Animal Hospital Of River Oaks

I'm so pleased to review Dr. Mac & Dr. Gold. We've been clients of the clinic for close to 30 years and have had wonderful care in all those years. There have been routine exams, surgeries, visits just to get the dogs used to going to a vet and end-of-life care. Our experiences have always been compassionate, educational and never rushed. Now we have had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Mac into the clinic family. First, we had a new rescue that is only comfortable around women and luckily Dr. Mac started that day. It worked out so well. Then our black lab was experiencing awful allergies. He was one itchy dog. After a while of seeing Dr. Mac she has got him virtually itch-free and one happy puppy-like nine-year-old dog!! Recently he had developed a large haematoma on his ear and she did such precision surgery that his ear has healed beautifully and you'd never know he'd had a problem. The office staff deserves a shout-out too for their professional care and fun-loving nature. It's a down-to-earth environment with real people who really care.

A highly distressing and ultimately surreal experience. I'd like to specify this review is about Dr. Lorie Gold (the clinic's owner) and that the rest of the staff seemed like normal empathetic people. I went in to give my cat a peaceful end. Initially Lorie Gold came off as kind and accommodating. He walked me through the process, sedated her, and was getting ready to do the euthanization. As he grasped her paw to shave it she released her claws. They snagged him. His reaction to this seemed dramatic. He looked super annoyed and upset. He grabbed some nail clippers and I immediately said "we tried to clip her nails a few weeks ago and she freaked out." He ignored me and proceeded to try and clip them. I said again "she's going to freak out." He continued. My cat, although sedated, mustered up some feeble strength and nipped him. He took a huge step back, looked at me and said "MY LIFE IS NOW IN DANGER. I have to report this to the government so they can do a rabies investigation. It's likely you'll be fined. They'll be calling you." I'm serious. I'm not being hyperbolic. He actually said this. Things to keep in mind: 1. he read my cat's emergency clinic report from a week back when her problems were initially checked out. Quite sure they would have noticed rabies. 2. he knew that my cat hasn't been outside since last summer and that even then she stays on a raised deck 3. he knew that my cat freaks out if her nails are touched. why not do the injection elsewhere? he stated this was an option during my briefing of the procedure. nope, he kept grabbing her paw and persisting even after she reacted. 4. I've been bitten by a wild animal in Halton. I went to the hospital to get a rabies check and they laughed at me and sent me home saying there's no rabies in this area. 5. I've volunteered for years at the human society and have had cats give birth in my home, had cats scratch me and bite me (quite severely at times) and rabies wasn't ever a concern or even mentioned. 6. If you're a seasoned vet who is this concerned about rabies, why not WEAR GLOVES? I understand there are laws in place to protect people, but there is also a thing called common sense. Fine do a report, but maybe wait till after the procedure to lecture me about it? Or again, prevent this from happening by LISTENING to your client and/or wearing gloves. It gets worse. He grabbed her paw AGAIN to shave it for the needle. My cat gasped, her head smashed on the table, limp. She stopped breathing completely (this was obvious because her lungs had water around them and her breathing was incredibly heavy). She looked completely dead, like he shocked and scared her into passing out. I start balling my eyes out because this is NOT a peaceful death. He says her heart is still beating and euthanizes her with my consent (he said she might wake up...). I ran out the room, I paid, and I just wanted to get out of there. He followed me and kept lecturing me about this investigation and how serious it is. I'm also told that I am not able to take her body home AND her body will now be mutilated due to the autopsy they have to preform. I go home and he calls to offer me a free cremation and an apology. He said something like "the important thing is she's not suffering anymore." Sure, except she died scared, shocked, and angry because a seasoned vet refused to listen to my warning, refused to wear gloves, and didn't think of trying a different spot for the injection. Lorie Gold was thorough and attentive only when it came to his own "safety." My cat died in distress and her body had to be mutilated and kept at the clinic for a week due to his complete disregard of my instructions and lack of ability to observe the world around him and react accordingly. One last thing. No one from the investigation called me. I guess they didn't take his concern seriously either.

All I want to say is that just about every clinic nowadays has sweet and friendly and courteous staff - but to me professionalism is what makes a clinic distinguished. Dr Mac is a real virtuoso in surgery as well as walking-talking encyclopedia. The way she put my dog's ear back together after it was ripped by a creature was wow; and removed a big growth on his side pulling tissue to fill gaps etc.. she could be a great plastic surgeon. This is my statement after more than 40 years of owning dogs and dealing with vets... All recommendations make a lot of sense and work and yes, the staff is exceptionally nice. 10 out of 10.

You will find no better care -- from anyone -- than from Dr. Gold. He listens and learns. He prepares for your appointment by looking back on his notes from your pet's case history. He gives you all the time you need, which means you may have to wait a bit. The wait is well worth it; it's because he's giving the superb care you will receive. Today was his day off, and he came in from his holiday to give me the great gift of seeing my dog safely home, after a take-all-the-time-you-need consultation and thorough review of all options. He could have made a lot of money today, instead, he just helped me. After three pets, cradle to grave, I could have no more respect for any practitioner. I am so grateful for his care over 34 years.

I have been bringing my pets to Dr. Gold since I was a kid myself. He has cared for each one of my pets with tremendous compassion and has helped me through the day to day stuff, as well as through the tougher times. The staff here are also amazing! They truly get to know the clients (human and non) and work with you to make sure that your pet is always getting the right care. Five stars (PLUS!) across the board *****