Palo Verde Animal Hospital

I called in for a same day appointment and spoke with Melanie who was friendly and was able to get me and my cat in. When I arrived for my appointment I was able to get in on time. Veronica the tech and Dr. Jen Marschel came in to microchip and vaccinate my cat and handled her swiftly and with care. They made my anxious cat feel safe and were very gentle with her. Pricing was also reasonable and transparent. Will definitely return!

Today at this so-called Animal Hospital, someone who goes by Doctor pointed out to me on an x-ray that within my dog, Leaf, exists a "'gas-like' bubble thingy". At no point did the Doctor present what is a now-ominous figure as any worthwhile threat to the well-being of my pet dog, Leaf. Once I suggested to the room that treatment done with and to Mr. Leaf during our visit could revitalize the typically-chipper Frenchtion who looks like a Pug. The professionals more-or-less concurred--they certainly did not suggest it as the worst option and one they could not possibly recommend. I blame myself for looking at the 'gas-like bubble thingy, seeing it but not considering the risks it poses inside an animal. Silly me. If only the severity of the looming situation had been emphasized as an issue that is more-or-less inevitable by the people in uniform. Doc. then asked if I wanted the pictures slipped into an envelop and sent to other Doctors within the Animal Health sector for further review. I should have taken her up on it. 'Why waste everybody's time and resources,' I thought to myself. ' This was not determined the best course of action. What is even the point? I go to pay. I neglect to bring up the secondary financing option advertised on the business' website, which I had mentioned both by way of email and telephone. This non-profit (keeping them out of it) I had found and even contacted at around 3AM while I stayed up trying to get my dog to stay hydrated because he looked (and still looks) on the brink of death. This company reached out to the business and mentioned my interest. This happened when I was inside the building. But since I had enough to swing the balance, I don't mention it. I did not anticipate being able to afford today's services but it worked out. Never one time did anyone at Palo Verde Animal Hospital offer me alternate payment options. And to be clear: This is not my typical expectation. Three idiots who hate one another working together within any customer facing position could have put together that it might be a courteous thing to bring up. More on this later. I get a phone call later....it's the Doc.! Advising me to feed my dog boiled chicken and rice! This is basically the top answer listed on any website out there printing advice on what to do with a sick pet, aside from water consumption. Sage advice from the Doc. My dog is no better than before. He is worse. I know whatever they put in him earlier needs to wear off. I know thanks to a late reminder on my way home to feed the dog chicken and rice. I boil some up and make some for myself excited to eat with my dog. Guess what: He won't eat. I call to schedule an appoint for tomorrow if for some reason our plan of action we pow-wowed earlier went awry. I was offered an appointment time, I accepted it. It was then revoked as Doc. says wait 24 hours. At which point I was offered the opportunity to have X-Rays sent to hopefully adequate professional veterinarians (either of the two would be fine) for $320. Adding that number to my bill would have put me at a grand total of, "BUT WHAT ABOUT THE FINANCING WE DISCUSSED OVER THE PHONE AND IN EMAILS." Instead I'm out all my usual cashflow to get me and my family through the holidays. My dog likely has pancreatitis. He will likely die. Nobody wanted to say it. Not sure why. It is either that or the thing Doc conveniently remembered in what will certainly be our last interaction, something foreign beneath the cloud that had been obvious the whole time--right there for us to see. Cataclysmic failure on all fronts. Do not recommend.

PROS: - Same day appointments available. - Very reasonable fee of $25 to reschedule after I called to cancel with only 30min notice; receptionist did not give me a hard time about it and was very understanding. - Veterinarian took her time taking vitals, asking/answering ?s, etc. Definitely feel like I got my money's worth, insofar as the exam cost of $75 is concerned. - Veterinarian and staff were good with my terrified dog (even after he nipped at the vet 😬 he's a chihuahua with hardly any teeth, so...). CONS: - The cost of the bloodwork that they require in order to renew my dog's seizure meds (which he needs to LIVE) is 2x what I've paid for the last 2ish yrs @ my last vet, & the 5ish yrs @ my old vet in Goodyear. (i.e. 1yr Rx typically costs me $200-250, including exam; they wanted $500ish). - When I called initially, I was told that bloodwork could be anywhere from $200-$400. In 8+ years and dozens of vets offices called, I've never been given such a wide range; vet offices usually know exactly what tests they need to run in order to prescribe phenobarbital - and are always able to give me an exact dollar amount BEFORE I drop $75-100 on an exam... It didn't so much matter to me today, as I just needed a two week script to float me, until his regular vet has availability - but it's overall not good practice.

I have been going to Palo Verde now for many years. Altho it is not the same original practice with Dt. Babcock, I have had no problems with the new staff that took over since then. I am especially happy to see that Orangewood Animal Hospital has joined them. Now you get the best of both worlds! I highly recommend them. Loretta in Phx.

Liked that I could schedule my pets appointment online. It was sooner than most places in my area for an appointment and the veterinarian did not try to up-sale me for several hundred dollars! She suggested things I could try at home or could purchase locally without a Rx- absolutely loved this! I will be going back.