Banfield question

[andy & me]

Very Clean in FL & VA, prices are pretty much the same as the other vets, they do have walk in on certain days, I think it is Tuesday afternoons? However you never see the same vet and the last time I took my cat there the vet was sooooo wrong that if I had listen to him my cat would be dead by now. I think that they are all about money and the pets come second. So if it is an emergency go there but otherwise I would recommend establishing a relation with a good vet in your town.

[#1RobThomasfan]

well if you decide on them then check the Petsmart grooming salon, I picked up my dog from the groomers portion yesterday and they 15.00 coupon off your first Banfield visit.

[livingalmostlarge]

Originally Posted by ASweetHeart Has anyone ever taken their pet to one? My kitty needs to be seen asap, I haven't found a good local vet, and was wondering if anyone had an opinion on the quality of this vet. How are the prices? Is the place realitivly clean at your location? How would you rate the vet? If there was something wrong with your pet, were they able to diagnose quickly and correctly? How long did it take to get an appointment? Did they try and push services/products on you that you felt were unnessecary? Was your pet operated on, and if so how did that go? Pros and cons?

I have used Banfield since 2002, when we rescued our first Bichon Frise. He had been going to Banfield his whole life so we got all his paperwork from his old vet. Awesome, can I tell you who else would fax over a dogs entire medical history?

Everytime I call them they are soo helpful. Yes the prices are expensive. And yes I think it costs more than a regular vet. However, they are exceptionally clean and I've been to MULTIPLE banfields.


Let me say this, when we were camping in Sequoia National Park our Bichon got a tick in his ear. We raced to an open Banfield and was seen immediately on a Saturday afternoon. We did not have our paperwork, but they say us FREE of charge. We got some medicine and went home. We lived in SD and the vet was 6+ hours from our normal vet.


Second time we went camping he hurt his foot, and we went to a vet in Arizona while living in CA. Again we did not pay for the vet office visit which was running $50/pop. Yes we need to stop camping.

Third, when we need medical forms for travelling, it is all FREE. Normally it is $50 office visit and $50 form. Also since we send them to boarding or daycare, we just make an appointment and get a bordatella shot (up the nose) for $20 if it's been less than 6 months because they get it 2x/year under the plan. However, some daycares require every 3 months. Regular vet? $50 office visit and $50/dog.


Fourth we pay $70/month for 2 dog plans because we get their teeth cleaned every year. Yes it's not necessary, but our older dog has bad breath no matter how much we brush. For some reason he's had 1 teeth pulled. Since we've had this done at 4 different vets, we've now settled again into a routine with our current vet.

We LOVE her. She is worth every overpriced penny. Our newer Bichon bites when he is pulled out of a crate. Because of this, MANY vets don't want to see him. But this vet has no fear! She roped him and got him out. Also instead they follow our directions and put our two bichons in a room together. And he walks out when he's comfortable.

So yes we pay a premium, but I can go in ANYTIME when they are sick. I trust them and know they understand the problems with our rescue dogs. And yes it is a slightly longer drive, but our vet is fantastic.

And our older dog has had eye surgery, but it was referred out to a dog opthamologist. And our vet was excellent in referring and reccomending.

We could go once a year to a vet, but honestly with our boys and the problems we've encountered travelling, etc, we prefer the stability of knowing whereever we go, we can go to a banfield free. We have a very clean vet. We know that the people there have always been helpful, they usually are open on Saturdays, unlike many vets.

[wannabefree]

I hadn't heard of it and I thought you were asking about Ashley Banfield from TruTV!!!

[tiffanyhector]

Yes I agree with some of the other comments...they are a little more on some services, but I love the fact that there is no office visit whenever my dogs need to go. They are always clean and courteous. I have the wellness plan, and what I will pay for the entire year, most vets wanted for one visit to do annual shots. I really enjoy them, so if you are interested I would try them out....there is a coupon on Petsmart's website right now for a free visit and $25 off the plan if you sign up so I would check it out!

[extremesoccermom]

I have used them twice. Once years ago I noticed that my black lab had what appeared to be worms in her stool. Even though we use heartworm and flea prevention she some how contracted round worms. Of course it was around 6pm or later and our vet was gone for the day I called them and they took her right away.

This past month I brought my mixed mutt in for a second opinion for an eye problem. Although they were unable to make a dx and were not able to offer me any more information that my regular vet had already told me. They were very nice and made me feel good that I was taking very good care of my dog but she is now completely blind and we had to get blood test which they had quoted me a price of 240 and my vet was able to do it for 135.
I will use them again in an emergency and I have been considering the wellness program for the new 10 week old puppy

[sdimon]

I love Banfield and my vet there is a wonderful man who is so dedicated to pets . Whenever I take my pets in there they love on them just like they get at home. I have all my pets on plans and spend very little oop for visits.

[chevy_chick95]

Blah.. the closest one to me is like 8 hours away!..

[Chayeisarah]

There is one thing I learned about in my research regarding the Banfield health "insurance". If you lose your animal anytime before the contract year is up and you have used more benifits then you have paid in premiums than you will continue to have to pay for the contract year.

So if you get a dog from a neighbor, get the insurance at $21 a month take it in for its shots and a check up, and worm medicine costing $100, then 2 months later it gets hit by a car and dies you will have to continue paying for the "insurance" for 9 more months, because you used more benifits on that first visit then you paid in the 3 months your pooch was alive. So now you will have no pooch and $189 of "insurance" premuims to pay still.


I don't know about you but that to me just adds salt to an already open wound.

[jacee]

The Banfield I have used has a certain time on Tu/Thur that you do not have to pay the office fee, you just pay for the tests, meds, etc.