Banfield Pet Hospital - Shawnee

Approximately three years ago, I entered a contest and won one year of Banfield's basic wellness plan. The wellness plan is available for dogs at three different levels and is also available for cats. The plan includes two semi-annual comprehensive exams, all vaccines, most lab tests (varies with the plan you select), annual teeth cleaning (on the two higher plans), and unlimited office visits and exams for problems. It does not include medications and other services, but does provide discounts ranging from five percent on the basic plan to fifteen percent on the highest plan. The comprehensive exams are more comprehensive and includes more lab tests and more vaccines than I have ever received from any other vet ever and I have had several dogs in my life. I was initially skeptical of going with a chain veterinary clinic. I initially planned on changing back to my other vet after the first year when I had won the free year of services. After the first year, I was so impressed with the professionalism, knowledge, and level of care at Banfield, that I stayed at Banfield and renewed the wellness plan at the next higher level the following two years. The wellness plan is much cheaper than paying for all the services individually. It is approximately forty percent cheaper than buying the services individually or anywhere else. I gave Banfield a lower rating on the price only because the non-covered services are pricey, but not any more than their main competitor, VCI Hospitals (another national chain that has been buying up vets throughout the country). I use VCI for my other dog (recently became a VCI affiliate last year). VCI is great too, but does not have a wellness plan.

I have been enlisted in the corporate Banfield program for about 8 years (I had three animals in the program), visiting this particular clinic for five of those years. Although the vets exceeded their care of my animals, I feel that the corporate Banfield program is too rigid and unadapatable to its loyal clients.
I took my dog in because he presented with a lack of energy, laying down on walks and vomiting after drinking water. The vet suspected a bladder stone and infection, suggested x-rays (that showed a stone), advised me of my alternatives to surgery, and quoted a price for surgery. I asked if there was a payment plan available and was told no, the amount would be due in full. Unaware of my consultation with Banfield, I consulted another veterinarian regarding treatment and was quoted 1/2 the price of the surgery at Banfield. This second clinic also offered monthly payments. When I asked Banfield for my x-rays (that were included in the $245 initial exam), I was told I'd have to pay an additional $25 for them to burn them onto a disc. The second vet clinic that I consulted and ultimately chose for my dog's surgery, also called Banfield and asked for the x-rays, volunteering to pick up the disc. Neither of their two phone calls were returned by Banfield nor were the x-rays delivered/mailed to the second clinic. In light of this particular experience, I did not renew my membership in Banfield's program for this particular animal. However, the fact that the vet could/would not discuss an alternative payment plan and that the clinic withheld x-rays that I perceived to be mine, I choose not to renew my other animal's memberships when they expire. I had been contemplating dropping this program because I was unhappy with a few other instances at the Banfield clinic regarding price and rigidity

They are pretty good. I like the reminders that they send out. They are efficient and stay on schedule.