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2/6/16 |
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5/20/15 |
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4 |
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Shaker Vet in my opinion is not worth the money. I went to Burnt Hills vet for 20 years and loved them, but started seeing shaker after moving. They are always running late, the staff AND doctors are rude, and they just want your money. I brought my dog in for what was very clearly an ear infection and they wanted to run a battery of tests when regardless of the outcome, they would give the ear medicine that treated both bacterial and fungal infections. Most clinics will allow techs to give vaccinations to avoid the vet cost, but here at shaker you have to pay for an office visit on top of the vaccine cost. The vets don't seem concerned about your pet or your concerns, and you get passed between doctors all the time. They just want to get you in and out. I personally love burnt hills vet and will be going back after my last experience at shaker, I wouldn't recommend shaker to anyone!
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7/22/14 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
Convenience is certainly a draw here, but that is where it all ends. You never know what vet you are going to see, but every vet can't be there all the time. Problem is that if you have a chronic issue with your dog, each vet will treat your dog as they see it, rather than a coordinated effort. If you get lucky you will get to see Patrick or Towery, otherwise, good luck if your dog is in a critical situation. While it seems that the extended hours are a plus to avoid the emergency clinic, I think it is better to find a better rated practice and take your chances with the emergency clinic in Latham. A more competent practice lessens your chance of needing emergency services. Seems like many reviewers find the staff to be rude, but I didn't find that to be true, instead woefully lacking in competence and coordination. Went in one day and vet loaded me up with expensive meds, only to have a different vet the next day change the meds and treatment, no explanation.
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11/10/13 |
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3 |
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I was a pretty happy client at Shaker for many years, but my experience this past summer was bad. Very bad. I brought my dying cat there for a second opinion and over the course of 2 months was persuaded to authorize about $1000 in tests; I did not receive a decent explanation of some of the test results, and for test results I did not receive any explanation at all. When I expressed concern about the situation I was told I was just a problem client - no concern, no explanations, no questions or interest in what my concerns were. No discussion whatsoever. And no expression of concern whatsoever for the cat. I am tempted to file a complaint against the vet's license with the Education Department. Worst experience ever, anywhere. They were good years ago, but at this point I recommend any place else.
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8/6/13 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
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Long, long waits well past appt times. Staff could care less. They will not make you wait to pay, however, and you will pay well above market average for the region. Quality of care is good, but does not make up for LOUSY service and high prices.
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6/24/13 |
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I have mixed feelings about Shaker Vet. To start with, the front desk staff is awful. They ignore you, check in and check out takes forever. They don't greet your pet. They're difficult to deal with on the phone. Compared to other vets in the area, their prices aren't bad for veterinary services. Medication is expensive, flea/tick/heartworm is outrageous but they don't have a problem authorizing an Rx to buy it elsewhere, and prescription food prices are criminal. The vets I've seen have been good, not warm and fuzzy at all, but they get the job done, present options clearly, and are amenable to conservative treatment and less vaccinations. The hours are very convenient, and has saved us trips to the Vet ER on multiple occasions. Overall, I've been more happy here than the other practices I've been to in the Albany area.
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SYSTEM: location changed from Colonie, NY to Latham, NY |
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12/10/11 |
5 |
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I have been going to Shaker Vet for many, many years. They are absolutely wonderful! You find out what your vet is really like when your cherished animal is very ill.Dr. Towery treated two of my cats for kidney failure.He could not have been more supportive and compassionate. From the time my cat Isabel was diagnosed to the time she was euthanized Dr. Towery treated her and my husband and I with the utmost kindness and respect.Ditto regarding my dog who had a heart condition and cancer.I find that the staff is always friendly and helpful. Some vets are cheaper but you'd be hard pressed to find the compassionate care, state of the art technology and vast veterinary expertise and helpful staff.I do not understand these negative comments. The larger you are the more room there is for criticism. No place is perfect but in my book, Shaker Vet is deserving of high praise. If you do have a concern, speak with the Office Mgr. Tanyette, she is great as well.
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10/3/11 |
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THE VETS ARE ALL ABOUT MONEY .THEY WILL RUN EVERY TEST POSSIBLE .THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THERE DOING ,IN RUNNING UP THE COST .THEY HAVE NO COMPASSION & ARE THE MOST UNPROFESSIONAL,RUDE PRACTICE.WE DONT MIND SPENDING TOP $$$$ FOR OUR BABIES BUT NOT GOING TO BE TREATED LIKE WE ARE NOBODY .PUT A URGENT CALL INTO DR TO CALL US AND IT NEARLY TOOK THEM 12 HOURS LATER TO RETURN AN URGENT CALL . They recently extended their hours and have WAY TOO MANY CLIENTS.IF THIS TELLS YOU ANYTHING .THEY ARE NOTHING MORE THAN A FACTORY .GET THEM IN AND OUT .THEY HAVE NO COMPASSION .THEY RATE FIRST CLASS IN BEING RUDE ,RUDE , RUDE .WILL NEVER EVER GO BACK THERE AGAIN NOR WILL I RECOMMEND.I finally found a vet & his staff that are very compassionate .
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4/7/11 |
5 |
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i have taken my pets to haer vet for the past 25 years and findthey to bethe most competent in the area. If they don't knowwha's wronghey'll refer you to a spcialst. Always return my calls during and after office hours. Front desk staff very efficient. Busy practice - wait time getting better. Dr. Mackey and Towery are excellent. Definitely pricey.
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3/20/11 |
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4 |
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I agree with most everything others have posted here. How ever they have extended hours so they are there when you need them and thats allot better then many other vets. They have allot of overhead with such a large facility. My bill was also allot higher then the estimate they where so reluctant to give me. I'm sure a place this large will get allot of mixed review. They see allot of pets. The vets are very good and they have some of the lattest equitment and technology.
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1/10/11 |
2 |
4 |
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I lost a kitty to I guess food recall because they never told us but charged an extremely large fee. I went to another Office to help us through his demise. The last time I took our Beagle for gland expressing the tech hurt him bad on 3 tries and had to get the doctor. I should not have been charged the Dr. fee for the specified tech for this procedure. I also had to wait 2 hours past my appt. Not uncommon. The doctor was too busy flirting with the other techs. Not happy and this site helped me choose a new Veterinarian. Thank you to all who participate.
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5/31/10 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
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This vet will soak you for every penny they can and that they are always at least an hour behind. The reception staff is very RUDE. They give you low end-high end estimates & it ALWAYS costs more than the high end. I recently took my dog in for a loss of appetite & vomiting issue. He was admitted w/ a diagnosis of pancreatitis, next day we are told he has an issue with kidneys and liver too. No further update until we called 2 days later. We then get a 2nd vet who tells us he is in kidney failure, but they are going to do some more tests & we should hang in there. we had to pint out that he was severly bloated with fluids they were pushing through him. The following day he has jaundice & fluid filled lungs and a 3rd vet finally has the empathy to tell us that they can't help him. I had to euthanize my beautiful 7 year old baby. In 5 days he goes from running and playing to being put to sleep. We had to clean him up every visit & have never been given any reason or actual diagnosis.
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2/7/10 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
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They are there when you need them, and I've never had a problem w/quality, rudeness, cleanliness, or an overly long wait. They WILL, however, soak for for evey penny they can. If you need the convenience of their extended hours, professional judgement, and availability of almost any procedure out there for pets at the moment (i.e., hydrotherapy), you will get it and pay for it. Unfortunately, people just looking for your average check-up are helping to pay for all the new techniques as well. They DID save my pet and they treated her very well, they just charged me quite a bit more than another vet would have. I found that out after the fact. If you can afford it, they are great.
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10/22/09 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
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Made an appointment for my cat and waited for over an hour and a half then I finally left. Several people in the waiting room were complaining that they had been waiting over 45 mins. They recently extended their hours and have WAY TOO MANY CLIENTS. Not only did this experience leave my cat stressed, it also made me want to pull me hair out. My mom has a similar experience and had to wait so long that her cat eventually peed in the carrier- she is much more patient then I am. They are very pricey as well. I would not recommend just because it is a huge hassel.
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4/24/09 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
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Took my cat for surgery for a blocked bladder. The rooms were flithy and the wait was horrible even though I had made an appointment. My cat had to stay for 3 days and I was told I had to schedule a discharge appointment, only available time was 8pm. I sat in the lobby and a vet tech brought my cat out and read me a sheet of paper. When I asked questions about something I had previously spoke with the doctor about that she claimed she would "look into" the tech shrugged and said she had no idea. My pet had this happen a year ago and we had to use a 24 hour emergency vet and they were cheaper then Shaker. To top it off 3 days after bringing him home I found that no one removed the stitches that had held the cathader. Never again!!!
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1/19/09 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
This is the best practice in the area, no question about that. The technology and the vets' expertise are excellent. It is a very large practice and consequently sometimes they lack the personal touch, but if your pet has a problem and needs more than routine well-care this is the place to be. The front desk staff could be better-managed, but don't let that keep you away. Recommend very highly.
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12/2/08 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
This vet is all about money. They are out for the quick buck. The staff and vets are rude and seem like they are not the brightests vets either...killed my dog and did a terrible job figuring out the problem
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8/31/08 |
1 |
5 |
4 |
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Technology is great, it is a very high tech and advanced practice, but the receptionists are RUDE RUDE RUDE, as well as some of the other employees. I have switched vets after attempting to be friendly many a time to the people who answer the phones and greet you at this place, only to be treated in response as if I am a hassle and not worth being courteous to. Will never go back.
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8/15/07 |
5 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
Always had a good experiance when taking my pets there over the past three years. Specially like Dr. Patrick.
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