Benson Scott R DVM

A few days before Easter our 11 year old boxer, Magee, was diagnosed with an abdominal mass. Unsure as to what to do, we decided to take the wait and see approach. Unfortunately, on Easter Sunday she collapsed and I thought she was going to die in my arms. With no other option, we rushed her to a well known emergency veterinary facility on the Island. They informed us she was bleeding internally and that our choices were emergency surgery or euthanasia. Unfortunately, the fee they wanted to do surgery was so far out of reach it was not an option at all. I was not ready to put her down, so we decided to take her home to die. I did not want to put a price on her value to me, but I had to be somewhat realistic. If she could just make it through the night, my plan was to contact my vet the next morning to see if he could help. She made it and he put us in touch with a veterinary surgeon he was familiar with who he believed could help. The surgeon Dr. Tomas Infernuso, agreed to do the surgery for a fee we felt we could handle.. I can't express how grateful we were to be given the opportunity to at least give our Magee a fighting chance. Dr. Infernuso performed the surgery and removed a large mass. He not only kept us informed every step of the way throughout her surgery and recovery, but he continued to remain in contact weeks after she was home just to see how she was doing. He gave us our dog back, for whatever amount of time we have left with her. He also gave me us peace of mind that I did all I could do. I can honestly say I can't say enough wonderful things about Dr.Infernuso. He is an amazing surgeon, but more importantly, a genuine caring man. We can't thank him enough. more

On May 1,2011 My 15 yr old blue persian cat had 4 tiny lumps in his throat area. Bringing my cat to Dr Infernusso at a different location, he told me straight up what to expect with tumors in a cat. He assured he will do his best with possible complications that could arise. After the 1 hour procedure, he got all the tumors out and his lymph node that was infected. The operation was so succesful that 2 weeks later our cat was as playful as the cat he was. Dr Infernusso did an exquisite job at that time. On March 18, 2012 Tabby again had tumors in his throat area. We did not want to give up on him. We sought out Dr Infernusso again, this time located at Pet Doctor in Queens. He examined Tabby and assured us that he would try to do his best again with these agressive tumors.He told us of the various risks involved with these procedures. Dr Infernusso this time removed 9 tumors throughout our cats throat and chest area. This operation required delicate but firm hands, Dr Infernusso had used his skil;l to remove the tumors from around his arteries and complex throat area. SUCCESSFULLY. We once again have our cat home and feeling quite well after going through such a second traumatic experience. Dr Infernusso has given us back our cat and with another miracle operation skill, given him another new lease on life. His bedside manner is impecable and his love for all animals is very apparent dealing with him from point A to Z. Quite the professional and highly recommended. more

I dont know what else to say. I was extremely lucky to meet and deal with such a wonderful surgeon for my dog Rocky. My dog has been through countless vets and unfortunately has undergone several surgeries. Thanks to Dr Infernuso's excellent work and care he is doing much better. I have yet to meet a vet who is so involved, caring and dedicated to his work. Its a long road to recovery but Dr Infernuso has been there every step of the way, continuously staying in contact and calling days and nights just checking up and making sure Rocky recovers well. It is very hard to come across such an excellent veterinarian these days. Thank you for all your help. Facility at Pet Doctor was very clean and my dog was well treated. Dr Infernuso my dog definitely say thank you. more

I understand the pain of the negative reviewers when their beloved animal is suffering, but I couldn't agree less with them about The Pet Doctor. I am so glad a friend from the area recommended Dr. Benson's practice shortly after I moved to Flushing. Pets are true members of the family for many us, and in my experience it is easy for some NY vet offices to play on that emotional attachment and recommend expensive treatments that may not be the best thing for the animal. The Pet Doctor is a practice of straight talkers who don't sugarcoat, but who love and respect animals and don't gouge their owners. It's like an old-fashioned practice you don't see often anymore. Does everything function perfectly between the front and back office? Sometimes not. I've had to wait at times. But then, they regularly let my housemate pick up the medicine my cat needs mid-week, and trust me to come back and pay for it when i get back to town after my business trip. The straight talk, neighborhood feel and fair costs at this practice are preferable to me, and fairer to my beloved animals, than other places I've been where I don't know if a recommended procedure will truly help my pet, or if we are just a gravy train for the practice. To the specific comment about kidney failure: Dr. Benson has twice saved my elderly cat from imminent death by kidney failure. He's told me there are no guarantees and the treatment may not work a third time. At least I know he's taking into account what my cat's body can bear and helping me make responsible decisions as the pet owner. I much prefer this to a shiny, computer-driven office recommending expensive surgeries that aren't fair to my pet. more

You can tell that the 3 positive posts were employees of the vet, especially since they correspond so well to each other. I on the other hand had the very unfortunate run in with them. Having been going to them for 5 years, I noticed that my dog wasn't doing so well and that her breath especially began to smell very badly. We brought her in and the doctor said it was nothing and that it could be treated with pepto, no x-ray, no blood work, nothing. Conditions worsened and she began vomiting often. Then the weight loss and appetite loss began. For whatever reason my brother still trusted the doctor and went to him again, this time to find out that our dog had kidney failure. Now how is it that we've been going to the same doctor for 5 years and he was never able to catch the kidney failure in its earlier stages? Instead prescribing us some bs pepto. So as a treatment the doctor gave her IV to be administered through the skin to try and flush out the kidney. I decided to do some research and it turns out that he was also suppose to prescribe some medication for the vomiting and diarrhea which he did not, probably due to the fact that this would require another visit = more money and he really care about my dog. And we were stupid enough to continue to go to him and now she's passed away. Pros: laughable Cons: dingy, uncaring, all about the money, more

I have read the first review about the Pet Doctor and Dr. Benson and I could not disagree more! Dr. Benson and his staff have been great ever since my wife and I began going to him for our dog Lola. When we first got Lola four other vets had told us that Lola need four different types of surgeries when we took her for a check up when she was 3 months old (they wanted to make extra money); Dr. Benson disagreed and promised us that Lola was fine and healthly, and she was. About a year ago Lola got sick and Dr. Benson had to perform surgery to remove a cysts and the procedure went great and not only was Dr. Benson great but the staff was too! Dr. Benson was recommended to us by a family friend who has used his servises and known him for years; and as promised he has done a great job (thanks Linda for the recommendation). I recommend The Pet Doctor and the staff that works there; once again thank you Dr. Benson and your staff for a caring job well done! Pros: Best care more

I signed up just to write a review because of what the last review said. Dr. Benson and his staff can be a bit harsh at times, but you will not find a better vet anywhere. They all struggled with me for 7 months and did everything they could to keep my cat alive, and they made the experience of having to put her down as comfortable as it could possibly be. I agree that they could have a nicer manner, but they make up for it in care. I highly recommend Dr. Benson to any animal lover; I promise you will be glad you put your pet in their care. more

I took my three years old dog ?Toby? to Dr. Benson?s office for the first time. The Vet visit is far the worst any pet owner could experience. The receptionist name Marka is APATHETIC, UNRESPONSIVE and UNPROFESSIONAL. My dog had irritated bowel syndrome, Dr. Benson said Toby needs x-ray to see if there any blockage and told me to call three hours later. Three hours passed, I called Marka, she said TOBY is not yet ready for an x-ray; FOUR hours has passed since I drop off Toby at Dr. Benson?s clinic. I went back to the clinic; Marka told me to come back at 5 or 6 o?clock to pick him up (they do not release animal till five o?clock, it?s a standard procedure) I was confused. Where is the DOCTOR, I am not going home without knowing what is wrong with Toby. When I asked to speak to the vet, I was told Dr. Benson and ALL of his staffs were unavailable. So EITHER I can come back and pick up Toby at 5 or I can stay here and WAIT! I have never received such terrible service and I have signed up to this service to tell you NOT TO GO THERE. more