Walkersville Veterinary Clinic — Local services in Frederick

First I’d like to say I wasn’t going to mention this at all but after waiting since Monday for a call from Dr and the message I received from him this morning indicating that the staff can’t drop everything to one patient and that if coast was an issue I could use Novelin at Walmart? I thought I’d say what really happened. For past 10 years I’ve had great experience and relationship with everyone staff included which pull handwritten charts. Who from what I see are now gone. Only recently possibly due to using covid 19 as excuses the practice is overburdened and stressed due to unnecessary phone calls. If you are lucky enough to get through on the phone you shouldn’t expect to get anything done other than an appointment or cancel one and be told to call back. I’m adding that I played this game several times in the past month. As I found out instead I was told to call back after 12 for insulin refill. When I bulked at the suggestion knowing I was out and how difficult getting though I was then told infact that refills are a 24 hour turn around. And I should give them 24 hour notice???Of course I was even more up set and said for what getting a vile from the fridge, she stated no That she would have to pull my chart and enter it into my chart? That she was completely booked and very busy. Wow ! Isn’t that why you answer the phone? I’m 35 year state employee if I answered a call And handled it by giving the customer a tongue lashing I’d be written up. Now I’m thinking I’d have to go elsewhere to get the much needed meds and since Dr Tuck was still changing dosages because he hadn’t been able to regulate the dogs blood sugar the blood sugar with correct dosage that kept changing. My discussion with vet then was the dog will stay on Vetsulin until regulated. The dog spent a whole day there for additional blood glucose screening. Well I had no way of knowing 24 hours in advance to request the insulin and tried to explain that. Pointless. I asked at the start of this process to stay with vetsulin to control and for price match and Dr Griffith was kind enough to accommodate. I suggested she would take my info and payment I would gladly come back after 12. To pick it up as they place it in the box outside anyway? She placed me on hold and a few minutes later said I could pick it up? When I got there an hour later there was no evidence of a crowd infact there was one person in the parking lot and a lady there trying to get in to visit an employee? I don’t feel I won anything by this, I other than a black mark on me from how the change in communication with my ten year vet was when I missed his call four days later. And even though this happened I wasn’t planning on changing vets. I’m hoping this will resolve. It didn’t. This incident shouldn’t have happened. And if there is an office manager there they should review this procedure and fix it. I believe If you answer the phone you should handle it, even if you need to call you customer back. Not have your customers call back over and over only to be told the wait til you arrive try and call again then give your cc info and wait some-more. Of course if you’re trying to look really busy that’s one way to keep your phone lines tied up?lol they need HR. I then tried to freeup the staff who told me Chewy calls them all the time for prescription approval. So I did. Guess what Chewys pharmacy was still waiting for approval 36 hrs after my initial order. So that forced me to order from the vet one last time. Good experience this time,on the ball and ready right a way. however it only takes one person to ruin the entire business, it’s not worth taking a chance for the next refill. So now my cattle, chickens dogs,cats and hog after 10 years are done. I certainly never expected anyone to drop everything...

I had called this vet a little over 2 weeks ago to set up an appointment for our two cats. I was happy to see all the great reviews for them and thought this would be our go to vet. When I called it was after hours and I was directed to a messaging service. I had explained why I was calling and the services I was looking to obtain. The lady ( name omitted) who took my message said that she would pass this along and someone from the vet office would be getting in touch with me within the next 24 hours. Well two weeks went by and no one called. We were busy and also lost track of time. So today 11/27/18 I called. When a woman (again omitting name) answered the phone I said good morning, I am calling to schedule an appointment for our cats. I had called about two weeks ago left a message and no one has returned my call. The lady replies "What do you mean you called and left a message and no one returned your call?' I said well I call on my telephone entering your phone number. The number connected me to your after hours service which in turn recorded my phone number and reason for calling. Hence the reference to a message. I was told that someone would be in touch with me within the next 24 hours. The responded by saying "Oh, we don't call people back unless its an emergency or a big animal." I am assuming she means farm related injuries or services. So I asked what is the purpose of taking my number and reason for calling if no one has the intentions of calling you back. She again told me we don't call people back unless its an emergency and we have a doctor on call. So the recording of my information is just a waste of time. "Well, sometimes we do but..........Normally people will just call back. I told her that is the dumbest explanation I have heard and actually don't care to do business with you. The doctors here may be great but the first experience I had with them was just too stupid for me. Maybe you will have better luck. "What do you mean you call and left a message and no one returned your call?" Really? That is a tricky...

I have no opinion of the vets, but the office is ridiculous. I never got to the point of making an appointment because I could not get a clear answer regarding cost of services, even though I explained my need to budget and prepare for the appointment. In the original reply, I was told $68 for the exam, $25 for one vaccination, and that they required 3 seperate visits for new puppies. Other vaccinations were mentioned, but no prices given. I was not asked my puppys breed or size or condition, just given a short answer that was inaccurate. I asked about deworming and was told the test was $51.00. I then asked, if the results are positive, how much is the medication? I was then told $5-20 depending on test results. So there is another $56-71 that I had to pry out of them. I said, again, that I needed a clear and transparent answer due to the need to buget & prepare, and that I didnt want to have to pull teeth to get a clear answer. I thanked them for their time, and said I would look elsewhere. I then recieved an long winded and indignant response, containing more information then I recieved from my initial inquiry, in a manner suggesting I had somehow failed to do MY part to achieve a transparent and clear answer. The tone here is they dont need or want your buisness, and thier communication is incredibly unprofessional. They clearly dont want to work with you to ensure your pet is well taken care of, unless you have deep pockets and no questions. I highly DO...