Fairmount Animal Hospital

Take your pet elsewhere — they made our kitten sicker than she already was.
My boyfriend and I recently rescued a kitten from an adoption center, and we took her to Fairmount Animal Hospital because it was within walking distance to our home. Our first visit was a post-​adoption checkup and to give our kitten some vaccinations. During that first visit, the vet was a bit rough around the edges, but we figured it was fine.
The first visit was expensive, but we thought it was start up costs. But then, our kitten got sick, and had major bowel issues. We took her in, and the same vet was VERY rude, made us wait for a VERY long time, and just started throwing tests at us…$ 100 here, $ 50 there, so on. He didn’t seem to know what the problem was, and instead of thinking it through was charging us for everything under the sun! He kept walking out of the room, and his was extremely unorganized, and kept telling us different information. Then, he started griping about how we were feeding her the wrong food (which is great food — my boyfriend used to work at a pet store) and was pushing prescription food on us for our kitten — which was Science Diet, a brand we KNOW is horrible for cats. He was selling it in store, and just looking to make a penny. We refused, and two hours later took an antibiotic he prescribed, and left.
A few days pass and our kitten was getting WORSE. We were fed up and went to a new vet — and when we got there the new vet told us the antibiotic he prescribed us is KNOWN to CAUSE bowel problems in cats! He essentially made her original issue WORSE, and destroyed her stomach lining. When our new vet called Fairmount to ask why it was prescribed, they did not have an answer at all. Our new vet was in such shock, as were we.
In a nutshell, go elsewhere. They overcharge for tests that aren’t needed, diagnose incorrectly, are unorganized and have no bedside manner… which actually goes a long way with concerned pet owners.

I have been to the Fairmount Animal Hospital a few times now and use them as our full time vet for our small dog. The staff has always been friendly and very accommodating for last minute appointments. The vet is kind and patient with my dog and gives him his full attention. Great local vet to have in the area.

Be warned. This place will nickel and dime you into the poorhouse .
I was out of town on business and left my pet with my elderly father who decided
To take him to the vet for grooming of all things!
Well, they saw an old man and took full advantage.
Telling him“although my dog had all his shots” that they wouldn’t touch him blah blah blah.
Did I mention my dog is a 3,500 $$ Sheba ?
Well 350 $$
Later they hit my father up for shots, etc.
They didn’t mention to him that Petco will groom a dog for near 25 $
They took advantage period.
I called this place as I now want to just fly my dog out to the location I’m working at.
Nope.
Not until I pay 125 $$ «although they’d just vaccinated the dog», for the certificate to fly, bring him back in, pay for a fecal test
Etc.
700.00 $$
Later.
I’ve raised and cared for over 20 dogs from litters of puppies from my dogs to
Caring for pups that need rescue and I have to say this vet stands for everything that stinks about Philly at the moment.
Pretentious, arrogant and more concerned with the care of your wallet
Than the well being of your pet or your sanity.
Never ever again.

I really like this clinic. They treat my dog well. They are close to me and convenient clinic times. I will say I like the female vet on Tuesday the best.

I had to jump in. My favorite vet has left Philly and when I was reviewing other vets in the area I came across these comments about my FORMER vet clinic.
The reason that I ended up switching 6 years ago was for many of the same reasons that others have commented on: No computerized records system, rude staff, insistence that I had not given my dog Heartguard regularly, refusal to authorize prescriptions from PetMeds, and — my favorite — Dr. Eynard constantly telling me that my female bulldog was overweight, which was absolutely ridiculous since she was a very healthy and active young dog.
While perusing the comments, I also noticed that some of the reviewers were absolutely pleased with their pets’ care here — including my boyfriend, who I didn’t even know had posted a review last year!
Which leads me to the conclusion that Dr. Eynard may just be better with small dogs, like Maltese.

I’m pretty sure the people who speak nicely of this place either work there or are related to someone who does.
First off, there super rude except for one girl. The hustle they try to pull to get you to buy the medication from them is obnoxious, and I was even hung up on when I said I wasn’t buying meds through them.
I wasn’t allowed in the exam room, I never even spoke to a dr. I had to deal with the nasty old nurse whatever she called herself. There overpriced and just not worth it. I only went there because I live a few blocks away, but I’ll be taking my dog elsewhere.

This place sucks. Your lucky you looked on Unilocal before you went here. Go to Gerard animal hospital instead. Wish I had looked at Unilocal before coming here =(

I cannot believe some of these reviews, I have had many great experiences here. I have three dogs and they are always treated fantastic. I have been going here for many years. In fact my female had three litters of puppies and he took care of them all.

I had a great experience! If you know your animal doesn’t need a vaccine, say no!!! I’d rather have an overly cautious vet than one that didn’t care. He has reasons for each one. I didn’t choose them all but my dog does appear to have a growth in his mouth that he referred to a specialist. The assistant was friendly and I felt my dog was in good hands. Do owners need kisses on their dogs’ booboos? Jeez. And they say Southerners are slow and oozing with friendliness to a fault. Maybe some of you complainers should have switched with me when I came here. They DO pass out suckers for 5-​year-​olds at some of the banks in the South, though. Better get in line for some cosmetic surgery.

I ordered some HeartGuard through Pet Meds not only because they are definitely cheaper (as a laid-​off professional I now live on a tight budget. Sue me), but also because online shopping to me is like heaven on earth. Anyways, Fairmount Animal Hospital (FAH) would not approve of the medication when Pet Meds contacted them for an authorization unless I had Lola tested for worms (guess with whom???) with them… eye roll.
Excerpt from a real conversation with the FAH people:
Me: «But she is not due for the medication for 2 more weeks! That is why I am ordering the meds now. Why can’t I get the pills??? I don’t get it».
FAH: «uh, she needs to be tested according to our records»
Me: «Ok, well I have to disagree. I have the dates here, and you MUST believe me, as the dog owner and loving caretaker, I have been giving her the medication on time. I just need to get more this week so she doesn’t skip her upcoming dosage».
FAH: «Sorry. Our records show otherwise. The doctor will not approve of the Heartguard from Pet meds».
Me: «oh dear god. Could it be that your records are wrong?»
FAH: «We care deeply about your dog’s well being, So, for the sake of the animal, she must be tested just to make sure she is fine. The doctor will not prescribe the medication from Pet Meds».
Me: «Lady, I don’t understand why I need to have Lola tested again for this. I am telling you, SHE HAS BEEN TAKING HER MEDICATION ON TIME. To me, this sounds like a pure and simple scam to force me into testing her so you could profit even when I have decided to buy the medication from someone else».
FAH: «When can you bring the dog to have her tested?»
Me: «I will not have her tested. Period.»
FAH: «Well, if you buy the HeartGuard from us, you don’t need to have the dog tested».
I rest my case.

If you care for your pet, please read/​consider this.
We brought our dog here about a year ago, for what turned out to be Lyme disease. After $ 600, and a $ 130 prescription for doxycycline, which they filled, Luna only got worse, as she had a reaction to the medicine and couldnt keep it or anything else down, we informed the office a number of times about the situation and they said to keep trying it.
A 55lb dog lost 10lbs in less than two weeks, and seemed days from death, keep in mind she was happy and completely healthy for years. After practically begging, they saw her again, at almost $ 250, and gave us the option of either he (french accented vet whose name escapes me) recommended hospitalization at a specific vet, or change prescriptions to amoxicillin.
After a lot of consideration, we called back 12hrs later to ask for the amoxicillin. The receptionist said she needed to ask the Dr, who was «away» 24hrs later, and our once super active German Shepard/​Sheltie mix was literally unable to move and soiling herself, refused to eat/​drink etc, we get a call that «the Dr really wants you to take her to that hospital»… No, he wont write you the script…
Luckily a friend of a friend is a vet, heard our story, looked over the test result, phoned in a prescription to the local CVS for amoxicillin, which was $ 11/​
One week later she was 60% recovered, from about two months to present (year later), she is 100%.
I will keep the masses of negative comments and thoughts to myself.

After three years of mediocre care I am switching vets. I am very faithful about the care of my pound puppy and always bring her in for a yearly exam and rabies update. Every time I went in the interaction with Dr Eynard was professional but never warm. He mostly threw pamphlets at me and told me about all the dangers my dog was facing despite her very pampered life. His favorite things to plug are 1) a specific type of flea/​tick medicine 2) suggesting science diet 3) special treats to clean my dogs teeth and demanding I brush them weekly. The first two times I heard all these I eagerly listened being a new mom and all. But now I see him as an alarmist who was scaring me into overly vaccinating my dog and only hands me pamphlets to explain himself. Most visits to him cost me close to $ 150 so I am bringing my business and vaccinated to the max canine elsewhere.

In my experience, this vet is extremely intolerant of stray animals. We took in a stray cat and brought him to Fairmount Animal Hospital because tehre was a bite on his back.
As soon as the doctor saw our cat, he told us he definitely had rabies and then told us detailed, gruesome stories about cats he’d seen die from rabies. It was so graphic that I actually was crying in his office. The vet told that he was fairly certain we’d have to put the cat down, but suggested we take him to Penn when pushed back a bit.
At Penn, they scoffed at his diagnosis and treated our cat for the bites and other issues he’d developed from being on the street. We now go to Girard Vet Clinic where they are extremely supportive of stray animals and provide quick, efficient, kind service.
I would never return to Fairmount Animal Hospital. If I’d listened to the doctor, I would’ve put down my perfectly healthy cat.

So, after all that raving, I’ve switched to Girard animal clinic and am happier. I liked learning stuff at Fairmount, but I think the treatment is more honest and more efficient at Girard. And cheaper. And quicker. Downsides: it’s less thorough (though I think that’s a good thing at this point because I got sick of sitting in the waiting room for a half hour or more at Fairmount while Dr. Eynard educated other pet owners instead of following his schedule) and it’s hard to get an appointment (but they always have walk-​in hours in the morning if you need to get in right away – it’s a pain in the butt, but it’s worth it when you’re in a pinch). I don’t have any complaints about Fairmount’s care; the time it took to get the care was just too much.

I recently switched from Society Hill Animal Hospital to Fairmount because it is about 2 blocks from my house. The convenience, however, is not NEARLY worth the inflated and dishonest prices.
I took my dog in for his annual check-​up and round of vaccines and like everyone else has mentioned got a catalog of vaccines thrown at me that were unnecessary and bordering on ridiculous (like the one that words off a disease that is usually contracted in third world countries, like Haiti… the vet’s words). Since my dog and I have no impending trips to Port-​au-​Prince planned I passed but I did agree to the Lyme vaccine. I was told the Lyme vaccine is a booster and would require 2 shots spaced 2 weeks apart. Ok, no problem.
So in addition to the vaccines I was charged a $ 50 visit fee (which in my gut feels high to check the dog’s temp and heartbeat) but whatever. But I lost it when I spoke to the receptionist to confirm the follow-​up visit and told me that I would also be charged a $ 25 visit fee for the follow-​up shot!!! But again, I went with it, only to be charged the FULL $ 50 for the visit again. I protested and said I had been quoted a different rate on the phone but to no avail. So I paid $ 100 to have my perfectly healthy dog’s temp and pulse taken twice in two weeks.
TOTALLY done with this place. NOT worth the convenience.

I agree that the hospital has improved dramatically over the years. I went there initially 10 years ago and was not very happy with the veterinarian at the time. I returned 3 years ago when I rescued a puppy and found it to be a much more pleasant experience.
I have 2 cats and 1 dog that all see Dr. Eynard. I agree that his french accent takes a little getting used to, but that was really the least of my concerns. As others said, intake appointments take a little longer and Doc does throw a lot of information at you. Over the few years I’ve been going there I’ve gotten to know Dr. Eynard well and learned his philosophy is to educate pet owners so that they are well aware of their options and their rights. He has never, ever, pushed me to take on a treatment for a pet that I was wary about.
In fact, when he found a lump on my cat he advised me to go to another clinic aside from UPenn because he felt they would be a better fit for me and my pet without subjecting the cat to unnecessary testing and labwork that many teaching hospitals do. Further, his staff are always attentive and kind, and they actually get to know you as a person.
I’ve never waited long in the waiting area and the doctor is always on time. He is always well informed about my pets’ health and history. And, he has even encouraged my husband and I to seek second opinions during certain situations, going so far as to make copies and fax records to the consulting vet. I understand how there can be a cultural divide for some owners, but I stand firm on the opinion that Dr. Eynard simply wants owners to be learned, aware, and invested in their pet’s health and wellbeing.

This is the worst vet I’ve ever been to. The doctor is some French guy who clearly does not care for animals at all. He treats every animal that comes in like a lab rat, and shows no human compassion that you would expect from a vet.
I have a 12 yr old cat that chewed on a cactus and I had to take him to the emergency room. They noticed he had a gum infection, so we took him to this vet. When we brought him in, the first thing he did was go on and on about how old the cat is and how we need to consider our options (which was really great since we had just gone to the ER the other day, and didn’t make any sense since he is as frisky as a kitten). He then bombarded us with pamphlets and brochures on everything from FIV to tick medicine. We told him that the cat stays in our apartment all the time, doesnt even go into the hallway. But he insisted that he could still get ticks.
Then he finally started the exam, and very roughly handled the cat. Naturally, the cat clawed him a little. The vet was in quite a shock, and said «you didn’t tell me he had claws!» He insinuated that we should consider declawing our 12 yr old cat because he was obviously not used to dealing with an animal with claws. Then he complained that the cat was purring too much and he couldn’t hear a heart beat.
He told us that the gum infection was too serious and that since he has a mild heart murmur it’s a risky surgery. So we should go to a specialist that would cost us $ 5000…for a TOOTH REMOVAL. We decided to just get blood work to rule out anything serious.
The whole ordeal cost about $ 300 (for a checkup, a vaccine, and blood work) and left me in tears thinking my cat would be dead any day. This guy is a monster who can’t wait to put your pet to sleep. I’m amazed that he’s still in business. If you love your pet and your wallet, STAY AWAY!
(I ended up taking him to The Cat Vet on South Street [
who is the best and most honset vet I’ve encountered. She solved his «dire» problem rather easily and cheaply. And my buddy is doing wonderfully!)

New to the area, I scheduled a «meet and greet» to choose a vet. I was swamped with brochures and recommendations for all kinds of shots and pills – this was a shock considering my previous vet limited my dog to just what was needed and didn’t like to see animals on a lot of meds. The vet literally did not address my dog for 45 minutes-​and then only after I suggested that perhaps he should get to know him. After standing for that long (there were no seats whatsoever in the examination room, also a first), I was a bit irritated. His exam was quick and for a potential concern I had, he referred me to someone else. It was just an odd visit all the way around and it really made me question his care. It was very disappointing since I live within walking distance and would love to support a local business.
For the reviewer who suggested
, please note that this appears to be a site that is maintained by the business and thus only posts positive replies.
I would like to say that their front office staff was very friendly and pretty attentive to us. I have also used their grooming services, which were very good and quite reasonably priced.

In my experience they must have improved considerably since 2007. I’ve never waited for longer than 10 minutes, even when other people were here. The staff is very helpful and sweet to the animals.
I will agree with Eddie that there was a lot of medication/​test/​brochure info thrown at me at the beginning, but after we got over that hump and I got some questions answered it wasn’t a big deal any more.
47 $ for a check up and booster shot is a little rough (and never the full extent of it), as is the price of Hill’s food (Rosie is oh so sensitive), but for the moment the location makes up for it. Not sure how long that will last.

This was the worst vet I’ve ever been to. They don’t have computers, so everything takes a long, long time. We took our cats in for their annual shots and the doctor didn’t see us for over 45 minutes.
The staff at the front desk doesn’t really seem very together. They kept confusing the two cats and we had to keep correcting them.
The doctor was nice, but seemed more concerned with trying to get us to buy lots of additional tests and medications than with checking out the cats. Literally, the cats weren’t taken out of their carriers for over 30 minutes once we got into the examining room. Instead we were handed tons of brochures for medications and tests to consider.
We stopped by a few weeks later to get a refill on some thyroid medication for one of the cats and the front desk staff kept us waiting for 30 minutes! And we were the only ones there and the prescription was already filled and waiting for us. They only had to put it in a bag and let us pay the bill.
This place is a total mess. I won’t be going back. Stay away.