River Road Veterinary Clinic

Nicole Bartner

I’ve owned dogs for the past 35 years. I have experienced all manner of veterinary situations, emergencies, surgeries. I have been a client at veterinary practices in 3 different states. Since Covid my primary veterinary practice lost 4 vets and were unable to offer emergency services. That is why, when I had an emergency with a Borzoi puppy I wound up taking him to River Road. River Road charged me $3500 for keeping my puppy in the hospital for 3 weeks and keeping him sick. When I told them I was out of money they released to me a puppy who, after being IN THE HOSPITAL FOR THREE WEEKS, could not even stand up on his own and was so emaciated the bones of his face were jutting out. His condition was shocking. River Road never provided a diagnosis, just one thing after another after another. What should have been the big red flag was that no one from the hospital ever called me for an update. I had to call them and try to track down updates. No veterinarian I have ever visited before had such completely inadequate communication. On top of the lack of communication, the support staff at River Road was, in a word, terrible. Their attitude, demeanor towards and treatment of my family members every time we were in the building was aggressive, nasty, demeaning and utterly unprofessional. We were gaslit for 3 weeks. And then, after I said I could not afford to keep paying they blamed me for the condition of my puppy that they created. I was, in effect, kept in the dark about the reality of my dog’s condition and treatment. Presumably because they really had no idea what they were doing, but they just kept following a course that weakened him further and further. I returned my puppy to them the day after taking him home, thinking, mistakenly, that they would provide care for him that I could’t afford. Because at that time I still didn’t know RIVER ROAD WERE THE ONES keeping him sick and weak and starved. Luckily, they turned Nigel over to Borzoi Rescue, who was also SHOCKED at the horrible condition of a puppy who had been in the hospital for 3 weeks and was released with no ongoing meds, no nothing and weighed 8lbs when he should have been closer to 20lbs (!!!). They transported Nigel out of state to a veterinarian who treated him for sterile gut (River Road had killed off all the flora in his gut and kept him in a persistent state of starvation). His condition turned around overnight. In one night of adequate veterinary care Nigel was able to rally and begin to recover and no longer needed the IV fluids River Rd had just kept him on while they tortured him. Please do not take your pet to River Road Veterinary Hospital. I am ashamed to have subjected Nigel to the horrendous torture they perpetrated on him. I am ashamed that I allowed myself to be gaslit by these people and my family to be treated with disdain and nastiness by a staff who don’t know the first thing about the practice of veterinary medicine. After putting the pieces together about what River Road did to me, my family and my puppy I put a stop payment on a check because I refuse to pay for Veterinary Medical Malpractice. I am 55 years old. I have not lived a single year of my life without pets. LOTS of pets. This was the worst veterinary experience of my life. By a long, long, long shot. Worst of all River Road cost my puppy his health and his growth has likely been permanently stunted. Thank God for Borzoi Rescue.

Aug 16, 2023

G Lukas

Absolutely great doctors and staff. They are so good with all pets and their owners. They were so wonderful with my dog Myah and her passing a year ago. I have just adopted a great dog Curly and she just had her well exam with Dr. Dutton. Everything is great 😃

Jul 6, 2023

Tomten Farm and Sanctuary

We cannot say enough good things about River Road Veterinary Clinic.Everyone, veterinarians, technicians and office staff are truly wonderful. But, it is the commitment to helping each animal find health and happiness that is above and beyond. This is not an easy profession and to be able to continue practicing after so many years with the utmost enthusiasm and compassion is something to be applauded. Here at Tomten Farm and Sanctuary we are so grateful for the experience, availability and constant education we receive from this wonderful team. A special shout out to Dr. Dutton, for without him, these two little orphan lambs would not be alive - we are honored to have him on the Tomten Team. Thank you to all at River Road Vet for being here for us, the community and the animals whose lives are better because of you. We appreciate you! - Jenifer Vickery, Founder, Tomten Farm and Sanctuary

Jul 9, 2023

Kalen Ash

1st time going to the facility and it was nothing but great all around. They understood my needs and concerns and respected that my dog is very nervous. Gave him the room and and time he needed to be more calm. Very informative with the diagnosis and very caring and compassionate with not only my dog but my emotions as well.

Jul 12, 2023

Taylor Moll

We've enjoyed our experience with Dr. Dutton and all the staff at River Road Veterinary Clinic! Takes plenty of time for questions and genuinely wants to partner with us to make sure we have a happy, healthy puppy that will be a good member of the family. Reasonably priced as well for the care received. Also really like that they handle their own emergencies!

Jan 12, 2023