In response to Jenilee Santiago. The Veterinary Hospital was aware of the concern Jenilee Santiago had for how much her visit would cost. All recommendations for optimal care were still given to the Jenilee Santiago's husband (since she was not present during the exam she is complaining about) and some were declined at his request. It is common for people to prioritize what procedures are performed and which will be performed at a later date. There is no pressure for clients to do everything but it is still our duty and practice to educate our clients as to what is the best optimal level of care. Furthermore, when the doctor performed the annual exam it was found that the dog's chronic eye issue had gotten worse. This is caused mostly to the fact that the pet owner had not kept on top of the issue by renewing the pet's eye medication (Tacrolimus). Tacrolimus, a medication that was prescribed to be administered to both eyes twice a day should only last about 3 months, however it had been over 6 months since she last purchased it on December 4, 2013. The date of the exam was May 16, 2014. The doctor discussed this with the client's husband. The doctor explained that the eyes are extremely dry and this dryness had caused an infection in the dog's eyes. A test would need to be performed to determine if the medication should be changed or exactly how much medication would need to be administered. Her husband agreed to follow the doctor's recommendations on how to rectify the issue. The client's husband was given the typical course of best medical treatment to fix the problem and he made the decision to follow this best medical advice. On May 16, 2014 the client's husband purchased a 3 month supply of Tacrolimus and Neopolydex ointment to treat and control the eye infection. This was paid for by her husband and given to her husband at the time of the exam visit. The wife states that services were not approved but in fact her husband, being of age, sound mind, and body made a decision to follow best medical advice since she was not physically present. Had the client followed the doctor's recommendations this medication would have been refilled three months prior to this exam and a follow up visit would have been performed to recheck the eyes. Perhaps the eye infection would not have been an issue on May 16, 2014. Another misleading statement is that Dr. Balbour would not fax a script to the new vet. The client told Island Veterinary Hospital that she had recently moved and on occasion had been going to another hospital because it was closer to her. Jenilee Santiago expressed how happy she was with the other vet hospital, therefore, we suggested that she simply continue to go to one hospital since it was closer and more convenient to her home, to avoid confusion, and is unhappy with our prices. Due to this there was no need for Island Veterinary Hospital to give her a prescription (because it was recently refilled) and the other hospital was aware of the eye problem already and could simply give her the medication when the current supply runs out (as stated above this medication should last three months). This hospital followed owner's request, made on May 21, 2014, and faxed the pet's records to the other animal hospital. Once records are requested to be fax/ transferred to another hospital, because a client is changing vets, they automatically became inactive and the other hospital authorizes medications. You decide. If you want a veterinarian that is going to educate you and inform you of all the best medical advice then Island Veterinary Hospital is the hospital for your pets. If you don't want a kind companionate staff to care for your pets the way you care for them than take Jenilee Santiago's advice.

Horrible Horrible Horrible I have been going there for almost 7 years and I am furious at how Dr. Balbour treated me when I came to her with an unhappy experience we had. In the past visits that she has given my dog check ups she will go through the exam not be clear into what needs to be done and the cost for it; only to walk out of the exam with a big bill to pay. This year I made it very clear that I only wanted the required services to be given to my dog. The receptionist gave me a list with prices on each. The day of the appointment I called again to let them know that I only wanted the services that was agreed upon for my dog and the receptionist had it documented with reasons being because of finances. When the appointment was complete we were charged not only for the services i had asked for but more than what was agreed upon. When I finally spoke to Dr. Balbour she not only tried to continuously cut me off as I was explaining my frustration but took no accountability for anything. She continued to say that she did nothing wrong and that her staff was very clear in what was being done. To make matters worst she seemed unsympathetic and had no care in the world that even though I have been with her for 7 years if she can't make us happy to go to another vet. Out of the seven years this has been my only complaint and I would think she would have handled matters better. Do NOT go to her. She is a vet that will talk you into needing services that you might not need right away only to bump up your bill. Be aware! Also.... I found another Vet closer to my home and asked to fax over scripts and records so that the new Vet can order my dog's eye drops and Dr. Barbour refused to fax script over. That comes to show how much she values a 7 year relationship we had with her and the "love" and compassion she has for animals. Not to mention we would drive 30 minutes out of our way regularly to see her.

After going to another place in Coram, we found this Vet and I am so glad we did. The staff was super nice and the Doc was wonderful. The care was top notch and we felt immediately at ease and like family. We had to put our beloved cat down, and the care and finesse and gentle way we were handled was truly a blessing. We received a sympathy card today in the mail and it made my husband cry for his little kitty. We have a young, healthy Boxer dog and another feisty cat. We intend for her to be their Doctor! No need to go anywhere else! Daniel and Thelma Corpas