Horse And Hound Veterinary Services

As a small business owner myself, I take giving a 1-star review very seriously so I'm going to be very detailed with our experience today with Horse and Hound Veterinary Services: - Our vet in Warren retired and we started using Horse and Hound ~ 1.5 yrs ago. No prior serious issues under Dr. Margo's care. Most recent visit was a few weeks ago for annual exam/rabies update. We understand that we have to maintain a relationship with our veterinarians. - We keep 2 St. Bernards, 25+ goats, a few cattle, pigs, about 20 laying hens...we deal with animal husbandry on a hour to hour basis every day. While no veterinarians, we are probably more knowledgeable than 98% of laypeople in large animal care. We have veterinary textbooks and keep medicines in our refrigerator because that's what you do when you’re in rural Maine and your large animal vet is 1.5hrs away. - Our 11yo St. Bernard started complaining at about 7:25 am this morning; presenting pain (we know him), vomitus, weak hind end, bloated abdomen. Instantly recognize the bloat. As is usual, it happened fast...he was out at about 3:15am and pooped; fine then. Bloat means certain death in HOURS. - Our local emergency vet hospital closes at 7:30am...call at ~7:35, no answer. Get in van and head for Horse and House (opens 8 per Google), wife calls on way, gets answering service, conveys situation and that we are on our way. - Arrive ~7:50am, knock on door of her residence (she practices out of an ambulance in her driveway). Dr. Margo answers and we quickly explain situation. Her response: "So you just drove here instead of calling first?" (of course we didn't...but your annoyance with our emergency came across loud and clear...sorry we interrupted your coffee 10 min early) - "Okay I'll send someone out to assess"...5-10 min later vet tech invites us into ambulance. I have to lift my dying 125# dog up 3 icy steps into her old ambulance. Instead of either of them helping, I hear from Dr. Margo, "Mind the door and don't let the heat out". - She assess and agrees it's "likely bloat". Keep in mind this is affirmation from a veterinarian that our dog is going to DIE IN HOURS if stabilization and surgery is not performed IMMEDIATELY. - Proceeds to tell us she doesn't have the necessary diagnostic equipment (no X-ray…really?!?) and can’t help us. - Us: "Okay, where is the closest place we can go?" - Her response: "I cannot provide a referral. I've been in trouble for that. You are either going to have to go to Portland (emergency hospital) or just start calling around". - No shock stabilization or palliative care of any sort was offered. It was not discussed. I did not consider it at the time, but this is very important and where I believe her performance crosses the line from incapable to incompetent, or negligent. I asked again, clarifying that we don’t need a “referral”, we just need a list of nearby animal hospitals that are equipped to diagnose and treat his condition. This went 3 or 4 rounds; each one she gets less forthcoming, wincing, crossed arms, standoffish. At this point I realize we are wasting precious time, disengage, lift up my dog and carry him back down the 3 icy steps. I’VE NEVER FELT SO LET DOWN. Bottom Line: Horse and Hound is good for giving your pet a vaccine, which you can get done at Tractor Supply. This practice CANNOT diagnose or treat common serious veterinary conditions (bloat is common in large dogs and large animals in general). Moreover, she WILL NOT help you in any way when needs are beyond her capabilities (any trauma since they all require X-ray). Since I know many of you will care to know: We did go to Portland. Frantically "just calling around" simply wasn't viable. Cooper is presently in recovery. The delay in diagnosis and stabilization may have cost Cooper his spleen and one liver lobe, which were necrotic by the time we got there along with the usual stomach resection. The surgeon was everything Dr. Margo was not; competent, capable, kind. We pray he makes it. I hope this review protects consumers from misplacing their trust

Though Margo cares deeply for the animals she cares for, she/nor her office staff have been returning any phone calls. I have been a client of hers for many years and recently I have had two separate occasions where I have left several messages for needing care for my animals with no response whatsoever. Very unprofessional. I was forced to find a different vet.

I know my cats are in great hands! Dr. Margo has been my cats vets for about 12 years! I highly recommend her if anyone is looking for a really good vet for there animals!

They quickly responded to a baby raccoon my friend found. He and his mom and siblings were hit by a car and left. He was the only survivor. A call to this fabulous rehab and he was picked up and brought in. He will be OK thanks to the kindness and genuine caring. Other places we checked didn't get back to us. I'm so grateful someone told us about Horse & Hound. I'm sending a donation...these guys ROCK!

My fur babies felt bery comfortable at the Camden Inn... The veterinary care was wanderful at Horse and Hound ...