Annex Animal Hospital

Location :

716 Bathurst St, Toronto, ON M5S 2R4
Added by Jopie, at 03 January 2017

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• Karen B

  31 August 2017

  This review has been a few years too late but I feel it could be useful to others considering this clinic. Years ago my small dog was displaying signs of what I should of known was a virus or bacterial infection of some sort (no appetite, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, low temperature) something that most dogs will experience from time to time, but being emotionally vulnerable, I was convinced to have him operated on not once, but twice. The first operation was to check if he had eaten something that was blocking his intestines which turned up nothing, the second time was to take a biopsy of his pancreas. When these procedures revealed no clear answers I was talked into an ultrasound. He had also been staying at the clinic overnight and needed to be transferred to another emerg clinic during the weekend when they were closed. I was so distraught and at my wits end both financially and emotionally (I was at this point over 7K in the hole after ONE week). Finally after what I am assuming was their realisation that they had sucked as much money out of me as possible and having me sobbing over the possible decision to put him down, they decided to try the most logical (in hindsight) treatment of a combination of antibiotics, which in turn saved his life. I´m convinced they figured they would make more money from me in the long run by keeping him alive for future check-ups, immunisations etc as opposed to letting me put him to sleep. At the time I was just thankful to have him alive, but something didn´t quite sit right as usually antibiotics or anti-viral medications are the go-to first line treatment in humans because it´s the cheapest and less complicated approach. I feel as though I was talked into an operation immediately without playing around with medications first to address his symptoms. I have full respect for vets and how tough of a job it must be - I am not a vet myself, so I truly have very little perspective to go on - but the more I talked to people who had been to this clinic, the more horror stories I heard and came to my own conclusion that I was taken for a very expensive ride. After moving to another city and dealing with another vet, I realise what good, honest service entails. Please go somewhere else, as I feel like this clinic only preys upon desperate naive customers.

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• Anna Warunkiewicz

  24 August 2017

  I have been going to the annex animal hospital for 9 years and have had to change vets after my latest experience. The prices are so high now that I can no longer afford to take my cat there. In addition, my cat had a serious infection and when I went in, they sent her away with nothing because she didn't have a temperature; said she had no issue.
  
  I took her to another vet for a second opinion and he was able to diagnose her almost instantly with a severe upper respritory infection that is taking weeks for her to recover from, with proper treatment.
  
  Unfortunately not going back.

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• Amber St Thomas

  26 July 2017

  Some of the recent reviews gave me pause to come back, but I had such great service the first two times, I went in again today for a check-up for my kitty who I had some minor concerns about.
  
  I am glad I ignored the bad reviews. Dr. Rifkind is an excellent Doctor and he was so good with my adorable but ill tempered kitty. Never have I ever felt like anyone was trying to rip me off or tell me my kitty needed tests when she didn't, and I am very aware of when someone is trying to do that.
  
  I have taken my older kitty and older rabbit here and will be coming back again, I have received nothing but great service for my animals. My cat is usually sweet and means well but when she gets scared she can nip and become really defensive, the way Dr. Rifkind dealt with her makes me think he is some type of magician. She allowed him to look at her teeth and take her temperature and do a proper exam, I have had vets that won't even touch her because they are afraid of her as she can hiss and growl a lot and really doesn't like the vet.
  
  If you have a cat or a rabbit I would really recommend coming here. I have never been charged more than I have been at other vets and never have felt like anyone was trying to rip me off or order unnecessary tests. The ladies at the front desk are always nice and helpful and always let me know how much something will be upfront when I ask.
  
  I always feel like Dr. Rifkind does a great job and he takes his time when explaining things to me and when examining my kitty.

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• Brittney Sproule

  13 July 2017

  Excellent staff both over phone and in person. Recently got a new puppy and they patiently listened to and answered all our questions and were great with first checkup. Also, puppy loved the treats. Great experience.

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• France C

  20 May 2017

  I've lived in The Annex for over a decade and figured I should find a vet in the area so my aging cat would not have to deal with a car ride to go to his current vet. i was wrong, or at least this clinic wasn't the right choice. The receptionist over the phone was pleasant when scheduling my appointment and was friendly when I checked in. The vet did the check up. She was also friendly for the most part and started off saying a bunch of encouraging comments about my cats health. I expressed a concern about something and she looked into it further.. left the room and came back with a staggering estimate. Her tone immediately changed. She became aggressive and unforgiving. She was forceful and tried to guilt trip me to take her services when I expressed that I would like to get a second opinion from another clinic literally down the street (Bathurst DuPont).
  She was way too aggressive in her approach so her guilt tripping method was flawed. When leaving even the receptionist changed her tone as I cashed out. I paid and left. While walking up Bathurst to the other clinic, I received a call from the SPCA. what the actual f**k?!
  
  I fully explained my experience with the officer and he was extremely understanding. i can't say for certain but it sure seemed like this vet has done this before to other pet owners who chose to not take this vets services. The SPCA officer was not at all concerned and was just following up on the call that was made by the annex hospital.
  
  Watch out and and be strong. You will be bullied.
  
  Ps. The next clinic I went to was honestly a fraction of the price for the same Procedure and better service. Do yourself and your fur baby a favour and go elsewhere.

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• Doug Prentice

  11 March 2017

  I brought a cat to them that I rescued in Oshawa in Feb 2016 to find out she was in late stage kidney failure. My 12 year old kitty would not be here if it wasn't for Pearl, Victoria, Kim, and Brian. They got me a diagnosis overnight, and while they were waiting made sure she was hydrated, fed, sheltered, and comfortable. They knew exactly what to do to save her over a year ago, and the fur ball is still biting and scratching me today!
  Thank you all so much for everything you've done for us, and we'll see you very soon!

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• Taylor Sands

  25 February 2017

  This is my vet for my cat and they are very helpful here and always care so much about your pet. they even send out emails on my cats birthday.

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• Kaelyn L

  19 January 2017

  While the lady at the reception is very friendly and helpful (she is often talking at length with people while you wait for 15 minutes to pay for pet food), I was annoyed that she arbitrarily decided to close the clinic early. I arrived at 7:54 (clinic closes at 8) and waited two minutes patiently outside the door as she spoke on the phone - seemingly deliberately ignoring the door. After two minutes her colleague came out to vacuum and saw me at the door and just walked away. It was at that point the receptionist looked up from her call and that I knocked on the door. She told me I was lucky that I caught her before she left and I mentioned that I was there since 7:54. I was told she often closes early when there are no patients. So be warned - don’t believe their store hours that are posted.

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• Joanna Ross

  12 January 2017

  I will never understand people who comment about the pricing of vet care. I suppose it's a function of our good fortune to have public health care in Canada; but the costs are what they are. A lot of the medicines and supplies are the same which are used in humans, except they aren't subsidized. I'd never want discount health care for myself, nor my cat. Plus, the costs are always made clear when the animal is dropped off.Sure you can go to discount vet clinics, but I always wonder what they are leaving out of the price when they are discounted? Is it something that makes my cat more comfortable? Something to prevent infection? Lesser quality pills? Or Anesthetics- where the higher qualitiy ones have much less risk?I'd much prefer to put my cat's health care in the hands of Dr. Caplan or his team, who take the most precautions with little Ozzy, spend time to explain what they are doing and discuss what we can do better than going to those "Dr. Nicks" of the vet world

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• Katie Black

  10 January 2017

  My cat had a bladder infection and the vet for some reason said he was "blocked" (my cat peed in his cage and on the exam table clearly not blocked). They wanted to keep him for three days and charge me over $2,000. I packed him up and took him to a different clinic. Very disappointed with vets trying to take advantage of pet owners.
  My cat received much better care at another clinic- tests, medicine, 1 day boarding and 19 cans of wet food came to $670.

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