Kirkman Road Veterinary Clinic — Attraction in Orlando

It's like someone killed the music in the place. The passion seems dampened. The younger doctor may have initiated the improvements and expansion( i don't know for sure), but the soft skills and reasonable prices, that kept people loyal have faded.

The most memorable experience( not in a good way); Is when i asked the vet what she thought of " The Farmer's Dog " dog food. She said she: "didn't agree with the science behind it". I tried to have an informed conversion. She was rude and dismissive while pushing sponsored, canned dog food.

We got an appointment Monday with only one day's notice which was convenient. We arrived and immediately our dog found a playmate around his size and weight to sniff and nuzzle. We were shouted at by a staff member who was behind the counter to set our pup aside in room 6 upfront.

It felt like he was being punished, after he tinkled out of nervousness. Maybe the other pup was not fully vaccinated? I don't know, but it rubbed me the wrong way. He always wants to pee where he smells pee from other dogs. I try to pull him outside on time. If that doesn't work. We clean up.

Previously, we would get a little more empathy and were directed to the lobby bathroom for cleaning supplies when there was an accident. Maybe the place looks better, but it doesn't feel welcoming anymore. Besides that; The prices also seem doubled.

The floors and employees are new, but the warmth from staff seems lower than before. The wrong management culture can kill the workplace passion. When I first went there in 2023, the doctor was an older gentleman. He was absolutely amazing with our dog.

Even last year the team was phenomenal. I remeber the tech asked about expressing his anal gland for constipation. I never heard of it prior to that day. They didn't ask us to muzzle our 14 lb Chihuahua and squirt his vaccine in his mouth ourselves? Don't underestimate the value of soft skills.

The visit cost $160. Including a $15. discount for us assisting with muzzling our dog and administering his oral vaccine. I may go back in remembrance of the old man and his kindness, but, I'm tempted to try the Tractor Supply traveling vet instead. Their next clinic is in a couple days.

From what I can tell, the place looks better than ever, and is well organized. They're probably more profitable as well. However; The look in the workers eyes tells me they feel like they're in a sunken place. There's a clinical un-inviting atmosphere. How would I fix it, If it were mine?

I would sell better branded/ homemade treats to make money while the office is closed, and a training package. The combination could rekindle the sense of family/ community the previous vet fostered over years of humble service. Nobody feels good paying for...

I have had an amazing experience with the surgeon, Dr. Eliscu. Most particularly, I have had a very challenging time finding the right vet under a price I could afford to do a dental procedure on my cat, Ollie. He has an extensive medical history, which puts him at higher risk when under anesthesia. Everyone kept emphasizing I needed to find a vet that was fast and experienced with complex cats under anesthesia, and his previous vet did not feel comfortable doing it for that reason. Dr.Eliscu was life saving. I was so worried I would lose my Ollie during his procedure, but not only did she do his procedure super fast, he has recuperated so well afterwards and looks even more comfortable than before. Id thought he would be in more pain after surgery. Dr.Eliscu is amazing and I am forever grateful for taking such great care of my Ollie. The only recommendation I’d love for the practice to have is to set up feliway diffusers in the rooms to aim for an even better cat friendly practice. The pawplan has also removed some of the financial burden that comes with having a chronically ill cat that is denied health insurance. Thank you so much guys. The staff are very kind and welcoming.

Edit: after several months attending here, these were the cons about the practice: I have learned this place is significantly more expensive than other veterinary locations. Not for anything in particular, I visited a cat specialist before this who has highly knowledgeable in cat care and it was still more affordable. I was quoted comprehensive adult cat lab work at $90 at another office in Orlando, and this one always charged around $200+. I also do not feel there is a particular focus on gearing the practice towards the comfort of cats. There arent any separate waiting rooms or the opportunity to go inside a room while waiting for the vet right away. This can get stressful for cats when you have dogs barking next to them or trying to reach their carrier, adding to an already stressful situation. I mentioned the addition of Feliway to help with their comfort, something that is used in cat only practices often, but it was not applied. They also passed a policy that electronic prescriptions cannot be filled directly by them, you have to physically go to the mail and ship your prescription letter since most places do not accept it through email directly from you. If you have a medically complex cat, I would recommend another practice. Unless you can be seeing Dr. Eliscu all the time (which doesnt seem to be the case), your cat will be in better hands with someone who is more immersed in...

Stay away from Kirkman Rd. Vet Clinic! The worst of the corporate owned practices. There are multiple doctors who I think are employees of the practice and its difficult to see the same vet repeatedly. Came in with young, mostly healthy cat presenting diarrhea. Vet tech hands me a pre-invoice menu of services that's almost $1000 including X-Rays, test for Pancreatitis, blood work to determine organ failure, cans of food, pro-biotic supplements, and on and on. Vet Tech asks which of these I want to purchase. I said, "I want the doctor to examine my cat and recommend treatment". The Vet Tech seemed disappointed that I didn't order from the menu. Had to bring my cat back several times that same week to get treated. By the 2nd visit, I was asking for antibiotics, as a gastrointestinal bug was the most likely culprit. I was told they would need to do X-rays to rule out blockage and they recommended more blood work, supplements, etc...

Long story short, almost $1000 in diagnostics and treatment/exams, they finally acquiesce and prescribe the $26 antibiotics I had asked for 2 visits ago. The Vet Tech tried to check me out without the antibiotics, I had to pretty much beg and get the doctor back in the room to get the antibiotics.

4 hours after the first dose, the cat was getting better. A day later, she had no symptoms. Now why the heck did it take almost $1000 and 4 visits to get there? If it was a 6 year old kid at the pediatrician, they would have went home from the first visit with antibiotics. There's almost no downside to trying a short, broad spectrum course.

But, regardless of this one anecdotal report...they are so corporate that there is not a doctor or anyone who takes responsibility for anything there. If there's a complaint, you get a business card with an executive administrator's e-mail. They care more about cranking up invoices than treating pets. Old Dr. Porter (who used to own the practice, but has passed away), would be ashamed of their practice...