Doesn't Recommend

Breena F.

Joined 3 days ago

They only care about money. My dog went in on emergency and they wanted $1300 just for X-rays and a catheter. Then they said the surgery could wait until Monday (which means that they probably shouldn't be charging me like its a surgery that needs immediate attention). Then they told me that the surgery would cost $3000-$4000 (the surgery was so remove a simple blather stone that was inabeling my dog from going to the bathroom. I told them I could pay them half up front, but since a bank transfer took a couple days, the est wouldn't be available until two days later. So they refused to help him, told me I had to get the catheter in him in two hours or he could die. So we were left frantically calling other vets to get him in immediately because he had minimal time before his blather ruptured.

1. I found the exact same treatment for $800 at another vet

2. They suggested putting him down if I couldn't pay the $3000-$4000 immediately OVER A BLATTER STONE

3. They wouldn't give him back until I paid them which I didn't have all on hand and needed some time to gather, but had to frantically figure it out because my dogs clock was ticking and they wouldn't give him back or help him.

This place cares about money and money only. They take advantage in a time of desperation and have no compassion. Also, I worked a a vet hospital, so I know how it works internally. And I'm begging all of you who rated them well to take your pet somewhere else.

jackie s.

Joined 8 months ago

TORTURE AND DECEIT! My experience there was awful. They said they were taking my dog into a back room for a catheter --gone just a moment. Instead it was a half hour. I saw three of them holding a dog down on its back, but I didn't know it was mine or what they were doing to it. They brought her back with both rear legs bandaged and said they first cath didn't work, so they "let her relax" before inserting the second. I saw them holding her down on her back. Then they had to do it again --this time in front of me. They said her "thick skin" made it hard. They really hurt her putting it in; she writhed and squealed in pain --they did that to her at least twice in a back room without me there. When I called to complain, they said they had her back there for so long because techs were unavailable. I SAW THREE OF THEM HOLDING HER DOWN. If they were having trouble, didn't I have a right to know. If they were causing her pain, didn't I have the right at least to comfort her? Having paid for her cremation, I thought better of it and went to pick up her body. She had been thrown in a pile or something because her whole face was twisted to one side and frozen that way. These people are evil. DO NOT TAKE YOUR BELOVED PET THERE!

Recommends

Marika P.

Joined 10 months ago

I'm sad to see others had a bad experience here, but I found just the opposite. We took my dog in on an emergency visit. The staff was compassionate and gentle with him and us. They understood my financial concerns and did not do anything without our consent. We ended up making an appointment to see a specialist. Dr. Wise was kind and thorough, but without doing any unnecessary tests that I couldn't afford. From the initial phone call, and through two appointments I feel my guy is in good caring hands belonging to those who understand and empathize with what we are going through. I would take my pets there again any time if needed.

Doesn't Recommend

Helene K.

Joined 1 years ago

WOW! I thought I was the only one that had been taken advantage of at this clinic! Every single word that was said including about Dr. Jonas is true when it comes to what I experienced as well. He is arrogant and runs the clinic like a mill. We took our pet there and I feel horrible that I trusted this vet with her. It is sad the lack of empathy or sense of fair business practices. They are fair weather and I would heed the warnings that you read before you go there. I am sure they are fine with routine medicine, but are fair weather when it comes to complications or a major problem. We feel mistreated and abused.

Doesn't Recommend

D Alquist

Joined 2 years ago

Leonard Jonas terrible Vet. This place has gone downhill! I have spent thousands of dollars over the years and won't spend another dime there!

I made an appointment and was told that I needed to show up 10 minutes before to fill out their paperwork. I showed up 20 minutes early and filled out the paperwork. I then took my dog outside until appointment time as he doesn't like being there in the first place! I returned and waited to be taken to a room. I waited and waited and waited! While I was waiting 3 other people brought their animals in and were immediately take to a room! When I complained about not being seen on time, I was taken to an exam room. That's when Jonas came in and asked what the problem was. I informed him that I didn't appreciate being made to wait 20 minutes when it was obvious that they were taking others ahead of my dog.

He told me that maybe I should take my dog someplace else! I told him that's exactly what I was going to do, he turned around and walked of of the room!

This place has at least 15 veterinarians working there. There is no excuse why a client should be made to wait more than 5 minutes. I had to cancel another appointment to make this one and they think they can treat you like dirt!

From the minute this idiot opened his mouth, I knew I had made the wrong decision to bring my Elkhound there.

Oh yeah, when I brought my last Elkhound there, they miss diagnosed him and charged me a small fortune! If I was you... I'd beware of this place!

Doesn't Recommend

Hollbgood

Joined 5 years ago

Clean your wallet...and my even fix your animal while at it. Come to this place if you are interested in over-paying and being taken advantage of!! Its great, they'll take you for all your worth, and in the end, your animal still does not get proper care.

I have had a horrible taste in my mouth for weeks in regards to this establishment. I believe this institution takes advantage of a pet owner when they are in an "emergency" situation. First off, I did not feel the most serious concerns were addressed first. The whole kit and caboodle was presented to me. My initial projected costs of treatment was over $1,200.00. Treating everything from most serious to preventative. My initial reaction was to question the cost of the prescriptions and requested to get a write up for the medication because I was going to have it filled elsewhere. Following that, the vet told me it would be possible to have this very prescription filled at King Soopers for $4 and WRAH wanted to charge me over $50. This should be the first indication as to how corrupt this establishment was.

I then paid for x-rays and to have a radiologist review the xrays. However, a decision was made as to what was medically best for my dog with out a radiologists opinion as they were not in the office on the weekends, but if I wanted to pay an additional fee I could have an "on call" radiologist examine the x-rays, or I could pay additional charges to splint the leg that was believed to be broken. Monday, when the radiologist returned, it ends up the leg was not broken. So instead followed the instructions I was given to keep the splint on, and re-visit with my regular vet in one week. After a few days the splint began to smell and I noticed discharge coming from the covered paw. I called Dr. Leavitt and explained the situation. I did not hear back from Dr. Leavitt until I called her again a week later. I returned to my regular vet, who believed that if you were to put a splint on an open wound it needed to be changed in 2-3 days not 7! And he also concluded that the foot was not broken, and the splint was overall not necessary. AND...because it wasnt changed in a timely manner infection brewed!

After expressing my frustrations to the "Client Relations" rep, I got no where. I was ignored for nearly a week. I had to continue to contact several individuals at this place before I heard back and the consensus was a difference of opinion by vets as to what the best care was for my dog.

This place makes me want to hurl. They take advantage of people and their pets in situations of panic. They insist on treatment that is not pertinent and costs that are magnified significantly.

I will single-handedly spread the word as to how disgusting this place is. My suggestion to anyone reading this...dont go here!

Doesn't Recommend

Leanndra

Joined 3 years ago

TERRIBLE ANIMAL HOSPITAL. DO NOT take your animal here!!!

I had a terrible time here last week. My dog was sick, we thought he had an upper respiratory infection (which turns out he did) I took him in the emergency room at about 7 pm. He was coughing, snorting had a runny nose and a fever. The vet kept saying he "had something lodged in his throat" which didn't make sense to me because he wasn't throwing up, it was like he had a common cold like a person gets.

I told the vet I didn't understand. All he kept saying is they needed to do blood work (Price of 300 dollars) and xrays (price of 900 dollars).

HONESTLY I FELT AS IF I WAS AT A SALON AND THEY WERE TRYING TO UP-SALE ME ON SERVICES! THIS IS MY DOG WE ARE TALKING ABOUT! MY CHILD! HE IS SICK! HES NOT SOME HAIRDO THAT I WILL PAY EXTRA FOR! HELP HIM, DON'T TRY TO GET MONEY OUT OF ME!

I told the vet I just needed a antibiotic. He wouldn't give it to me!!!

HIS CLAIMS WERE HE TOLD ME HE WAS AFRAID I WOULD LOOSE THE PRESCRIPTION!!! omg I AM 26 YEARS OLD I HAVE NEVER LOST A PRESCRIPTION IN MY LIFE!!!!

Finally after 30 minutes of ARGUING WITH HIM and steem rolling out my ears (and them holding my dog hostage in the back of the hospital) he finally wrote me the prescription.

Needless to say, its what my dog needed, 2 days later after taking the antibiotic he stopped coughing, and his runny nose and sneezing stopped.

turns out, my NEW vet that is wonderful, told me that the vets at Wheat Ridge Emergency have interns working for them!

I know they have to start somewhere but I don't want my dog as their experiment!

Do not take your animal here.

My new vet is Jefferson Animal Hospital in Arvada. They are reasonably priced, they work with you on payments, and they actually care. they are in on Saturdays too! Use ACCESS for emergencies! They are on Colfax and Wadsworth. PLEASE dont just take your animal ANYWHERE!

Recommends

WyattBaby

Joined 3 years ago

veterinary hospital. My 15 year old dog died 10 days ago. It was unexpected and devastating to me and my three 9 year old boys. We took him to Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital and the staff there was wonderful. They diagnosed the problem very quickly. They were so patient with my boys, explaining everything and answering every question with compassion. They gave us all the time we needed to say goodbye and were so kind. I truly appreciate their understanding of our grief. They made the loss bearable.

Doesn't Recommend

Billies Mom

Joined 3 years ago

NEVER EVER TAKE YOUR ANIMAL HERE. Never ever take your animal to Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. I had a wonderful dog named Billie. She was a 7 year old Samoyed. She became very sick. In the middle of the night I drove down the mountain to Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital...

What a big mistake that was.

They did all kinds of tests and realized her gall badder was ready to burst. My little girl was not doing to well.....All Wheat Ridge wants is your money....In the morning they did surgery on her. She stayed in emergency care for 4 days. I would see her everyday and stay as long as they would let me. Billie had 3-4 different doctors because they switch from one location to another which is not a good way to get the best care for your animal. I noticed one of the days when she was in their emergency care she looked very swollen. I said something to them..They said they think she may have an IV fluid overload...she had gained 8 pounds in 1 1/2 days. Billie did have an IV fluid overload. You would think they would watch her seeing I was paying for 24 hour care in their hospital. At that time I did not know much about IV Fluid Overload. (I sure do now)

My Billie started to get worse...Her heart now had an irregular heart beat. She would not eat much at all. I took her home for a day and she had a stroke at the house. I drove Billie down the mountain again to Wheat Ridge 24hour Animal Hospital where she spent the night. The next day she had another stroke but they still wanted to do another very expensive test on my Billie. I believe it was a 6 point EKG. Looking back on it all now she was clearly dying but they wanted more of my money. I was getting ready to leave so they could do this test and Billie took another bad stroke. She died and I truly believe the IV Fluid Overload had a lot to do with why she is not here with me today. I am not a DVM but I did a lot of research about this. I miss my Billie to this day. I spent $11,000 and I lost her in the end... Never take your animal there. Take your animal to either CSU in FT. Collins or VRCC...Sweet Dreams My Little Billie xx

Fiona

Doesn't Recommend

jimmeso1

Joined 4 years ago

VERY expensive, negligent. I waited a few days to write this so as to not have too much emotion involved. My 8 month old puppy is dead now because Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital did not run two basic routine tests that could have diagnosed the correct problem. I have had one other bad experience in the past and know two other friends that have also. I never would have taken my dog there in the middle of the night but it wasn't me who found him. So basically, emergency boarding and check-up, a few IV's, blood test, and an x-ray... cost $2000.00. All Wheat Ridge did was give him a "low dose antibiotic" as the "blood test came out OK". He was bleeding from the rectum and puking for God's sake. Then in the morning I was told it would be $6000-$10,000 to operate. Rushed my puppy to my personal vet in the morning and he was horrified that they hadn't run one basic test that would have shown an intestinal blockage. By knowing of this then strong antibiotics and steroids could have been given and the infection lessened. Unfortunately by this point he was so bloated from a bacterial infection that he died. UNBELIEVABLE! Do yourself a favor and familiarize yourself with two emergency vets nearby. VRCC in Englewood which is simply the best emergency vet in the city or Access Animal Critical Care in Lakewood not far from Wheat Ridge but half the cost. Put the directions and their telephone numbers in your car in case you ever need them. I believe that Wheat Ridge charges WAY to much and a law suit will be forthcoming. God Bless our little puppy.