Ruskin Animal Hospital & Cat Clinic

I do not recommend leaving your pet in the kennel at Ruskin Animal Hospital. We moved here four years ago and having been taking our little dachshunds, Charlie and Hazel, to Ruskin Animal Hospital for medical care and boarding. We had previously been very happy with the staff and their care. We dropped Charlie and Hazel off on the March 14 because my husband had to go into the hospital. The kennel manager asked me to pick them up on Saturday March 21 because the facility was closing because of Covid 19. When I got there, the tech came out put them in the car and I left. At home, I saw that Charlie was extremely thin. He was lethargic, struggling to breathe, coughing badly, and had a terrible runny nose. When he ate, he threw up. He had weighed about 14 lbs when I dropped him off and was 11 lbs when I picked him up! He was a healthy, strong little dog when I dropped him off, but now he had to be picked up to get on and off his spot on the couch and to go down three steps to potty. Charlie was obviously very sick. No invoice/report was provided when I picked him up and no calls had been made to us while Charlie was in the kennel. I called the kennel manager to discuss his condition and make arrangements to see a vet. When I asked why we weren't told that he was sick, she said that Charlie had been sluggish on Thursday but had perked back up on Friday. After exams, X-rays, IV, an overnight stay, I brought him home with four prescriptions, including an appetite stimulant. I nursed Charlie at home until the evening of March 31st. Charlie fell down when I put him on the floor and appeared disoriented. We rushed him to a pet emergency room where he was admitted for more diagnostics, blood tests and X-rays and was kept overnight in an oxygen tent. He had pneumonia which likely started with kennel cough. The vet said that it was highly unlikely that Charlie would make it home and that he was suffering because of the difficulty breathing. Because Charlie was suffering, we had no choice but to let him go. He's now resting in the butterfly garden at the Companions Memorial Pet Cemetery in Palmetto. Dr. Waldy was kind and caring and did everything he could for Charlie, But as for the kennel: I feel that Charlie would be alive today if I hadn't boarded him there.

My cat came home lame! The vet tech took her in the back (where I could not see) to do a blood test and express her anal glands. Everything seemed fine but when we got home the cat would stagger when she got up to walk and was limping on her back legs and right front paw. She was obviously in pain. I can only assume the vet techs handled her roughly while they were doing the tests. I will never let these people handle my pet again

They almost killed her, then sent her home because they were closing for the day. She was unconscious, still slowly recovering after 4+ weeks. Didn't send tissue removed for pathology. Dr. Langford sent assistants to talk to me rather than talking himself. Gave a follow up for clip removals, then said it was too soon. Their mistake again. If you love your pet, avoid them completely.

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The vets there are very thorough and helpful. They really know what they're doing, will do anything you ask, and help in any way. Unfortunately, I do have to wait every time I go - for me, though, it's worth waiting.

They office staff is very kind and responsive. They do a great job caring for my pets. My cat was better in no time and they even called to check on her. That may be something they have to do however they certainly showed genuine concern. I would recommend this vet office to anyone.

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Evryone was very nice, helpful, and abe to nswer all my questions.

Yearly Exam - $43, Fecal Exam - $22, Rabies Tag $5= $70 Then I ordered special food for a bowel disease our cat has at $17, and 2 of the CET paste for teeth at $11 each.
We received prompt attention, and I was given all the time I needed to ask questions. This was my first visit, and I was really impressed. We just moved to the area, and I was worried that I wouldn't find a Veterinarian situation as good as the Vet we were leaving, but I have nothing to worry about as Dr. Ott and his staff are first-rate.

They are extremely friendly and knowledgeable.