It really hurts me to write a poor review, but I'm not sure we will be returning to this clinic.
I've used CFVC in the past. I'm a mobile veterinary nurse with 20 years of experience in the field. When traveling through, I have used this clinic without a hiccup, though these were things like vaccines and not pressing medical issues.
Last week, I awoke to find my dog in severe distress. He was drooling profusely, retching, hunched over, guarding his abdomen, unwilling to walk, etc. These are all the typical signs of a severe gastric problem (anything from a gastric blockage to bloat, both of which can result in death).
I called Clark Fork, told them it was an emergency, expressed concern for the aforementioned conditions, etc. The first thing I was told was that an emergency visit would be extra. That's no problem, but I needed them to work PROMPTLY since this WAS an emergency. The receptionist assured me that she would call me back as soon as she received word from the vet (whom she was messaging).
Well, things worsened, and still no call. So, we took the 1.5-hour trip to Missoula to an ER clinic. It was over 2 hours before I got a return call.
Now, as a Veterinary Nurse, let me tell you what the proper protocol is: if you do not KNOW you can see a patient that is having an emergency, you immediately direct the client to an ER clinic. You don't tell people that you'll get back to them as soon as the doctor returns your message through whatever messaging system is being used. You walk your fanny back there and you talk to them DIRECTLY. If the answer is NO, or you cannot offer an answer in 15 minutes or so, you CALL BACK AND TELL THEM TO GO TO THE ER.
Thankfully, I know what needed to be done, and I did it. However, other people don't deserve this treatment, and their pets deserve better care than this. Lack of focus on emergency care WILL result in the death of animals. This is not the first time I've heard of improper care here, but this IS the first time I have experienced it myself. And, for that reason, I'm making it public.
I would use this clinic, if at all, only for minor things. Take your business to a clinic that actually has strong communication between staff and a willingness to get the customer the help they need, even if that means you cannot provide it. That's our DUTY as veterinary professionals to both animals and clients.
We had emergency medical issues with our little girl Pepper. She is our everything. So we were so scared, because any place we call could not get us in and was not taking new patients. We called clarkfork after i spoke to a coworker and he said how over the top amazing they were when his daughter had life threatening issues with her dog. With no hope in sight we, "without any hope" called Clark fork vet in deerlodge MT. I have never in my life been so impressed from the first word to the last the genuine compassion, concern, kindness, and willingness to help was phenomenal. Immediately I was put a little at ease "as much as I could be in the moment." Lisa, and Kiersten are truly heaven sent. Words cant come close to describing these two ladies. When we got to the vet to our surprise it got better " not sure how that was possible" but it did. Best way to describe it would be, it was as if our little dog pepper was their human child. When we got there we were greeted with an amazing friendly warm smile and immediately felt at ease, especially when kiersten got pepper and pepper was kissing her as if she knew her her whole life. The fact that she was so comfortable with kiersten really helped us a lot. It only got better from there. Kiersten came in every min or two just to give us an update and see pepper ans make sure everyone was OK. It was only min that we waited before the Dr came in such a short wait. And she was amazing as well. Dr Thomas was mind blowing she was compassionate and truly listened to everything we said and didn't disregard what we was saying which seems to be the case everywhere else. We felt valued and truly felt that pepper was the most important patient in the place. We didnt feel rushed at all. As if we were all that mattered in that moment. Every question concern and comment was heard and responded to and never once did we get made to feel stupid about a question or knowledge we didnt have about the situation. Bottom line....... I dont care if I lived 20 hours away, my pets are my everything so id drive that 20 hours over and over again as many times as it took just to go to be taken care of by kiersten, Lisa, and Dr. Thomas at the Clark fork vet in deerlodge Montana.... I challenge anyone out there to go with your fur baby and find anything less than perfect there or find care as good as we got there anywhere else. And not just our baby but us as well were so taken care of.. 1 more thing is the fact it wasn't a go in wait for ever only to have thwm order everything under the sun to rack up a huge bill. The things that were crucial were done. Nothing more and nothing less. It isnt about the almighty dollar there.. with kiersten, Lisa, and Dr. Thomas it is 10000000% genuinely about the love and care of the ones that mean so much to us... thank you Clark fork vet center for the reason our little girl is home with us and alive.. you truly are second to none....
