Cudahy Veterinary Clinic

Super disappointed in my most recent visit. I brought one of my cats in a few months ago for an issue. A bit pricey, but I was happy to be seen same day, and the medication did what it was supposed to do. I recently brought both cats in for vaccines. I warned them ahead of time that the cat they hadn't seen before should be treated as feral (he's not, he just doesn't like being picked up and handled) and would require special considerations. I called right before the appointment to let them know he was agitated and had scratched my husband while putting him in his carrier. (A note: we have tried medications to calm him before vet visits, but nothing has worked.) I was assured when I made the appointment that they had ways of handling cats like him, but before I was even seen, the vet had already reported the "cat attack" to animal control and the city health department. We ended up having to pay for a quarantine (for a cat that has NEVER been outside in his life), a quarantine which has caused unnecessary stress and trauma to a cat who is already high-strung. I just got him back, and he's currently hiding in his litter box. It's breaking my heart, because I can't comfort him like I would our other cat. I will not be returning to this vet clinic, and everyone asking where our other cat was over the holidays has been warned as well. Oh, and I was still charged over $150 for the cat that was seen. Also, to whoever is responding (arguing) with the other people leaving poor reviews: First, it's unnecessary and not painting this clinic in a good light. Take some responsibility. And second, before you try to argue with me or change the details to your liking, I understand the laws regarding cat bites from cats who haven't had their rabies vaccine. He didn't bite anyone, he's a completely indoor cat (both of my cats are), and he was supposed to get his vaccine that day. It was literally the only reason we were coming in.

We have been going to Cudahy Vet for the past 8 years with our large breed dog, Remy, who isn't a fan of checkups. Dr. Shampo and his staff are always so patient and kind and we wouldn't trust any other team to care for our pup. They are amazing at communicating with us when we have questions or concerns, and go above and beyond in making sure Remy is getting quality care, tailored to his needs. Thank you for all you do!

This review is my opinion of my experience, and my best recollection of the events. I would not recommend this veterinary clinic to anyone after my recent experience with this team. Because this will be a long review and some might not want to read it all, the short and sweet: IN MY OPINION, they: #1 - Charge excessive costs for procedures. #2 - Have very poor communication and emotional intelligence to understand the experience of the pet and family #3 - Provide unnecessary testing and pressure to make the most amount of money they can off of the concerned owner. #4 - Treatment for a misdiagnosis and lack of empathy for the out of pocket money that it cost my family. #5 - Extremely rude and unsympathetic to my personal situation once I declined their proposed treatment plan. BOTTOM LINE: Symptom - 9 year old dog suddenly starts peeing in the house. Treatment plan at Cudahy vet clinic: Visit #1 - 300.00+ for first visit and Arthritis meds and rabies vaccination. Visit #2 - 700.00+ for 2nd sitting visit, Urine, Blood, Heartworm test etc. Police called on me less than 30 min after declining and leaving the office in frustration and not paying my second sitting bill. Treatment at another neighborhood clinic Visit #1 - 259.00 First visit, Blood and urine. Complicated diabetic diagnosis. Out of respect for the good employees, impacted by my negative experience, I will start this off by stating there are some aspects which were exceptional. #1 - The receptionist was amazing. Kind to me as I was going through it. She might have been the only kind face I saw during this ordeal. I am thankful to her. As for Mr and Mrs Shampo - yikes. I brought my dog to this clinic, as we have for years. I will admit that I am not the kind of owner that constantly brings my dog to the vet. I come when there is something wrong. Just like I do for myself and the doctor. I do not go just to go. My dog had recently started having accidents in the house, after never having an accident in the house in the 9 years previous. We wanted blood and urine work, as I thought it was something related to his kidneys. Dr Shampo believed it to be arthritis, or at least he said that is his belief, and sent my wife home with a 300.00 + bill and some arthritis medication. Very interesting diagnosis for a dog peeing in the house, but he is the "expert". Fast forward a week and my dog is still peeing in the house. This time I decide to take the dog myself. I tell him that I know my dog better than him, respectfully, as I spend all my days with him. I tell him it isn't arthritis, as he pees all day every day on every scent he finds outside, and his leg isn't keeping him from peeing. I want blood and urine checked. They come to me with a list of items that they want to check on my dog, heartworm, blood, urine (withdrawn from his bladder via a procedure), etc. 700.00+ in total costs. Included in this bill is a second office visit charge. Its Christmas, I have kids, and quite honestly, it's a ton of money. My jaw drops, I ask why blood and urine wasn't tested the first time and his answer is that he was trying to spend the least amount of my money as possible. I was angry and in shock at the bill. I state that I feel like they are trying to sell me a car warranty and that I would go to a different vet, and I leave. My dog is going through it and I feel like he is dying, and the vet is trying to treat for arthritis and rule out heart worm? I walk out the door frustrated and call a different vet, in the same area of the city, who is able to not only see my dog, but also completed the blood work and urinalysis for 259.00 and diagnosed complicated dog diabetes. Lots more negative to say but ran out of characters.

My wife and I never thought we would be writing this after a 7 year relationship with Cudahy Vet Clinic, all while defending them from other reviews/complaints on social media for the past few years. Their care and services have unquestionably descended over the past year. This is not limited to one bad experience, but several, including the death of our 5 month old English Bulldog puppy, Charlie, that passed away during a spay procedure while in their care. Frustration set in around June of 2021. Our St. Bernard, Sheldon, was having chronic diarrhea. For several months, we contacted Dr. Bob to try and get answers. Our concerns were constantly downplayed. Never once did they even ask us to bring him in. Over the course of several months, we were given multiple, nonsensical excuses including, “It’s probably just the heat”, “He’s probably drinking too much water” and, “He must have gotten into something in the yard”. Ultimately, we expressed our frustration and told them we need answers. Before they agreed to get him in for an exam, we had to rush Sheldon to the ER for excessive vomiting. Long story short, Sheldon had Pancreas issues and was severely anemic. In all the time Cudahy Vet wasted by giving us unjustifiable excuses for months, Sheldon went through several months of diarrhea, being lethargic and experienced a 25-pound weight loss. It doesn’t stop there. We scheduled our 5 month old English Bulldog puppy, (Charlie) to be spayed by Dr. Bob. Charlie was a beautiful, happy and healthy puppy. We dropped Charlie off at 8am on July 8th of 2021. Less than 3 hours later, Dr. Bob called stating that Charlie passed away. Our first question was ‘How, how did this happen’. Dr. Bobs response to what happened…”I don’t know”. They proceeded to blame it on the breed itself due to her being a brachycephalic breed, which there is a higher risk of putting them under. However, this is only true when the proper precautions are not taken. In contrast to other breeds, bulldogs under anesthesia CAN NOT maintain passive respiration, so they require active compensatory hyperactivity of their upper airway respiratory muscles, meaning, they need pre and post-surgery oxygenation. If these steps are not taken, they can not breathe on their own and they will suffocate to death. To blame this untimely death on her breed, is abhorrent. Bulldogs are put under anesthesia every day. As a matter of fact, less than 1% of dogs die under anesthesia every year. It just doesn’t happen. It is also strongly recommended that an anesthesiologist is on staff with Bulldogs due to the level of care that is required. There was no anesthesiologist on staff. Charlie did not receive the level of care that is required for a bulldog. These issues do not end here, and if I had more characters to work with, there are more incidents including our other St. Bernard who choked on her tracheal tube during her surgery, as well as over and under medicating all three of our dogs when they had Giardia. This past year we have experienced nothing but headaches, and heartache with Cudahy Vet. Like others, we thought they were great too. Until they weren’t. Edit: It is disgusting Donna Shampo, that you arrogantly sit here and accuse us of slander. Nothing stated above is untrue. We have records, emails and text messages to corroborate everything. And yes Donna, twice, you have adamantly told us to our face, that you are an ‘animal hospital’. After Charlies death, you made extra efforts to grandstand your practice, and your capabilities. Your clinic has no right to be performing surgeries on this breed. You’re not equipped, and you should have been honest with us and recommended a vet that was. Thank goodness we found a vet that was able to provide Finley(our new bulldog) a chance at survival with her spaying and tail amputation. Unlike Charlie, Finley made it through perfectly.

I had the tragedy of taking my little Luna to this clinic. I did it because my daughter worked there for about three months. Therefore, we were confident that everything would work out. From this tragedy a year ago, Luna is a 2.5-pound cup of Yorkie tea. I took her to have her teeth cleaned, but to my surprise, I found her with a broken upper jaw and 11 tooth extractions. I almost died of despair. The doctor told me that the fracture was pre-existing. They not only mutilated her, but they also spoke lies. The doctor advised us to kill her but with the tender words of "put her to sleep." My daughter did not know what to do with the pain and guilt. Close people advised me to take him to court. Because the person who did the work was an assistant, and they are not legally authorized to do it. A month later, the Dr. suspended my daughter from the job. Still, I didn't do anything against him. My revenge was in the hands of Jesus of Nazareth. The next day we found a doctor who was the angel God sent us to save Luna. Today Luna is seven years old. Although she has a crooked little mouth, she is still as loving and beautiful as ever. If you love your pets, I beg you to be very careful with this Veterinarian. There, they have no responsibility and compassion, respect, and above all, the love that each animal deserves.