Emergency Veterinary Clinic

I'm honestly blown away by the negative reviews here! My 3 1/2 year old Chihuahua, Lucy, was diagnosed by our primary vet with a mild outer-ear infection in late October 2011. About a week later, after treating our Lucy at home, we noticed her ear was smelling real bad and she had started to wobble to the right. We took her to the Emergency Veterinary Clinic late on a Sunday night and the doctor spent about 45 minutes with us. My own vet never spent 45 minutes with us! The doctor gave her a complete exam, got on the floor with her, explained the extent of her infection to me and even let me look in her ear with his tools! He was caring and professional... so much so, that I asked if he had a day practice! We got Lucy on heavier anti-biotics and continued to fight a serious ear infection. The doctor even recommended a neurologist in Sarasota in case there was an under-laying cause or brain trauma. Due to the cost of the neurologist and the reassurance by our primary vet that this was no more

I have had the opportunity to review this clinic both from a consumers point of view in the late 1990's and recently as an employee, both experiences have left me with serious concerns regarding their particular style of pet care.\r \r Late in 1998 I had to take my dog, in the middle of the night, to this clinic. She was having problems with diarrhea and vomiting. I was told by the Doctor on Duty that she needed full chest x-rays. When I again explained that her problem was with her digestive system, he/she insisted that they were the Doctor and (with a mightier than thou attitude) would not listen to my description of the symptoms. \r \r Four hours and $1700 dollars later I was sent home with chest x-rays and a very sick dog, you see the chest x-rays showed no problems. Which I already knew. The Doctor refused to take abdominal x-rays.\r \r The next morning I took her to her regular Vet and was told the dog was dying from an intestinal blockage. She required immediate surgery, which lasted more

I applaud this clinic for it's hard work and dedication to Animal Care.I thank them for being their in my time of need. They may be a little pricey but, not compared to my husbands visit at the human ER. I found the staff at the EVC to be a lot kinder, caring and friendlier then the staff at the human ER. I have heard some people say that they found the staff to be cold. I don't think they are cold - I think they must maintain a calm demeanor in emergencies with pets just as the staff members in the human hospitals do. I can't say I blame them for requesting payment right away people are not as honorable today as they once were. All in all my phone bill was paid a little late that month but I still have my Baby thanks to them. more

This clinic tends to be a bit mercenary - clearly stating that payment is required when service is rendered. Care is good, but staff tends to be a bit cold. Also, this clinic is rather expensive and one gets the feeling they can charge whatever they want because - if are there - you will do anything necessary to save your pet. PROS: Good diagnostic & supportive care CONS: Expensive more