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We have accounts with Kilauea, Aloha, and East Hawaii... We have heard good reports from Dr. Castro & Grune.
Now as to WHY we have accounts at all: If you are going to a one vet clinic, you may not get an appointment when one or more Vets are off island....
Dr. Versluys was highly recommended by my neighbors, and was the vet we first used, but was out of town for the Christmas holidays when we needed a vet.... Aloha could only see us if we had an account during those weeks, as they too were short handed. East Hawaii could see our cat that day.
We have since had a local feral tomcat spayed (with coupon) at Aloha, to make sure that we have an account, and would recommend having accounts with a few different vets, just in case yours is out of town...
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The nice thing about Aloha Vet is that they have 3 doctors working there and can always get in right away if your a regular client even if one or two doctors are on vacation. They are also very reasonably priced. We would have preferred Dr. Grune in HPP (since we live in HPP) but he seems to be gone more often than there and his charges are quite high compared to Hilo vets.
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In the past I have lost two dogs because the drive to Hilo just took too long, so I always use Dr. Grune. Sure wish there was a vet IN PAHOA!
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Thanks everyone - appreciate the information!
No matter how thin you slice it, its still balony.
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Dr. Jennifer Brundage at Aloha Vet in Hilo. My dog would probably be dead if we hadn't gone to her.
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Joined: May 2004
Update on EHV - I have a cat with chronic illness that requires bi-weekly shots so I kept going in every other Friday for that service. I kept my head down and my mouth shut and tried to fly under the radar, a very uncomfortable situation. Then, last week I received a letter, signed only “The Management” from EHV telling me I was no longer welcome there and to find another vet. The letter said to let them know where to send my records. I found a wonderful new vet and today called EHV to make arrangements to have my records transferred. The male receptionist answered the phone; I identified myself and started to tell him what I was calling for, when he interrupted, telling me he couldn’t help me. I said I had a letter instructing me to call with the name of the new vet…and he hung up on me! Hopefully, “The Management” recorded that call.
Anyway, the new vet I chose is Aloha and what a difference! Friendly front office (with big white cat sleeping on the counter), super nice, caring techs, and the vet (Dr. Lei) so gentle and concerned about the animals. Makes me ashamed that I stuck with EHV all this time. Anyway, I just wanted to warn about the current climate at EHV and rave about Aloha, what a terrific place!
quote:
Originally posted by Lin W
I have been taking my pets to East Hawai’i for about 5 years and until very recently it’s been good, but within the last few months they’ve fired almost all the female employees and replaced them with men and the atmosphere has changed - suddenly all the front desk personnel and vet techs I knew are gone and it’s no longer a friendly or comfortable place to visit. I like and trust the vet I see there but the owner and the other vet both have been less than caring with my animals and in the case of the owner, unbelievably rude to me. Plus some of the remarks they made (to me) about the girls who were let go were wildly inappropriate and sounded like deliberate attempts to discredit them. So, I also am looking for a new vet. I live in HPP so will check out Dr. Grune as well as Aloha. The only reason I’ve stuck with East Hawai’i to this point is because they have lab and x-ray facilities as well as weekend hours and emergency coverage, all things that seem to be missing with the other vets I’ve checked. The reason I started with East Hawai’i in the first place was because they were willing to work my sick dog in same day when no one else would. I just want a vet who puts the animal’s welfare first. Will keep looking - any more recommendations?
blessed are the cracked for they let in the light
I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
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I've owned dogs here for 22 years and I like Dr.Rodrigues in Hilo and Kilauea Vet the best.
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I've used East Hawaii for years and in the past couple of months started seeing Dr, Grune in HPP because he was close by. He treated my rottweiler for about a month when she unexpectedly died last week. (she went in her sleep.) Now, this dog had some issues and was making a great recovery from thyroid disease when she passed (she was only 4-1/2 years old).
Dr. Grune sent me a hand written condolence note with a touching poem on i. The poem made me cry it was so touching.
I have NEVER received a sympathy card from a vet before! I was really touched.
I lost one of my dogs at East Hawaii - Dr. Mina put him down and trust me I never got a card from him!
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Spunky - I had a hand written note from Dr Rodrigues at Aloha Vets after I had a pet put down. Like you I'd never had this happen before and was really touched. Maybe it's just an aloha thing, but whatever it is, it's very special.
Tom
http://apacificview.blogspot.com/
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Our vet in Oregon also sent us a very nice note after she put our extremely old dog down. I think some do, and some don't, but to me it is a real reflection of their overall attitude about their practice and the families they serve.
Carol
Carol
Every time you feel yourself getting pulled into other people's nonsense, repeat these words: Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Polish Proverb
