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Highlands Animal Clinic

Updated 2026-07-09 · 1,217 reviewed · 179 listed · Scored from 526 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.6(526) 78 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareVeterinary SurgeryVeterinary DentistryLow-Cost & Affordable Care
Highlands Animal Clinic
Services
General Veterinary Care, Veterinary Surgery, Veterinary Dentistry
Reviews
526

What recent reviews say

The best visits here feel personal and thorough. Dr. Drake and Dr. Dredla earn strong praise for patience with anxious animals, thoughtful care of senior pets, and surgical skill. Staff warmth and a comfortable clinic space keep long-term clients returning.

The flip side is real: several recent reviews describe rushed exams, missed diagnostic follow-ups, and reluctance to discuss simpler treatment paths. A handful of new clients report frosty front desk interactions. Some families lost pets after what they felt were incomplete early assessments. Post-ownership change, the clinic appears split in delivery.

Recent shift: Ownership change in late 2024/early 2025 marks a clear sentiment divide. Longtime clients (9+ years) remain loyal to specific vets like Dr. Drake. Recent arrivals and former clients report colder interactions, rushed exams, and administrative friction. Complaints cluster around follow-up lapses and diagnostic shortcuts in the past 1-2 months.

Praised for
  • compassionate, attentive vets
  • gentle handling of anxious animals
  • clear explanations of care options
  • welcoming, homey atmosphere
  • long-term relationships with pets
Watch-outs
  • poor follow-up on test results and medication readiness
  • rushed appointments with limited diagnostics
  • front desk rudeness to new clients
  • unnecessary or hastily recommended procedures
  • decline in care standards after owner transition
compassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsknowledgeable-vetsclean-facilityrushed-appointmentspoor-communicationlong-wait-timestransparent-billing
Best for: established clients seeking gentle, relationship-based care for healthy or senior pets
Think twice if: you need comprehensive diagnostics for older or breed-prone dogs; several families reported incomplete workups before serious illness emerged

Strengths

  • experienced vets with strong senior pet care
  • surgical work praised for minimal scarring
  • comfortable, homelike setting
  • willing to discuss care necessity rather than upsell

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Drake and Dr. Dredla named as standout vets for senior care and compassion
  • Dr. Anderson and Dr. Lostoski also mentioned positively
  • surgical scarring minimal (cat tumor removal example)
  • post-ownership change (2024-2025) coincides with most recent complaints
  • no documented follow-up protocol for test results
  • medication refill requests require full appointment fee

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
wellness exams praised when thorough and patient; criticized when rushed or incomplete for senior animals
Veterinary Surgery
surgical outcomes praised (minimal scarring); procedures sometimes recommended without clear diagnostic backing
Veterinary Dentistry
listed on website; no review text directly addresses dental work
Low-Cost & Affordable Care
not low-cost; one review noted pricing tied to location, others cite cost of required appointments for routine refills

How it compares

  • Rated 4.6 against a 4.58 average across the 148 general veterinary care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 76% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Ranking Method
Star rating 73
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 48
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
456
4
19
3
8
2
7
1
36

Common questions

What happens if my dog's bloodwork is ready?
Multiple reviews report you must call to follow up; the clinic does not proactively notify clients when results are ready or medications are in stock.
Do I need an appointment for a medication refill?
Yes. Reviewers report they require a full appointment and associated fee even for refills of the same medication for diagnosed conditions.
What's included in a wellness exam?
Varies. Recent senior wellness exams mentioned did not include bloodwork (CBC or chemistry panel) unless explicitly requested, and stool samples submitted for analysis were reportedly not tracked or returned to owners.

Similar veterinarian nearby

GoodVets Highlands
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GoodVets Highlands

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Reviewers consistently report caring, communicative vets who listen and avoid unnecessary treatments. Appointment slots fill fast (some wait under an hour from distant areas), staff handle anxious animals well, and follow-up calls are routine. Pricing draws criticism from some: one owner paid over $100 for a heartworm test, another felt general costs were high. A significant complaint involved a vet clipping an elderly cat's nails against explicit instructions, which affected the cat's mobility for months. The team here names Dr. Devin for detailed exam feedback and tech Lizz for attentive care. Exam quality varies: some owners praise thoroughness, while one noted a three-minute visit that skipped checking a post-surgery dog's rear legs. Fair pricing appears in a minority of reviews, though most focus on kindness rather than cost.

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Sploot Veterinary Care - Highlands
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Sploot Veterinary Care - Highlands

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Sploot consistently impresses with warm, knowledgeable care and strong follow-up. Staff call or text after visits, explain procedures clearly, and handle anxious or difficult animals with patience. Emergency slots open fast, and vets like Dr. Steine and Dr. Nicholls take time to answer questions thoroughly. One recurring concern: reviewers perceive aggressive profit maximization through scheduling tactics and upfront costs. A long-standing client felt pushed into unnecessary visits and denied routine services without a current wellness exam. The clinic is corporate-owned, which shapes patient experience, though most reviewers overlook this and praise the individual staff's genuine care.

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Berkeley Animal Hospital
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Berkeley Animal Hospital

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Reviewers consistently praise Berkeley Animal Hospital for compassionate, thorough care that treats animals as individuals rather than appointments. Staff including Dr. Melberg, Latasha, Micah, and Melanie earn specific mention for calm handling of anxious pets, detailed health communication, honest recommendations, fair pricing, and genuine kindness in routine and end-of-life situations.

General Veterinary CareVeterinary SurgeryVeterinary Dentistry

Last updated 2026-07-09