Veterinary Medical Center North–University of Minnesota — Attraction in Falcon Heights

To be honest, my experience thus far has been disappointing. As a healthcare provider, I have certain expectations as when I am at work, people expect certain things from me as well. When you think of the University of Minnesota, I think in general you just have greater expectations. However, unfortunately I do not feel that these expectations are being met. One positive thing I would say is that the vet that I met with seems to be very knowledgeable. However, my overall experience has been lacking. To start off, my family that recommended that I get an abdominal ultrasound for my dog due to elevated liver enzymes. When I called to schedule the ultrasound they told me that I would meet with the vet before having the ultrasound and that I should expect the appointment to take 2 hours because after the ultrasound we would discuss next steps. What they did not mention is that the ultrasound would not take place at that appointment because they do not have radiologists on staff and, therefore it has to be scheduled on a different day. For me this is a big deal because it is really hard for me to get out of work for appointments and, I have 2 young children which makes things more difficult as well. I did mention this to the vet and instead of apologizing they told me about the lack of radiologists and that this was the reason for having to schedule another appointment. I would have been understanding if they had just apologized rather than giving me an excuse. They also mentioned that if it were more convenient I could bring my dog the day before the ultrasound appointment. However, when I was called to schedule the ultrasound I was told that there would be an extra charge for that as it is only included in the price if it is for MRIs or something. I feel like there is a lot of inconsistency and everyone is not on the same page here which causes challenges when you are trying to get care for your pet. Lastly, I was told when they called with the bloodwork results, they would leave a message with the results. Unfortunately, when they called I missed it and, the message from the vet said they would call to discuss the results the following day. They did not call the following day so I am still waiting to hear what is going on. Of course I am thinking the worst. Did they not leave the labs in the voice message because they are abnormal? This is just creating a lot of extra anxiety that I don't need to be dealing with when I am already concerned about what is going on with my dog. Overall, I am just frustrated and dissatisfied and would like answers. Hopefully, I will get a call today and find out what is going on. I hope these reviews are actually read by someone who could possibly address these issues to prevent someone from having to deal with this...

The day before my dog’s appointment, we drove 7 hours to MSP. The appointment was booked 8:30am the following day, tests were estimated to take 2 hours, and then back on the road home. That was the plan, anyway. Upon arrival, they said they ‘might’ be able to get to him by mid-afternoon. Cool. Guess I ‘might’ just chill in the lobby for 6 hours listening to my book. But I get it, if another pet has a more urgent need, I TOTALLY understand.

By 2pm they said they had just started my dog’s tests, and by 2:30pm they told me that the equipment was malfunctioning. I’d have to reschedule after it’s fixed. Waste of a trip, but ok, shit happens. Bummer.

The appointment was rescheduled two weeks later after assurances the equipment was fixed. On the way there, we had some car troubles that set us back about 90 minutes. I called the clinic, explained the situation, pleaded with them, said I know the appointment is at noon, could we push it to 1:30? The gal understands and puts me on hold to check. After a minute or two she says no, they cannot. So, they’re willing to bump my dog’s appointment several hours back, but can’t work with me a bit on this one? Especially after how the first trip went? The answers I got as to why basically boiled down to “Well, it’s Friday and I was told that department kinda wants to leave early.” So, I turn the car around to head home. To her credit, the gal sympathized and genuinely was trying to help, she was just caught in the middle relaying information that even she knew was ridiculous.

I finally asked what the next time was that we could reschedule my dog, she said she didn’t know, but recommended two other clinics in the MSP area that I should look into instead. They do the kind of specialized work my dog needs, with more doctors on hand (as in, more than one in this case) therefore easier to schedule appointments for those that live further away. So, I checked into these other two clinics, both of which have perfect reviews. I called one of them, they sympathized with us and actually tried to see if they could get him in that day so our trip wasn’t wasted again. They couldn't on such short notice, but they tried. AND the price they quoted me for the same exact testing was half the price of just the deposit at the university. We got our deposit from the university refunded and will be going to this other clinic.

The only thing saving this from 1 star is the woman over the phone genuinely trying to help as much as she could, and for her honest recommendation to...

This was one of the most upsetting and dehumanizing experiences I’ve ever had as a pet owner. I brought my dog in based on a referral, concerned about some unusual bloodwork and levels. The initial visit included rechecking bloodwork. While the vet provided an explanation (which left me more confused), the results for one of the main concern areas were inconclusive — most areas had improved, with only one outlier of the liver. I called to ask to see the results myself and what I read gave me pause and made me want to step back and look at the whole picture before committing to $4,000 worth of diagnostic testing. Note: My dog had been on a large dose of steroids and antibiotics which can impact liver.

But instead of collaboration, I was met with a rush to judgment by Dr, Hanna Zayas. She immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario — cancer — without truly listening to me. She showed no willingness to consider other possibilities. I tried to bring those up in a follow-up call to better understand our options upon seeing the bloodwork, and was completely shut down.

I wasn’t challenging their knowledge — I was just trying to advocate for my dog who I've been spending the last TWO MONTHS trying to help. I know him better than anyone. I know his history, his behavior, and how he has responded to things. I have seen each blood draws results. But they didn’t respect that. Any information I questioned or shared, they argued. They spoke to me in a way that made me feel extremely belittled, dismissed, and like I cared more about money than my dog’s life — all because I asked questions and felt these tests wouldn't show anything. I left that call in tears. I’ve never felt so small or unheard.

To make it worse, they canceled my next appointment without my consent. I was left with no support and even more anxiety.

Thankfully, my regular vet heard me out, validated my concerns, and suggested a simpler, more thoughtful path. It turns out my dog’s symptoms were caused by macrothrombocytopenia and a reaction to his medication — not cancer or an immediately deadly infection. He’s four years old and perfectly healthy.

I also tried to give feedback directly, and was promised a return call that never came. That lack of follow-through spoke volumes.

This clinic didn’t treat me like a partner in my dog’s care. They didn’t listen, they didn’t respect me as his caregiver, and they certainly didn’t show the compassion you expect during such a vulnerable moment. I would never recommend this...