Banfield Pet Hospital — Local services in San Antonio

I took my 5 lb dog to this Banfield in San Antonio to find why he was sluggish and sleeping a lot. After the blood test, I was told that his kidney values were high and he has a urinary tract infection, so they wanted to change his diet to a prescription kidney diet. He was not to receive any chicken or other proteins. He was also prescribed omega 3 oil tablets, a phosphorous binder pill and antibiotics for 7 days. We were told to come back in two weeks for a re-check. At the next appointment the blood work was repeated and we were told that the kidney values were worse. They scheduled an ultra sound for two days later. We contacted another vet and they wondered why our dog was not treated with fluids, at least subcutaneously, right away and why the antibiotics were only for 7 days instead of at least 14. When we called and asked Banfield about fluids right away, we were told that they would give him fluids later that afternoon. We were desperate for help right away so we took him back that day for fluids. But we wondered, why did we have to ask for it? They claimed that “we mentioned that normally we would begin fluids, but since you do not like to have your dog in a kennel we would not do so.” That was insane!!! We would never let our precious little dog not be treated because of a kennel!!! We came to Banfield so that he WOULD be treated, not given subtle hints of treatment, if it was mentioned at all!! After the fluids we decided to go elsewhere for continued treatment. When we took him home we noticed that the IV port that they left there in case we return was bandaged so tightly that his little paw was badly swollen. So bad that he was limping around the home. He cried as the second vet tried to remove it from his damaged leg. Sadly, we lost our beloved little dog that we’ve had for many years due to what we believe was a mistreated urinary tract infection that was no longer responsive to antibiotics because the initial treatment was not given properly, It took over fast. On Sunday he was playing, walking and eating normally, then within days he was weaker, not desiring food and disoriented. This type of mismanagement of care contributed to his demise and I cannot recommend this Banfield to anyone. I hope no one has the same heart crushing pain that we have had to undergo...

This year has been a really tough one on our family, but it has been made a lot better by the wonderful technicians, front desk and amazing, wonderful Vets that work there, especially Dr. Stromberg. She not only has been so kind but compassionate, listening to our worries about our cats and the financial needs it is to take care of them, and always has offered amazing solutions to find the best path forward.

Today, for example. I don’t have the easiest kitty when he goes to the Vet, and it’s probably not helped with my own anxiety after loosing his brother a few months ago due to a sudden emergency. Not only did the staff take him back with smiles, a hour or so in, Dr. Stromberg called to let us know everything about his diagnosis. She remembered us, since when my other baby was very sick so suddenly, she had taken him in and tried everything she could possibly think of in her power to take care of him and sent him home comfortable and out of pain for his last few hours with us. In this call, she explained everything in detail, then listed everything she though would be best to take care of this issue. We spoke with her about our concerns, and we all together created a plan of action that helped our kitty, but also gave us time to get everything in order for work to be done in the future. They then continued treatment and recently called me once again just to update me on how he was doing, and what to expect from him. I really, really appreciate the staff being down to earth and going the extra mile to take care of our baby while making us pet parents feel more comfortable, especially in a critical healing time. Be patient with them as well, they have so many animals they care for every day and they are literally trying their damn hardest to take care of a part of your family.

Thank you for...

The veterinarian and staff members are all very aware that our dog, Coco, whom they diagnosed with portosystemic illness and have had under their care for 2 years, suffers from horrific, life-threatening seizures if he doesn't take his daily anti-seizure medication or if he eats anything other than hepatic or gastrointestinal prescription diet food.

Week after week, month after month, they falsely claim that that the hepatic canned food is on order. In fact, it has been over 1 year since they've had the hepatic food (the one the vet there says they prefer), so each time we go to pick up his food at this location, we can only opt for the gastrointestinal, rather than hepatic, which is actually the vet's second choice, but is also the only other choice Coco is permitted to eat according to the vet.

Today, the same people at the Banfield Pet Hospital 1604 and Blanco location had 41 cans of the gastrointestinal in stock at the store. Despite having Coco under their care for the last 2 years and knowing full well that Coco has seizures if he eats any other type of food, they refused to sell even 1 can of the 41 cans in inventory because they said a customer had called in by phone to inquire if they had the food in stock, and that they hold for 24 hours by policy anything a customer requests by phone. They were not even willing to see if that customer would mind letting go of even a single can of their 41-can, unpaid hold order.

I will be transferring Coco to a more humane vet's care at the first opportunity I have to speak with one Monday morning, one whose staff is also able to exercise discretion on case-by-base decision making.

I would highly recommend steering clear of this place...