This used to be a fist rate vet. We started going there in the 80's and Dr. Batch was kind, compassionate, and competent. He cared for all my dogs and cats with diligence. There's no telling how much I have paid for my pets' care, but that's besides the point.
I brought in my small Jack Russell to be treated for minor symptoms ( she was in heat and wanted to get her spayed). I had taken her to emergency care the previous day, and they prescribed her trazodone for anxiety. When I followed up with Mesa, the vet, Shelby Stephens DVM, suggested a series of tests, and I followed her advice. Cost wasn't an issue. But it came to light that this is an EXTREMELY COMMON SYMPTOM of small female dogs in heat. I was presented with a bill of $292, and told to continue to give her trazodone as prescribed. There were no services or test results provided at the time or after.
When it was time to check out, I didn't have my wallet. This really worried me, as I had just returned from the dentist and knew I had it then. I had gone home afterwards to change clothes and pick up my wife and dog. I was extremely worried where my wallet was! I told the front desk at Mesa that I would call them and pay over the phone, or return with payment. The tech person (not the actual vet) said that my wife and dog would need to stay there until payment was received. Basically, they demanded human collateral. I was none too pleased, given that I had spent well over $50, 000 at this clinic since 1985. But I returned home, luckily found the wallet, and returned home, and paid the bill in full. I also decided I was not going to back to Mesa vet under any circumstances.
THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART. I requested vet records for my new vet, and included in these records were the " testimony" from a vet tech saying that I accused him of " touching my pet wrong". I HAD NO IDEA THAT MY PET'S MEDICAL HISTORY INCLUDED LIES FROM A VET TECH. the full page he wrote covering his ass, and the vet, Shelby Stephens, signed off on this record. They knew it was false. They were covering their asses, but being untruthful. To me, that's as unscrupulous as it gets. It was the tech who demanded my wife & agitated dog wait until I returned with payment. I only discovered this when my new vet informed me.
This business has lost it's heart & soul; they simply want your money, and will gouge you at every opportunity. The owners, DR. Steven Batch & Dr. Rachwal, are retired, and cannot be contacted. They ran a solid operation. Stay away from this cooperate run vet. They can't be trusted with your pet or even to tell a simple truth. I am just trying to take care of my dogs and pets, but I am not alone in discovering what a terrible business MESA VET has become. THEY CARE FAR MORE ABOUT PROFITS THAN YOUR ANIMALS.
7/10/29 response to Mesa Veterinarian Clinic:
Mesa Vet simply will NOT accept responsibility for anything under any circumstances. One of the new owners, Christine Horst, responded to my review & doubled down on her idea that her business did nothing wrong. Chistine's legalese and false sincerity are disconcerting, but expected given her corporate mentality towards animal welfare. This is a trivial issue, and I can only imagine how defensive they become over major ones.
I've never owned a female dog before this one, and sincerely needed advice on how to deal with premenstrual issues; that was all. I agreed to the test they recommended, and whatever else they felt was necessary. It turned out that the tests were unnecessary, and Mesa most likely knew that, having experience with dogs in heat (this was confirmed by two different vets who stated these were VERY common/ normal symptoms). Regardless, stating that my "companion (my wife) voluntarily offered to remain at the hospital while payment was retrieved; she was not required to do so" is patently FALSE. The 20 year old vet tech stated she (my wife) would need to stay there until payment was rendered. This same vet tech's comments (that you included in my pet's medical records) say that I accused him of "touching my pet wrong". Once again, this is preposterous.
In addition to a misdiagnosis, they also failed to notify me of an very important one; degenerative gum disease. Mesa was the only vet to ever see the dog, and while she's only 3, she needed dental treatment. They gave us a toothbrush, and we explained she already had one and used it weekly. If they'd done the job we trusted them with, this would have been an overt and obvious health concern. The dog recently needed to have 12 teeth pulled, a mere seven months after we placed our trust in their offices. I have no idea how they missed that! If they hadn't demanded my wife and sick dog remain in their offices, we'd have continued to trust them. Cost isn't an issue for my pet's health, but trust certainly is.
Christine Hurst's platitudes and false statements confirm my belief that I was wise to seek another vet. read more