Reading Animal Clinic

Caring, friendly and very skilled. Vet care is never inexpensive, but prices here are very reasonable, comparatively. They have a full array of services so tests like x-rays can be done in house without running around. Beautiful, upgraded facility since the photos on this profile were taken.

posted: 06/19/2024

I started taking my then newly diabetic cat Oliver to RAC about two years ago on the recommendation of a friend. Over the course of six weeks, RAC helped me get his diabetes under control, which cost about $1,500 and included multiple in-office day-long stays for Oliver so that they could monitor his blood sugar to adjust his insulin dosage. RAC then suggested that they assess his most recent dosage using a Libre sensor, just like humans use. They said this would be easier on Oliver and on my wallet because it wouldn't require an all-day stay. The sensor cost about $70 and the visit to apply it was $123. Not long after we got home, the edges of the sensor were already coming loose. I called to ask if I should come back in, but was told that if the sensor didn't work, I'd have to get a new one and pay another $123 for the application. I scanned the sensor 24 hours later, as instructed, and received no data. I reached out to the manufacturer and they sent a new one for free, no questions asked. Nevertheless, RAC was still insisting that I pay again for the reapplication. Since Oliver was doing well on his current dosage, I'd spent $1,500 so far, and was feeling burnt out from the stress, I foolishly dropped it. When it came time to get more blood sugar readings many months later, I insisted on the in-office procedure so that I'd at least get the results I'd be paying for. Last month, the vet suggested we try the sensor again. It would be a $103 tech visit now. I was hesitant, but they'd taken good care of Oliver and it had been two years, so I agreed on the condition that the visit be comped since they'd failed the time prior. In the week leading up to the visit, I repeatedly tried to confirm that it would be comped, but kept getting the runaround. I finally spoke to Assistant Client Care Manager Cheyenne who told me that Practice Manager Keana Hull had refused to comp the visit for reasons unknown. I said I was confused because this seemed like a simple customer service issue. RAC failed to provide a service that I paid for and should have comped it two years ago but didn't. Now I was asking them to comp a cheaper service to make it right. It was just $103 compared all the money I'd already spent and would spend. If we couldn't come to an understanding, I might have to find a new vet that would be more reasonable, but I hoped it wouldn't come to that. She agreed to speak to Ms. Hull again, but misunderstood me as asking that only the $27 "tech appointment" line item on their invoice be comped. I didn't realize this then, so when Ms. Hull called to tell me that she would comp the tech appointment in order to make my calls stop (her words), I was grateful that she had seen reason. I called back once I realized the possible mistake and upon confirmation insisted that she comp the $103 as I had been asking all along. She said that I should have raised the issue two years ago and I said that I had, but RAC had refused to comp it then. She claimed no knowledge of what I had been told then and said she couldn't speak to it. That call is documented on Page 20 of Oliver's medical records, so she either lied or failed to look into it. Fed up with the runaround, I told her that she could comp the $103 or I would find a new vet, file a complaint, leave this negative review, and that my friend might take her two dogs elsewhere as well (my friend was also appalled and gave me permission). Ms. Hull finally agreed to comp the visit, but said that I could never come back afterwards. I spoke with Practice Owner Elizabeth Shurland, DVM afterwards. RAC records calls, so I encouraged her to listen to those recordings and judge for herself. She thanked me for my feedback and said that she would take it into consideration. She's given the same response to several negative customer service reviews here over the last year, so I doubt she really cares. There are plenty of quality vets in this area. As long as Ms. Hull is Practice Manager of RAC and has owner's support, don't take your pets to this one. You deserve better service.

posted: 06/11/2024

Best vet around! Extremely friendly and they are extremely educated. They helped me with my new puppy. Highly recommend!

posted: 03/12/2024

Everyone at Reading Animal Clinic is wonderful! My dog gets so excited when we pull into the parking lot she can't wait to get out of the car. I've never had a dog do that when going to the Vet. The staff is kind, professional and compassionate. They put you at ease no matter what you are there for. Thank you for all you do for pets and their owners!

posted: 02/08/2024

Giving a 2 for the compassion and care of vet techs and assistants. However, please check your care plan and bills, unfortunately more than 5 visits in a 6 month span(we have 2 dogs) and atleast 3 of those times have been incorrect. From vaccinations charts incorrect at our first visit and we were told they both were completely due for every vaccine and me arguing with the desk to have them re look at charts realizing the info they put in was done incorrectly by their staff. Our following appointments tests were done without consent (ear exams when they took the dog back ~$50) and a shot given without clarifying the cost (~$180). I spoke to the manager about this and she was quite cold, said they do not need to disclose costs upfront and it’s on the parent to ask if they need to know costs… to which following appointments I did making me a “picky client” where the vet actually said “is money the issue” and it indeed is not, it’s more that every-time I’ve went I’m blindsided by costs or incorrectly charged. I went in again a week later for the same pup to get a shot (vet tech app and charged a full vet appointment, which I had to ask them to adjust because it was wrong). At the next appointment for our 2nd dog went in for 2 vaccines in which, one being Lyme which she’s gotten(3 weeks prior) , they said she needed a booster… following the visit we got the bill and they stated they were “4 week shots” she’d need to come back again in 4 weeks (they told me they were an annual shot inside the exam room) - incorrectly again I had to call and state the chart and appointment listing was wrong. However, this time they did email me kindly to apologize for the mistake and fix it, but it’s only because I’ve looked at everything they’re doing. Unfortunately I’ll be changing vets due to the lack of communication, mixups and issues we’ve constantly had. Long post, but had to explain rather than leaving the 2 stars!

posted: 04/18/2024