Compassionate Care Animal Hospital — Local services in Ann Arbor

The vets and staff at CCAH are wonderful with our cat and dog and super friendly to us humans. Neither of our pets like being examined and everyone is patient and offers lots of treats to make the experience smoother. They also have a wonderful practice where you can bring your pet in for quick 'happy visits' to get some treats from the staff, feel comfortable walking in the door, maybe stand on the scale. Has been a great training tool for us!

Over the past year and a half there have been a few 'small' operational and detail things that have added up as irritating. I've shared this verbally with the CCAH staff before and I don't know that they are all ongoing issues, but frustrating none the less and worth pointing out for others to keep an eye out for during their own experiences. Examples: Receiving medication with both my pet's label and another pet's label on it. Called to confirm it was mine and ask about the other label and told I could ignore it. Did no one notice before giving it to me? Given a price quote for a procedure for my cat that had the wrong owners listed. It was corrected but made me concerned about the accuracy of the data and whether the account was set up correct. Called ahead for flea/tick medication and came in to pick it up a few days later (their policy asks that you call in meds 24 hrs in advance). It was very busy when I arrived. Two front desk staff members helping check out patients and answer the phone. Totally understandable. However, while checking out a patient, one of the receptionists answered the phone and helped the person on the phone for a few minutes leaving the in-office client waiting mid check-out. Could the caller have been put on the phone? After more calls and check-outs, I was finally helped. Then she answered the phone two more times, helping the caller fully each time! Meanwhile I was mid conversation trying to pick up my meds. On the third call while helping me, she finally asked if it was an emergency or if she could put them on a brief hold and finished helping me. I completely understand the need to balance calls and in-office patients, but I was there nearly 40 minutes just to pick up and pay for meds! Seems like prioritizing the patients in the office by answering and asking to put folks on hold might be worth while. Or putting up an answering machine that says if no one answers you are helping patients and will call back. Our cat was diagnosed with early kidney disease and it was suggested he go on a special diet in my call with the vet to discuss. I acknowledged and understood, but from my side of the conversation, there was no specific discussion of what that diet was, that we would order via CCAH, costs, etc. When my husband picked the cat up, he paid for a case of special canned food that I didn't know I agreed to purchase (he also didn't know)! It was done in the best interest of the cat and likely a misunderstanding, but clearly something was not communicated/understood correctly in our call. CCAH was wonderful in accepting the food as a return a few days later. (Note: he is now on a proper food, the timing of getting the food and just didn't work out for us).

None of that is egregious - we kept going back and would have if we didn't move out of state. Would just recommend keeping an eye on the details of your paperwork/account, but the vets and staff more than make...

I started working with CCAH when I first moved to Ann Arbor in May 2021. At that time, I lived with one dog, Stitch, whom I adopted in 2014, when he was a puppy. The CCAH staff - everyone from the front desk people to the technicians to the veterinarians - always welcomed me and my questions and cared deeply for Stitch and his wellbeing. In September 2023, I adopted a puppy called Cyril. Stitch, who was then ten years old, showed aggressive behaviors towards Cyril. Cyril also demonstrated signs of extreme anxiety - both around Stitch and when he was not near Stitch. In early 2024, Stitch attacked Cyril, biting and scratching him in what I think involved "resource guarding" behavior. I can't remember the details right now, but I think Stitch wanted a toy that Cyril was playing with that morning. I immediately took Cyril to the CCAH. They examined him and treated his bite wound. The staff also recommended separating Stitch and Cyril while trying to train Stitch to be less aggressive. The CCAH staff also recommended working with a dog behavior tainer. I found Harmony Dog Training via a web search. We met weekly with a Harmony Dog trainer for much of the winter and spring of 2024. A CCAH technician also offered to meet 1-on-1 with Cyril in "happy visits" to help to alleviate his anxiety around visting the clinic and meeting new people.

In working with the Harmony Dog trainer, he pointed out that Cyril isn't just anxious in new environments - he's anxious always. He recommended a veterinary assessment for Cyril's suitability for psychotropic drug treatment for anxiety. The trainer also recommended that Stitch be evaluated for his own anxiety, although Stitch's anxiety was less debilitating than Cyril's.

In May 2024, we met with a CCAH veterinarian on zoom to discuss the possibilitiy of medical treatment for Stitch and Cyril. The dog trainer participated in the call, too

He had taken videos of Cyril's behavior during a walk near our home. Sharing these, in addition to our narratives, with the veterinarian was very helpful. We decided to treat both dogs with a daily medication staring in late May 2024.

In the weeks following the start of the medications, both dogs have shown less frequent signs of anxiety. Importantly, Cyril seems to have much lower default level of anxiety. he is more interested in exploring his surroundings on walks. He seems to relax more at home, too.

Due to an inter-state relocation for work, I left Michigan in late June 2024. The CCAH staff offered to help us in finding new veterinary care providers in our new home.

The treatment plan for the dogs' anxiety has been transformative. Initiall.y, I hadn't even recognized Cyril's behavior patterns as signs of anxiety, but the dog trainer from Harmony Dog Training immediately recognized them. This, i think, is what started us on the trajectory that led to his eventual treatment with medications and behavior training.

I am deeply indebted to the excellent and thorough care that CCAH provided me and my dogs. Their willingness to recognize and treat my dogs' anxiety disorders has dramatically improved their wellbeing and, in so doing, has...

We have brought both dogs to the clinic for about 4 years and put all our trust in Dr. Forbes for far too long. We listened to her excuses why it would take so long for her to get results back to us or even contact us without us having to follow up with the office multiple times. Putting our dog on medication but never called to discuss the rationale behind why she put him on it. ( I have never been to a doctor, been put on medication, and not been given an explanation.) Why would it be any different for our animals? The answer is it shouldn’t be, and there is no excuse to justify it.

The last 6 months finally caused us to look for another clinic to take our dogs. In April, we had some follow-up testing and an ABD ultrasound that needed to be done because our dog’s liver enzymes were elevated, and they weren’t sure what the cause was. Based on the ultrasound results (which we had to follow up on several times to get those results), he should have been put on Denamarin along with the 2 medications he was placed on. Dr. Forbes never placed him on Denamarin, even though the specialist recommended it. The results were abnormal, but she insisted it was nothing to be concerned about. Again, we trusted her, and I foolishly did not read the ultrasound report. If I had, maybe the Denamarin wouldn’t have been missed, and the liver disease would not have progressed as much.

Fast forward to October of this year. We brought him in for another follow-up because his liver enzymes were worse than the April results. They recommended another ultrasound. As you can imagine, we were extremely concerned and anxious to get the results back. We continually followed up, but there was always an excuse for why Dr. Forbes couldn’t speak with us. Finally, my wife requested the results so we would at least read the dictation while we waited for when it would be convenient for Dr. Forbes to get back to us. The ultrasound showed changes and a progression in his liver disease. Still, according to Dr. Forbes, “nothing was critical,” so apparently 2 weeks is an appropriate amount of time to follow up with her clients. I am sorry, but that is a completely unacceptable amount of time to wait for critical results. I have to assume we are not the only ones that wait much longer than what would be considered a reasonable amount of time. I feel for those who have also had to deal with her delays and excuses.

It is frustrating that I had to write this review, but hopefully, it will allow Dr. Forbes to self-reflect on how she runs her practice and treats her clients. The constant deflection and excuses aren’t the way to go about it. Either delegate tasks, hire another doctor or don’t take on so many patients that you can’t make time for the ones you already care for.

Also, as others have mentioned, not being able to go in with your animal is absurd.

Cody &...