Interlachen Animal Hospital — Local services in Casselberry

I took my cats here for several years, when there wasn't a major problem they seemed competent and kind. When an actual serious medical concern began with one of them Dr. Andy would become increasingly agitated, up to pulling out textbooks in front of us and shrugging as he told us "none of this makes sense." We trusted him in that, after all he had a textbook and was a vet. Why wouldn't we? Clearly our cat was a unique oddball with a strange disease.

We were not problem patients, we were the kind of folks that were willing and able to pay for whatever treatment was required to keep our cats healthy and trusted him to provide veterinary care with accuracy. We used his boarding services multiple times a year. We recommended dozens of people to his practice. Before a serious concern happened, we would strongly be in the same group as the 5 star ratings you see on here.

When my cat later suffered a urinary blockage that nearly killed him, Dr. Andy tried to do triage treatment and ended up damaging our cat's urethrae, and then sent us home. When we came back about our cat's sudden demonstrations of pain, lethargy, and incontinence, he literally ushered us out of his practice within a few minutes of arrival. It felt to us in the moment like he realized he had made some sort of error and he wanted us gone as quickly as possible to become someone else's problem. There was no kindness. There was literally a shrug, a "I can't help you" and him telling us to "look online, there are lots of vets." We were devastated at the time, but assumed his reaction was mostly because the situation was unique and bizarre.

We were able to get help from another practice, which was able to properly diagnose the problem and take immediate action to fix it. We were told, in no uncertain terms, that this entire situation could have been avoided with early diagnosis, and that the triage treatment caused considerable complications and was done extremely poorly. While there we were informed that Dr. Andy was apparently notorious at this practice for ignoring serious concerns in cats until it was too late and we were lucky there was still time to save our boy. I'm ashamed to admit I defended Dr. Andy at that time, he was always so kind and friendly.

In the decade following, we moved. We heard stories from some of the folk we recommended about similar instances of him dropping the ball once serious concerns began. Today, in 2024, browsing the reviews, I see that literally the same thing is still happening to this day.

If all you need are boarding services or booster shots, Dr. Andy can manage that. Suturing up a puncture? Seems plausible. I'd be hesitant to trust him to be able to identify or provide support for more serious concerns for cats. Keep in mind my experience was almost a decade ago. It's still happening today. Look at the other 1 star reviews and trust them.

I write this in 2024 because his office had the audacity to email me asking me to come back to the practice after all this time, seemingly having forgotten he refused care for my cat. Probably a minor error on a listserv, but one that brought back how poorly we were treated and, in contrast, how well we are treated by our current practice.

I don't say this to drive you to a specific place. There are dozens of great practices in the city and likely by time you read this the specific ones worth going to will have shifted as vets retire and new blood enters the scene. It's possible that even Interlachen could have a new vet once you read this.

It's easy to think highly of a kind but incompetent man. I do not doubt for a moment that Dr. Andy and his staff are kind and well meaning. Both us and our pets got on well with everyone there. But when you actually need serious medical support for a cat, be it diagnosis, treatment, or surgery, I'd be cautious in trusting Dr. Andy to provide it. The other reviews here seem to suggest that his operational realities have...

Dr. Michaud is a money hungry, distasteful and incredibly uncompassionate veterinarian. During a visit for boosters and a recheck on worms for my 4 month old puppy, I asked about a rough/bare patch on her leg. He barely glanced at it and disregarded it as nothing. No recommendations. Within a week or so it became worse and spread. I called to schedule a visit and mentioned I was concerned about paying another visit fee because it was an existing concern from my recent visit. The receptionist confirmed not to worry, there would be no fee and I would only pay for treatment/medication.

When I arrived, there was miscommunication in the beginning of the visit when I mentioned this to Dr. Michaud and he originally said no fee. After the visit, I went to the front desk to check out and was given my total which included a visit fee. I explained that there was some misunderstanding because I was told it was considered a recheck with no fee. She asked the vet and he told her there would indeed be a charge. Apparently before when he said “no charge” was only if I decided to leave the office with no diagnosis or treatment. Obviously I was there for a resolution, my dog needed treatment for a worsening condition due to his negligence. I asked if I could then get a credit for my previous visit since I was clearly being double charged. She went back to ask him and then suddenly Dr. Michaud stormed out from the back. He was very confrontational and angry about the payment. He was so domineering, it was absolutely unbelievable. He would not back down whatsoever, even when I told him his front desk staff assured me I would not be charged a second time. I was super emotional at this point because I felt bullied into paying and they still had my dog in the back room. He completely takes advantage of his clients and doesn’t even bat an eye at it. This man would rather stand his ground than do the right thing and honor the promise of this staff member.

To top it off, I followed the directions he gave me at home to treat my dog which did absolutely nothing. The next step he had recommended would have been a very costly month long prescription. I ended up getting a second opinion at a new veterinary provider which gave me a simple, inexpensive ONE PILL treatment and my puppy looked SO MUCH better almost immediately. I was completely shocked. Dr. Michaud is not up to date on more current/advanced treatment options, he references an old textbook and recommends the most costly treatments. I will...

Initial impression was very good. Dr. Andy seemed genuine and straightforward. Did his absolute best to assure us he cared about our dog. After a few 10 minute visits averaging $50-$100 a piece, he prescribed ear meds for my dog that I was to drip into his ears for the next 3 months. Upon talking to several vet friends, all of them told me I should only need to do that for a week and RUB in the medicine or it would not work. His infection cleared 90% within a week of the new information. Essentially, he tried to sell me on much more drug than was needed. I let that go as him just glossing over it. Several visits later, he told me my dog has allergies and would need to take Benadryl for his hot spots. This information is accurate however he did not specify type or amount of it, seeing as "any amount under two tablets won't hurt him". I proceeded to give him 1 tablet of Benadryl with decongestant a week later before work, at the vet's orders. Not an hour later, my girlfriend calls me frantic as my dog is vomiting all over the house. He needed an ER visit including injection to prevent dehydration and stomach pumped because Phenylephrine is highly toxic to dogs (only absolute basic Benadryl is okay for dogs). A detail the vet neglected to mention as he hurried through treatment once again. I let this go again, chalking it up to miscommunication, but of course I was very mad as he nearly killed my dog with his suggestion as well as I was out $400+ due to bill and missed work. Fast forward to present day pandemic. I have run out of sentinal for my dog and seeing as I was locked down, I ordered more off chewy.com. This requires vet approval, so a request was sent to their office. They ignored the request and instead spammed my inbox with their sale on the drug. Basically telling me buy it off us or don't get it at all. This man is a manipulator and one who rushes through exams to proceed to the next as quickly as possible. Do not trust him to have your...