Colonie Animal Hospital

My husband and I have been taking our cats to Colonie Animal Hospital for over 14 years now. I trust the care that my cats get there. The doctors are responsive to any issues or questions you may have about caring for your pets and I always feel safe leaving my cats there when needed for treatments, etc. I have found that the doctors are always keeping up to date with the latest advances in treatments and I love that. They truly have your pets’ best interests at heart. I believe that you can tell alot about a veterinary office by the staff the vets surround themselves with and everyone from the ladies at the front desk to the vet techs are compassionate and truly care about the pets they see coming into the office. We take in special needs and elderly cats in particular, so we have been at this animal hospital MANY, MANY times over the years and have dealt with all kinds of medical issues. Frankly, the doctors and vet techs have helped us be more informed cat parents. There simply is no better place to take your pets for health care.

I took my dogs to this practice for more than 15 years. That’s a long time! But the quality of the care was always totally dependent on which vet you got or specified. Over the years, I learned which Vets were good and who was not. To make a very long story short, the good ones are gone and so am I. There is one arrogant male Vet still there, who while an excellent diagnostician, makes his treatment decisions based primarily on what is best for his bottom line. He over vaccinates, prescribes pricey food he sells. Time and again, I found he chose the most expensive treatment… for example when a generic antibiotic costing $ 1−2/day was an option, he would push for a $ 5/​day option. Same with arthritis meds… bypassing simple enteric coated aspirin to start treatment with a pricey anti inflammatory agent with a serious side effect profile. I left this group after my 2 favorite vets simply vanished and no one would tell me where they went. As fate would have it, I ultimately found both good Vets and now drive many miles (going past this hideous yellow building) to see them. Unless you want to pay for this guy’s new BMW, STAY AWAY from this place… there are better, more caring, less pricey practices in the area.

I highly recommend this practice to anyone in search of veterinary care for your pet. They’re professional and highly competent. Our dog responds well to their gentle approach. Needs are closely tracked (was prepared for a heart worm test at his most recent appointment but were told because we decided to give him medication throughout the year, it wouldn’t be needed for another year). Bottom line, they provide great care.

Many years of exceptionally professional and compassionate service. We are greeted each time by a welcoming staff, techs are superior, veterinary care for my dog (and past dogs) has always been the best.

I would give zero stars but years ago when this hospital was owned by a different party and different doctors were there, they treated our pug for pneumonia and did a wonderful job. Fast forward to now and I would sue this place for malpractice if I could. The quality of staff and service has steadily declined over the years. The place always seems a bit dingy and under-​cleaned. More disturbingly, we had an incident where they flip-​flopped which of our dogs got which shots in their records and had to be corrected. Finally, they misdiagnosed both of our dogs. A couple examples: they told us our pug’s ear problems and black ick in his ears were a result of our not cleaning them frequently enough and that a growth on our puggle’s hindquarters was merely an abscess and would come and go. They said these things at multiple visits. When we finally switched vets, we learned our pug had a chronic yeast infection in his ears that required medication and that the simple abscess was in fact cancer. And we learned both of these things within five minutes of our first visit at a new vet. Versus years at Colonie Animal Hospital and multiple discussions about these very issues. Their prices may be less than other places (and really not by much) but their quality of service is nonexistent. If you care for your dog and expect anything other than occasional shots in a dirty office DO NOT GO HERE.

I moved back into the area a couple weeks ago. I called Colonie AH and asked how much it would be for a dental cleaning. The woman said $ 200 and I verified to make sure that was for everything, including anesthesia. She said yes and I made a consultation appointment.
I went in the next day early so I could fill out paperwork. The staff was quiet and overall unpleasant. I waited for ten minutes and then went back. The vet tech followed me into the room and began to assess my dog, she was very nice.
A few minutes later the vet came in. Almost immediately he tried to convince me to get vaccinations now as opposed to when they were due, as well as some additional ones. He then checked out my dogs teeth. I mentioned the price I was told and he said that it would be much more and that he didn’t know why anyone would tell me $ 200. I asked how much it would be and he said they would write me up an estimate. He then tried to push on some flea treatments even though my dog was already wearing a Seresto collar, which they sell.
He then gave me a quote for $ 583. And I was charged a $ 50 office fee. At this point I just want to leave because the only reason I went to that vet was because their staff quoted me $ 200. I stood at the counter while the two women just typed away without looking at me. After two minutes I asked if I could pay and one said yes. I gave her the money and she gave me my receipt.
Later that day I came across Boght Veterinary Clinic. $ 200 for dental not including extractions. I made a consultation appointment. The staff was extremely friendly, including the vet. She was very honest and explained that I didn’t even need a cleaning for my dog for at least another year.
The vet at Colonie AH didn’t say anything like that and would’ve just taken my money. Please save your time and money and stay away from Colonie AH.

My family has used this vet for all of our dogs for 20+ years. The staff is very knowledgeable and they are definitely well priced compared to other vets in the area. The staff is very friendly and they are always super helpful with anything you may need. The building doesn’t look that great from the outside but inside is very clean and nice. Never had a problem here and would go anywhere else

I agree with the last reviewer to the extent that the place is «kind of gross». The doctors and staff are pretty nice (I was there 3x).
The biggest problem is the look & smell of the place.
Also, while I was waiting for my appointment, which was scheduled (they were clearly over booked that day) an assistant came and checked my dog in the packed waiting room rather than give us a room… even if it was a follow-​up visit.
Lastly, the staff, although nice, could care less what goes on in the tiny waiting room. When I was waiting for my scheduled appointment, a man with a very nervous German Shepard came in. His dog would not stop barking or trying to lung toward other dogs. The staff saw this, but did nothing. I’m sure the man could have stepped outside until they had a room for him, which I suggested, and then the man and I got into a verbal back and forth. I should not have been the one to suggest it, the staff should have. The dog was clearly nervous and unruly. So, in the end, you get what you pay. I will definitely pay a little more for better service.

Decent vets and staff who obviously care greatly about animals, but this place is poorly kept and kind of gross.