We’ve been going to this vet for 5 years with our 3 dogs. We have remained loyal despite staffing shortages, a revolving door of employees, especially veterinarians, and an incredibly high price. (639$ for our last visit). Recently we had a very poor experience with Dr. Smith. Her inexperience is reflected in her time management and communication. Our appointment was at 11am and she did not come to our room until 12. Per her words, our senior beagle was having an eye emergency. When scheduling our appointment we were very clear that it was our dog’s annual but that we had concern of his right eye due to cloudiness and difficultly keeping it open. Despite this information, and the significant waiting time, Badger Vet did not have the appropriate equipment to read the pressure in our beagle’s eye. This affected his treatment because Dr. Smith was limited on what drops she was able to prescribe without having pressure readings. We were to come back another day. We left at 12:43pm for an 11am appointment.
After about 30 minutes we decided we would have our dog evaluated by UW ophthalmology. We called Badger Vet around 1:30 and of course they were on lunch break. At 2, I called again requesting that Dr. Smith call UW because after speaking with them, our beagle was experiencing an emergency and they would be able to see him urgently the next day. Otherwise, non urgent appointments were being scheduled in February. However UW needs a Vet- to Vet referral. We were told that the message would be passed to Dr. Smith to place the referral. But she didn’t deem it important enough or just can’t figure out how to manager her time and she did not call during their open clinic hours. We were working through the emergency department, after hours to schedule an appointment for the next day. When we called Badger again we were told that Dr. Smith would “try” to call that evening but that per her, UW wouldn’t be able to see our dog right away so it wasn’t necessary. This is after she told us during our appointment, that our dog was having an anterior lens luxation and if not treated his eyeball would rupture from pressure.
Anyways if anyone took the time to read this, save your money and go elsewhere. This place is the worst. We asked that the practice manager call us and we were told she was having family issues and would not be able to help problem solve that evening but that she would contact us the next day regarding our experience. That never happened. We are transferring offices and it’s a shame that we even waited so long to do so. I’m incredibly disappointed that Dr. Smith never called to apologize or check on our dog. She is very immature and instead of talking to us, she communicated. through the secretary. My husband and I are both medical, and this situation would have easily been a lawsuit for the negligence and extra stress Dr. Smith caused if she were a true MD. Do better. And when one of your vets is having a hard time, maybe the other could step in. And when you’ve had customers for 5 years, call if you’re the practice manager. Show some empathy.
All in all, avoid this place at all costs unless you want to pay top dollar and only need routine care. If your dog has any problems, as most senior animals develop, go elsewhere.
Our dog was evaluated by UW the next day and an intervention under anesthesia was performed. Now, that team is great and exemplifies what professionalism and expertise is. Maybe Dr. Smith and the team at Badger Vet could shadow them. They can definitely use it!
My wife and I are very disappointed with this clinic, for we felt that because they didn't heed our concern for Sammie, a Turkish Angora Cat, that we truly loved very much, that his left side of his head damage, might had been caused by a Fox, but it was there action that had caused his death. We had shared much with them in regard to his health, but instead of taking our concern for him and putting us off, stating that we needed to make appointment. What bother us as well, we wasn't aware that there was emergency clinic, that would take in animal for situation like this, but it like they was reluctant in sharing that information, until I had push them. Yet the day, we was there on our appointment, another person came in with animal health issue, no appointment, just walk in and they prioritize there need over our need, when our Sammie, was in terrible shape. Because of their lack of concern, we was told, that Sammie had to be put asleep. How does one put a cat asleep, when he is alert, purring, eating his meals, doing his duty, even with wide open area on the left side of his face, 2 inches long and 1 inch wide, but yet hanging in there strong. If you peel a banana, by removing layer, you see the banana as it should be. That is what had happen to Sammie, it was the outer layer was split open showing the inner layer. i have to admit, we seen pus coming out and there was smell to the wound, but in our hearts, when we okay them putting him asleep, we are very trouble at this time. Today, we had buried him with honors, but in our hearts, the Fox might had done the damage, but the clinic is the one that killed him. We personally hold them responsible for Sammie's death. We have 3 other cats in our home, but Sammie was very tough and a very smart cat. He will be missed, but because what had occurred, it was Sammie, that showed us the way by his demise, how to take care the other cats in our home, when situation like this occurred. Badger Clinic, you lost our business and we hold you responsible for Sammie's death.
MY RESPONSE BACK TO THE OWNER - 7/1/2026
What you had shared in regard to medical help is an out right lie. You folks held off in sharing any information to us on Monday. You asked questions, such as: Is he eating and we stated Yes, Then you asked, is he breathing properly and we stated Yes. Then you asked, is he sleeping well and we stated Yes. Then you asked, is he doing his duty and we stated Yes. Then you stated, there was no need for emergency care. This was done to us on Monday, when we had shared how bad Sammie was. There was no mention of emergency care, until we confront you folks on Tuesday, when my wife and I had doctor appointment for whole day and was trying to push you folks for us to bring in Sammie on Tuesday evening around 5 p.m., It was on Tuesday morning, that you had shared the emergency center, but your staff was reluctant in sharing the information until we came in on Wednesday at 4:10 p.m. for our appointment. Then while we was there, another person shows up, no appointment with emergency need for their pet, but you prioritized their walk in over our appointment. And it was at that time, that you folks provided to us the telephone number and location of emergency unit. What you did to us or any other pet owner, was very wrong and should be held responsible for your actions.
