A Disappointing Return to a Once-Stellar Pet Clinic in St. Petersburg

A Disappointing Return to a Once-Stellar Pet Clinic in St. Petersburg

I've been taking my dog to this clinic for years, and let me tell you, it's been a long time coming. I've seen the clinic on Repsicheva Street in St. Petersburg, and I've been impressed with their services. However, my recent visit left me feeling disappointed.

The clinic has three branches: Repsicheva Street, 13, Narodnogo Opolcheniya Street, 19, and Bukharestskaya Street, 122. Each clinic is located in a separate building, which I think is because they have an X-ray machine and other specialized equipment.

One of the things that initially drew me to this clinic was their 24-hour operation. I've been in all three branches, but the first two on the list are the most well-equipped with both staff and equipment. The waiting area is super comfortable, with leather sofas, and there's a sign on the wall asking owners not to let their pets sit on the sofas. However, let's be real, that rarely happens, so you might end up sitting in someone's pet hair if you want to take a seat.

The clinic is actually pretty clean, and they do a great job with regular cleaning in the waiting area. There's also a pet store area near the counter with pet supplies, which is convenient. The waiting area has a TV that plays educational shows about animals, and while waiting in line, I learned a lot about lions.

It's super nice to have a kid's zone with crayons and paper, and having a coffee machine in the waiting room is a nice touch for pet owners. There's also a cute little shelf where you can leave treats or take some for your pet. Unfortunately, it was completely empty during my visit.

What's really convenient is that there's a building right next to the clinic that offers MRI services for pets. The clinic has a team of specialists, and what's great is that despite being young, they're all highly qualified. The clinic has its own lab and a range of equipment for treatment and diagnosis.

They keep electronic records of your pet's health history, but they also give you a paper copy with all the treatment details. In addition to the above, the clinic has a hospital and a pet ICU where my dog had to stay twice. You can call the hospital at any time of day or night, and the doctors will tell you how your pet is doing and explain the treatment plan in detail.

My First Visit

It was about 5 years ago when my dog developed epilepsy. Of course, it happened in the middle of the night. The clinic near my home recommended I take my dog to Sotnikov's clinic, where a neurologist is on duty 24/7. So, that's what I did.

I'll never forget the taxi driver on the way to the clinic raving about it, saying it was the best. I'd heard of its reputation, with people coming from all over Russia to see the top-notch specialists and get complex surgeries done successfully.

The doctor saw my dog right away, examined it, and gave me the prognosis. They took all the necessary tests and put my dog in the ICU for observation - it was necessary. For the doctor's visit, tests, 12 hours in the ICU, and an MRI, I paid 25,000 rubles.

After the hospital stay, they gave me detailed recommendations, explained the treatment plan, and even provided their email address for any follow-ups. My dog needed to have its blood checked periodically, and the doctor said I could get the tests done near my home and send the results to him via email. He'd adjust the treatment plan as needed, and I wouldn't have to make unnecessary trips to the clinic.

My Second Visit

Okay, it was more like my second trip there, but this time it was a bigger deal. My dog had severe seizures, and the story kinda repeated itself - the neurologist, tests, ICU, and an MRI.

I'm grateful to the staff for organizing the MRI transfer in the middle of the night - my dog had to be hungry for it. I called the ICU at night, and they kindly updated me on my dog's condition. This time, for the same services plus the lumbar MRI, we paid almost 35,000 rubles.

What Didn't I Like This Time?

My dog had a complicated treatment plan, and the doctor in charge works on a specific schedule. I didn't always manage to make it for the follow-up appointments when they were needed.

During one visit, there was only a week before the new treatment plan was due. The doctor examined my dog and just told me to come back in a week for the new plan. I didn't understand why I had to come at all, since my dog was feeling great. They also didn't tell me which medication to take exactly a week later.

I called the clinic multiple times to leave information about my dog's blood test results for the doctor, but it was a hassle - I had to go through multiple operators, and they were surprised that the doctor hadn't left his contact info.

Because of the inconvenient schedule, I had to disrupt the treatment plan. Sometimes the doctor wouldn't be there at all (he'd cancelled his appointments), or he'd only be available for a few days a week, coinciding with my work schedule.

It was frustrating not having a way to communicate with the doctor remotely and not being given medication a week in advance, which I thought was just a way to get me to make more visits.

Eventually, I had to see another doctor for the treatment change.

Confusion with the Payment

Five years ago, when I visited the clinic, they gave me a receipt with a breakdown of what I'd paid for. It was really helpful, especially during one of my visits. The first neurologist's visit cost 2,200 rubles, and the second was 2,000. When I went for the second visit, they gave me a receipt for the first visit, and I was able to catch the mistake and avoid overpaying.

I just got a check without any service information. What's interesting is that just two weeks ago, I got a bill of 2200 for a repeat neurologist visit at the address on Narodnogo Opolcheniya, and now at the address on ul. Repischyeva, it's 1800. Is this related to the difference in qualifications between doctors? I don't know, no one discussed this with me, and I only noticed it later.

What I Loved

The clinic is open 24/7They have their own lab, hospital, and various diagnostic equipmentThe waiting area is comfortableThe clinic is clean and pleasantThe staff is friendly and attentiveThere's a vet pharmacyThey have all the necessary specialists, and most importantly, they're qualifiedIf your pet is unwell, it's hard to diagnose the problem in another clinic – they'll definitely find the issue and suggest a solution (even if it's expensive, but they'll get your money's worth).

What I Didn't Love

They waste your time on unnecessary visitsUnlike my first visit, the doctor didn't provide feedbackAs for the cost of services... Yes, it's pricey, but they'll make every penny count.Do I think this is the best clinic in town? A clinic where they'll definitely find the problem and do their best to help your pet? Yes, I still think it's the best clinic. If it weren't for the neurologists at this clinic and their quick work, my dog wouldn't be alive today. But the unpleasant feeling of being taken advantage of has stuck with me... After all, they already have a waiting list! I, who was accustomed to the comfort of service here 5 years ago, am now very disappointed with the service.