Receipt attached.
I decided not to go forward with the treatment plan the vet recommended on top of my dog’s current care. I also never gave my dog the medication I paid for because, after looking into it more, the risks honestly felt bigger than the actual issue my dog was having, especially for a minor ear infection with no clear cause. I thought the doctor would at least explain what could be triggering it or offer some type of allergy test first, but the main solution was basically to try the medication and see if it worked.
What worried me most was that the medication, Zenrelia, could lower my dog’s blood count, which would mean coming back for more testing afterward. This place was already my last resort after taking my dog to about three different vets for the same issue. Prednisone did help clear the infection before, but I hated what it did to my dog. My dog became extremely weak, sick, and just not herself.
Something in me just didn’t feel right about giving my dog another strong medication, even though I already paid for it. Instead, I kept trying to figure things out through my dog’s diet. The doctor later called and told me my dog’s labs looked great, which I was happy to hear. Honestly, I’m still glad I took my dog to the vet, even if I didn’t really leave with answers. Hearing that everything looked okay gave me some peace of mind. But when I later asked for the actual lab results, there were several things marked in red as abnormal. I just wish someone had taken the time to explain those results to me better, especially after paying $427 for one test alone.
There also seemed to be a disconnect between the vet techs and the veterinarians when it came to pricing, treatment recommendations, and the overall process. At times, I felt like I was getting different explanations depending on who I spoke to, which made the experience more confusing and stressful than it already was.
In total, this visit cost me $992.99. At one point, they wanted to bring the bill up to over $2,000 for even more testing, but I honestly didn’t see the point when two tests had already been done and I still didn’t have a real explanation or solution. Either way, I love my dog, so none of this was about the money to me. I just wanted my dog healthy again.
At the time, my dog was eating Freshpet food with chicken and beef. I completely cut out chicken, beef, and grains and started making my dog’s food myself using ground turkey, green beans, butternut squash, a little turmeric, and dog supplements for extra vitamins and nutrients. Since changing my dog’s diet, the ear infection completely cleared up and hasn’t come back in months.
Side bar: Vet is super friendly :)
Our dog has had a terrible ear infection, and the team at Animal Dermatology has helped us solve the problem, though he is prone to them and the infection occasionally returns - it's nice to have a specialist who understands the problem. And they are great with our dog. Understanding the problem, ready solutions. Highly recommend!
We had a great experience at Zrzka’s dermatology visit with Dr. Tori Cleaver. The entire team was incredibly kind and professional, and they treated my dog with so much care and respect. We were seen right on time, and I never felt rushed during the appointment. Dr. Cleaver was knowledgeable and thorough, and made sure we felt comfortable every step of the way. Most importantly, Zrzka was calm throughout the visit, which says a lot about how gentle and attentive they were with her. Highly recommend!
Amazing experience. Was able to get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan all in the same visit. Everyone was kind and welcoming from the front desk to the staff in the back! Having rabbit treats was so special since my little guy can't eat most treats! And the little goodie bag with his name on it made our day.
