MEYERLAND ANIMAL CLINIC

I brought our German shepard in to have a repair done to his hernia located at his belly button.  We knew his mother bit his umbilical cord too short when he was born.  He was the pick of the litter, the biggest male, is our pride and joy, and we take his care very seriously.  He had all of his puppy shots done at this clinic.  They are expensive and charge for EVERY little item possible.  We have used Meyerland animal clinic for years without much of a problem other than the cost UNTIL this May.

After paying over 200.oo for a pre-surgery estimate, evaluation, and medication, we scheduled his surgery with an estimate of 511.00 for the repair.   The clinic called us and said they had an opening due to a break down of their dog teeth cleaning machine.  They had "all these appointments open" and could not perform the cleaning services for other pet owners.  It seemed weird but reasonable.  We dropped him off the next day before surgery.  The next morning I received a call while I was teaching a class. The vet said would not perform the surgery due to a "skin infection."  I could not talk at that time and decided to take care of the issue when I went to pick him up.   When I arrived, I waited my turn.  A lady was picking up her dogs who apparently had been groomed.  The groomer told the customer that the one dog wasn't completely dry due to their blower not working.  She had the dog outside, tied to the fence to let "mother nature" give them a helping hand.  For me, another red flag went up.  Now I knew of two pieces of broken equipment and owners not getting services they had scheduled,  When it was my turn, the receptionist handed me a bill for over $300.00 when NO operation took place.  I asked if I would be charged again when the surgery was rescheduled. She said, "Yes."  My level of anger began to rise and I tried to stay calm and ask more questions.  The receptionist called the vet and had some of the charges adjusted with me arguing that I paid for a pre evaluation not five days before the operation was to take place.  They should have seen the infection when the vet stood my dog up and examined his underbelly. I was thinking at the time this had to be an oozing rash that was serious.   The office manager was not in and neither was the vet at the time.  I paid for the medication for the "infection" and left the clinic.   I was concerned about my dog's infection and looked at it outside the clinic.  It appeared to me to be  two flea bites near the surgical site.  The was no redness, other that the two small bites, no pus, no flaking, no drainage, no rash,...I was furious.  After two days, I called them.  They didn't call me. The office manager said that my report of the dog on the fence wasn't true,(implied I lied) and the balance remains. That was my final straw. I told them I would pay the balance because I am honest.  I also told them I had four dogs, two parrots and would no longer use their clinic.  I find the whole situation to be "shady" and questionable. I wouldn't step foot in that clinic again with one of my animals even if someone paid me to do it. 

• I have been taking my two dogs to the Meyerland Animal Clinic for the past year and it's been a good experience each visit. The staff is friendly and the vets take their time with me. Their hours of business are very convenient; I am able to go early in the evening or on the weekend so I don't have to take off from work. If asked, I would recommend this clinic to other pet owners.