Blair Animal Hospital — Attraction in Blair Township

Love this vet. Moved to the area in June from Philly area and have had nothing but great experiences. Dog has gone in for a new patient exam, his neutering, and tech appointment. He loves it there so I think that’s a testament to the care and kindness of the staff! (OLD 5 Star Review) New review 2/26/2025 - Had a 5pm appointment yesterday with my dog to get a annual check up, vaccine and routine blood work. Dr. Winkler came into the room to give a vaccine and what I thought was going to be a normal/thorough wellness exam. She took one look at one side of his teeth, heart auscultations, quick palpation of his abdomen, gave his vaccine and went on her way. When the vet tech came back to check me out I questioned why the vet bill was so high and I asked "was that a wellness check up?". Dr. Winkler was in the room for maybe 2 minutes tops and that is a $60 wellness check up? I looked at the paperwork of his "wellness exam" and it said 20 different things were examined and deemed normal. None of that was completed. I asked Dr. Winkler to come back in and she proceeded to tell me her exams are quick and non-invasive. I want my dog properly checked. I made the comment saying that I could have done this evaluation myself and her response was "Oh so you know how to listen to heart auscultations and detect a murmur?" I am not one to throw my credentials around, but yes Dr. Winkler I can as I am a PhD who teaches auscultations and cardiovascular physiology/EKGs to humans at a university. According to some research heart sounds between humans and dogs are not completely different to where I believe I could at least determine if his heart sounded normal or not. I was absolutely appalled at her questioning a patient like that. She then asked if I wanted her to repeat my exam which I said yes. My dog is a large breed which are at risk for bone cancers, so I wanted his thyroid and joints checked. He also has a very extensive previous history of ear/feet yeast infections and skin infections that she did not ask a single question on or even check these locations. I doubt she even looked at his chart prior to coming in and she has been his previous vet since we started here. If I ever heard of my current or previous students out in the healthcare field in this community ever give an evaluation/exam so poorly I would be so embarrassed. There is no way her "exam" would have passed in a practical where she received her education so why would you give an exam that way? I understand the practice closes at 5:30 but you have a job to do, I was also asked to reschedule my appointment at this time for your convenience. I'm sure 99% of your patients wouldn't think to question you or question your service but you cannot look me in the eye and say you completed a proper wellness exam. Especially when you did almost nothing but your paperwork said everything was normal. Please do better for your patients. I come to you because I am not a vet, I am not trained/educated on animals. Because of the phenomenal vet techs and front staff I will still come to Blair Animal Hospital but I will now ask for a different vet to see my dog. A patient should never have to tell you how to do your job. Sincerely, Dr....

As a longtime client of Blair Animal Hospital, I never expected to write this review. Over the past few years, I have always thought of (and spoken highly of) the compassionate staff and their quality of service. Alas, my most recent experience has opened my eyes to the truth.

Back on May 15, I rescued a neighbor’s former cat who (sadly) had spent most of his short life outside in all kinds of weather. I had bonded with Ash over the past several years and was so happy to take him in after the neighbor said Ash no longer came back to their home.

The same day I took Ash in to our home, I brought him to Blair Animal Hospital. They examined him, cleaned his ears and gave him the shots he needed. I purchased their Paw Plan coverage and scheduled him for his booster shots and neutering in early June. My bill for the day was $152.

On May 29, Ash started displaying unusual symptoms. He was constantly cleaning his privates and was growling, hissing and panting. Something was definitely wrong. During the night he vomited and would not eat or drink the next morning. I rushed him back to Blair Animal Hospital as they opened for business at 8AM.

Although I did not have an appointment, they saw Ash right away. The vet determined Ash’s bladder was completely full but there were no simple solution to his condition. We agreed they would try to catheterize him so he would be able to empty his bladder.

About an hour later, I received a call from the vet. She said she regretted to inform me that Ash had gone into cardiac arrest and passed away (May 30). I was heartbroken. The doctor came across as very sympathetic and said she would have Ash’s remains cremated, per my wishes.

The following Tuesday (June 4), I received a call from Blair Animal Hospital saying Ash’s remains were there and ready to be picked up. I went there the same day and was prepared to pay the bill, assuming it would be a reasonable amount given the situation.

The initial charge was $78 which was a pleasant surprise. I was also informed they had canceled my Paw Plan coverage since Ash had passed away. As I was preparing to leave with Ash’s remains, I was informed by another employee I owed another $506 for services rendered. I had no problem paying the full price for the cremation but I really thought they would give me a break on the other services.

This other employee proceeded to explain to me that although they had canceled the Paw Plan, they retroactively charged me for all the “services” that I had used. She coolly informed me I did still receive a 10% “discount.”

I’ve read a number of stories where people have rescued an animal, took it to the vet but the animal wound up passing away a short time later. The vets who cared for the animal often deeply discounted their charges or charged nothing at all for their services. That’s what I call true compassion.

Call me naive but I still believe in the inherit kindness of people. Although I realize Blair Animal Hospital is in business to make money, I assumed they would do the right thing in this situation.

My heart aches over the sudden loss of Ash after only 2 weeks, yet I seethe over the callous attitude of Blair Animal Hospital. Let’s call...

Oh where to start....I will start with our first appointment here. The vet was not very concerned about the fact that it told her more than once that my one kitten was throwing up white pieces of worms (tapeworm segments) she was more worried about them having ear mites and the one having a slight heart mumer. She also wasn't too overly concerned about the other kitten having a cold. We were given medication for the kitten with the cold and dewormer that we were told would take care of ALL worms including tapeworms. With that being said it was 200.00 dollars for two kittens. We waited the three weeks and took them back in and were told we needed another round of medication for the kitten with cold, we also finished getting their shots and stuff. We went to pay and it was 255.00 dollars. Come to find out someone wasn't paying attention and charged us for three kittens. We went in and they did refunded the money but still come on they should have known when it was way more then our first appointment. Also while we were there we asked about getting both girls fixed and we were quoted 250 dollars per cat! That is way too high.

Now to jump ahead to today my one cat has been throwing up all morning and I found a tapeworm piece in it. So I called them and they told me to get the medication it was going be 50 dollars plus the vet visit price per cat. I told her no way no how was I going to pay that much for something I know I can get at petco for 20 dollars. The woman pretty much implied that I was lying about my cats not having flea (they have been flea treated several times even though we have never once seen a flea on them and have never once have had a chance to hunted for rodents) and made it seem like since I did not want to pay for their over priced medication that I dont care about my cats. Which is far from the truth. I was pissed and still am because the vet told us that the dewormer would cover ALL worms including tapeworms but my cats both clearly still had them. So not happy with what I was told I called another vet in the area and was told flat out that the dewormer we were given does not cover tapeworms. I also asked how much it would cost to get the tapeworm medication (6 dollars per pill so it would have been 12 dollars total no etrxa cost) but she told me to go to petco and get it over the counter there. I also asked how they charge to have kitten fixed and she told me it's 75 dollars per cats. So we will no longer be going to this vet and I will not and do not recommend anyone...