Socrates, my girlfriend's 7 year old deaf dalmatian started acting funny last night. He sat down and didn't want to get up and when he tried to walk, his butt fell to one side.

We took him to Banfield today and they charged $488 for some x-rays, a sedative, and some pills. I think that's a little ridiculous and the dog's not responding to their treatment like they said he would.

He may have to have surgery on his spine to relieve pressure or to correct a disc and I'd like some recommendations on vets.

We adopted him 2 years ago from a pet rescue organization and he's a really great dog.

Thanks in advance,
Brian

Banfield is the WORST EVER!!!!

If you are willing to spend some money, call Georgia Vet Spec. or gvs


http://www.gvsvet.com/dept_internal.asp

Socrates, my girlfriend's 7 year old deaf dalmatian started acting funny last night. He sat down and didn't want to get up and when he tried to walk, his butt fell to one side.

We took him to Banfield today and they charged $488 for some x-rays, a sedative, and some pills. I think that's a little ridiculous and the dog's not responding to their treatment like they said he would.

He may have to have surgery on his spine to relieve pressure or to correct a disc and I'd like some recommendations on vets.

We adopted him 2 years ago from a pet rescue organization and he's a really great dog.

Thanks in advance,
Brian
The price doesn't seem that ridiculous really. Depending on where you live, I would recommend Briarcliff Animal Clinic (Dr.Peter Muller among many others) which is on the corner of Briarcliff and Johnson Rd., or Dekalb Vet Clinic (Dr. Max Katz among a few others) on L'ville Hwy about one mile east of North Druid Hills Rd. I hope you find a solution to the problem.

+1 on Briarcliff Animal Clinic. We've taken our black lab and beagle there for atleast 5-6 years now. They're good people and have always taken care of our dogs.

Pets Are People Too is a good vet - we took our critters there... They have a few locations and they're on the web. We're using Tucker Animal Hospital now and love it. Like a 'country vet' if you know what I mean...

Thanks for the replies so far guys. She lives in Austell but the dog does well in the car.

Banfield is the WORST EVER!!!!

If you are willing to spend some money, call Georgia Vet Spec. or gvs


http://www.gvsvet.com/dept_internal.asp

Agreed on the Banfield hatred. Definitely get a 2nd opinion if that's the only place you've been.

The shelter I used to work for had good experiences with the Town and Country vets, which are close-ish to Austell. I've heard good things about them from others as well.

I also agree that GVS is a great facility -- I'm not 100% sure, but I think they only take referrals.

Good luck!

Head to the Orr clinic off of X13/Rt400 in Cumming. You may have to wait a bit, but by far the best vet we've ever had. (and if cost is an issue, you will be purely amazed at now much it does NOT cost............ has nothing to do with the care they give, they are just "old school"). They are closed on Thursdays (I think, for surgeries), so call and you wont regret it!

We lost a pet a few years back (IMHO) due to the previous place we went to (Cant remember the name) but its on Rt20, just a few miles off Rt400 X14 heading towards Buford on the right. NEVER NEVER ever take a pet there. (Place looks all fancy, and you pay for it in your pocket, and might-as-well dig a 2x4 hole in your backyard in-advance)

To second and third a few recommendations here, Pets Are People Too are real good animal hospitals, GVS (Georgia Veterinary Specialists) are the best in the business but are very expensive as well, and Town & Country in Marietta is also a good animal hospital. My Wife has worked at PAPT and GVS when she was a Vet Tech.

If you want the best bang for the buck call up the PAPT N. Peachtree Rd location in Dunwoody/Chamblee and ask for Dr. Steven Pope and tell him Tim & Heather Pattison sent you. It's a 24 hr emergency clinic as well so as long as you are there during non-emergency hours the costs are very reasonable. Heather was Dr. Pope's lead Vet Tech for 2 years so he'll take good care of you, he's helped out several of our friends.

Oh and here is the contact info for each of the above hospitals.

Pets Are People Too - Dunwoody
4280 North Peachtree Rd.
Chamblee, GA 30341
(770) 452 1001

Georgia Veterinary Specialists
455 Abernathy Rd. NE
Sandy Springs, GA 30328
(404) 459-0903

Town & Country Veterinary Clinic
1343 Gresham Road
Marietta, GA 30062
(770) 336-1610

+1 on Georgia Vet Specialists on Abernathy Road in Sandy Springs. They are a 24/7 clinic, and no appt req'd for emergency. They don't take regular customers.

+1 on Georgia Vet Specialists on Abernathy Road in Sandy Springs. They are a 24/7 clinic, and no appt req'd for emergency. They don't take regular customers.

Great place for pet emergencies.

Buckhead Animal Clinic

http://www.buckheadanimalclinic.com/index.asp
1911 Piedmont Cir NE
near intersection of Piedmont Ave and Cheshire Bridge

nothing but good experiences with them. when our cat wasnt eating they kept him over a weekend and the vet kept very close tabs on him - and called us to keep us informed. unlike other vets I've been to, they are not quick to order all kinds of ridiculous tests and run the bill up (amazing that 3 different cats I took to one vet all had heart murmurs and needed more tests. took the same cats to a different vet and they were amazingly cured)

probably not very convenient to Austell.