Northern Pike Veterinary Hospital

I was so unhappy with my experience today that I am writing my first review of any business, hoping it will find any audience. I normally have to wait approximately 20 minutes after my appointment time for my dogs to be seen. This has always been irritating but it’s close to where I live, and I’ve been going here for years, so why bother changing vets. I was dreading going to this appointment as I knew it would eat up my whole morning. Today I waited 50 minutes after my appointment time to be seen. Sitting in their parking lot with 2 dogs and 2 children in the vehicle for almost an hour! No communication as to why it was taking so long. Finally they see the dogs. They take their time with the check ups. That’s fine. I want them to get thorough care. By the time all was said and done I had spent almost 2 hours sitting in their parking lot as the payment and check out always take longer than expected as well. The Dr. never apologized for the wait. The vet tech was very nice but she just seemed to think it was normal that they always run so late. I have to go back for a follow up on a vaccine. She told me it wouldn’t take as long for that appointment. But she warned me still don’t expect it to be that quick of a visit. Why is that? Do they over schedule to make a profit? Do they just not care about the customer’s experience? I truly don’t understand. Out of all the appointments one has to attend in life, Northern Pike Veterinary is my least favorite, because they always run so incredibly late.

posted: 06/04/2024

When I initially started going to Northern Pike, I thought they were pretty decent. A little over-priced, but they seemed to care. However, in the past year trying to get an appointment with them is a 50/50 shot, as you may be in the parking lot waiting for hours after your scheduled appointment. But the worst part is their refusal to give me vet records without the vet reviewing my records. It took me two months to get records and the only reason I got them was because I went in person and refused to leave without them. LEGALLY, in the state of PA, they must send records within 3 days of a written request. I’ve reported them to the PA board. I also ran into another issue with several pet insurance claims being closed because they couldn’t get additional records or information from the vet. I’ve switched vets now, and I recommend doing the same if you’re currently with them having the same issues because it doesn’t get better.

posted: 09/18/2024

*Great staff, very high prices and very long wait times in clinic* I’ve taken several guinea pigs to NP because they are one of the few vet clinics that will see small animals. Each time my visits are at least an hour, most of that time spent waiting in the exam room for the vet or waiting for the tech to bring medication. The exams themselves are less than 10 minutes. My most recent guinea pig has been seen three times, including today when we took him in to have him euthanized. We’ve spent over $500 for various antibiotics, laser treatments, appointments and finally euthanasia. Unfortunately, none of the treatments worked more than a few weeks. When I took him in today, I knew he was going to be euthanized because he lost so much weight and has not been eating or drinking. The vet who had seen him previously came into the room, agreed that he was not well and euthanasia is the best course of action. That entire time was approximately three minutes that she spent with me. She briefly explained how euthanasia would work for myGuinea pig. Mind you, I had already waited 40 minutes before she came in the room. It took about 30 minutes for the euthanasia process, which I was not allowed to be present for, which was fine with me. When I got my bill, euthanasia was $60, which I feel is reasonable. However, I was charged $75 for a “euthanasia appointment”, which I assume was the vet agreeing that it was time to put him down. When I questioned that charge, I was told that it’s something new. I think the staff at NP are amazing and truly love their jobs and care about animals. But the prices are unbelievably high. For example, $95 for an exotic pet visit. When I returned for a follow up a few weeks later because the treatment wasn’t working, I was told over the phone I would be charged $75 for the follow up visit, but in reality my bill was once again $95 for the visit because it was with a different vet.

posted: 06/18/2024

I took my cat there because of a swollen paw. The vet gave my cat a shot in the hip. Cats been limping ever since. Call them up to see my cat and they wanted $76 to check him. I feel that the appointment so not cost me since my cat was limping (and still is) cause of the shot in the hip. Never will I take my cats to somewhere that can't omit their actions caused my cat in pain. I took my cat to another vet. He x-ray the cat . Turns out he has a broken toe and tissue torn. This is a cat that just went in for a swollen paw. Now he has these injuries . He was fine till I bought him from Northern Pike Vet.

posted: 06/11/2024

Had an incident on Sunday called Monday morning and they worked my Honey into the schedule. Dr Judy was very nice and explained everything to me. They gave a great description on why they didn't do a procedure to remove her nail. The techs were awesome in handling Honey.

posted: 03/20/2023