Just keep paying that monthly bill.  I feel their gross neglegance caused Dakota to die before she had too. So, I cancelled the credit card that the bill was being charged to and wrote them off. Two months after my heated confrontation with them, they sent my mom a card reminding them that Dakota was due for an exam. Can you believe that? The vet for my dog compared using Banfield as a vet to using an urgent care facility as your regular doctor. Not a good idea.

Anthony of Charlotte NC (01/09/08)
I took my dog of 6 and a half years to Banfield last July for a simple cut on her foot, from the suggestion of a person I used to work with. Throughout the years my dog travelled all over the country with me and saw a total of about 5-6 different vets and they all agreed she had something wrong, but not hip problems and never suggested any type of x-rays, treatment, etc. My dog got along very well and you can ask anyone that had the opportunity to spend time with my Shelby that she was by far the best dog ever. Great temerment, and I even had people stop in their cars to tell me that was the happiest dog they have ever seen, as did my father while walking her in upstate NY while I was home one summer.

When I took her to Banfield in South Charlotte for a cut on her back pad, the vet said she had all these problems with her hips and that she had to have x-rays and treatment and convinced me to sign up for their wellness program at 600 bucks a year. They also told me that if she died within that year, say of cancer, I would still be obligated to pay the plan. Well, wouldn't you know it, a month or so after I first took her there, I found some lumps under her chin and in the groin area. I took her in and had to pay 200 more dollars for tests and guess what, she got diagnosed with lymphoma and gave her 4-6 months to live, suggested chemo at 500 bucks a month and suggested steriods at 50 dollars a month.

I put her on the medication and 3 months later it was time for her to leave us. Never once did any other vet over 6 years suggest x-rays, treatment, anything. They just asked if she was happy and she was an extremely happy dog, went everywhere with me, never leashed, always by my side. After 2 and a half months I am still paying the wellness plan and have tried continously through corporate AND the location I took Shelby to, to stop this. They said I have saved THOUSANDS by being in the wellness plan with my free visits and such. Well, isn't it odd that a healthy happy dog comes down with cancer less than 2 months after her first visit?And isn't it odd that they mentioned cancer when they explained I would have to pay the plan even if she died from cancer. HMMM??

By the way, after her x-rays, the vet told me She has extremely good hips for a lab her age. Also, I had to pay TWICE to put her under for the x-rays and teeth cleaning that come with the plan, 70 bucks a piece that is NOT included in the wellness plan because the first time they put her under in which they were suppose to do both x-rays AND teeth cleaning, they did the teeth and then called me and said, sorry we can't fit her into x-rays today so she will need to come back. Great scheduling office manager. This is the WORST place you can take your animal.

The physical damage is that I lost my dog, and I am still paying the financial damage which has cost me overdraft charges as well because corporate told me they would stop the draft from my account. Odd how they only accept automatic drafts as payment for the wellness plan isn't it? Not to mention they charged me 100 dollars to put her to sleep when the time came when other vets normally don't charge for euthanasia, or it's only about 35 dollars. Not to mention the medication they give is NOT cheaper even with the discount from the wellness plan. All together I am out of about 1200 bucks, and should I even mention the best dog ever. My best friend.

Tracie of Chesapeake VA (01/03/08)
I recently lost my golden retiever of 9 1/2 yrs.  I phoned Banfield to inform them about my pet lose and to get reimbursed for a payment of insurance that was taken out of my bank account on 12/14/07. It's alot when you lose a pet, he was our baby and best friend, When I called in reference my dog passing away and the payment that was taken out on 12/14, they said they would reimburse me and it would be taken care of. That was 2 weeks ago, and i haven't seen any rembursement for this amount, so i called the Banfield Corporate office again today,

Treating your pet like Family yeah right, i get told that i can't get reimbursed for the amount taken out of my account, because their company has already taken a lose on the account. NOW, I think I'm the one taking a lose here...not them, Where do they get off talking to people this way.

Anne of El Cajon CA (12/28/07)
My 11 month old Pug was limping and favoring her back right leg for several days. During our visit to Banfield, Dr. Farrell ordered the standard set of x-rays and examined her to deduct a probable soft tissue injury but could not rule out hairline fracture. He pointed out the sizable chunk of bone located in the tibial region (knee) that could clearly be seen on the digital the x-ray and went on to assure me that I should not be concerned about the 'growth plate' that had not attached. We left with Rimadyl for a diagnosis of discomfort--and a hefty bill. Unsatisfied with the care we received, I researched growth plates in canines and found that hers should have been completely or nearly completely attached by this age. When her limping persisted and the pain did not subside, we contacted another clinic in the area for a secondary examination, bringing the original x-rays and clinic records.

Upon opening the first x-ray image, the new vet was appalled at what she saw. It was evident the dog was suffering from a fracture of the tibial tuberosity from the tibia. Callus formation was already evident between the displaced tuberosity and the tibia, meaning that the healing process had begun, and this piece of bone that had broken off was setting itself incorrectly. Surgery was now a very likely possibility. Luckily, we were able to utilize a series of wrapping techniques and physical therapy in later weeks to allow the bone to grow in a somewhat normal location that would not hinder her mobility, and we are working on rehabilitation; but she has lost so much muscle mass in her leg that she still refuses to use it completely. The second vet feels strongly if she had received adequate treatment from Banfield immediately, she may have made a full recovery without atrophy to such a large extent and would most likely be using the leg already.

Kelly of Canyon Lake CA (12/22/07)
Almost 3 months ago I took my Rat Terrier in for a lump on her throat. Dr. dismissed it and prescribed antibiotics. Lump subsided but didn't go away. Dr. Then said perhaps a foreign body; I requested removal and she insisted first on cancer test (labs) and more antibiotics. Cancer test negative so she once again said could be foreign body. I insisted she remove but Dr. states surgery last resort, especially since location near trachea and advised to try more meds and another test (lab-bacteria). Nope, not that either--so we know it's a foreign body. So I then insisted on surgery immediately only to find Dr. doesn't perform surgery. What? Got referral to ANOTHER doctor outside of Banfield.

I was outraged by Banfield because I paid $600 only to find out Dr. never intended to perform surgery because she's not qualified to perform surgery. I called corporate, but they say they have nothing to do with the individual Banfields. I had a meeting with Dr. and office manager - still useless, however, Dr. ADMITTED in front of Office manager she was not qualified to perform surgery and admitted she lied to me. Now, I've rec'd a certified letter from Banfield telling ME they didn't want to treat my dog anymore. I called to make sure my program was canceled and to get owner's name; office manager said she'd TRY to get the auto deduct canceled and would not give me Medical Director's or owner's name indicating I needed to call head office. I called head office and again, they say they prefer to stay out of it. I need an attorney to sue them.

$600 for nothing. Poor dog - now needs surgery and I have spent all my money on Banfield for zip. The estimate so far (only one doctor) is $1,000 to remove lump--and now she's got TWO.

Michael of Colonia NJ (12/10/07)
Banfield pet hospital in my opinion is a terrible place to take your pet . I started going to them several years ago because my previous vet died, and eventually his business was bought out by Banfield. I own a 10 year old beagle . Recently I took her to get a teeth cleaning; it was terrible: her teeth still were loaded with tarter after the surgery, and it cost me over $200. Then afterwards, the dog developed a serious problem with her bladder.  I took her to Banfield, and they did a urine test and previously took a blood test. They called me at work the next day with her results and said she had a bladder infection. I was informed to come and pick up a prescription which they had waiting for me. I got there after work and had to wait a hour because one of their staff lost the medicine, and it had to be refilled.

I gave her the prescription (Climinax). It seemed to be working to a degree, but the dog still had the problem. After the prescription completely ran out, the problem got worse. I called Banfield to speak with a doctor, and the receptionist put me on hold, then rudely questioned why I needed to speak to the doctor.  I explained, but she said the doctor is busy and would call back. I said the dog is in discomfort, and to please have the vet call as soon as possible. I never got a call back.

The following day I called the doctor and finally got her on the phone after being persistent. She said in a nasty voice that she'd called me twice and left a message; but she had not--my cell phone had not rung all day.  She said she couldn't renew the prescription but had to bring in my dog for further tests. We went in for x-ray and another urine test.  They gave the same prescription again, and it cost me several hundred dollars more for this visit. After that, no improvement. They said the dog had to get a liver test done.

After getting nowhere with Banfield and spending $1000 at their facility this year, I decided to go to another vet since Banfield didn't know what was wrong with the animal--just wanted to do tests that had nothing to do with the problem and drain my wallet. I found a good vet with an excellent reputation; he found the problem and gave me a new and different prescription. Within in a few days the bladder infection went away. I mentioned to the new vet that Banfield Pet hospital wanted me to have an ECT liver test on the dog. He said that has nothing to do with her problem and is a completely different organ. Then he informed me that that test is $300-$400.

My animal was in discomfort for a month and was getting worse, and I actually thought I might lose the dog . Banfield cost me a great deal of money and didn't solve the problem . It cost me time from work that I had to take off from my job, not to mention the stress levels I had from dealing with that place and their unprofessional staff.

Richard of Indian Trail NC (12/10/07)
We have used Banfield since the first day we bought our Great Dane puppy at 8 weeks old. During her 7 months of life they even convinced my fiance to work for them. Dr. Kimmel assured us that the chances of our dog getting sick there was minimal; and employees were allowed to bring their pets during work hours.  Our dog had all her shots, but one night became quite ill.  It was Parvo, a highly contractible virus that attacks the stomach and intestines. We were given three options for her care by the vet. 1. Give the dog fluids during the day and take home at night 2. leave the dog at the hospital alone every night after hours (both of these options were going to be covered by Fort Dodge Vax's up to $1000.00 due to the fact Banfield has insurance if a fully vax'ed dog gets sick). Or 3. finally take her to the local emergency vet clinic at our expense. With the assurance of Dr. Jennifer Kimel that she has never lost a dog to Parvo before, we elected to bring the dog home nightly without fluids. The following day the vet did not open due to not having a doctor that day (different story there).

My fiance started the meds and fluids per the doctors orders. The vet did stop in to look at her and said she was getting better since the vomiting/diarrhea was slowing. Once all the meds had been done for the day we took her home again that night. We took our dog back to Banfield the next day, and assumed the meds were being given (was my fiance's day off). Around 6pm we received a call from the vet that we need to rush there to take our pet to the emergency hospital. She had just done her exam on her, and our dog only having a 50/50 chance of survival, one would think the vet would check several times in a day.

We rushed and took the pup to the emer. vets office. During our trip to the second vet the first VET called with a personal credit card to pay for $400 of the fees since she was going to be reimbursed for this amount from Fort Dodge; Banfield would get $600.00 (already used for nothing). This shows we could have taken her to the emer. vet in the first place. The emergency hospital vet explained that our puppy had not received adequate treatment and hydration, per the Banfield vet's improper and incorrect instructions.

Over the next two days our beloved animal received the best treatment possible with every option given to save her life; sadly on the second morning of her being there she took her final turn for the worst, and her stomach and intestines basically shut down. As a responsible pet owner we had her put down. Upon seeing the Dr. Kimmel shortly thereafter (my fiance had to do her work for Sunday) we were again told point blank she did not know what went wrong, she had never lost a pet to parvo, she assured us we had done nothing wrong (except for letting her touch our sick dog!), she stated we gave our pet the best meds and love and care possible. Now we are looking at a bill for over $1000.00 for the second vet who if given the first shot with our dog--hydrated-- would have had a better chance at saving her life. By allowing the $400.00 to be placed on a credit card shows me that the bottom line was Banfield vet getting as much of the insurance money into Banfield, and not giving our pet the best chance at life.

We would have spent around $400.00 if the second hospital had seen our dog from the start. We had already spent hundreds for meds and wellness plan fees until my fiance was working there 3 months, and the plan became free with no dog to show now. The emotional toll on our family and other pets are high, and the original cost of the dog is lost, and now facing the high cost of replacing with another AKC Great Dane.

Leslie of Killeen, TX (12/09/07)
I took my two dogs to Banfield Vet Clinic because they were having problems with their ears and they needed their annual shots. We were originally quoted $325.  I then received a phone call expressing one of my dogs would need to be sedated to have treatment done so my balance would increase to approx $450.  Again, the phone rings and now my other dog needs sedation and it will be approx $650. 

The phone rings again, my dog needs a steroid shot and it will be $725 for treatment and medication needed to treat their ears.

When we arrive to pick the dogs up we find out that they have not had their annual shots and this cost is for the treatment of their ears only! 

We bring them back the following Friday for their follow up appointments and their shots quoted at $158.78 to $198.47.  Again, the phone starts to ring, they now need to sedate my dog to clean her ears and then another phone call to inform me they need to sedate the other one. I speak to the vet and find out they also need to give them a round of shots, including all these random shots that help them recover from the other shots.

I am then informed that if I don't sign up for the oh-so-famous WELLNESS plan my balance will be almost $900.  That's a total of $1600 for ear treatment and annual shots in a 1 week span!

So, I am forced to agree to the wellness plan for $425.  By the time my husband gets into the car to drive 3 minutes to pick them up the balance increased another $25.  Seems they found a flea on my dog and it is policy to treat them immediately. They have been there 2 times in the past week and on the way out the door a flea is my issue.

Greta of San Francisco CA (11/28/07)
I had my dog on the Banfield Wellness Plan so that I could afford to get her teeth cleaned. Ever since they cleaned my dog's teeth, she hesitates to go to any vet office. She never had trouble with visits to the vet until after Banfield cleaned her teeth. I really wonder what happened during her appointment? Further, I have tried numerous times to get her vaccination records and prescriptions written and have always encountered resistance and bad attitudes. They even charged me to write a prescription for heart worm medicine because I had the prescription filled by a source other than Banfield. My experience with them has ended with a very bad taste, and I will never use their services again.

Michelle of Denver CO (11/28/07)
I signed up my dog for the Banfield Wellness Plans, May 2006 but transfered due to a move in November. The next April I took him in for vaccinations. I asked that they only give him 2 vaccinations (Distemper & Rabies) and he didn't need anything else. They went ahead and gave him 5 shots. They said it was included in the wellness plan so they did it. I took him home 30 minutes later his whole face had swelled! I called Banfield, and they told me to rush him back in. They said he had an allergic reaction to one of the vaccinations. They charged me another $120 dollars to give him benedryl and something else! I couldn't believe it--especially when I had asked they only give him 2 shots andthey gave him 5. He never had any previous reaction so I knew it wasn't from the two I asked for.

I called to cancel and they told me that i couldn't cancel until November because I signed him up in November. I explained the transfer to the Westminster Banfield. The receptionist told me that whenever you transfer your pet your plan starts all over again. She said that she explains that to all her of customers when they do this. I know that she did not tell me this when I transferred. I called the corporate office, leaving messages for the Executive Assistant. She had someone else call me back, and they said they were going to make this exception and cancel the plan.

So now we are 6 months later, and a charge appears on my credit card from Banfield. I call the 800 number and one girl tells me it was a glitch in their system, I should see a credit within a few days. After two weeks, no credit--I call again. They said there was never any glitch and that they charged me my monthly fee. I said I canceled him with someone else from the Corporate Office. She said it was never canceled. After I said I would call corporate again, she said she would cancel it and credit the fee. I asked for something in writing, but she said they can't due to not having a formal letter.

If I would have known from the beginning that all of this was going to happen I would have never signed up. Banfield is just out to get money from people who sincerely want to give the best care for their dogs. I told my new vet about the vaccinations that Banfield gave, and he said those are not necessary in Colorado.  I'm so frustrated right now; I'm hoping that all who read this will not go to Banfield or sign up for their Wellness Plans. They are liars.

Elizabeth of Lexington KY (11/23/07)
I had five dogs enrolled in the Optimum Wellness Plus program last year. My experience is just that this place is really scamming people that are trying to care for their pets. I lost one of my dogs and was unable to cancel my wellness plan for that dog. I thought that by me having four other dogs they may try to accommodate that request in order to keep a multiple dog owner happy. Of course, they did not. I ended up with a new stray and thought since I had the extra plan I was paying for each month, I could at least get some shots for her. Nope. I had the option to pay out my contract early, but I would have to put up the cost of the dental cleaning (which was way over any other vets fee's and another vet had told me that the teeth cleaning wasn't recommended for my dogs as I brush their teeth almost nightly, and was a bit detrimental as the scraping takes the enamel.) Nothing horrible happened, but this place has, from my experience, outrageously high prices for mediocre health care, high pressure sales vets, and no regard for customer satisfaction

Khalifah of Fort Worth TX (11/23/07)
I signed up for the Wellness Plan for my Boxer (Shadow) on September 1,2007 and as soon as my year is up I will cancel Banfield.  I'm not sure what they did to Shadow, but I use to be able to clean his ears and his teeth and now I can't.  I can't prove they were abusive to Shadow, but I won't give them another chance to prove me right or wrong.

Shadow just needed to be caught up on his shots, which I can't be sure he even received.  Banfield has a very good sale pitch and I purchased the Wellness Plan to benefit Shadow. The Micro-Chip is not worth the damage they did to him - his back bumped up and his fur has not grown back to cover up the scar that the chip has left.

Kathleen of Morrisville NC (11/23/07)

I took my cat in for his physical and was told I should give him Lactulose Solution and it seems to be working. The first prescription I got from them was reasonable enought in price, but then when I went in for a refill they acted like it was new to them that they had told me that he had a cronic problem and would have to be on it for a long time. By the time I got them to talk to me (after 2 weeks of calls) they agreed that he needed the medication. When I picked up the medication the price for it was $75.00 for a month of medicine. When I researched the medication to find out the side affects (which I was not told about) I found out I could get twice the quanity of medication for $12.50. I was so upset that I didn't know what to do. When I told the vet I was going to use 1-800-PET-MEDS after this she told me that a prescription would have to written. When I ordered the medication through Pet Meds I received a email telling me that Banfield wanted me to pick up the prescription and that they wouldn't give it to Pet Meds over the phone or fax. I was getting good enough care for my cat but I was begining to think it was too much care because this way the co-payments are increasing from when I got their wellness plan. I'm going to call Banfield and tell them that I want the prescription sent to Pet Meds. I'll see what happens then. I think I'll cancel my insurance with them and take him to a cat clinic in the area.

Buying their top of the line Wellness Plan was costly and costs each month. I was afraid not to have a plan. The medications are extremely expensive compared to online prescription cost of $12.50 compared to $75.00 at Banfield. With this issue I'm wondering about the prices of everything and the quality of care or excessive care he is receiving. I've lost complete confidence in them and feel so taken advantage of.  Banfield is a corporation and get their medication at a low price and I'm sure the rewards they reap aren't been shared with unfortunate animals.

Doris of Overland Park, KS (11/21/07)
Refuse to listen to concerns or complaints. Sent me to several different people. Refuse to allow me to talk with management.

Did not get issue resolved!

Wendy of Ocean Springs MS (11/19/07)
We were new to Mississippi and found only one place close enough to home--Banfield located inside the Petsmart. What a mistake. I got strapped into the Wellness Plan after being told my dog may or may not have numerous problems. By being on this program I was told the bills would be minimal. My dog, an AKC Female Maltese was only 5 years old at the time. Prior to being on the plan I scheduled her to be fixed. They did a horrible job, she came out of surgery very, very ill, could not walk, could not open her eyes, and her surgery was so botched.

When I called to find out what the cost was going to be, I reverified the $199 quoted price. When I picked up my drugged, drousy dog the price was twice as high as what they quoted me. While I am trying to hold my