Alberni Veterinary Clinic Ltd.

This is a warning to anyone who is thinking about taking their pet here to be euthanized at this clinic. On November 1st , 11 days ago, we brought our 14 year old chihuahua mix to this vet clinic where we had taken him on a few occasions for the last 5 years. He looked just like the chihuahua with a cone on their website. We feared he was extremely ill and the vet confirmed with a 30 second exam that he had cancer of the spleen and it was bleeding into his body so it was inoperable and he needed to be put down. The vet left the room and the assistant said if we wanted sedation first we would have to come back because they were too busy to wait 20 minutes for the sedation to take effect before they could euthanize him. The vet returned and stated that she didn’t feel that sedation was necessary because the euthanasia shot was quick and all that Sparky would feel was a little needle prick. Based on that information we decided to go ahead. When she put the needle into his leg he began to scream. Whether this was pain or fear I don’t know but he tried hard to get away even with several assistants holding him. At this point my husband ran out of the room to his car crying because Sparky was his shadow and he could not bear to hear and see his dog like this because we had promised Sparky that his passing would be like gently falling asleep. The assistant who held his leg wasn’t able to hold on and the half-injected needle fell out. The vet gave the assistant a dirty look and said she would be right back with more solution. I asked what happened and the assistant said it was her fault. The vet returned and stuck the needle in his other leg and the screaming and struggling began again. I tried to calm Sparky but to no avail. It was all over in less than 2 minutes but Sparky died a horrible death that will forever be etched on our minds. Afterwards they said we could stay as long as we needed to say our final goodbye. Why couldn’t they have given us the 20 minutes upfront with sedation to take effect rather than 20 minutes after the fact. It all happened so fast and we were left in total shock and traumatized. We feel this whole situation was uncaring to us and our pet. He gave us such joy and we let him down at the end. Eventually we will focus on the good times but the look of agony and/or fear will forever be etched in our minds.

This was probably the worst experience I’ve had in 40 years of owning animals. I have an eight year old health happy dog. Hes never needed much vet care because he is heathy. He’s had a ear bothering him for a month or so, it’s not responding to my daily cleanings which he enjoys and looks forward to. Unfortunately Port Alberni is very hard to get a appointment at a vet which leaves us no other choices but to go here. Rudy has been diagnosed as being reactive, he is very Leary of strangers. We have cooping mechanisms that help him get through these times. They are very aware of Rudy’s issues, rather then taking their time with him three women wrestle him to the floor to do a entire exam.He has a ear infection, not a tooth infection, not a heart infection, a ear infection. I will gladly pay the 200 dollars for the exam and have you just look in his ear to avoid this abuse. To top it off I was shaking a treat container trying to distract him for their man handling, the vet says don’t give him a treat he doesn’t deserve one. I said it pretty hard for him to eat a treat with a muzzle on. Never ever again. I’m still apologizing to him.

we have taken our dog to this clinic once initially and two weeks later for a check up. I won't bore you with the details but the first lady vet we saw was utterly amazing. Our dog has inherited a yeast problem that can't be cured. The vet took a long time to really look him over and teach us what was going on.. She also did what she could to minimize the cost of treating him permanently. The second visit was terrible. The girls that work in there are amazing and we were looking forward to seeing the vet again. But some other female vet was there and she was rude, clipped, told us we should return the dog to the spca if we couldn't afford the five hundred dollars a month it would take to keep him comfortable. We have had him for half a year and we are in love with him. I mentioned cheaper alternatives that have worked on other dogs and she shut us up real quick about that. We ended up at The Ark. Not only did they have the food we need, well priced (not 182 dollars a bag the vet sold us) and she heals dogs naturally!!! Thats where we are going from now on. Fifty dollars later we walked out with good suggestions of what we can use and a giant bag of excellent dog food. I super recommend you try them!!!!! I wish to respond to the response that was given to this review. I am going to be honest. We were expecting to see the amazing vet we saw the first visit. It was actually you we had trouble with. You were pretty clipped and sure weren't going to listen. And clearly you did not take into consideration the psychological aspect of surrendering him back to the spca. He has completely bonded with us, he is an extreme people dog and to put him through another abandonment is unthinkable. You coldly suggested we return him to the spca so they can control his pain. There are other ways to control his itching....no pain. It entails more work but we will do that for him. But you were having none of that. I know several people, not five hundred bucks a month people either, who control their dogs yeast issues naturally and a lot less expensively.. Plus he wouldn't even touch that awful 182 dollar bag of food you sold us. As I said it wasn't the suggested expensive treatment so much as it was your manner. Very offputting and I feel the dog's first interest was not even considered.

The staff at the Alberni Veterinary Clinic were fabulous. They took such good care of our fur baby and were very helpful and thorough with all of their advice and instructions. Our pup came through her surgery extremely well and we are very grateful to this clinic for their care. Thank you!

This is the worst vet I have ever been to. I've had a couple dogs that I've had to put down unfortunately. I brought mine here today and they charged me an exam fee to euthanize my dog. I was like absolutely not. He's literally gonna die in 5 minutes, what could you possibly examine that's worth charging a fee????? I paid it but I'll never ever bring another dog here again. All they want is your money with 0 regard for the animal. Shame on you for this.