Munster Animal Hospital

My husband and I (along with other family members and friends) have been taking our pets here for years. My cat gets a little bit of a bladder problem once in a while. It happened again and I tried to order her meds online and called the hospital to inform them that my parents are currently watching my cat. They denied me because they just wanted her to come in and probably run tests, give her shots and jack up the vet bill. I asked for one favor after years of having my pets as patients. I could not reason with them and they do not care that my poor cat just needs a simple prescription. I told them I will not be back and their reply was simply «okay». I am very disappointed but I WILL get my pet the medicine she needs today no thanks to them.

I found a kitten on the side of the road. Her nose and eyes were running with yellow goo and she had a sneeze/​cough. Brought her in w/​o an appointment and was seen 5 minutes later. The front desk staff were are lovely and sweet. The nurses in the back were kind and helpful. Dr. Han is a nice man and took a good amount of time to talk to me about my new kitten and what was wrong with her. More nurses came in to see the kitten and brought her food while we waited for her test results (feline aids and leukemia) to come back. She had pottied in her box, so they threw out the blanket I had brought with us (at my request) and gave us a towel to take home. Very sweet and generous staff. They gave her a bath and applied her heart worm medication.
Two blood tests, three medications, a bath, and a nail clipping ran me $ 225. I did have sticker shock, but I’m not sure that it would have been cheaper elsewhere.

Like other reviews I feel like they are very money hungry every time I’m in there my dog needs some unnecessary test or vaccine or shot that should be optional but they say is required. Also I feel like you have to be in there for a very specific reason not once have they checked my dogs teeth like at Hobart. Also the checkout process is a bit strange and takes too long but the ladies at the front are nice so it kind it equals out.

I am shocked with THIER prices for things. What gets me angry… Is I take our dogs in, together to avoid the n
High cost of the «room visit/​exam»
We take both dogs at the same time for their yearly vaccinations.
I notice now, they send a card requesting one shot for something on one dog… Then a few weeks or month goes by, I get a reminder to brag the other dog in for tests or shots…
Then another few weeks or so pass, and I get another request for a fecal exam… On one or the other.
They have take a one shot visit and turned it into a 6 time a year visit PER DOG. so total of 12 visits instead of one!
I have been going there for 30 yrs and even worked there for many… They do really seem to try and think of ways to get more money out of a person.
The staff is great at the counter. Doctor Young is fantastic! EVERYTIME I request Dr. foster… For years now… I wait and wait and wait, then they finally come and say «oh he’s in emergency surgery, you’ll have to see another doctor.» YET, I CAN HEAR HIM TALKING AND LAUGHING THROUGH THE WALLS WITH OTHER CLIENTS.” How would that make you feel? Years this happens?
Dr Han, is very rude and money hungry. He is hard to understand, I overheard him say
” stupid Americans” once and I refuse to let him near my animals. I have seen him lose his temper when a lady asked him questions as she could not understand his English. He ripped her head off, verbally, lady was crying and he made an utter fool of himself.
Barb, missy, Lisa, all wonderful people, but the place is really going downhill, by splitting up one yearly visit into so many… They have vet clinics at let stores that are far more reasonable
Price wise, I think I will be checking into them more.
Calumet humane society also has a pet clinic (for people,) offering the same services for the elderly, the disabled and any one on a limited income. WAY CHEAPER to go there for shots!
They are nice.
I don’t like how Munster adds on more charges at their discretion… And SURPRISE when you check out! Payment due in full. Wow.
They do always seem to push products… Even when we had our dog put down, many came in to sell us this or that… I was furious at this time of sadness and grief of losing my «son»
What an obtuse way to conduct business. Our dog lay suffering miserably for over an hour…
So they could sell us pictures or Christmas tree ornaments, a paw print decoration…
We told them he was coming home with us right off the bat… Yet they pushed for cremation.
They made us wait forever, which was torture on us… 4 hours we waited in a room while they tended to everyone else… I was appalled. I will be looking for a new vet. Yes!

I am a physician and have been in practice over 30 years. About 2 weeks ago I had to put our 15 year old cat down after a probable fall at home. Dr. Foster was honest, professional and compassionate as he did what I have had to do many times in my practice. The whole staff there was wonderful and gave me private time after our cat was humanely put down. They handled the cremation and the next day the cremation service delivered her ashes to my house. The driver was very supportive also. What beautiful people.

I had been taking my Siberian Husky there since 1998 and they took the best care of him until he went to heaven. Now my 6 year old Maltipoo is a patient there and they have always taken care of any issue to my 100% satisfaction. I’ve been a firm
Believer that you pay for what you get and yes this place isn’t cheap but it’s well worth the health of my pets.

I have bee going to MAH for 18 years and have always had excellent care. Dr. Han saved my chihuahua, after the emergency vet in Schererville miss diagnosed him three times. I thought I was going to have to put him down and with one examination he was correctly diagnosed and treatment was started. After six months of treatment he is back to his normal self. This is one example of the excellent treatment I received at MAH.:)

I really like Munster Animal Hospital. My only complaint would be that I feel the doctors can come across as judgy, which I don’t really appreciate. I do the best I can with my dogs, but when I go there, I feel that I’m being looked down on for the care I give my dogs (just by the doctors). The desk staff is very friendly and nice.
When my golden passed 5 years ago, the staff was very kind with us, which I really appreciated, and is why I will always go here.

I took our two Australian Shepherds to Munster Animal Clinic for grooming, and they did an AMAZING job! Hence a few stars. But I was up-​charged for matting removal. Both dogs had been groomed a week prior, and while there was minor matting behind the ears that was not removed this grooming session was to make them look just a bit better for a large party my wife and I are throwing. $ 140 later, we had beautiful dogs with additional billings for ‘overdue’ tests that had not been performed. Despite their display stating ‘payment due upon services rendered’, I was told it is their policy to bill for services NOT rendered to encourage our return. It took a supervisor to back out the charges. Overall, it’s bad enough we can’t pick up our boarded dogs on a Sunday when employees are on the job taking care of them. But this additional effort to fleece is too much. Add the cold, distainful delivery of their ‘policy message’, we had our dog records printed to avoid ever having to go back. Shame on us. we had been warned.

Reason for a 3 stars–
The grooming is amazing! My dog loved going to them to get groomed, they loved her. Never had a problem with them…
Here is the 3 stars… The VET he is very rude and just nasty. My dog is a cocker, and she needed special attention to her ears. He hurt her and shoved the scope into her ear and just was very hard on her. Every time she has gotten sick, was always pills. She got sick a few times and I never gave her any more pills they recommend. I think they try killing their pets! Ever since then I have been taking her to a new vet out in IL who took good care of her. The staff up front is very nice, caring and know what they are doing. The vets are just terrible! Do not recommend them if you need a vet.

Munster Animal Hospital is one of the only animal clinics around the nearby area that take walk-​ins so they were able to see my cat same day. The vet techs and the vet, Dr. Clubine, were very friendly and explained pretty clearly what was going to be done. However once we went to check out is when my mind was blown: $ 275 for an exam, 2 radiographs, a shot of antibiotics, a shot of an anti-​inflammatory and a fitted cone. Now this may actually be one of the cheaper vets around the area (the exam cost was around the same as most clinics but the X-​ray cost was lower — I called around before coming in), but the expenses do add up quickly and they don’t really give you a heads up on how much things will be until your visit is over. I was desperate for a vet to check my cat today or else I would have waited to see my affordable vet in Indianapolis.

My four legged babies love this place!
Front desk: The day crew is phenomenal! Barb, Kaitlyn, Patty & Sandy, they’re so compassionate, helpful, warm & welcoming.
My little guy suffers from allergies & has seen almost every veterinarian in there. No complaints, everyone is so compassionate & loving.
My baby girl is very scared of men, she has seen Dr. Han, he has a very soft voice & she does great.
Melissa the vet tech rocks!!! My dogs never Unilocal during shots
& last, but not least, Jamie in grooming is AWESOME! My babies see her coming around the corner, tales wag, they smile & are so excited. She’s so loving!
My over all review, 5 stars x 100! Love you guys!

My pet and I are always treated very well here. The staff knows their jobs and they keep plenty of people working at the front counter so the wait is never long, the hours accomodate those of us who work and can’t make 9 – 5 appointments, the boarding is top notch, I love the service I receive here.

UPDATE
Boarded my dog from Thursday-​Monday (we came home sunday, but they aren’t open). Although he peed and jumped all over the place when he first came out he seems happy. I picked him up at 9:10 (they open at 9) and the receptionist was super sweet; asking if I had a nice trip, welcoming me home etc. They offer discounted nail trim and bath before you pick him up and I paid a bit extra to have him bathed and fresh (about 20 bones) on the day he was going home. For a 20 lb dog, 5 days boarded, and bath it was $ 101.00, a steal if you ask me. Very, very satisfied overall. Will use services again if needed.

I just wanted everyone to know that this vet will not work with local animal rescues in any way. In addition, when I brought in my rescued dog they wanted to re-​do all the shots because they said they couldn’t be sure the rescue actually did them even though I had the paperwork. I couldn’t believe it. So over $ 400 later I walked out with my re-​vaccinated dog feeling like a chump. Their prices are outrageous. Best to support a vet that encourages and donates real care for local dogs in need. Hanover Vet in Cedar Lake does amazing work for rescues, Dr. Reed at Westchester in Porter supports rescues, and I know there are others. This place is all about the $$$$. And that might be okay if you received great veterinary care and advice, but that doesn’t seem to be the case either.

I adopted a rottweiler and she had all of her shots. I took her for her last successful round of vaccinations and she was quite healthy. Four months after her shot she developed parvo! For those who have never heard of Parvo please don’t google it, because it’s gross. Well, she was gravely ill and I took her to Munster Animal Hospital. I was on my last dime at that point in my life, but I wasn’t going to let her die.
When the vet examined her he stated that she needed to be admitted. I explained that I was very low on funds and wanted to know what services they would provide if she was admitted instead of being brought back each day for treatment? He said,“If she needs immediate care we will provide it and you will be charged according to what happens, if not you can have her cremated.” He tapped the top of the freezer that was behind me, which I’m assuming was where they kept deceased animals awaiting cremation. I was devastated. I said,“I will bring her in for the IV treatments.” He said,“Your dog couldn’t have recieved her vaccinations if she caught parvo.” I said,“She had all of her shots. Am I correct that certain breeds like rottweilers, german shepherds, pit bulls, and dobermans are more likely to catch parvo even with vaccinations?” He didn’t say anything, because he knew I was right. A moment later he said,“This happened, because you didn’t get your dog the proper vaccinations.”
*shakes head*
Why did this Dr. feel like it was okay to be accusatory towards me (a new customer) when he was well aware that he could be wrong? Why did he pitch a sales tactic by telling me that my dog would die and could be cremated, if I didn’t want round the clock services, which I could not afford at the time? I’ve never had a doctor let alone a vet speak to me in such a callus and disrespectful tone!
I’m surprised this vet is still in business after all these years.
*****Note: After this incident I walked out with my dog crying and called my original vet and he agreed to see her even though he had originally stated he couldn’t take anymore parvo cases. When he saw her he agreed outpatient care would be fine. My dog survived. She received IV treatments daily costing me over $ 600, which I didn’t mind spending to save her life. If I would have left her at the other vet overnight the guy could have told me he did anything and I would have been obligated to pay for it, which could have resulted in a bill for several thousand dollars! I’ve heard stories about stuff like that.

I’m sorry, you won’t accept my other vet’s paperwork? You’re going to run all of these redundant and unnecessary tests on my dog? You’re revaccinating my dog?! It’s almost laughable how transparent their efforts to upsell are, assigning «necessary» procedures and tests. And at the end of it, you’re not even sure if they actually critically looked at your animal because you’ve spent the entire time waiting in the lobby, then the office, between tests.
You can find less expensive and more thorough vets in the area, including Chicago. I’m from New York but have been here for work the last few months, and even in NYC, the most expensive city in this country, I currently have a cheaper, better vet.
If you’re going to charge such a high premium, provide a premium service, not this amateur act.

I just left from my 3^rd visit from this animal hospital. The first two times my cats saw Dr Withey and this third time they saw Han.
Also for grooming April is amazing and great with my cats. 5 stars for her and she leaves my cats looking so cute with their lion cuts and bow.
Only have your pet see Dr. Withey! She knows what she is doing and is very friendly. With her I felt my cats were in safe hands to get treated and I felt like she genuinely cared about my cats. 5 stars for dr Withey
Dr. Han is horrible and rude exactly like the reviews say. Seriously all the bad reviews about him reflect what I experienced right now with my visit. He doesn’t even sound like he knows what he is doing. I just left and will never let my cats see Han again. I even expressed my dissatisfaction to the reception about him. ZERO STARS FOR HAN! you need to get your license taken away after what I read on Unilocal and experienced.

I am not really sure what all the complaints are about — course I have not had any major issued with my dog (knock on wood!); but I boarded my dog here and when I picked her up she had received her shots and bath as planned. I did not experience any upselling or unexpected costs. I am taking her back for the next series of her shots and another bath. Maybe because I am originally from Chicago but I also find the prices to be incredibly reasonable! Alot of reviewers going on about Griffith Animal Hospital so I Unilocaled it — and the reviews are equally mediocre… same with Calumet Vet Hospital… sounds like reviewers are fighting over the lesser of evils… yikes!

I have been taking our dogs here for years. I will NEVER set foot in their building again. Our 11 month golden retriever became VERY sick and lethargic suddenly. Dr. Han evaluated her and ran tests/​xrays. He found that she ingested a sewing needle/​thread, and it was lodged in her small intestine. He presented the seriousness of her condition and informed my daughter and I that she needed immediate exploratory surgery. Her white cell count indicated serious infection. Dr. Han told us that he would call within two hours to let us know how she was and also indicated that he would have to decide before 9:00 if she needed to be transported to Calumet Veterinary for overnight care and observance.
Two hours came and went, and so I called there. I was informed that they didn’t start her surgery due to another emergency he took ahead of our dog but that they were ready to begin. At 8:45 pm (15 min. before EVERYONE leaves), I called again because no one called me. At first the person who answered told me that no one was there… then Dr. Han got on the phone and informed me that he ran out of time to do her surgery! He gave me two options — wait until the morning or take her to Calumet.
Thank GOD we took her to Calumet Veterinary. Dr. Lawrence there is FANTASTIC. She informed me at 3:00 a.m. after our dog’s surgery that it was a very wise decision to not wait (as Dr. Han indicated to me).
I have to say that Dr. Han is the most insincere, rude, unreliable vet I could ever imagine. He had no problem getting someone in the exam room within 2 minutes of meeting with us to take our 50% deposit for a surgery he never performed. Yet, he couldn’t take 30 seconds to find one of his 15+ employees to call us that evening to tell us that he wasn’t doing surgery. And, his best response to my anger over how he handled this when we picked up our gravely ill dog? «I don’t understand why you are so mad»!!! UNBELIEVABLE.
Beware of this veterinary clinic! My experience makes me concur with several other reviews here about Dr. Han and the way he operates.