I began taking my three animals to Rose City Vet about six years ago. Although the doctors' exams were somewhat rushed, I was generally satisfied with the service and care received. Things went markedly downhill last year. After an annual wellness exam, the price quoted to me at the register seemed high and I asked for a printout. The doctor had pre-charged me for a fecal test (about $40), which I was supposed to bring in later. I requested the charge be removed and that I be billed at the time of sample drop-off. I asked that a note be included in my file for a printout prior to payment at every visit. (The fact this was not customary procedure should have been a red flag for me earlier.) This happened again during a subsequent visit when the doctor pre-charged me a comparable fee for a urine sample. In both cases, I was never told by the doctor or office staff that the charge was being added to the bill. Fortunately I had the statement to review and asked that it be removed. I often wonder how many other untold charges were included in previous bills that I paid in good faith based on the doctor's instructions.\r
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During another visit, the doctor came back into the exam room and told me she had also completed a titer (vaccination test) for my dog because it was listed as overdue in the medical file. I am on a severely limited income and the additional $50 charge was neither discussed beforehand, let alone approved. I particularly felt taken advantage of because the doctor was well-aware of my financial situation. I am still flabbergasted that the doctor would perform a test without the pet parent's knowledge or permission. \r
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I also echo the sentiments of other reviewers who felt they were held hostage to prescription refills by the doctors' requirement for unnecessary and expensive tests. One prescription did have a federal requirement for regular testing, but not at the frequency required by the doctor. \r
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Finally, there appears to have been large turnover in office staff and the poor quality of service is a direct consequence. During every visit over the last year, there has been a negative incident: numerous billing errors at the register, inaccurate recordkeeping, forgetting to provide purchased products before leaving...the list goes on and on. \r
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Like most pet parents, the relationship we have with our vet is important and hopefully long term. At some point, however, it comes time to make a change because the relationship is not what it was. That was certainly our case with Rose City Vet, and it appears we are not the only customers to finally say ""enough"" and move on. It's sad to see them change from a neighboorhood clinice to a corporate-like, money-focused organization.
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