Banfield Pet Hospital

Start by saying I've worked with dogs for 11 years inside and outside the clinic setting. I have cattle dogs which are notoriously anxious of strangers. I told the staff this and was told I could wait with my dogs, and they still took the dogs and put them in kennels while I waited. Not a positive experience for anxious dogs at a new vet location. Besides the handling issue I can get over because vets are busy, I get it. They also talk to me as if I have never seen an animal before and all but one of the front desk staff doesn't seem to know anything about vet med so all questions get ignored or half answered. But the big thing is they have been making it nearly impossible to obtain flea/tick/heartworm for my dogs. Can't order from them because they claim the brand I use is only for cats (which it's not), then claim I need to do tests which I do not we had already been over that at my visit where I was told I could order through chewy because I had everything done prior, then I was told they wouldn't approve any outside prescription request because one of my dogs is a puppy and growing even though the size range of the medication fits his size and is the same one they would provide only I want to order 3 instead of one both my dogs take the same thing, so it's more cost-effective and efficient to buy multiple and not run out leaving them untreated. They claim I cannot buy multiple because the growing puppy, a cattle dog avrage max weight is less than 40lbs except in fixed adult dogs who are over weight. My puppy will be on the same size bracket for this medication his entire life and anyone would clearly understand that. All this run around to deny preventive care all while trying numerous times to sell me different medications I do not and will not use as they hold a higher risk of complications. There is no reason for a vet office to make preventive care difficult. There are other issues but this rant is long enough.

We love the service that my 3 Maltese receive from the Banfield team in Alexandria, VA. The staff is very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Our babies health care are definitely important to us!! We have never encountered any problems with our babies at the facility.

Went here for a check up for my cat who was having GI issues and they said nothing was wrong - I paid for multiple testing including blood work, a rectal exam, stool sample, blood work, etc. They gave me antibiotics and Probiotics. I went a few months later for the same issue that had gotten worse, said nothing was wrong and sold me the same probiotics that hadn't worked the first time which I told them. I was constantly dismissed and treated like I didn't know about my cats issues. Went to a different vet a few months later - they found he had swollen and irritated anal glands and had to do emergency surgery for an abscess they found. Banfield always has rude receptionists and treat you like you know nothing and just try to upsell products. Makes me even question if they actually did the procedures they charged for. They also don't return calls in a timely manner and were rude when I requested to send my cats medical history to a different vet. Don't ever go here.

I wanted to bring my cat here, however, I noticed the 3.7 stars and was hesitant. Since it was close to the house, I decided to give it a chance… probably a big mistake.. When we went, we waited 30 min just to be check in… and the place closes at 5. Never bringing my pets here again. Just to add on, when I had called the place in the morning to confirm my appt, whoever, answered was rude.. and didn’t even try to sound nice. But I put that aside thinking it’s day after thanksgiving, maybe they are tired.. it’s fine whatever.. please avoid beginning ur pets here especially if u care about them being seen by professionals

Mixed experiences. The quality of service and care from staff vary person to person. Most of the techs and assistants are nice. I did not like that a majority of exam parts were performed in the back, so I was left waiting the entire time, unable to observe or provide any context. Emails have gone unanswered and undocumented, including important requests and health history. One request was in fact critical, and the lack of it being fulfilled resulted in a later unexpected euthanasia. While performance of this diagnostic wouldn't have prevented my pet's condition, it would have revealed the issue that could have either been addressed earlier or she could have been euthanized before suffering.