vet hospitals

[Pam Thomas]

What does anyone know or experiences you have had  with Banfield Hospitals. Some are in Pet Smarts and they have wellness plans.

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I have only heard poor things about them. I have heard that they are a rip-off. I also looked into them because of their puppy wellness plan, but after reading countless unfavorable reviews online, I decided to stay away.

[Chels*Claud*Midas]

I use them and I love them!! I got it when he was a puppy.. and now I have real insurance , healthy paws and I kept the wellness plan because I never have to worry about bringing him in whenever.. I don't pay for office visits and all vaccines are covered! I guess it depends on the location..

[Stephanie and Ragley]

I guess so! So glad to hear a positive review! Now you have a new (and potentially better) perspective, Pam :) That's the beauty of DK!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

We've talked about Banfield a lot over the years, and the general consensus is not good. They are owned by Mars, Inc. for one thing, and the vets do tend to push Mars products, none of which are recommended. In general corporations and health care are not a great combination for the patients. The vets seem to come and go, and you don't have the chance to develop a relationship with one, which IMO is essential. The vets also do not seem to be very experienced. 

My own experience with Banfield has involved fosters, since I would never use them. Dealing with three different Banfields in my area was very difficult, and their prices were higher than those at my private vet's office. 

Their health plan also offers you no flexibility or options that may be better for your dog, such as doing titers instead of vaccinations. 

The on-line reviews are not generally good. The DK reviews are definitely not good. Here are a couple, you can find more by doing a search:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/forgive-me-but-i-must-expr...

http://www.doodlekisses.com/forum/topics/banfield-vet-clinic

I thought this was also pertinent:

http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/puppymadness/forum/topics/petplan...

From that discussion: 

If the Petsmart Plan means you have to go to Banfield clinics then I would not use it. I've heard too many complaints about Banfield to ever use them.  Also what they offer is a wellness plan, not insurance. To be honest the wellness plan makes them lots of money. Once you sign the contract on the wellness plan you are committed for the full year's payment whether you continue to use them or not. They are a large corporation that is in it for the money. I would rather go to a independent vet clinic. If I don't like them, I can change clinics. A good vet will require blood work before any surgery to make sure the animal can handle the anesthesia. Some cheaper spay and neuter clinics skip that part.

I bet there are many good vet clinics in your area that will provide quality, personal care for your sweet puppy.

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/puppymadness/forum/topics/petplan...

[Anja]

I used Banfield and their Pet Wellness Plan for my first puppy. Depending on location and vet they like to push tests, procedures that are unnecessary. For example the vet wanted me to get my 1 year olds teeth cleaned just because he turned a year old. He has beautiful white teeth and didn't need a teeth cleaning. I transferred to a different vet after his first year and honestly have spend less at the new vet than I did having him on the Wellness Plan.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I would personally spend the money on Pet Insurance like Pet Plan or Healthy Paws!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I can certainly give you my first hand experience with Banfield. When we moved to Az we had no referrals so I took him to Banfield because it was close to home and it was over 5 yrs ago and we didnt have as many posts on DK yet, so being totally ignorant of the quality of veterinary care associated with Banfield, I went, and did stupidly fall for the Wellness Plan sales pitch.
At the time Murphy had chronic painful ear infections and I felt it would be cost effective. WRONG! Every visit still cost over $100 as this or that wasnt covered totally. Then you never got the same doctor for more than one or two visits and I would have to explain his history, treatments, general health all over again, as I was constantly questioned as though I wasnt doing everything possible already. They questioned my feeding habits which at the time were raw and homecooked foods and insisted their foods in the store were much better and that he could not possibly get the nutrients he needed with his present diet. Well, you all know where that conversation went and we finally agreed to disagree and not discuss it again.
The absolute worst of it all was how they treated Murphy. They had to keep "taking him to the back" to examine his ears and no matter how much I told them he would do better if I were with him, that he was a particularily anxious kind of dog, it fell on deaf ears. So I waited while I listened to him bark and cry until one time they came back to the waiting room to tell me he was just fighting too hard and it took 4 people holding him down and they still didnt get a clear view of his ears.
After that he was so incredibly anxious and fearful of that place and any vet for several years to come. My present Vet took every step possible to help him through it and he is now settled down and is comfortable with her. What was the worst for me was the fact that Murphy hardly ever put his tail down and between his legs, but at Banfield he did and actually visibly shook. When I complained to corporate, they just said that it was their policy and they were not interested in making any exceptions. I had to pay for the full year although I was taking him to a REAL Vet who actually cared and we quickly got his ears healed without 4 people ever holding him down again or going to "the back" without me. And money wise, it is much cheaper to have a private Vet of your choice.

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

Negative remarks far outweigh the good. The biggest complaint was the high pressure to buy various products of theirs and that the Vets working there were not quite to be up to par.

[Julie and Max]

Sue what a horrible experience for poor Murphy :(

No experience here Pam but good luck with whatever you choose. 

[Pam Thomas]

OK, scratch Banfield. I am going to visit some vets and see if I can find one that will take into consideration the things I have learned here.

[Jen W]

I had to use a Banfield when I was traveling and couldn't get to my regular vet.  They were great.  They didn't even charge me since Dory's issue was so minor and they took care of it in a few minutes.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

When I got my Oliver I did my research and the Banfield by me had good and bad reviews.  I signed him up for the puppy wellness plan and he was neutered there with no problems.  I kept him on the plan for 3 years with no issues what so ever.  They do push product which I knew already so I was always on my guard when I went in, the only negative thing is that the wait was always very long no matter when you went in.  I always made a appointment but would always be there a minimum of a hour and half !!!  The vet that Oliver went to was great, very loving of animals.   When I decided to not renew my coverage that really did not want me to go and offered many discounts if I would stay.