UF Small Animal Hospital

Hands down the best animal hospital I’ve ever been to. Made us very comfortable with the process caring for our 1lb 2oz Yorkie tea cup who was not eating for two days. After two and a half days of hospital care, blood test, XRays and CT scan our baby was diagnosed with liver shunt. We are scared out of our minds but the doctors explained everything to us and stayed in touch with us step by step with many updates throughout the days. He will be returning in a couple of weeks for shunt surgery.

My heart and sincerest gratitude go out to this amazing group of people for their dedication and commitment to the health and well being of our furbabies. My Finn just went in for 2 weeks of radiation, as he was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer (a diagnosis that no pet parent is ready to take)…and as hard as it was, it was the easiest decision to know that he would be in the best and loving and knowledgeable hands with the staff here! Dr. Shellman with consultation (amazing), Dr. Freed with treatment (incredible and so informative), Ashlee, Paige, Lyanne (I couldn’t have asked for more as I know I’m missing some and apologize, as I think Finny misses you all:) and Jonathan for his amazing kindness and passion and professionalism, and Donna for being an amazing friendly and caring face at check in! I truly can’t say enough positive things about this group, and how they provided and gave the best treatment to my boy Finn for 2 weeks straight. I’ve had many friends and strangers tell me about how amazing UF and the staff is in terms of treating their fur family, and although I wished I never had to know, I can say with certainty they cared for my boy that will hopefully bring him more times of joy and lots of love and happiness, which I’m eager to provide. Thank you for all that you do, from the bottom of our heart!

Although our sweet guinea pig, Virgil, could not make it, Dr. Meghan Chung and her team were incredible. Dr. Chung especially was so compassionate, knowledgeable, responsive, patient, and kind throughout the entire process. During his 6 day hospital stay, she communicated and sent pictures multiple times every day. I honestly believe they did everything in their power to help, and would go again for any future needs. I also have some relief in knowing he was so loved by this team in his final days.

We were referred to UF after my PTSD service dog suddenly screamed in pain, thrashed around, and rapidly lost mobility. Within approximately four hours, he was paralyzed in his hind limbs. We went to 2 other vets before being directed to UF. Upon arrival, we were quoted $9,000 for an emergency spinal surgery, with 75% required upfront before evaluation or treatment would proceed. Under extreme distress and fearing for our dog’s life, we secured a loan and paid $6,785 immediately. He remained hospitalized for two days and received a CT scan and MRI. After these diagnostics, we were informed that surgery was not necessary. Instead, UF elected to keep him an additional day for oxygen monitoring. They also did a spinal tap, to rule out something. At discharge, we reasonably expected a partial refund of the surgical deposit since no surgery was performed. Instead, we were told we owed additional money and were required to pay MORE before our dog would be released to us. There was: No surgery! No invasive treatment! No clear justification for exhausting the full surgical deposit! The billing appeared structured to consume the entire deposit regardless of medical outcome, which is deeply concerning. Our dog’s condition DID NOT IMPROVE FROM THIS VISIT, he had to be carried or walked with a harness that supported his back end, cause he still had no use of his back legs. His stay did not improve his situation at all!! The financial handling also felt exploitative and lacking transparency, particularly given the emotional vulnerability of us facing an emergency with my service animal. The doctors and staff were courteous, but professionalism in demeanor does not offset what felt like predatory billing practices. This experience left us with serious concerns about UF’s emergency pricing structure and ethical standards. I feel like we were completely taken advantage of. Not only did my service animal not get any better from his stay at UF, but now we have to deal with a loan, that frankly I feel is unjustified. In the end. I am happy he did not require surgery, and happy he is now home safe. But not happy with UF and how they took advantage of us in our situation.

On the day I adopted a dog from animal services, her spay turned into a hernia. UF got it us in quickly and determined she needed emergency surgery to put her intestines back behind her abdominal wall. They were so kind to her very scared new parents and have remained so with every follow up. Thanks UF Small Animal Hospital staff!!