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October 2024 by Steven Thiel
I had to take my dog here late-afternoon Sunday. He unfortunately has an occasional urinary retention issue that flares up every 2-3 months that prevents him from urinating, thus requiring him to be catheterized in order to drain his bladder. Unfortunately it occurred over the weekend this time and I couldn't get him in to his regular vet until the next day (Monday), and I didn't want to wait that long. I got him in to Animal Emergency Hospital and they were able to catheterize him and drain his bladder. They initially wanted to give him a sedative for this simple procedure, but I explained that my dog has undergone this procedure many times without any sedative and handles it fine. I didn't want to introduce any new drugs into his system, and they agreed to do the simple procedure without sedatives.
Pros:
1. They got me in quickly and handled the procedure without much fuss.
2. They have the nicest veterinarian offices I have ever seen, very nice.
Cons:
1. COST! I expect an emergency animal hospital that is open outside of normal business hours to charge more than a regular vet office, but this place takes it to another level, they then laugh and skip over that level to a level beyond that. To put it in perspective, my normal vet service (which is good but also considered the most expensive in Grand Rapids) two months ago charged me a $65 exam fee and $54.25 to catheterize my dog and drain his bladder (total cost $109.25). Animal Emergency Hospital did exactly the same thing at his visit today and charged me $75 for emergency consult fee, $95 for an emergency fee, and $196.11 for the catheterization procedure (which takes about 5-10 minutes) for a grand total of $366.11.
So Animal Emergency Hospital charges 3.4 times more than my normal vet to do the same exact quick exam and procedure. I find this outrageous. I can see an after-hours emergency vet charging 50% more than typical, maybe even 100% more than typical to justify the after-hours work. BUT charging 240% more than typical is just extortion and robbery.
Conclusion:
I love my dog and if he was in an imminent life or death situation and Animal Emergency Hospital was the closest to me, I would take him there because I value his life more than money. HOWEVER, outside of that particular scenario (meaning I have an hour to call around to other emergency after-hour vets), I would go to one of the other after-hour vets in Grand Rapids. This is because I cannot in good conscious support a place that has apparently decided they can charge rates so far beyond what is reasonable because they know the people using their service are desperate and normally don't have time to price shop.
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October 2024 by Kelli Nemetz
Being at the emergency vet is obviously such a scary time. I was definitely NOT keeping it together. But the staff at this hospital were so unbelievably kind-hearted and calm. They took great care of my cat, were very efficient and honest, and while I hope to never be in an emergency situation again, I would absolutely trust this clinic to take care of my pets.
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October 2024 by diane duff
They took most excellent care of our Marti - he is doing well and we were extremely thankful for all the love, affection, & attentive care they provided our boy
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October 2024 by Idaris Cruz
I’ve had to take my dog in twice and both times they treated him well and were clear with me about what he had, what to do and what to watch out for. They were clean and upfront about prices and were not pushy about treatments. Overall, I will continue to come here when needed
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October 2024 by Brandy Root
Everyone was very nice and very careing while we was thier with a baby daisy that had a water puppy stuck but eventually able to deliver their and sped the whole process up of the rest of them.
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October 2024 by Breanna Green
This place is stupid and needs to do a better job for people and animals.
They say my dog needs surgery. They say it’s going to be roughly 1600. They put him under and then say “we actually can’t do surgery”
So they wake him up from sedation, still not having fixed his wounds. Saying they’re sending him home with medicine instead
We still had to pay over 1700 for this “surgery” that didn’t happen, and then the antibiotics they sent us home with.
Why we started with surgery and worked backwards is confusing, and wrong.
They are just out to get money from people in times of worry and frustration.
0 help, don’t recommend. Spent 6 hours here, over 1700$ and my dog still has open wounds.
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October 2024 by rapids444
Brought my dog in because he ate chocolate. They were courteous & kind... It was a VERY long process though. It was very busy.
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October 2024 by Jessica Weber
AEH treated my dog like family as well as us. They talked with us, they care about us. The daily pictures and communication is very much appreciated.
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October 2024 by Adri Xo
My pregnant dog was in labor starting at 5:49pm, we came to the emergency room at 6:03pm. At 8:30 they said they'd wanna perform an emergency c-section to save mom & puppies life AFTER WAITING OVER 2 HOURS WHEN THEY WERE JUST LETTING HER SIT INNA DARK ROOM. I applied for care credit and ran my credit score down just for my dog to magically naturally have 2 puppies 15 mins later. It was just terrible, super chaotic and they're scream money hungry. Made my mom and I feel like we were going to pass out from the stress they put us through. I'd give no stars if that was an option. Do not recommend!!
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October 2024 by Michele
my dog was hit by a car. They were able to get my dog in immediately. They kept me informed while I was there and also provided a text message number so I could reach out and get updates. I also appreciate follow-up phone calls. I am so blessed that service available.
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October 2024 by Melly
The wait was waaaaaay too long and the cost was a rip off! I don’t even know if they actually gave my dog meds because I wasn’t in the room! I don’t know what they actually did to my dog besides shave his bite mark! Didn’t see ointment nor did it smell like antiseptics to clean the wound!!! Do not go here!!!! $300 for what?!
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October 2024 by Chanda Topper
This clinic is absolutely amazing they got my rabbit Theo in quickly answered all questions staff was friendly and amazing throughout our time in The clinic. I highly recommend this facility!
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October 2024 by Madison Stice
I brought my puppy named Titus in when he stopped eating and was lethargic. they diagnosed him with parvo and quite literally saved this little man’s life. forever grateful for these people. amazing staff!! they’re all so kind, patient and sent me photos and updates throughout his entire treatment. today is day two of him being home and he’s back to his normal self. they are expensive, but it is so worth it because they do an amazing job! Definitely recommend this hospital. they do gods work!
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October 2024 by Angie Hendricks
Our visit was great! The vet explained everything so well and we didn’t feel rushed at all. They also came up with another plan for us that worked out better financially since all of this was unexpected and we didn’t have the needed funds. They were so willing to work with us and not just send us out the door with our dog that needed medical attention. They gave us text updates several times since our dog had to stay overnight and sent us a picture of him the next day!
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October 2024 by Roxanne Grady
I have had the unfortunate need for AESH services twice this year.
While sometimes I wish they communicated more frequently when you have a hospitalized pet, I also know that "no news is good news" and the wonderful staff at AESH have always taken wonderful care of my boy while he was there.
They worked with me and offered different treatment plans and walked me through what hospitalizing my dog would entail.
Overall, I am incredibly grateful we have access to such wonderful emergency and specialty vet care.
