Lowering my 5-star review down to a 2-star.
My cat had a great experience here. He got in quick, and his surgery was successful.
However, months later, my dog started showing signs of a skin and ear infection. His hair was falling out in large clumps. The vet, Dr. Smart claimed my dog had allergies after the most quick exam I’ve ever witnessed. I thought his symptoms were really bizarre to start showing up now at his age of 5. I expressed that to the vet directly. No tests were even done! I understand allergies can onset at any time throughout life, but I felt like it wasn’t the case. The vet didn’t really consider any other option aside from giving him a steroid shot and some ear medicine. My dog’s problem got worse. When I called again, they said I needed to get another exam done. I said I wouldn’t pay for another exam, as I just paid for one a couple weeks ago. That came off greedy to me. I had to go back and forth with the receptionist about why I wouldn’t pay that again and needed her to get me answers over the phone. I was then advised to give my dog over-the-counter allergy meds. That didn’t help at all. It turns out, my dog had a yeast infection on his skin and it was spreading into his ear. I’m extremely annoyed that wasn’t even considered or looked at close enough to begin with. My dog got care elsewhere, took the appropriate medication, and is healthy again. I’m upset my dog had to suffer for weeks because they weren’t thorough nor considerate of my opinion as my dog’s caretaker.
We will be going to the other vet from now on.
We initially started taking our golden retriever to Bayview because they were an affordable option for his puppy vaccinations and neuter. While he healed after his neuter, the incision never seemed to look quite right to us and appeared to heal unusually.
A few months later, he developed a rash on his stomach. Over multiple visits, we were repeatedly told it was allergies and were prescribed expensive allergy medication. When the medication wasn't helping, I called and explained that it wasn't working and asked if there were any other allergy medications we could try. I was specifically told there were no other allergy medications I could give him and no alternative recommendations were offered. Since the medication wasn't helping and there didn't seem to be any other options being considered, I returned it.
Something never sat right with us. We made several changes at home and saw some minor improvement, but the rash never fully went away. Then after returning from a short vacation, we found that his condition had become significantly worse. By the next morning, one of his paws was severely swollen, hot to the touch, and he was clearly in pain. We knew something more serious was going on.
Because it was Memorial Day, our options were limited, but we found another veterinarian about 30 minutes away who could see him. Looking back, that was the best thing that could have happened.
After a thorough examination, the new veterinarian told us he had a significant infection affecting multiple areas, including his skin, paws, and ears. They explained that while he may have some mild allergies, allergies alone were not causing what we were seeing. He was prescribed antibiotics, a topical medication, and a cone to prevent further irritation.
The improvement was almost immediate. Within a day, his rash was already looking dramatically better. After months of discomfort, hair loss, constant itching, and repeated visits where we were told it was just allergies, he is now nearly completely clear and finally comfortable again.
I'm not a veterinarian, but as pet owners we knew something wasn't right when the medication wasn't helping and his condition continued to worsen. What is most disappointing is that our concerns never seemed to be taken seriously when we repeatedly said the treatment wasn't working.
I understand that medicine is not always straightforward and that diagnoses can sometimes be difficult. However, I would have appreciated a more thorough evaluation, additional testing, or even a recommendation to seek a second opinion when the prescribed treatment was clearly not improving his condition.
In the end, we paid less for a much more thorough examination, received medication that actually addressed the problem, and most importantly, our dog is finally out of pain.
I hope sharing our experience encourages other pet owners to trust their instincts and seek a second opinion when they feel their concerns aren't being heard.
We can’t say enough good things about Bayview Animal Hospital. They have always taken incredible care of our dogs, and their experience with French Bulldogs truly shows. Every visit has been met with compassion, knowledge, patience, and genuine care for our pets like they were their own family.
As we prepare for our huge relocation to Hawaii, the pet import process has honestly been overwhelming and stressful. The team at Bayview immediately sprang into action to help us navigate all of the complicated Hawaii requirements. They kept us on track every step of the way, helped narrow everything down, answered every question, and made sure we were fully prepared for direct airport release into Hawaii. The amount of relief they gave our family during this chaotic move cannot be overstated.
This has hands down been the best veterinary experience we’ve ever had. The staff is absolutely phenomenal, professional, organized, compassionate, and truly unmatched. We are genuinely so sad to be leaving them behind. We can only hope we find a clinic even remotely comparable in Hawaii, though honestly that feels doubtful because this team sets the bar incredibly high.
Thank you, Bayview, for loving our dogs so well and helping our family through such a stressful transition. We are beyond grateful for all of you. ❤️
Layton has been good to us but Farmington staff you guys are phenomenal!!!! Thanks again!
This really should be negative stars. Long wait times (1.5 hours), didn’t have results when they said they would, and to top it off they ran the wrong test anyway. Please save your money and go literally anywhere else.
I took my 8-week-old kitten in to get her shots. When I went to pick her up, a nurse came out and said, “Oh my gosh, are you here to pick up the little baby?” Since my kitten is little and, of course, my baby, I naturally said, “Yeah!” The receptionist then turned to the nurse and said, “She has the kitten, not the puppy,” to which the nurse responded, “Ew,” and then they both laughed right in front of me.
That was incredibly unprofessional, especially considering I’m trusting this clinic to care for both dogs, cats, and other pets.
Later, when we got her spayed, they told me to keep her in a cone so she wouldn’t lick the incision. I asked if they sold cones for cats, and they said, “No, we only carry dog cones.” Seriously? A veterinary clinic that treats cats but doesn’t carry cat cones?
Then came the worst part. We had her microchipped there, and when my cat got lost, I called to get her chip number. That’s when I found out the company they used for microchips had gone out of business, meaning her chip registration was no longer active.
I asked why pet owners weren’t contacted about something this important, and they told me, in an incredibly dismissive tone while I was literally crying because my cat was missing, that they had sent out an email. I checked my email, my husband’s email, spam folders, trash folders, and every inbox we have access to. Nothing. So no, I don’t believe they made much of an effort to notify owners. Thankfully, we found her and got her microchip updated through a different clinic.
Looking back, this place was disappointing at every step. I didn’t fully realize how poor the experience was until I went to another clinic, where after surgery they immediately offered me a cone for my cat, because they’re a vet clinic that actually seems prepared to care for more than just dogs. Overall, this clinic felt disorganized, unprofessional, and not equipped to properly support cat owners. I would not recommend them.
