I've taken several animals there over time and it is a MONEY PIT!! Most recent experience: I took two dogs with excessive scooting and licking of the genitals (more than normal and excessive humping by female dogs (fixed)). It took multiple trips for them to decide to extract the urine (from 1) needed for a test. They expressed anal glands and the urine test came back negative. On the follow up call, that I had to prompt, the vet kept referring to the anal gland or something irritating their genitals... We ruled that out on the first visit. Today was the last straw. I will return to Riverside for one thing and that will be my animals' records, which of course will cost me! I would NOT recommend Riverside Vet in McHenry!

I have been meaning to write this review now for the last month.. I have read a lot of reviews for Riverside on sites just regarding basic check ups/vaccinations and their demeanor with the animals so I wanted to make sure I left some feedback regarding my experience with Riverside Animal Clinic from a surgical experience. First off about 6 or 7 weeks ago our dog (8 year old chihuahua mix) needed to have knee surgery for his luxating patella which he developed a severe case of after jumping off an unusually high step. Dr. Carlson performed the surgery and I was very pleased. Not only did he provide excellent care but now my dog is finally starting to walk again with more stability and I am thrilled!! (we just went for our first full walk today :)) Also our male cat (4.5 years old) has recently had some issues with urinary symptoms and a blocked bladder (yeah, we've had some serious bad luck with our poor furry babies lately). About a month ago we came home to a very ill kitty and brought him into the ER vet in Chicago because it was late at night and it cost us a ridiculous amount of money just to have him catheterized and given IV fluids for 2.5 days. A few weeks later we noticed he was still having additional urinary symptoms so I made an appointment for him at Riverside (I was taking our pets to them years ago when Dr. Shakir owned the clinic and I continue to go there despite having moved to the city and despite the change in ownership). Long story short, it turns out our cat had developed some serious scar tissue in his urethra and needed to have an emergency perineal urethrostomy. Again, Dr. Carlson performed the surgical procedure and unfortunately had to call and bear the bad news that our kitty's scar tissue/condition was far worse internally than he had realized. He was able to perform the procedure but because of the complications he discussed the possible options of referring us to a specialist for additional surgery or even euthanization. We made an appointment for the next day to come in and discuss our kitty's condition further but we honestly thought we were going in to put him down.. he's been through so much at this point with the bladder issues that we didn't want him to suffer any more without any guarantees of a successful surgery. Well, to our surprise we went in that next day for our appointment and Dr. Carlson said to his dismay our cat was doing very well and already showing signs of progress so at that point he would like to keep him an additional few days for observation and see where to go from there. Overall I hesitate to write this review because I don't want to jinx anything but a few days after that appointment we were able to take him home and as I write this our sweet boy is sleeping soundly on my lap.. :) Also even at this point if his condition changed and complications arose, I would still be BEYOND thrilled and satisfied with the level of care that Riverside Animal Clinic has provided our family with through all of this. They have worked with our crazy work schedules and commute from the city, gone above and beyond in ways I couldn't even begin to describe, and I just love that overall they are a small clinic that cares a great deal about animals and their patients. Riverside is the only reason why our kitty is alive in this moment and doing well, and I will continue to drive 2 hours from our home in the city to take our beloved fur babies to them for years to come (and you should too). Now I'm really looking forward to when all of our babies are fully recovered and I can take them in for some acupuncture to relax them a little bit! ;)

Put my dog down here and they were more than accommodating.

Dr. Carlson is very good but better yet is his added medical specialty in chiropractic, acupuncture, laser surgery, massage therapy, holistic medicine. What more can a client ask for when it is their family pet?

Everyone at the clinic is amazing, kind, and very helpful. Dr. Carlson is super nice and you can tell he really cares about the animals. Everyone was so helpful and answered all my questions. They even called to see how my cat was feeling after I had brought him in, because he wasn't eating. My cat is doing great now, thanks to the wonderful staff at riverside animal clinic. I would highly recomend Dr. Carlson and his staff for your pets needs.