West Liberty Animal Hospital

01/15/2008 Posted by mj_mj_mj

I recently took my cat in for a check-up. The Dr. on duty was fine, and I thought that the health care was adequate. I also felt they liked animals, and while that might sound like an odd thing to note, that isn't always the case. There was an older woman running the front desk who had a rather brusque demeanor. As much as the staff were animal people, this woman was not much of a people person. She greeted me stiffly, presumeably letting me know who was boss before returning to me and taking my information. When I checked out, there was a bit of disorganization that my wife, who waited for me out front for the 45 minutes while I was there, told me was probably due to a malfunctioning printer she had heard being discussed. I was eventually given a total and, after writing the check, was asked for my social security number. SS number?! I am used to supplying my driver's ID, but I don't believe I have ever been asked to supply my SS number for purposes of paying by check. In fact, I don't believe it is legal to use SS numbers for identification, or at least that is what I recall reading on the back of the SS card. When I politely declined to give my number, I was brusquely informed that this would be the LAST time she would accept a check from me. My wife, an adamant keeper of all things private, chimed in the bit about SS numbers not being allowed for identification purposes and the woman became defensive. I laughed and said that I would use my credit card time, and the woman lightened up and was actually fine afterwards. Once in the car, my wife told me that my experience with the woman was typical of what she had seen with other clients while she quietly observed from her waiting room seat during my absence. So, good pet care, somewhat dubious customer service. I suspect that I will return, but I'll be wary the next time around. Maybe I'll take in some brownies to help grease the way.

Pros: Nice staff

Cons: Parking, receptionist

10/29/2007 Posted by dmr_in_pgh

We've been going to Dr. Dorn for years with all of our pets - dogs, cats, birds. He is genuinely caring and treats all animals and their owners with respect. They feel like an old-fashioned family doctor. When my dog was dying from a heart ailment, they took us right away. Animal medicine is not any more exact than human medicine. In some cases, no matter how hard you try, you can't save their life. Every day they live with the results of bad breeding and puppy mills. My sister's shelter cat was recently very ill and they bent over backwards to try to diagnose and treat her. When all they tried failed and they determined she had a fatal virus common in shelter cats (undiagnosable except by eliminating everything else), they even encouraged her to take the cat for a second opinion before deciding to put her down. Other vets might have continued to take my sisters money, knowing she wasn't going to get better. They were ethical and kind every minute. We take our puppy there now and she loves him. He mentioned all of the weaknesses in the breed and what to look out for without me even asking. I highly recommend Dr. Dorn. P.S. A friend of ours took their Lab puppy to a different vet practice and he died from an overdose of anesthesia while being neutered. When they called to tell them, they said "we won't charge you for the surgery." What about their beloved pet? Things can happen no matter who you go to. Do your homework and go with your gut feeling.

Pros: Very loving, respectful, not rushed

Cons: Parking, hours, probably slightly higher cost than some

09/12/2007 Posted by marinadweller

My experience has been excellent. I moved to this part of town a couple years ago and Dr. Dorn was highly recommended by staff in multiple pet stores, particularly for avian care. While this office does appear quite busy, I've never had difficulty reaching them and have always been able to get timely appointments when I've suspected my pets were ill. In fact, I was once offered an appointment "as soon as I could get there" which would have been about 9 p.m., after normal office hours. I've also found them to be reasonably priced compared to other local vet offices.

08/15/2007 Posted by pitstar

I've been taking my pets to Doctor Dorn for 7 years! I think it is absolutely preposterous to consider Dr. Dorn an disreputable veterinarian. Anyone who has met him, can't think of any adjective short of " great"! After reading some of theses reviews, the only word i can think of is " bizarre". someone mentioned that they couldn't get an appointment with Dr.Dorn for their sick puppy! If you call Your Physician and tell him u think your dieing and need to come in right away, he is going to say " In your best interest you should go to an emergency hospital, considering I am a family practitioner and may not necessarily have the resources you will be in need of". My vet , Dr.Dorn, is to my pets what my physician is to me. He is NOT an ER doctor! And as far as that women goes with her pet he allegedly killed...who says she isn't some wacko! I'm sure he tried as hard as he could to save her dog, but like all Doctors studying different types of medicines, he is not god! For all we know, that dog could have been 20 years old! so don't be so quick to judge someone you never even met, Mr. unprofessional. As a final note, i have a 8 year old yellow lab, that is the love of my life, i would never put her in the hands of someone i do not trust. I also own an African Grey, which is a parrot, and guess who every vet in Pittsburgh referred me too. Do you think they would send me to fraud, I didn't think so either!

Pros: Very experienced/ caring veterinarian:Friendly/ personable staff : convenient location

Cons: not an emergency hospital

02/07/2007 Posted by nysnipe

heard this vet was involved in a case where a dog died in his care in 2004. I feel he or any veterinarian who has been brought before veterinary board is guilty of bad judgement. So I wouldn't trust them with any of my pets.

Cons: brought before veterinary board in 2004

12/17/2006 Posted by nicole862

I have been going to West Liberty for a while and while I understand what the other user said about the phone correspondance, I think it is due to the fact that they are so busy during the day-you just need to keep calling. Plus for emergencies-there is another hospital they can refer you to. When you come in though, the doctor is great and he provides excellent animal surgery. I would check out this Vet~~he is good(and reasonably priced)

Pros: service, costs

Cons: parking

08/07/2006 Posted by ggrpitt

This review is not based on the quality of the clinical care provided by this WLAH, but on their response to customers. I adopted a dog a few weeks ago and called WLAH to set up an appointment to see the pup as a new patient. A couple of days later, the dog became very sick, and I called WLAH leaving messages in their answering machine to call me back because the dog was sick and needed to be seen before the scheduled appointment. They never did. I took my dog to a different vet, Met Vet, who were prompt to respond and quite accomodating. Lo and behold! The day before the scheduled appointment, WLAH remembered we existed, and called to remind us of the appointment. When I replied to the secretary (or whoever called me) that I did not wish to continue working with them because of their unprofessional response to my phone messages, she simply said: "Goodbye" and hung up. The vets at WLAH might be the best in the World, but with the type of clerical help they seem to have at this point in time, I would NEVER take my pets to them.