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.
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