We spent the first two weeks back home in Oklahoma City and brought our dogs with us. On the 4th of July, we discovered a growth just inside my dog's nostril. Long story short - it was a holiday, we were in from out of town, we rushed her up to the Animal Emergency Hospital up on Memorial, they removed the growth and it came back malignant melanoma (she is being treated and doing as well as we can hope for).

My question is does anyone have a particular vet, particularly in SW OKC or Mustang, that they think is just fabulous? When we move back home we'll be needing a vet for our girls.

Thanks!

Well, mine's not in the SW, but it is a great vet. Dr. Jackson takes great car of my Talli and is very reasonably priced. The place is May Ave. Animal Hospital, located just north of 63rd. I live in MWC but still take my dog there when she needs her shots and stuff. Best of luck.

Neel vet clinic on MacArthur has fabulous people! They are a little pricey, but I would definitely trust them for complicated issues as well as shots & routine things.

We spent the first two weeks back home in Oklahoma City and brought our dogs with us. On the 4th of July, we discovered a growth just inside my dog's nostril. Long story short - it was a holiday, we were in from out of town, we rushed her up to the Animal Emergency Hospital up on Memorial, they removed the growth and it came back malignant melanoma (she is being treated and doing as well as we can hope for).

My question is does anyone have a particular vet, particularly in SW OKC or Mustang, that they think is just fabulous? When we move back home we'll be needing a vet for our girls.

Thanks!

Wife and I drive from SE Moore to the Pet Health Plus on 240 and Western next to Steak and Ale...It ain't much to look at but everyone there really does care for the animals...Take great care of our 2 *sons*

I do believe they are moving soon but I think they will still be in SW OKC

Boyer Vet at 134th and Western is great and the prices are ok. He even has a credit system for payments.

Neel Vet on McArthur in OKC is the best in my book.

Dr. Rachael Reeves worked on my bunny, Lightning, with total effort, knowledge, love, and care. Thanks to her, Lightning was able to have an extra year to his life. He died on Thanksgiving night of '06.

She and her husband saved our puppy, Lee, that was seriously sick with the Parvo virus. He stayed in the hospital for a week. He is now 2 years (or is it 3?) old and living happily with mom (I live in an apt).

She also did an amazing job with Fuzzy (the cat) with Operation Declaw (back away quickly humane society reps). He was even neutered for free.

My bunny, Furrball (current bunny), was taken to the vet for the first time in his life, shortly after I got him, because there was an urgent need of being checked up. Thankfully, it was only a case of upset tummy. The next day, Rachael emailed me to check up on Furrball.

That is a place of love and I highly recommend it.

They also have Care Credit, which you can apply (and used at any particpating vets) and you would really need this in case of unexpected emergency.

There is a vet on Memorial in Edmond. I'm not sure the name of the place, but I am sure they open late or 24 hours. They killed my bunny, Coco. There is another vet on Air Depot in MWC, but I don't remember the name of the place...they killed my bunny, Toby. Another bunny, Thunder, died at home while I was in college.

Thunder, you had a namesake bunny? Oh wait - DUH - Thunder is your screen name. I have screen names using my dog's name, too.

Thanks for all the responses. We've got a place on the SW side so maybe I should check out the ones on the south side. I'm glad to hear the good reports.

My girls is doing well. She has her second radiation treatment, tomorrow. No side effects, so far, and they don't expect any except perhaps a small burn on the tip of her nose after the 3rd or 4th treatment. So far, so good! We bought her a new collar while we were in town in hopes that she will be able to wear it a long time.

My very first Yahoo! ID was thundervslightning, named after my two bunnies. That was back in high school while I was attending to a vo-tech. It was somewhere during the start of 01-02 year. It was used primarily for email until 2003, I was in college and got addicted to canasta and pool leagues. That ID was the one I used. Over the years, somehow, I forgot the pw to it. lol I'm having a hard time to retrieve it, even with the secret answer to a question. Everyone online called me Thunder for short and it just clicked. I then started to use Thunder as official nickname online and in person since 03.

thundervslightning still exists, but never able to get it back. lol

Dr. Glenn Huckabee at Greenbriar Vet Hospital is a Vet. My parents have used him for years. His office is just east of 89th and Penn accross from Braums.

I highly recommend Craig Thomas @ Warr Acres Animal Clinic
(NW 47th & MacArthur)
he does house calls if needed too.
For many years he treated my cats (one diabetic) and was extremely sensitive when I had to have them euthanized from old age.

We also use Neel vet clinic - as I love the fact they have extended office hours at the regular rate until 10pm, 7days a week!
No need for emergency rates for weekend issues!
Only thing I don't like about Neel is that you don't get the same vet with each visit ... so you pretty much have to start over each time (if you are going in for repeat or checkups) I prefer it when they "know" you and your pet.

During busy season this year I would drive by there occasionally at very late hours and was always amazed how many cars were always there. With all of these recommendations now I understand why.

Only thing I don't like about Neel is that you don't get the same vet with each visit ... so you pretty much have to start over each time (if you are going in for repeat or checkups) I prefer it when they "know" you and your pet.

Ask about appointment scheduling feature. It works great! They also keep everything on file for multiple people to know about your pets.

She also did an amazing job with Fuzzy (the cat) with Operation Declaw (back away quickly humane society reps).

I really don't get you, Thunder. Why the need for the smartass comment? People were simply trying to educate you on options for the declaw and not once did anyone tell you you're a bad person/owner for it. What a jerky thing to say...your posts never cease to amaze me.

It wasn't a smartass comment. I've had activsts screaming at me. I've had one that screamed at my mother when she called about a cat I wanted and asked question regarding the "No Declaw" written on paper at PetSmart. I would had happily followed the terms, if the lady was nice and answered mom's question, but she had to scream and hang up.

I had Fuzzy declawed back in '06, before I learned what people said on here.

Thanks for enjoying my posts, sweetdaisy. :D

Maybe if you didn't advertise about "Operation Declaw" then you wouldn't need to worry about getting screamed at. And when you first said anything about it in a different post, you didn't feel the need to make your little comment at that time.

And yes, your posts do tend to amuse me...I even noticed one of them had been removed after I suggested you not post certain things. Amusing for certain.

sweetdaisy, I am not aware of a post being removed and I am not sure what post you're talking about. What did you suggest?

Southside Dog Cat & Bird Clinic SW 73 and Shields. Dr Roger Harlin has been there for at least 30 yrs?? He is experienced, compassionate, and very reasonably priced.

Boyer Vet at 134th and Western is great and the prices are ok. He even has a credit system for payments.

I would second this suggestion. Dr. Boyer and his sons have taken care of our dogs for over ten years and they have always gone above an beyond for us.

I have used the Neel Vet Clinic for many years. Dr. Rachel Reeves really knows her exotics. I would not take my ferrets to anyone else.

No one asked about the Edmond area, but since the subject line says only Good Vets, I'm going to toss mine out - Acre View Animal Hospital. Both Dr. King and Dr. McMahon (now Dr. Barger?) are great. We've been going to Dr. McMahon for a couple of years and she's been great with our two dogs. She was extra busy with surgeries or something when we took one of ours in for his annual this month, so we saw Dr. King instead. She was very patient when I asked my usual litany of questions, but I knew she was REALLY listening when we were talking about his allergy symptoms and discovered that one of them wasn't an allergy at all, but rather something stuck in his ear!

I don't know if they're the cheapest in town (I suspect not), but I rather think they are worth every penny I give them.

jsibelius, that is a very good vet as well. I know Dr. King and she cared for my first bunny years ago. The problem was the distance. Anyone in that area should go to Acre View Animal Hospital.

My family and I have used John Hays for many years. He is the Mobile Vet in town.
With 5 cats and a dog this comes in handy.

I appreciate all the tips. Our girl is struggling with cancer and when we are able to move home, it will be nice to have your comments to consider so we hit the ground running. Our girl may be gone by then but we'll have other pups, I'm sure.

I would recommend Dr Long at Southwestern Pet Clinic on S. Western between 89th and 74th, been going to him since he got out of vet school. Also would recommend Schrag animal clinic on S. Penn between 89th and 74th. they also treat reptiles.

I second the recommendation for Schrag Animal Clinic. They're one of the few practices that does a great job with bird diseases.

Neel is hospital, where Warr Acres is a clinic. That is why they are more expensive. I agree that Dr. Thomas is a great vet and he's got a great staff too.

Does anyone know of a fantastic vet in the Moore/Norman area? I have two dogs that I love more than most humans. They are my children and I have yet to find the best care for them. I am having a situation and will probably changing vets very soon. Any suggestions? And is there anyone I should stay away from?

I've used Dr Boyer for ages. He's really good about taking the time to explain things, which I appreciate. He's at SW 134th and Western.

We had friends in from out of town, last night, and their dog had a medical emergency where he was suffering a lot of pain. He was in complete agony. I just wanted to say that I remembered this post and pulled it up for a referal, then took the dog to Neel's veterinary hospital. We got there at about 8:45 and while there was a wait because it was crowded, all the staff were amazing. They examined the dog, calmed its young puppy partner, diagnosed the problem, gave him a cortisone shot and five days worth of meds. We got out of there with a much more comfortable dog for $101.00 dollars. I thought my friend was going to keel over in shock (she is from Chicago and was expecting closer to $350.00 - for that matter, so was I). I highly recommend them and if my girls ever get sick, I know where to go for good service. Thanks for the tip.

My neighbors German Shepard bit my Chihuaha last summer. Broke three ribs, one collapsed lung and a whole lot of pain. We were very lucky to have such little damage relatively... We were new to town and just randomly happened upon Neel. Daisy spent 3 days in the ICU in an oygen chamber pumped full of pain meds. She spent six weeks wrapped up and could barely walk. She is completely back to normal now. Neel was amazing for the emergency, for the visits, for the follow ups, everything.

Glad it worked out for you too, PQ.

Thanks, JD. Poor Daisy!! I am so glad she is okay. You must have been sick over it.

We hadn't moved back but were here on vacation in 2008 when we discovered a tumor on my dog, Jezebel. We didn't take her to Neel's but I wish I had. They seem to do great work. Now I know where to go if we have an emergency. I'm tempted to go there, anyway.

Does anyone know of a fantastic vet in the Moore/Norman area? I have two dogs that I love more than most humans. They are my children and I have yet to find the best care for them. I am having a situation and will probably changing vets very soon. Any suggestions? And is there anyone I should stay away from?

I've used Dr. Cline at Southwestern Veterinary Clinic for several years and have always been pleased. He's located about 1/2 mile from the Riverwind Casino.

Dr. Lewis at Brookwood Animal Clinic at S.W. 89th & Walker. We took our elderly dog there for years; wonderful, caring doctor. If we ever get another pet, we'd choose him as our vet in a heartbeat.

I have used 4 or 5 including Schrag Animal Clinic. The Best I have found and am still using is Neel Vet Hospital. The reason they are the best...a new building, open 24 hours, have Intensive Care, have all the latest equipment, walk in anytime, no appt necessary, have 40-50 vets but you can use the one you like, have groomer in same building (Bernards) who is great, give you the option to be with your pet even hold them while it's being treated (as much as possible) or they will just take them while you wait. Some treatment rooms have couches, they do alot of treatments in front of you to your pet instead of taking them away, then bringing them back. Enough? Go to Neel's.

DO NOT GO TO SOUTHSIDE DOG CAT & BIRD!!!

I took 3 cats in at the same time one day (actually, my boyfriend dropped them off for me) - one to be neutered, one to be declawed, and one just to check for worms because he had diarrhea. They mixed up the nametags on the pet carriers, then put the wrong names on the kennels, then they declawed the cat that was there for diarrhea (i didn't want him declawed, he has never been a problem) and they checked the cat to be declawed for worms! the vet even called me to tell me my cat's diarrhea was gone and there were no worms and everything was fine. The declawed cat was supposed to stay overnight, so when I went to pick up the other 2 they brought the wrong cat out, and I told them, that's not the one i'm picking up..and they argued with me about it! Then they contacted the office manager and she got on the phone with me and said she'd been there 20 years and there's no way she would make that mistake, that when an animal is brought in, they make a chart and the chart stays with that animal all day. She tried to blame us. I demanded a copy of the charts, and the descriptions of the animals were correct - the names on the pet carriers were wrong.

The worst thing is that if anyone had bothered to read the chart with the cats' descriptions, they would've realized the mistake. The one to be declawed is an 8 pound female tortoise calico - the one with diarrhea is a 12 pound orange/white male. That means that neither the receptionist (who filled in the color of the cat on the female's chart because my boyfriend didn't know what to call her), nor the techs, and neither vet (one did surgery, one checked for worms) None of them...not one person read the charts.

Of course they refunded all my money (including the neuter and shots on the kitten), but that doesn't make up for the fact that my 7 year old cat is now declawed.

P.S. Neither vet ever called me to apologize, and the office manager, who was so hateful and rude on the phone didn't either.

jewelz...... You happen to come onto a place about pets and your avatar is so GIGANTIC!

I've gone to Nichols Hills Vet and Dr Bowels since moving here 2 years ago for both Vet needs and boarding with my 3 dogs. They have always done a great job and have been very nice to me. I recommend them to anybody that's needing a good vet.

i second the recommendation for schrag animal clinic. They're one of the few practices that does a great job with bird diseases.

+3

I used Ranchwood for a while when I lived south, but only for grooming. They are racist (prejudist against designer or mixed breeds), so, I moved to Banfield. When my canine daughter died, even the vet cried. I still use them now that I have moved north. My wife uses Putnam North for the other two.

Both Banfield and Putnam North are good.

I just thought I'd mention that we took our two girls to Neel's, today, for their annual checkups. This is the first time we've taken them to a vet since we moved back to Oklahoma. We were very, very pleased with the service and the price. We had originally thought that we'd go to a regular vet closer to home but decided that since they have a 24/7 emergency hospital, we'd go with them since they'd have their records if something came up, unexpectedly. And they aren't that far away, regardless. And they have extended regular hours. And they aren't expensive. And they treated a friends' dog very well.

Southside Dog Cat & Bird Clinic SW 73 and Shields. Dr Roger Harlin has been there for at least 30 yrs?? He is experienced, compassionate, and very reasonably priced.

he's the one that declawed my cat by accident.
and overdosed my friend's small dog with a mastiff-sized dose of vaccine
and accidentally injected distemper into a vein instead of the muscle of another friend's dog who now has tremors and can barely walk. He suggested they put her to sleep.


DO NOT GO TO SOUTHSIDE DOG CAT AND BIRD!!!!!!

I have heard good things about Dr. Gary Nida at Portland Veterinary. He's been practicing at the same location for many years.

Main Street Vet in Norman.... I live up by Lake Hefner now and still take the animals to Norman...

Putting in another recommendation for Boyer Vet Clinic. My dogs love Dr. Ron and Dr. Jeff.

I'd been taking my dogs to Neel Vet (Dr. Boatsman) for the last 3+ years and have always really liked them but I recently changed vets and have been extremely happy with my choice.

I have switched to Dr. Brown & Dr. Riddle at Animal Medical Center of Midwest City. They were recommended to my folks by the woman at the Oklahoma Boston Terrier Rescue when my folks adopted their Boston. They're on 29th, just West of Douglas...easy to get to from where I live in Moore (and faster actually than going to Neel). They refer to Neel for emergency after-hours cases, and Dr. Brown's wife is currently working at Neel (she just graduated vet school). It's a very nice facility, and their prices are actually better than the ones at Neel. I saved about $70 on shots last week from what I was quoted at Neel.

well I wish we could find some good ones as well.
thanks

All of my dogs go to Dr. Neel's. Dr. Boatsman is our preferred vet, but we have never had a bad experience with any of the staff. The vet care is not as expensive as some make it out to be -- in fact, they are very competitive for most things, especially thier routine care packages. They offer a level of care not available in the area for more involved things, and perhaps that is why they seem expensive to some. For example, laser surgery is slightly more expensive, but difference in recovery time and pain is so dramatic that I would never put one of my dog's through "regular" surgery if it could be avoided. Same for sedation -- they offer a sedation protocol not normally available, and while it is more expensive, it is safer and seems to affect the dogs much less.

They are very expensive for boarding (especially with social club added on), but the peace of mind knowing that the dogs are attended at all times and that there is a vet in the next room if anything goes wrong is worth it to me. Not to mention that my girls love to get to go to social club and play with all of the other dogs.

All of my dogs go to Dr. Neel's. Dr. Boatsman is our preferred vet, but we have never had a bad experience with any of the staff. The vet care is not as expensive as some make it out to be -- in fact, they are very competitive for most things, especially thier routine care packages. They offer a level of care not available in the area for more involved things, and perhaps that is why they seem expensive to some. For example, laser surgery is slightly more expensive, but difference in recovery time and pain is so dramatic that I would never put one of my dog's through "regular" surgery if it could be avoided. Same for sedation -- they offer a sedation protocol not normally available, and while it is more expensive, it is safer and seems to affect the dogs much less.

They are very expensive for boarding (especially with social club added on), but the peace of mind knowing that the dogs are attended at all times and that there is a vet in the next room if anything goes wrong is worth it to me. Not to mention that my girls love to get to go to social club and play with all of the other dogs.

What's this social club? I may have to board my girls for a few days in February (and it is killing me to even consider it). I have never boarded them, before.

They offer social club ("doggy day care") every day, both for drop offs and boarders. I dont remember exactly what the charge is, but it is probably on their website. Basically, they take all the dogs out and they all play together in the play yard. My dogs play so hard they pretty much pass out at the end of the day. Our big girl used to go every day back when she was an only dog and the vet was on the way to work. Now they all go whenever they are there for boarding.

They offer social club ("doggy day care") every day, both for drop offs and boarders. I dont remember exactly what the charge is, but it is probably on their website. Basically, they take all the dogs out and they all play together in the play yard. My dogs play so hard they pretty much pass out at the end of the day. Our big girl used to go every day back when she was an only dog and the vet was on the way to work. Now they all go whenever they are there for boarding.

Thanks!

It was lazy of me to not look that up, myself. I think my girls would rather have the doggy daycare than just be boarded. I'll look into it. I'm just hoping I won't have to board them, at all.

I have heard good things about Dr. Gary Nida at Portland Veterinary. He's been practicing at the same location for many years.

I'll second that recommendation, having used Dr. Nida ever since he came to the practice as junior partner to Dr. Wade Lyons. Lyons, now long since retired, won my trust when he left a batch of concrete hardening in his mixer to come to the clinic after hours, and treat a kitten with a broken tail (caught in a slamming door; he had to amputate at the point of the break, so Ivanovich had only half a tail for the rest of his life). When Lyons retired, Nida took over the practice. He's treated all of my cats for many years now and goes out of his way for them, as Lyons did.

Nida is very good. I used to work with his wife before she retired! They are both lovely people and several of our teachers used him for vet needs and were very happy with him.

Dr. Brian Jones at Woodlake Animal Hospital is great. He just bought the practice from Dr. Rene, who I loved, and I was afraid I'd have to look elsewhere, but that wasn't the case. Usually with younger vets they have no sense of instinct and want to take radiographs and x-rays or other expensive tests for every little thing because they're all about going "by the book". Jones worked at Neel Emergency Vet for years, though, so he's seen it all, and he'll give you a diagnosis based on experience. Prices are very reasonable, too.

That's good to know. I used Neel Vets a few times and Brian Jones was the best thing about that clinic, to me.

We took our dog to Neel recently in the middle of the night as our regular vet doesn't offer emergency care. She had given birth to 5 puppies and we were expecting 6. We feared the 6th was stuck and she may need a c-section. Turns out there were only 5 afterall, but while we were there they declared she had a uterine infection and must take antibiotics, therefore she should *not* nurse her babies. They pulled one of our hour old puppies out of the box and taught us how to tube feed them. Against our better judgment, we followed their instructions. At least for the next 24 hrs. It was heart wrenching to keep them from their mom and so we sought out a 2nd and then a 3rd opinion. The mom was going out of her mind not being able to be with them and care for them! Both our 2nd and 3rd opinions said, give those babies back to their mom!! They both said that the pros of allowing them to nurse and get the colostrum and antibodies from their mom far outweigh the cons of the antibiotics.

Bad call on Neels part? Yes, but that was only strike one.

Strike two came 2 days later when mom still wasn't feeling well and we were considering taking her back to Neel for our free followup visit. After discussing her symptoms with them over the phone, they determined she needed her UTERUS TAKEN OUT. Yes, they determined this over the phone. It would be $1200+ and 2 day stay in the hospital. Knowing better, we did NOT take her back to Neel for that free visit and instead took her to our regular vet who agreed that was a very drastic move and one that was NOT called for at this time. That operation could have killed her, especially with our breed. There is a much larger volume of blood and vessels are swollen after dogs are pregnant.

Strike three- The tiny pup they used to teach us how to tube feed was now sick. It is obvious to us that she picked up this bug at Neel because none of the pups have not been around any people or animals. Not even close friends and relatives have been allowed to come and see our new babies! They've had complete isolation. It's become very bad and we've nearly lost her twice now and are hundreds of dollars in the hole in medications and vet visits to get her well.

We will never be going to Neel again!

We took our dog to Neel recently in the middle of the night as our regular vet doesn't offer emergency care. She had given birth to 5 puppies and we were expecting 6. We feared the 6th was stuck and she may need a c-section. Turns out there were only 5 afterall, but while we were there they declared she had a uterine infection and must take antibiotics, therefore she should *not* nurse her babies. They pulled one of our hour old puppies out of the box and taught us how to tube feed them. Against our better judgment, we followed their instructions. At least for the next 24 hrs. It was heart wrenching to keep them from their mom and so we sought out a 2nd and then a 3rd opinion. The mom was going out of her mind not being able to be with them and care for them! Both our 2nd and 3rd opinions said, give those babies back to their mom!! They both said that the pros of allowing them to nurse and get the colostrum and antibodies from their mom far outweigh the cons of the antibiotics.

Bad call on Neels part? Yes, but that was only strike one.

Strike two came 2 days later when mom still wasn't feeling well and we were considering taking her back to Neel for our free followup visit. After discussing her symptoms with them over the phone, they determined she needed her UTERUS TAKEN OUT. Yes, they determined this over the phone. It would be $1200+ and 2 day stay in the hospital. Knowing better, we did NOT take her back to Neel for that free visit and instead took her to our regular vet who agreed that was a very drastic move and one that was NOT called for at this time. That operation could have killed her, especially with our breed. There is a much larger volume of blood and vessels are swollen after dogs are pregnant.

Strike three- The tiny pup they used to teach us how to tube feed was now sick. It is obvious to us that she picked up this bug at Neel because none of the pups have not been around any people or animals. Not even close friends and relatives have been allowed to come and see our new babies! They've had complete isolation. It's become very bad and we've nearly lost her twice now and are hundreds of dollars in the hole in medications and vet visits to get her well.

We will never be going to Neel again!

Horrible reviews. I can not bring myself to believe this. Are you telling the truth?

1. Bad call? No. Each vet has their own opinion. Additionally, there is nothing wrong to hand feed babies for a short while. Strike removed.

2. Did you know who you talked to on the phone? Conversations on the phone are generally given the cost estimates and possible solutions. It is not final, because you did not bring the dog to the place for an in-person inspection. Strike removed.

3. Sick. You did not tell us what kind of sickness. Some babies get sick without any contact with other animals. Blaming Neel Vet for your puppies getting sick? Quite sad. The vet is a hospital and a hospital is where sick patients go to. Of course, there is a risk of a virus/germ spreading. Duh! Strike removed.

Bad, but legit reviews, is fine. But everything in your post just seem to be way off. I just can not bring myself to believe it. But hey, it is your loss for not going to Neel Vet again. They are still one of the top vets in the state.

I'm sorry if you feel my review is off. Unfortunately, every word is true. The sickness the puppy is recovering from? Bacterial Pneumonia deep in the lungs. 3 antibiotics and daily nebulizer treatments later and she may recover from this after all. We realized the risk in taking newborn puppies to a pet hospital so they stayed in the warm car with one of us while they checked mom out. It was only when they told us to go ahead and bring them in so they could teach us to tube feed them that they were exposed. It is too much of a coincidence that the particular puppy they were handling was the one to get deathly ill. They should have never had us tubing them to begin with.

If you believe Neel to be one of the top vets in the State, then that's fine I understand why you might feel that way. We chose to go there after reading all of the reviews thinking very highly of them and have come away with quite a different opinion. I should say that all of our dealings with them were with one particular vet and so perhaps that is where the problem lays. I understand there are many vets at Neel, so I shouldn't put such a blanket of blame over this but we will personally never trust our animals to them again. :(

Who was the doctor? I know there are a lot of new vets freshly out of college and interns. Do you remember who treated them?

I PM'd you.