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7/8/22 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Dr. Hughes is notorious for malpractice. I brought my west highland terrier in due to nose bleeding/sneezing. He insisted, without any examination, questions, nor tests (xray) that he needed teeth out. He pulled 3 teeth, one on each side and one in the middle. Seemingly random. He said within 2 months the swelling from the infection should go down, and we were to pay $1,200! My boy kept getting worse, and his eye started to swell out of his body, so we took him to Great Slave Animal Hospital, within the hour he was diagnosed with nasal sarcoma and was put down that night. Michael Hughes performed a surgery that was so unnecessary on my poor dog who was suffering with cancer. He couldn’t breathe, or eat, and wasn’t provided pain meds — if he would’ve just physically examined him, and given him an X-ray it would have been obvious. I am so mad at this veterinarian and I am not the person to speak badly about businesses — but he is dangerous. Please do not go to this vet. Please.
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7/31/21 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I shipped my pet out for an emergency anal gland expression as he couldn’t pass a bowel movement. He told me that my indoor pet had been bitten by another animal which was impossible. He didn’t share why he thought that, argued with me and even hung up the phone on me. His receptionist only knew how to take payment and said everything else had to be communicated by the vet.the vet was too busy to contact me or inform me of his diagnosis before sedating my pet without my consent. When I requested the medical records, he sent a login to a pet site which showed pitiful notes, no specifics - not even the name of the prescription. I was not provided with aftercare communication. I requested to be informed if he had a bowel movement before being put on the plane but was not advised. A vet clinic came to town a few days after my pet returned home. Thank god for them because he had a fever, the gland was re-filling , and he had the wrong prescription. As an older pet, this could’ve killed him.
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10/11/18 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
After Dr. Hughes performed a spay on my dog, she contracted a mrsa staph infection which took eight months to resolve. I noticed there was no vet/hospital grade antibacterial soap in the examination room, only softsoap. My dog had a contagious infection at the time of examination. Throughout the duration of treatment, Dr. Hughes made numerous recommendations. When I consulted with other veterinarians, I was told many of his recommendations could have been dangerous, even fatal, for my dog. I feel this vet did more harm than good for my pet, and I believe his ill advice cost me thousands of dollars.
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4/29/18 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
Our experience left us heartbroken as our cat had to suffer needlessly for weeks. Although we told him our cat couldn’t pee, he told us to take him home and see if he peed anyways. We had to bring our cat back on emergency the next morning because he was in so much pain. He pushed for the invasive surgery option when our cat couldn’t pee the second time (right after the catheter had been removed). We had asked about the cost and after that he constantly brought up money which was extremely rude and condescending. Our cat stayed at the clinic for a week after the surgery. He insists on pets staying unnecessarily. Both times our cat came home with matted fur and urine/feces on him. We had to put our cat down in Edmonton as the original surgery wasn’t done well and we found out later that he had a heart problem (which Dr. Hughes did not check prior to surgery) so that would make it even more complicated to fix.
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9/22/17 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
I put lot of trust in this doctor.We took our cat in a few days ago,he said the cat was fine and in great health for his age.He said the cat had constipation.so sent us home with laxatives.our cat sadly died in the middle of the night.My kids and family are devastated.I do not trust him at all anymore.I was going to have our beloved cat cremated there.But I don`t even trust him to do that.We called him in the middle of the night after the initial visit,and he was so rude and he thought it was a prank call!
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5/6/17 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
The vet was 30 minutes late for our pre-scheduled appointment. Then literally spent less than 3 minutes with us administering my cat's shots.While he checked her eyes and teeth he did not weigh her or ask any questions about her behaviour or advise of how she would respond to the shots, whether any further shots would be required or information about the shot he was administering.
Then he gives me the bill - $140 ($80+ of which was for his supposed "consultation"). When I called him out on it he said I was free to take my business elsewhere. I responded that I absolutely would and that if I treated client's that way I wouldn't have a job, he then got irate and raised his voice to me in front of my 1 year old daughter. MY ADVICE, AVOID THIS PLACE!
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4/14/17 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
I made a visit to Dr. Hughes with my dogs while my regular vet was away on holidays. Dr. Hughes appeared fantastic at their well visit check up & really took the time to talk & discuss their individual needs. Little did I know that he was really like a slick used car salesman. About a week after my initial visit my chiihuahua showed some signs of distress. I contacted the clinic & they set up a time for me to bring him in. After the initial check etc. I was told I had to leave my dog & they would run x ray etc. to get to the problem. I received a phone call let me know what treatment was needed & that things looked better than they originally thought. I was then instructed to come around 5 to pick my dog up. Not a hour went by & I was informed my dog had DIED!! I was in complete & utter shock!! I dropped my beloved baby off & never got to say goodbye. I was told that he good go home with no sign that he was seriously ill.
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8/19/16 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
Took our 3 animals in to be vaccinated, misquoted price. 45 minutes late! The vet was rude and aggressive. When leaving vet suggested that husband deal with him for future visits! NOT! Has issues with women!
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4/23/16 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
We had our 6 mth French bull dog at Dr Hughes clinic to be spayed. After surgery we noticed the operative site was swollen and draining. We return the dog to the vet as concerned dog owners at 7:30 am and spoke to vet at lunch time at which time we were told the dog was infected and that he would treat her with antibiotics. Upon pick-up she had still not been treated and owner had to remind Vet about the antibiotics. A week later the dog was getting worse and lacking confidence in the vet assessment we went elsewhere. Bloodwork revealed that the dog was septic and very sick. 4 days of IV antibiotics and 24 hrs vet care and continuation of antibiotics rectified most health concerns. When questioning Dr Hughes about the surgical procedure he became very defensive, rude and threating. He blames us as owners and said if there was a humane society that he would report us for animal abuse. We were shocked at his unprofessionalism and would highly not recommend his veterinarian services.
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7/21/14 |
5 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
Dr. Hughes is very knowledgeable and clearly LOVES animals. My dogs are completely comfortable with him even though they have endured painful procedures here. Perhaps people who rate him badly are put off by his obviously absent-minded manner and social awkwardness around HUMANS rather than his veterinary skills. When I am kept waiting it is usually because he has just dedicated extra time for another client's special needs or because he gets behind perhaps he has to recover briefly before focusing on his next client. The main questions to ask are: Is your animal more comfortable with this doctor than others? My elderly and well traveled pets certainly are. And: Does this doctor know what he's doing even though he seems a bit awkward around humans? I believe he does.
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4/3/14 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
I have only postive things to say about about the YK Vet Clinic, Dr. Hughes, and his staff. We live in Inuvik, with no local vet, and were fortunate to be put in contact with Dr. Hughes when one of our cats had a major medical emergency. We were counselled over the phone, assisted throughout the weekend once in YK, and provided with excellent, compassionate advice and service. The man lives for our furry critters, and I was confident that Karma was in the best hands we could possibly find for her. I`m not sure how he was able to work the hours he did, as we were updated throughout the late hours of the night, and into the early mornings; this is obviously a vet that is passionate about his practice. Unfortunately, Karma`s condition was beyond what any veterinarian could fix, but in her final moments, Dr. Hughes was with our family to help us through a terrible situation. I highly recommend the YK vet clinic, especially for those in the outlying communities. Brian Larman, Inuvik
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11/8/13 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
worst experience ever - - Will never come back and see this VET!!!
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11/7/13 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
I would just like to address my displeasure towards this clinic. the staff were rude, they gave me no chance to say what problems my animal had in the past. apparently living in yk and around animals your entire life gives you no knowledge what so ever.. oh and leaving the clinic when i drop off my animal for an appointment? i understand that there can be an emergency. but at least let us know. I've came to this doctor 2 times and both times. i wish i hadn't. i can understand why people would want to switch to this clinic. but. PEOPLE YOU ARE MAKING A BIG MISTAKE! if you want proper care of your animal then think about who really is the better doctor...
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9/2/13 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
I have heard some disturbing things about this vet. (Hughes) in my own experience, he is not a good vet at all, he does not answer questions clearly and nearly killed my grandmother's dog with his absentminded stupidity. As an animal lover and future vet student, (not yet enrolled, but working towards that goal) I cannot recommend his clinic to anyone and will be sharing my own experiences with the vet association which the NWT is under. He yells at his staff, makes his clients feel stupid and neglectful, and believes he knows the north better than anyone after living there for less than 3 years. I've lived in the north for most of my life, and even I know that no breed of dog has a genetic predisposition to kennel cough. Its a god damn canine cold...
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7/11/13 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
everything is good,good, but the rude receptionist
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4/30/13 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
3 |
This clinic has been a god send for this city after having to put up with GS and their awful service for so many years. The staff at YK Vet are so helpful and polite, you can see they all have a great love of animals. The clinic itself is spotless which is wonderful and if you are looking for something specific, I know from my own experience that they staff are more than willing to order something in for you if they dont already provide it. Dr. Hughes is wonderful with animals, its so nice to have a vet in town that actually wants to get down to your pets level to ensure that their visit is a positive one. My only complaint about this facility is Dr.Hughes's almost chronis tardiness, I have yet to attend an appointment where he has been on time ( usually waiting an hour or more ) Also in response to a post, I to have heard how he speaks to his staff when he thinks people cant hear him...Truly awful. I really feel for those girls, it doesnt sound like they get much respect.
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4/21/13 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
At first, I was thrilled to see this new clinic in Yellownife. Spotlessly clean, the staff are friendly and helpful, and Dr. Hughes clearly has great compassion for animals. Then, my dog was involved in an accident that badly broke her leg, and I sent her to this clinic for care. The emergency response was very good, and Dr. Hughes surgically inserted a pin to repair the broken leg. So far, so good. Then, I brought my dog to Toronto for follow-up care. My long-time vet literally gasped when she saw what Dr. Hughes had done to my dog; she read me passages a medical textbook that detailed why the surgical repair that he had done was completely wrong and would result in the complications that did ensue (broken pin). The orthopaedic surgeon that repaired Dr. Hughes' work said to me, "I'll do my best to save her leg." The repair work cost me $4000. Dr. Hughes was completely dismissive when I contacted him to discuss the problem, and I never received any restitution.
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2/17/13 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
the wait times at this clinic are ridiculous! dr hughes actually left the clinic while i was waiting for my appointment! i was there on time, and after waiting 20 minutes, he came out to tell me that he had to run home and would be back shortly... i have heard from numerous people that they call before going to the clinic now to see just how backed up he is... and it is not just the wait times that are the downfall of this clinic. how many times have you went to the vet to have him tell you that he will karate kick your dog?? well, if your dog is nervous and skiddish and nips at strangers that are not cautious upon approach, this is not the place to go! as that is exactly what dr hughes has said he will do! ...continued in next post....
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12/13/12 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Dr. Hughes & his staff are amazing. The staff and he loves pets & are comforting to both the pet & owner. Called in an emergency situation and was rushed in right away. Clinic is clean, lots of seating. Only downside,if you could call it that, is that appts run behind because dr. hughes is so through and wants to know all background on pet. The staff and Dr. Hughes are there to offer people another option and not set out to take business away from the other clinic in town.
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10/25/12 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
Dr. Hughes seems very knowledgeable and caring. The attitude at the clinic is friendly and helpful. The best part is how spacious and clean the waiting area is. Finally a place you can visit with you pets before and after visits so they can have more experiences than just getting a needle in their ass at the clinic!
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10/23/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
So glad there is a new clinic in town with a doctor and staff who are actually respectful to the patients and clients.
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9/27/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
What can I say? The man loves animals! Not only was I treated with respect but my cat throughly enjoyed his visit to the vet! He was cuddled and pampered every step of the way.
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8/18/12 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
Wonderful place to take your pet if you care for them. Dr Hughes really cars, takes his time, answers questions and is open to suggestions. Wonderful Vet!!!
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8/12/12 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
Took my pooch to Dr Hughes. He was great, as were the staff. The facilities are spacious and quite nice. He took the time to answer all of my question and was very personable. I glad there is a new facility in town!
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8/3/12 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
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8/1/12 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
The clinic is still under construction but Dr. Hughes is taking on clients and appointments. The staff is great and friendly. They will come out and pet your dog. The waiting room is not crouded due to a huge amount of space. It is clean even though there is tons of construction still going on! Once done in your appt you aren't standing around WAITING FOREVER! It's very welcoming!
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