Hawthorne Veterinary Clinic
9 ratings since posting on Thursday, October 13, 2005
Overall Rating   based on 9 ratings |
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Ingrid Hamman has proven to be a caring vet who is willing to go above and beyond. She listens and she has a nice, understanding disposition. As far as meds and such things go - once items are prescribed - perhaps outside the Chinese herb formulas - it could be a good idea to seek better prices if it is for a long term condition. They may charge more at the clinic - but you have it immediately and don't have to make a stop to pick it up - and please remember that not all products are the same quality - HVC does provide quality - make sure if you do switch to another brand that it is from a quality source. As far as them not telling you something can be purchased elsewhere - that is not necessarily so - but in general - I know when I go to whole foods --- they do not tell me that New Season's carries it for less or vice versa. There is another new doctor there called Isabel Wyss - and though I have not seen her personally - I have heard she is wonderful. As far as JJ is concerned --- you are correct in your thoughts to be very afraid of this man's practices. As my mother put it this morning - he is unconscionable. I also warn people in general - question your vets and doctors before you agree to ANY procedure you are unfamiliar with. Ask about risks and possible side effects - what to look for in your animals health and behaviors conditions after something is performed. Even if you feel your vet is educated and making the best recommendation they know --- do your own research as well. Know and understand your pet's condition - especially if it is something serious. It is really difficult to get a horrible diagnosis about your pet. But my advice is --- unless the procedure is being recommended because the matter is life threatening --- even if it is the big C --- do some research first to know what the risks are - before agreeing to any procedure that involves your beloved pet. This goes for you and your children as well - try not to panic - do research, get second, third, fourth opinions if you need to and make informed decisions about your well being. NEVER - just trust someone because you have known them for many years and they have never done anything potentially dangerous in the past --- be informed - please don't just trust. Let my mistake serve as your example. Know everything you can about a procedure before you let them do anything invasive to a being you care for and love. What is said about the front desk person is also true, but I can't help to think her job is not 'easy'. HOWEVER - if I count - I am coming up with 7 awesome ladies who work there and are --- they're just really special people - they care, they love, they're cool, they make you &your pets feel good and they are competent. It comes down to this, I don't want people to believe the whole clinic should be avoided because of 2 peeps that are a part of it. I think you have to choose to ignore the front woman's demeanor in order to get to the rest of the crew. I know this is not possible for some people & 2) choose the right vet. - morgan , posted 08/22/09 |
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Upon my arrival the receptionist, (shaved head bleached hair) was rude, abrasive and treated me as if I was a bother. If I had not been referred by a friend who, incidently had warned me that the people at the front desk could be rude and impatient. This certainly held true for me. I find it stressful going to this clinic knowing how I may be treated at the front desk. My veterinarian is great however, the owner of this clinic needs to make some front desk improvements with his staff. They are a turn off and not welcoming in the least. - t.s. , posted 08/22/08 |
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My cat was very happy with her experience here at this clinic. Our female doctor (i forget her name) was very gentle and kind, and what she prescribed healed my cat's wound. we had a very pleasant experience overall, and I will take my cat there again for sure! - PinkPriestess , posted 11/27/07 |
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I do agree that the staff at Hawthorne Veterinary Clinic, one woman in particular, is inconsiderate and downright rude. She went so far as to SCOLD my neighbor for having a pregnant cat (of whom all kittens were spoken for)! It is disconcerting when the first interaction that people have with HVC is with an abrasive front office staff, particularly when involving their pets. This is the face of the clinic to new and returning clients, it should be welcoming. That's the 50% I agree with on the past two comments regarding the clinic. As far as the medication is concerned, it is part of a clinic's service to provide the medication, it is the client's responsibility to seek out a discount alternative if that is a concern. I met Dr. Jeff Judkins 7 years ago and have been seeing him and Dr. Nancy Curran ever since. These two are extremely competent, caring people who will go to all lengths to firgure out what is going on with a pet. My 2-year old yellow lab was seriously ill (unable to walk, in severe pain) and FREMONT Vet Clinic repeatedly mis-diagnosed him, pumping him full of steroids and giving Jack less than a year to live. My last-ditch effort was to take him to Dr. J, where he was diagnosed with Pemphigus Folliacius (sure it's not spelled right), an immune disorder that was attacking his skin from the inside. He was immediately put on a raw food diet (yes, they gave us a photocopy of the recipe when we asked for it- maybe that's a staff issue), given Chinese herbs and acupuncture. Within 3 months, Jack was back to his exuberant, outgoing self, and we kept him on raw food for one year. Jack is now 9 years old and thriving. Dr. J has also helped myself and another friend make the difficult decisions to put our dogs (not Jack) to sleep. He was in constant communication via telephone and was extremely supportive through the process, even making a home visit to put my friend's 14 year old to sleep. Dr. Judkins & Dr. Curran know animals, and this is the most important aspect of being a vet. The community opinion of the clinic is seriously affected by the individual working in the front office, answering the telephone, addressing billing questions and assisting clients. This is the issue that needs to be addressed. I'd suggest a complete overhaul, rehiring only the good ones. After all, I can deal with a small waiting room if I know I'm working with someone who has my pet's best interest at heart. - Susan , posted 03/21/06 |
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I and several of my friends and even random people I've met in Mt. Tabor Park and Forest Park with their dogs have had a surprising consensus that Hawthorne Veterinary Clinic is not good for our dogs and cats. On particular doctor Jeff Judkins is particularly questionable. I agree with what the last person below says about incompetence. He's also kind of a jerk, sallow, impatient, and yes very money centered. We've all noticed this from about everyone. They can't even recommend a specific raw-food diet but instead say it's in their book in the waiting room, which costs 1/4 more than in bookstores. They also sell a over-the-counter anti-inflammatory called "Zeel" which is at Wild Oats and other stores for 1/2 the price! A friend of mine even told them that she is having lots of difficulty affording Zeel and appointment costs and told them that she above all wants to give her dog the Zeel but can't afford it for more than a month or so. They didn't even tell HER that you can buy it elsewhere for cheaper. She thought it was sold only in vet clinics and they led her to believe this! Lots of the other staff especially the receptionists are HORRIBLE -- mean, cutting, can't have normal nice discussions, seem to not be able to handle basic busyness there like the phone ringing, etc. Very unfortunate. And very surprising give that it's a Holistic Medicine Clinic. You'd think they would be especially compassionate and friendly and non-money-centered. - ana reley , posted 02/01/06 |
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1- My two dogs had been seeing one particular doctor, and in her absence we went to Dr. Jeff Judkins (the head doctor at Hawthorne Vet Clinic). One dog has a serious back condition and we, ABSOLUTELY, don't allow her to jump in any way to prevent inflamation, pain, etc. Dr. Judkins entered the room, I was across the room in a seat and one of my dogs was sitting on the floor between us. Dr. Judkins took a treat and held it up in the air to my dog, prompting him to jump up very quickly - I had no time to do anything. I then started saying that she shouldn't jump, and he did it again with another treat. I then said "My dog has a serious back condition, and looked at him seriously." He completely ignored me and continued with looking at my dogs chart about why we came in for an appointment (just a regular check-up). With no question, Dr. Judkins did not do a basic review of my dogs medical history PRIOR to seeing him. This is incompetance, and I brought it to the attention of their office manager and the Oregon Vet Medical Board. Lucky that my dog didn't get injured. 2) I was always amazed at how the front desk staff was over 1 year about 75% of the time quite impatient, unable to deal with tiny biling problems, often acted angrily and personally, rather than professionally, would over 50% of the time make billing mistakes, supplement drug billing errors, provide supplements with no dosage instructions...all this made for repeated calls to the clinic to get the necessary information and make billing changes. 3) We were overbilled for a 15min appointment. The same one with Dr. Judkins. We saw him for 15min exactly and they billed us for 30min, another 45$. I asked why they did this, and the office staff became irate with me, staring me down with this "how dare you question us" attitude and said that Dr. Judkins continues the appointment-time even after I leave when he completes the "chart." This is pathetic and after consulting with other vet professionals I found it to be quiet unethical. 4) My impression is that they are money-based - they spent the majority of our time talking about billing matters, costs, trying to sell us random supplements for high costs that can be found at Whole Foods for 1/8th the cost, trying to keep us ignorant of options, trying to extend appointment times by having time consuming discussions about completely irrlevant non-medical stuff. 5) We and several friends who now discontinued them all agree that Dr. Judkins www.hawthornevet.com/staff.html is not competent, money-centered, the Clinic is full of overly personal unprofessional people, it's a tiny place not suitable for people entering and leaving with their dogs, the exam rooms are tiny, they try to sell and sell everything which when brought to other holistic vet clinic's attention for a 2nd opinion was found to be highly questionable, Dr. Judkins appears to be inconsiderate and a fair degree of incompetence, the office staff is often highly impersonal, agitated, mean at times, concerned far more with money than with vet medicine (they look very happy when receiving money, and very agitated when they are required to spend time dealing with problems they cause etc). See for yourself. We've found this strange in light of the professed principles of the clinic being a holistic vet clinic. They don't follow many of their principle. We objected to them with In Defense of Animals in Portland and now are being recommended against. - e , posted 01/20/06 |
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its good stuff. i take toro there. ive also taken him to pet samaritan on burnside, by laurelhurst theater. i know others who go there and love them too. i started going there when my budget required me to... xo meow!! - snacks , posted 10/24/05 |
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Very professional and friendly! The vet who examined my dog was super nice, patient with him and willing to answer all our questions honestly and in a no pushing their products way..I loved the whole experience as it was new for me! It may seem expensive but remember that they are not pushing a bunch of vacinations and products on you. So for a healthy pet you just come out paying the exam fee. Good luck in your search...cheers! - Unsubscribed , posted 10/13/05 |
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in the last year our dog had an issue that was misdiagnosed by her previous vet and the issue turned very serious... we were lucky enough to find the Hawthorne Vet Clinic to help pull her through it... they are so friendly and i just love that they are holistically inclined... highly recommended! - ~tamara~ , posted 10/13/05 |
