North Austin Animal Hospital

Very much appreciate this office. Front desk staff is great, especially Taylor! Dr Hepner has been doing all she can to help my kitty. I know she is considering all possible treatments for my sick girl and that is very comforting. The vet tech folks are also very caring and treat my cat with a calm and thoughtful approach.

An unexpected emergency brought me to North Austin. Animal Hospital at the time when I was struggling myself to keep us all afloat. Everyone at the hospital was very understanding and kind and we found a way to get the tests done and my precious kitty handled even with my limited means at that time. I’m very very grateful for the tender care we received there and will return again to care for my most precious babies.

I am writing this through grief, not anger. I want to be clear that I am not speaking for every individual who works here, but I am speaking for my dog, who no longer can. I was a pet owner for 18 years. A lot can change in that amount of time financially, medically, and personally. I understand the responsibility and cost of owning a pet, and I did my best for my dog even while dealing with significant economic and medical hardship. About a month ago, after my dog had a seizure, North Austin Animal Hospital agreed to see him. They performed blood work, ultrasound imaging, and testing for Cushing’s disease. The total cost was around $1,200, which I paid because I believed this meant there would be continuity of care if his condition worsened. 3 weeks later , my dog suddenly was sick and couldn’t stand up. When I called the clinic for help, I was referred to emergency care. I took him to an unfamiliar and unfriendly emergency facility where I was charged excessively to stabilize him. I then tried again to have him seen at North Austin Animal Hospital where he had just had testing. I was asked to provide receipts for consideration and after a couple hours of back and forth was told he could not be seen for another full 24 hours. At that point, my dog was stabilized but could not stand on his own. I could not afford to keep returning to the emergency vet. All I was asking for was an assessment to understand whether what he was experiencing was reversible or whether euthanasia was necessary so he would not suffer. That assessment never happened. My dog died before they would see him. He might have died regardless. I understand that. What I cannot accept is that after charging so much for extensive testing just weeks earlier, there was no timely guidance or end of life care offered when it mattered most. The uncertainty around when and under what circumstances he might be seen made it clear that he could have been evaluated sooner and that the decision was made not to do so. Those decisions resulted in unnecessary suffering for my dog at the end of his life. This review is not about demanding free care. It is about compassion, continuity, and responsibility, especially toward long term patients and owners who are doing everything they can under difficult circumstances. I will live with the loss of my dog forever. I just wish I did not also have to live with the feeling that in his final days, we were abandoned by the clinic that knew him and had just performed extensive testing.

Dr. Tomlin was the most compassionate, caring veterinarian that we have ever encountered. She treated Titus, our dog with such tenderness. As painful as it was to see Titus to be put to sleep, It helped to let him go. We can't recommend Dr. Tomlin enough. She's a keeper. She is worth her weight in gold. Because of her, you have us as lifetime customers for our other dog. Also we were very impressed with the rest of the staff (Caricia n Debbie) who attended us. They were courteous , patient and kind. You have an amazing staff!Thankyou

I have been taking my dog here for maybe a little less than 10 years. I Trusted North Austin Animal & my Dog Died TLDR; - I cant do anything more but strongly urge anyone who cares deeply about their pet to NOT put trust into a company who is quote "still learning". Please go to a place who hires professionals instead. I took my dog to the ER over night & there was a lot of concerning things going on. A potential blockage, the discovery of kidney disease. They gave her IV and said I could get treatment with them or call my vet in the morning to do it there. I decided to take her to her vet bc they know her most. I got home at 4am & called the vet in the am to get her in. She was about the same as when I brought her home from the ER which was not good. I told them all her symptoms (vomiting, not eating, unable to walk) & everything the ER told me. They said we have an opening at 330pm or on monday (it was friday). I specifically asked "is this not an emergency" the receptionist said without acknowledging my worry "we have a 330". I booked it. She said she needed to get the discharge info from the ER & told her I have everything I can send them right now. She didnt even acknowled that. I hung up confused but trusted maybe all the symptoms I am seeing aren't that bad if they would offer me an apt 3 days later. By 1245 my poor baby was gone. She didn't make it to her 330 vet visit. When I called they had the ER notes & told me they should have recommended me to go back to the ER. But they didn't & now my dog isn't here. Its hard to not feel angry & 100% my dog would be alive if the receptionist listened to my concerns or anyone read the ER paperwork when it came in. I trusted them & took their lack of concern as me over reacting. I also blame myself for not advocating for her harder. Instead my two little boys lost their dog & I lost my baby girl. EDIT for Response: While I appreciate the condolences, it doesnt bring back my dog. The acknowledgement that I should have been recommended to go back to the ER and that your staff is "immature & still learning" confirms to me that her death could have been prevented by a knowledgeable team. I cant do anything more but strongly urge anyone who cares deeply about their pet to NOT put trust into a company who is quote "still learning". Please go to a place who hires professionals instead.