Lakeside Animal Hospital

Lakeside Animal Hospital, located at 60 Dubelbeiss Ln, Rochester, NY 14622, USA, serves the local community as a "Pet Hospital" providing veterinary care for beloved animal companions. Pet owners in Rochester and the surrounding areas can contact them at (585) 467-2120 or via mobile at +1 585-467-2120 for their pet's health needs.

The environment at Lakeside Animal Hospital, as perceived by clients, appears to evoke mixed sentiments, ranging from deeply positive experiences centered on compassion to serious concerns regarding post-operative care and communication. On one hand, a highly positive review describes the office as "amazing," with "the most caring staff ever" whose every word "was of pure love for animals." This suggests an atmosphere where pets and their owners feel a genuine sense of warmth and affection from the veterinary team. Specifically, Dr. Licata is noted for being "so gentle," fostering an environment where a cat reportedly "showed no fear with her or her techs" due to their perceived gentleness. This indicates that for some, the clinic successfully creates a calm and comforting space, conducive to reducing anxiety during veterinary visits.

However, another detailed account raises significant concerns about the operational environment during critical post-procedure periods. The description of a pet waiting hours for discharge updates, a vet leaving before a post-operative discussion, and the ultimate decision to send a pet home unsupervised despite not meeting discharge standards, points to potential issues in communication, supervision, and protocols during busy periods or critical recovery phases. The "closing for the night" decision, leaving an animal with severe post-anesthetic complications either unsupervised overnight in the clinic or sent home in a compromised state, suggests a lapse in creating a continuously safe and supervised environment for animals recovering from procedures, particularly outside of standard operating hours.

As a "Pet Hospital," Lakeside Animal Hospital is expected to offer a comprehensive range of veterinary services to address the health needs of cats and dogs. Based on the customer feedback, it is evident that they provide at least the following services:

• Routine Care & Vaccinations: The positive review mentioning "every word they spoke was of pure love for animals" for general care implies that they handle routine wellness visits, vaccinations, and preventive care, which are fundamental to maintaining a pet's long-term health.
• Dental Procedures: A significant service highlighted in the feedback is dental procedures. The detailed account of a dog undergoing a "dental procedure" indicates that Lakeside Animal Hospital is equipped and staffed to perform such operations, which are crucial for a pet's oral health and overall well-being.
• Surgical Procedures (General): While only dental was explicitly mentioned, dental procedures often involve general anesthesia and surgical aspects. This suggests the clinic has the capability for at least some general surgical interventions.
• Post-Operative Care & Discharge: The clinic has established "typical standards they like for discharge after a procedure," indicating protocols for monitoring recovery and ensuring pets are stable before returning home. However, the efficacy of these protocols in practice, particularly concerning communication and overnight supervision, has been a point of concern for at least one client.

As a comprehensive pet hospital, it is also highly probable that they offer diagnostic services (like blood work, imaging), treatment for illnesses and injuries, pain management, and potentially emergency stabilization before referral, though explicit details are not provided in the given information.

The features of Lakeside Animal Hospital present a dual narrative based on the provided reviews:

• Caring and Gentle Staff: A significant feature is the perception of "caring staff" and the "gentleness" of Dr. Licata and her technicians. This suggests a compassionate approach to handling animals, which can greatly reduce pet anxiety during visits and build trust with owners. The ability for a cat to show "no fear" indicates a calming and reassuring presence from the veterinary team.
• Professional Expertise: Dr. Licata is described as "amazing" by one client, implying confidence in her veterinary skills and knowledge. The staff is also viewed as professional in their general interactions and care for animals.
• Communication and Post-Operative Protocols (Areas of Concern): Conversely, a critical feature raised is the alleged breakdown in communication and adherence to post-operative discharge standards. The client's experience points to a concerning lack of immediate updates, absence of direct communication from the performing vet at discharge, and the critical decision to offer leaving a severely compromised animal unsupervised overnight, or discharging it in a non-ambulatory state. This raises questions about patient monitoring, veterinarian availability post-procedure, and client education during recovery, particularly for complex cases or procedures requiring anesthesia.
• Client Relationships: The office is recommended "over and over" by one client, reflecting strong positive relationships built on trust and excellent care. However, the second review highlights how a severe negative experience led to "quickly pull my dog from the practice" and finding "a much better veterinary office," indicating that while some relationships are strong, others can be irrevocably damaged by perceived lapses in care.

These contrasting accounts suggest that while the clinic aims to provide compassionate care, there might be inconsistencies in its application, particularly concerning the aftermath of complex procedures and communication during critical times.

The most direct "promotional information" for Lakeside Animal Hospital comes from the very vocal feedback of its existing and past clients. Positive reviews, such as "I would recommend this office over and over," serve as strong testimonials, indicating that for many, the compassionate and gentle approach makes them a preferred choice for their pet's care. This word-of-mouth endorsement is a powerful form of promotion, attracting new clients who prioritize a caring environment for their animals.

However, the detailed negative review also acts as a form of public information that prospective clients may consider. The specific account of a severe post-operative complication and the client's dissatisfaction with the clinic's handling of the situation are openly shared. This type of feedback, particularly when shared on public platforms, contributes significantly to the clinic's public perception. For future clients, the "promotional information" is a balance of these experiences, encouraging them to weigh the perceived compassionate daily care against potential concerns regarding critical incident management and communication. The clinic's ability to maintain a positive reputation will depend on its capacity to consistently deliver high-quality care across all services and stages of a pet's health journey.

In conclusion, Lakeside Animal Hospital in Rochester, NY, presents itself as a veterinary care provider with a highly compassionate staff, especially noted for their gentle approach during routine interactions. While many clients report excellent experiences and highly recommend the practice, there have been serious concerns raised regarding the management of post-operative care and communication during critical recovery periods. For pet owners, this indicates a need to consider individual priorities when choosing a vet: whether the consistently positive day-to-day interactions outweigh potential concerns about handling complex or emergency post-surgical situations.