I've been to the Kamloops Veterinary Clinic on three occasions. I was very happy with the first visit and vet who saw our puppy and older dog. On the second visit I was chastised repeatedly by a different vet, who outright dismissed me when I suggested my dogs crusted and depigmented nose 'might' be autoimmune related. She prescribed a triple formula antibiotic/antifungal/steroid cream when I had asked for a steroid cream as a first line option to help rule out allergies & autoimmune issues and avoid antibiotic overuse. She adamantly refused my request and my hopes for avoiding a biopsy later. I'm a retired, for health reasons, medical professional and I was completely dismissed. She also became angry due to the difficulty my puppy had with nail clipping, which she was unable to do, when on a previous visit a vet tech had no problem. She said in a raised and angry voice that, "You will just have to desensitize him." I was shocked and based on my first positive experience, decided I'd see a different vet at the clinic for future visits.
My third visit was for a skin infection for my older dog. Once we scheduled with a different vet, I had high hopes; however, I was regrettably ten minutes late and was met with a contemptuous glare and was loudly told that, because I was late, my dog would only get the ten minutes left in her appointment. I asked if the vet was running late or if she was waiting for me? If she was running late maybe that should be considered. The angry, confrontational receptionist didn't answer my question. Her outburst was unwarranted even if they weren't running behind, and consumers are often kept waiting. And, because I was late, I'd have been more than happy to forego the ten minutes. As she took us into the exam room, she again chided me with an angry, "You get ten minutes,". I then asked again if the vet was running on or behind schedule to which she yelled, "You be quiet! I won't tolerate you talking to me like that!" I hadn't raised my voice.
The attending vet was understanding and apologetic when I brought up the angry receptionist, explaining they were short one vet and had had an extremely hectic day. On examining my dog, she immediately stated it was a skin infection and she wouldn't have a problem prescribing oral antibiotics. I had expressed concerns about the high cost of vet visits on my limited budget early on, so I was relieved she wasn't going to take a wait and see approach with additional charges. She then took a swab and said she was going to have a look at it and left the room. My $150 bill included an additional $40 fee for that, which I paid without question, but did mention high care costs again.
I have since received a letter from Kamloops Veterinary Clinic dismissing me from future care due to my expressing concern over the high costs of veterinary care. I think they mispreprent my concerns for critism directed at their staff personally, which was not the case!
Id like to add that I've discovered vet care has become so expensive because big business has taken over in most Canadian cities. This results in care being out of reach, and has resulted in a severe inadequacy, for our beloved pets living in low to median income homes. I know two families who've surrendered their dogs to kill shelters as a result. I was also recently told by someone they were going to have their puppy euthanized for a bout of diarrhea because they were unable to incur the high costs of testing.
That said, I've researched alternatives to the high cost of big business run veterinary medicine and found an online service in Ontario (started by Emma Harris in response to high costs) to provide a more equitable care for our furry family members. It's called Healthy Pets and will be an online veterinary service expanding from Ontario, which will charge about $35 per web visit (not $75-90 currently). Please watch for it. We really need to do something to bring an end to highly profit driven medical care and the resulting less humane treatment of our pets. Btw human docs receive ~ $45/visit!