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August 2022 by Bethany S.
We like Dr. Barker but the staff has been very rude on several occasions. They also cannot squeeze you in if your pet has an urgent issue, even if your a long time client.
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May 2022 by Sharon Barker
Just to mention, these reviews are for Colonial Animal Hospital.
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January 2022 by La B.
Scammers. I scheduled a nail trim and ended up charged for a vaccine as well. Their response, "it's only $18!". So tone deaf, it's not the money it's the trust they broke. Would you like to take your car for an oil change and when you pick up your car it has a new paint job because THEY thought your car needed it. No thank you. My card is reversing the charge as fraudulent bc I had the proof I only authorized a nail trim.
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August 2021 by Elizabeth Hollon
It is good.
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June 2021 by Amanda H.
This vet is great if your pet has a wellness visit or just need some shots. I would not waste my time going there if your pet is sick or injured in some way, though. My 10 year old black lab developed very concerning symptoms back in March that included a sudden inability to stand or walk unassisted, and problems using the bathroom. Something was very wrong with his back legs. He was knuckling (walking on the tops of his feet) even as they walked him into the vet's office. Since it was COVID precautions, we could not go inside with him. A vet tech took him inside, and about 10 minutes later brought him back out. She said "It could be arthritis or it could be neurological. Give him these pills and see if he gets better." We never spoke to an actual veterinarian, and have no idea what they actually did when he was inside. No X-rays, no bloodwork, nothing. We immediately made an appointment with Mint Hill Animal Hospital the next morning. They came out with a stretcher to take him inside instead of making him walk. They had their vet call us on the phone as she was examining him, they did multiple tests, and ultimately recommended we take him to the emergency vet. They were in constant communication with us outside in the car, explained everything, and answered all our questions. After an MRI at the emergency vet, turns out he had spinal tumors that were putting pressure on his spinal cord, affecting his ability to walk and use the bathroom. Our experience with Mint Hill Animal Hospital was a complete 180 from dealing with Colonial. We were disappointed to say the least, as we had gone to them for years when our dog needed shots and checkups. There was no compassion or real effort made to help our dog. In addition, when I tried calling to refill a prescription we originally got from Colonial, they didn't want to fill it at the 300 mg gabapentin dose since the original instructions were to start with 100 mg, and work our way up to 300 mg over a few days. They acted like I was trying to get stronger meds than the prescription read when they're the ones who told me to gradually increase the dose to 300 mg so it didn't make him sleepy. They were also supposed to refill his tramadol prescription at that time, but I got so frustrated with them about the gabapentin issue that I called Mint Hill Animal Hospital and asked to transfer all my prescriptions to them so I didn't have to deal with Colonial. When I called Colonial back to tell them not fill either the gabapentin or tramadol scripts, the receptionist very rudely said "We know you called the other vet and are filling the tramadol with them so we're not filling anything for you." I honestly felt like they were accusing me of trying to double fill a narcotic prescription for personal use or something. I said, "Yes ma'am, that's why I called you back because I am filing my prescriptions with Mint Hill and not with you." Overall, I do not recommend this vet. We had good experiences with Dr. Barker for the healthy years of our dog's life, but when it came to a serious medical issue, nothing was handled properly or professionally. I would say that the problem lies with his ancillary staff, but if he is the one who saw my dog for those 10 minutes and sent us on our way, then he is also to blame. Take your business elsewhere.
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February 2021 by John T.
DO NOT RECOMMEND Colonial Animal Hospital in Locust. Details: Made an appointment for our new puppy weeks in advance of picking her up. That appointment was supposed to be today. Over the weekend she was experiencing some symptoms that were consistent with parvo. I took her to Cabbarus Emergency Vet, where they admitted her because she indeed tested positive. They only can care for pets until 730 am. Picked her up this morning and took her straight to Colonial per their instructions. BIG MISTAKE! Not only was the receptionist very rude (not the first time I've witnessed this over almost 1 1/2 years bringing our other pets here), Just the first time personally. When the vet tech came out she started off the conversation like this: "You have Lilly this morning"? I said, "Yes". The next thing that comes out of her mouth is, "we can't do anything for her". Not, we can't do anything for her because XXX. She (VetTech) would be better suited working in a morgue. ZERO compassion. ZERO personality. She never even offered another solution, or recommended another vet office/hospital that would be best suited to take care of our puppy. Did I mention how cold this individual was? Unfortunately, she represents the entire business, just like the receptionist. We liked Dr Barker, he just has very bad ambassadors working on behalf of his practice. Thank goodness Cabarrus Emergency vet after hearing what happened this morning recommended a hospital to take her and immediately you could tell they love their job and want the best for all of their clients. Colonial Animal Hospital in Locust DOES NOT!
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July 2020 by Christen F.
I've been going to Colonial Animal Hospital for about a year and can speak very highly of the business. Dr. Barker takes great care of our dog and never rushes us. The staff is helpful, quick on prescription refills and is welcoming.
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November 2019 by Wendy F.
Well another vet yet anther discrimination day in the books :( I honestly thought this hospital would be willing to overlook my looks and help my suffering innocent cat Cow ....nope not today not anyday , they called me back said they WASN'T going to hunt down their money told me off when said they could trust Splashpaw foundation told me to find another vet and have a good day and slammed the telephone down on me whenever I informed them they were discriminating against me...i knew when i went in Julie was really HATEFUL towards me form the get go i knew i was in a shitload of TROUBLE ..... Every vet I've been to in Locust NC two of them have treated me like 100% s*** Discriminating against me because I'm ugly They should put animals 1st priority but at the end of the day They just honestly simply don't and that's truly sad This is not a place you want to take your animals ,my cat got attacked by another animal These so called humans don't give a s*** about animals at the end of the day its all about money!I could see getting treated like trash if i hadn't had some form a way to pay these heartless assholes but i did!Nahh if you care anything at all about your precious animals ~Pets lives stay as farrrrrr away from this establishment as you can get!They don't care about animals at all and that's just plain sad ,not thanks to these evil heartless cruel excuses sues for humans i am forced to let my beautiful boy die as a result ,i pray this hateful place has my poor cats blood on their hands {if they even give a s**** 4 an eternity!All cats and all LIVES MATTER!But NOT 2 theses jackasses,their RUDE HATEFUL AND HONESTLY JUST DON'T CARE ABOUT ANIMALS LIVES ....5 billion stars now i wouldn't take a rat or a fly to this hellhole establishment
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May 2019 by Julia Robinson
Wonderful and affordable veterinary care. I have used them for all three of my cats and dog. I wouldn't go anywhere else.
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September 2018 by Olda G.
This is only the second time I've ever taken the time to post a review but this really needs to be said. Over 20 years, my family has a pet patient at all three vets in town. The first because it was the only vet in town and, honestly, I have nothing bad to say about them. My beloved 17 year old golden-mix died peacefully there after giving us many years of unconditional love and the vet and staff were very nice. A few years later we ended up at a different vet in town with new kittens because my husband simply got mixed up about where to go. No problems there either. One cat suffered a snake bite a few year ago and went to Kitty Heaven and the other one is thriving. All is well with the second vet where he is a patient. About eight months ago my kids decided to give me a companion so I wouldn't be lonely after I left my long-time job. I researched long before my new friend came and decided to go with Dr. Barker, although I had no problems with either of the other two vet clinics. I got a sweet little Marjory, a beautiful Persian kitten, and Dr. Barker and all of his staff have been so good to us. I never feel like extra things are added just to generate more money for the office. Everything is explained and then I choose what is done or not done. I have always been treated with kindness and respect, whether I look professional or like I just drove up there after spending hours working in the dirt (and not smelling very good), and even when I've been hysterical pet mom. Most importantly everyone on staff there loves my Marjory. I know they treat her as if she was their own. In only four months I have grown to respect, trust and feel a fondness (is it love??) for the folks at Colonial that I've never experienced with a vet clinic before. Judging by other clients there when I am there, I'm sure it is not that I've become a cat lady, but because they truly have something special to offer that is rare and seldom found(redundant but worth saying twice).
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June 2015 by Barbara Fox
Good Luck just GETTING an appointment. You get voicemail & they never call you back. Must not need any business. Have never heard anything but wonderful things about the vet, but their office staff needs a talking to.