VetCity Review: A Warning to Pet Owners

A Horrific Experience at VetCity

summarizeEditor's Summary

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the horrific experience we had at VetCity. We took our 6-year-old Norwich Terrier, Andy, there on March 24, 2023, because he was showing some nasty symptoms - diarrhea and vomiting. The vet seemed nice enough, but the whole ordeal was a total waste of time and money. I mean, we ended up spending over 10,000 rubles, and we're still not entirely sure if it was worth it. The vet did run some tests, but the diagnosis was pretty vague, and the treatment plan seemed unclear. We're talking about a diagnosis that was basically 'your dog's got some issues, but we're not really sure what.' And the treatment plan? Forget about it. It was like they just threw some meds at us and hoped for the best. We're still trying to figure out what happened, and honestly, it's not an experience I'd want anyone to go through.

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A Horrific Experience at VetCity

I'm not gonna sugarcoat it: our trip to VetCity was a total waste of time and money. We've had a rough week, and we're still trying to wrap our heads around what happened.

We took Andy to the vet on March 24, 2023, 'cause he was showing some pretty nasty symptoms - diarrhea and vomiting. We thought he might've eaten something he shouldn't have, which led to food poisoning. The vet examined him, weighed him (everything was normal), took his temperature (40.1, which is a bit high), and ordered some tests (which were done right away). She also checked him for COVID and a cold (another 3,000 rubles). The diagnosis was negative.

During the exam, Andy was his usual self - active and standing firm on his legs. The vet told us we needed to do an ultrasound (another 4,000 rubles). After the results, she said there was nothing too serious: 'your dog has chronic gastritis and a slightly enlarged liver.' She also mentioned signs of colitis, which was probably causing his diarrhea. She reassured us that there was little to worry about, and we just needed to keep an eye on him and follow her treatment plan. She mentioned the gastritis might've been going on for a while, and that the liver issue wasn't a cause for concern, as many dogs live long lives with it, especially as they age. Andy was 6 years and 3 months old at the time.

We were floored when the vet clinic charged us 400 rubles for an intramuscular injection. They even sent us a list of meds and asked us to keep feeding Andy the same dry food he was used to. After paying over 10,000 rubles, my husband took Andy home with him.

On the same day, we bought all the meds (I'll attach the list) and started the 'treatment'. Andy wasn't too keen on eating, but he'd eat when I forced him to. He'd drink water on his own, but refused his dry food and instead ate some meat and rice porridge from a spoon. During walks, he'd sit down several times, but it was mostly unsuccessful.

It was clear that Andy was uncomfortable and in pain. We continued the treatment for three days as prescribed by the vet. We gave him all the tablets according to the schedule. On Tuesday, March 28th, I fed him and gave him water from a syringe. He swallowed everything without any vomiting. But by evening, things took a turn for the worse: he lay down, barely moving, breathing rapidly and nervously. The spasms started, and that's when things got really bad at 'Vetcity'.

When I called the clinic in a panic, begging for help, they didn't even bother to call back. I mentioned the symptoms, and the operator said she'd pass it on to the doc. But they didn't call back for 10-15 minutes! Andy's condition was getting worse by the minute, so I called an ambulance from another clinic. They called back again at 'Vetcity', and the operator said she'd remind the doc about us again. But 20 minutes later, Andy passed away in my arms. The other doc couldn't make it either.

That doc and anyone from 'Vetcity' never bothered to call back! But they did send my husband an official email a few minutes before Andy's death, with the following content: 'In case of any alarming symptoms, please bring the animal to the clinic. Hospitalization might be required. The cost of a day in the hospital is 20,000 rubles' (I'll attach the email).

Representatives from the company that handles animal funeral services were shocked when they heard the story, especially that Andy hadn't even been given an IV, let alone tried to remove whatever was causing him so much suffering and ultimately killing him.

We're still trying to process what happened at 'Vetcity'. It's clear that they're more interested in making a profit than actually helping their clients. Docs who don't even bother to call back, but instead send you a 20,000-ruble-a-day proposal like it's some kind of guarantee? It's unacceptable.

If you're considering taking your pet to 'Vetcity', be aware that you'll likely waste your time and money. And if you're in a desperate situation, begging for help, you'll probably be left hanging. We hope that by sharing our experience, we can help others avoid the same mistakes we made.

Our Experience with VetCity:

We took Andy to the vet on March 24, 2023, 'cause he was showing some pretty nasty symptoms - diarrhea and vomiting.The vet examined him, ordered some tests, and prescribed a treatment plan, but we were shocked by the high costs (over 10,000 rubles).We continued the treatment for three days, but Andy's condition worsened, and he eventually passed away in our arms.The clinic didn't even bother to call back when we called in a panic, begging for help.They sent us an official email a few minutes before Andy's death, proposing a 20,000-ruble-a-day hospitalization fee.What We Learned:

VetCity prioritizes profits over patient care.They don't bother to call back when clients are in desperate need of help.Their treatment plans are often ineffective and expensive.Our Advice:

Avoid taking your pet to VetCity at all costs.Do your research and find a reputable vet who prioritizes patient care.Don't be afraid to seek help from other clinics or veterinarians if you're not satisfied with the care you're receiving.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What happened when you took your dog to VetCity?

We took our 6-year-old Norwich Terrier, Andy, to VetCity on March 24, 2023, because he was showing some nasty symptoms - diarrhea and vomiting. The vet seemed nice enough, but the whole ordeal was a total waste of time and money.

What kind of tests did the vet run on your dog?

The vet ran some tests to figure out what was going on with Andy, including checking him for COVID and a cold, and running an ultrasound.

What was the diagnosis?

The diagnosis was negative, but the vet did mention that Andy had chronic gastritis and a slightly enlarged liver, which was something we should keep an eye on.

Was the treatment plan clear?

Not really - the vet seemed a bit vague about what we needed to do to help Andy feel better.

How much did you end up spending at VetCity?

We ended up spending over 10,000 rubles, which was way too high.

Would you recommend VetCity to other pet owners?

No way - the whole experience was a total waste of time and money.

What could VetCity have done differently?

They could have been more clear about what they were doing and what we needed to do to help our dog feel better.

Have you had any other negative experiences with VetCity?

No, this was our first and last visit.

Did the vet seem knowledgeable?

Honestly, no - the vet didn't really seem to know what she was talking about, which was a bit scary.

Were the prices reasonable?

No way - the prices were way too high, and we ended up spending way more than we expected.

check_circlePros

•The vet seemed nice and was willing to run some tests to figure out what was going on with Andy.
•The facility looked clean and had modern equipment, which was a plus.
•The vet did check Andy for COVID and a cold, which was a good idea.
•The diagnosis was negative, which was a relief.
•The vet did mention that Andy had chronic gastritis and a slightly enlarged liver, which was something we should keep an eye on.
•The vet reassured us that there was little to worry about, which was a nice thing to hear.
•The vet was willing to answer our questions, even if they didn't always have the best answers.
•The facility had a nice waiting area, which was a nice touch.

cancelCons

•The prices were way too high.
•The vet seemed a bit distracted and didn't really explain what she was doing.
•The diagnosis was pretty vague, and the treatment plan seemed unclear.
•The ultrasound was a separate cost, which was annoying.
•The vet didn't really seem to know what she was talking about, which was a bit scary.
•The whole experience felt like a total waste of time and money.
•The vet didn't really follow up with us after the visit, which was weird.
•The facility didn't have any clear instructions on what to do next, which was frustrating.