Academy West Animal Hospital

"All 3 of our dogs have been patients at this animal hospital. Each time we have been here, (due to other vets being completed booked) none of our dogs problems have been diagnosed or properly treated. Last Wednesday, we brought our very sick dog in. He wasn’t eating, he was lethargic, vomiting, diarrhea, etc. After examining him and doing labs (only blood work initially, urine test was going to be done later on that day), they decided to keep him for a few hours to monitor him, give him IV fluids, and complete further labs (urine test). Before my significant other left, he asked the vet and the vet tech if our boy was going to be ok. Instead of saying they don’t know, they reassured my boyfriend that he was going to be ok. A few hours later, Academy West called me to let me know when to pick up my dog. I asked for an update, to which the receptionist told me that he was eating, and acting normal. I didn’t question it and thanked the staff for taking such good care of him. When I went to pick him up at the designated time, the vet tech took me back and went over how to administer fluid IVs for him, provided 3 different medications, and gave me the dog food he was supposedly eating. I paid the $600+ bill, and once again thanked them for everything they did for my boy. Unfortunately; when we got home, I noticed he was not better at all. He refused to eat anything the remainder of the night into the next day, and he had no energy to the point he was sitting in his own pee because he didn’t have the energy to stand up. My boyfriend and I tried calling numerous emergency vets across the valley, to which all of them said they were dealing with traumas, and it would be at least an 8 hour wait before he could be seen. The next morning, I called Academy West frantic about how bad my dog was doing. The receptionist said the soonest they could see him was Friday (which would be a day later). I asked if there was anything at all they could do to see him sooner, to which she said “no” they were booked. I agreed to make him an appt for Friday, and continued trying to call other vets. No one was available to take him in. A few hours later, Academy West called me. It was the vet tech doing a follow up. I explained to her how poorly my dog was doing, to which she said that’s not good at all and that she could get me in that afternoon (Thursday). I said absolutely, and brought my boy in. When we got there, I had to carry him in because he couldn’t walk. The receptionist gave me an attitude when I walked in holding him, and said it would be a minute until she helped me, which I understood. While she checked me in, I was still holding my 60 lb+ dog, and she didn’t offer to help grab some sort of transport to get him to the back room. Once in the room, the vet came in and went over all of the different things that could be wrong with him; one being cancer, another being a tumor, etc. I was hysterical and asked what the results were from yesterday (Wednesday). The vet said their was nothing abnormal with the bloodwork that was done. So I asked him about the urine test. The vet said he changed his mind (the day prior) and decided not to do a urine test because my dog seemed fine. I again told the vet all of my dogs symptoms, including how he’s lost significant weight over the past few months, which my boyfriend also explained to them the day prior (Wednesday). The vet immediately asked the vet tech to go get a blood sugar monitor. When they tested his levels; it stated “HI” as it was too high to even read. The vet immediately informed me my dog was in Diabetic ketoacidosis and needed to go to the hospital right away. The vet tech helped load my dog in the car, and that was the last day I heard from the vet and the day my boy passed away at Blue Pearl Emergency. Academy West has not reached out at all to follow up. I by no means think this is anyone’s fault. I hope this can be a lesson that no matter how busy clinics may be dealing with infinite patients a day, that a little due diligence could help save a pet instead of this happening again."

"I've had dogs all my life, and this is the best place I've ever dealt with. The staff and vets are so friendly and treat your animals like it's their own.."

"We recently took our small dogs to get groomed here, which we have done for years now. However this time one of our dogs was cut and infected with filthy clippers. He got groomed on Saturday, and by Monday his infection grew to the size you see in the photos I’ve attached. It was raw and painful and bloody, I could barely touch him with a wet paper towel without him screaming in pain. I called the front desk to complain, and she told us to come in and provided antibiotics. No apology. The vet claimed it was “just a rash” when it’s obviously a nasty infection that occurred from their grooming establishment. This entire situation is unacceptable and negligent. To come here for years and have this occur is very disappointing. The entire place went downhill since Dr James Kimmel left- he moved to Quail Crossing Animal hospital by the way. Don’t get your dogs groomed here if you want them to get infections and careless treatment. **** edited on 7/31 The same day we brought our dog to get groomed on 07/15, he also had a teeth cleaning. Seems like he's had a tooth infection festering the last two weeks since his visit with Academy West and his face has now blown up in swelling. We are currently taking him to another veterinarian to be treated."