Need Advice Local Veterinarian

Looking for recommendations for vets in the area for routine care of our dog. We're tired of being sold the $1000 dental package.
Thanks.

 

Who are you with now? I would suggest Stream Valley but I wouldn't be surprised that they do the hard sell on just about everything. I just made it known that I was going to take care of my dogs teeth (which I scale and clean myself) and they have no issue besides the beasts teeth look great. I see Dr. Corey.

 

We abandoned Ashburn vets for Leesburg Veterinary Hospital. It's not totally local but we found it to be about half the cost of most Ashburn vets. For us it's worth the drive. They're on route 15 near the Leesburg Animal park.

 

We use Stream Valley for our four pets. In the five years (since we moved here) we have been going to Stream Valley. They have never "pushed" anything onto us. During discussions about our pet's care, they have made suggestions, but if we decided not to go with their suggestion, they have never continued on the subject or tried to "push" us to anything. Dr. Corry and Dr. Kirk at Stream Valley have been really great with us.

I have never really shopped around in this area for our pets vet care, so I do not know who is more expensive than someone else. I go where I get great customer service. I am very pleased with the customer service that I have received there. Recently, my wife and I decided to change the flea and tick brand from Revolution to Frontline cause our cat had a bad reaction to the Revolution (got a chemical burn). We had used Revolution for a couple years. The following month, we went to Stream Valley, bought some Frontline, and left. Two hours later, the vet clinic called just to make sure we bought the correct flea and tick medication and offered to exchange it if we had accidently bought the wrong brand.

I was very pleased that someone would take the time to review my cat's record, notice a possible change, call about it, inquire as to why, and offer an exchange if there was an error. Stream Valley could have just taken our money and been done with it. If they are going to do that on something as simple as flea and tick medication, then I am more than happy to pay a little extra for customer service if they are more expensive.

 

We stuck with Stream Valley because it was all we knew for 7 years. We saw vets come and go there, Dr Corey was great but I always felt we were pushed and milked for all we were worth. Dr Kirk was good and sweet, but inexperienced, she struggled to diagnose and treat our pet dog who basically was suffering IBS for a year or so. We incurred huge expenses to try and diagnose and treat the condition. After many years at SV and thousands of dollars (they are not cheap), and very reluctantly we switched vets and got a diagnosis and treatment that went to the heart of the problem straight away.

So we are very very happy with our new team of vets at Caring Hands. These folks don't push, they are committed/knowledgeable, and above all they don't milk you just because they know you care about your furry friends. They also have a naturopathic vet in house two days a week, which can be a great option for dogs who have exhausted medical diagnoses or you simple wish to go the complementary route.

 

We've been going to Steam Valley for years but we're shopping for another Vet. I'm tired of the relentless up sell. Took both of our dogs there in October, one for a medical issue and the other for a bordetella shot. Was hoping for a quick in and out!

They suggested flea/tick medicine, clipping nails, bordetella for the other dog that didn't need it, and a host of other treatments. I just wanted to get out of there!

From a customer service perspective, I'd say they are really good, helpful and really do care about your pets.

 

Try the Brambleton location of Animal Medical Centers of Loudoun and see Dr. Keith Taylor. I've been very impressed with him and the staff there.

http://www.loudounvet.com/homeldn/?page_id=186

 

We started going to Caring Hands (after using Stream Valley) as well and have really liked them. Very good, not pushy. They don't even push you to get all shots at once - tell you how you can spread them out so that you're not slammed with a huge bill all at once.

Stream Valley drove me nuts with our dog because every time we took our dog there we got charged with an "annual", which I always understood to mean once-a-year. Since we would get them any time during the year he was brought in, I began to be concerned that me understanding of the word was incorrect.

 

I second Caring Hands. Dr. B is the best and the front office and techs are amazing. Dr. B came out to my car to check on my dog post-surgery without an appointment (surgery was in Springfield where she was hit by a car). We have been going to Caring Hands for 4 years and have no complaints -- only praises.

 

Have to add a plus for Caring Hands - not sure how their total bill adds up against others but definately dont feel like im getting hard sell.

 

We strongly recomend the Leesburg Veterinary Hospital (703 777 3313), never a bad experince in about 12 years and two dogs.

 

Use to use Leesburg Vet - found them to be a tad bit less expensive, but for the drive out to 15 its not worth it...

Caring Hands by far has my vote now! Dr. B is the best... They try and upsell you as any vet will do but they are not pushy with it...

 

Catoctin Vets in Leesburg. Great folks, great rates. More of a country vet vibe.

http://www.catoctinvetclinic.com/

 

Oh and open til 8PM on most days.

 

Another vote for Caring Hands after being at Stream Valley. Dr. Jarrett is fantastic!

 

Another vote for Caring Hands! Dr. B is the best! Not pushy at all. What I like is that he takes time to explain to you all aspects of the issue. Some of the other local vets rush you in and out in a few minutes. My experience with Stream Valley wasn't so good so I cannot recommend them at all. They lost a urine sample and then when I had other samples taken in would not call back or return calls with the results and I had to go into the office and ask to speak with a vet to get the results. They were transitioning new vets in at the time but that is no excuse for not calling back--and I waited several days.

 

We have used Ashburn Farm Animal Hospital (at Junction Plaza) for our two (completely indoor) cats for the past five years. The care has been fine, but the prices are astronomical. They are always recommending more tests, immunizations, etc. I just spent $238 for an annual wellness exam and a "senior cat" blood test on a cat that was not having medical problems. I love my cat, but once I saw the bill, I wished I had just skipped the check-up this year since she was not having any issues. I will look into Caring Hands for the cats' future visits based on your recommendations to see how the prices compare. Thanks!

 

It's a good idea to call in advance to discuss costs for initial visit, tests and shots.

We use AFAH and found their costs are comparable to the other Vets in the area. And yes, once your pet becomes geriatric, they recommend a CBC and T4. It's standard protocol just as when humans turn age 40 or 45, the tests are more numerous and extensive. It's preventative maintenance.

Dr. Grasso is our Veterinarian, but since she also practices holistic medicine her initial rate (new patient office visit) is higher than the other Vets. The last time we took a kitten for the first time, we were allowed to use a free office visit coupon from their website.

 

www.blueridgevets.com/ Blue Ridge is a hike but for all major procedures I go there - plus they have are a 24 hour vet.

For local shots, etc. I use Caring Hands. So far so good.

 

Thanks for all the responses, I like all the positive reviews at Caring Hands.