PART 1 - Avoid Creekside Animal Hospital - unreturned messages, erroneous charges, zero info on test results that could cost your pet dearly. Not to mention they are not even BBB ACCREDDITED
As a devoted pet owner, I entrusted your veterinary team with her health, expecting professional, timely, and accurate care. Unfortunately, what followed was a cascade of negligence, communication breakdowns, operational failures, and outright errors that not only prolonged Winnie's suffering but also resulted in no actionable results from tests I paid for. This has caused immense distress to both Winnie and myself, the poor communication, delayed responses, and the critical mistake in handling Winnie's blood sample, which rendered the tests null and void.
The problems began almost immediately after that initial visit. On July 5, 2025, just two days later, I called the office to follow up on Winnie's condition and inquire about the test results. I left a voicemail, as no one answered the phone. Expecting a prompt return call, especially given the urgency of a pet's health issue, I waited through the weekend. However, Monday, July 6, 2025, came and went without any communication from your team. This lack of response was the first red flag, indicating a breakdown in your office's communication protocols.
By July 7, 2025, my concern had escalated. Winnie's symptoms were not improving as hoped, and I was anxious for updates on the tests. I called the office three times that day: at 10:04 AM, 10:11 AM (leaving a message), and 10:43 AM (leaving another message). Despite these repeated attempts, no one returned my calls. Later that day, I received an automated text message stating: "Hi Paige! Winnie's stool sample results: no eggs parasites seen. If you have any further questions please contact us at 586-868-2780, Creekside Animal Hospital." While this provided some information about the fecal sample--indicating no parasites--it did nothing to address the blood work or the overall diagnosis. Moreover, it was an impersonal automated message, not a direct call from the veterinarian, which I felt was warranted given the situation. Still, no one from the office followed up personally on July 7, despite my multiple voicemails.
It wasn't until July 8, 2025, that I finally received a call back from the doctor--five days after my initial follow-up attempt. This was the first human communication I had from your office since the appointment on July 3. During the call, I explained that Winnie needed two more tablets of the prescribed medication, as her supply was running low. The doctor agreed to prepare them and said she would have the front desk contact me when they were ready for pickup. This interaction, while necessary, highlighted the ongoing communication void; I had to chase your team for basic updates and refills.
On July 9, 2025, I received a voicemail from a staff member named Dan, informing me that the medication was ready for pickup. In the same message, he casually mentioned the option for additional testing to "see the progression of Winnie's Lyme disease." This revelation stunned me. No one had previously informed me that Winnie tested positive for Lyme disease. The initial diagnosis was pancreatitis, and the blood work was supposed to confirm or expand on that. How could such a critical piece of information--Lyme disease--be omitted from all prior communications? I immediately called back and spoke to Gabby, the office manager, as well as a technician and the doctor. I expressed my deep frustration over the lack of communication. Why wasn't I told about the Lyme disease results when they apparently came in? The automated text on July 7 mentioned only the fecal sample, but if the blood results were av, informing me that the medication was ready for pickup. In the same message, he casually mentioned the option for additional testing to "see the progression of Winnie's Lyme disease." This revelation stunned me. No one had previously informed me that Winnie tested positive for Lyme disease. The initial diagnosis was pancreatitis, and the blood work was supposed to confirm or expand on that. How could such a critical piece of information--Lyme disease--be omitted from all prior communications? I immediately called back and spoke to Gabby, the office manager, as well as a technician and the doctor. I expressed my deep frustration over the lack of communication. Why wasn't I told about the Lyme disease results when they apparently came in? The automated text on July 7 mentioned only the fecal sample, but if the blood results were available by then (as implied by the timeline), why the silence? Two full days had passed since July 7, during which no one bothered to inform me of this diagnosis or suggest further testing. My calls went unanswered, and Winnie continued to suffer without proper guidance on her treatment. read more