Rusty Ridge Animal Center - Veterinary Hospital & Luxury Pet Lodging/Daycare

Dr. Joe and the entire staff are all so friendly and welcoming. Dr. Joe is so knowledgeable and very laid back. I never feel rushed, but yet I’m always in and out in an appropriate amount of time. They take such good care of my Tiger and always make sure to run all finances by me before operating or doing any medical procedures. Thank you guys for your clinic and for caring so deeply for all of the animals you treat!

posted: 09/01/2023

We took our sick cat there in on a Monday because our regular vet is closed on Mondays. We heard good things and thought they could help him. He wasn’t acting right, very lethargic. We told them we thought he ate something since last week he threw up a piece of foam mat. They did an X-ray and said they didn’t see anything. (Later told us they won’t be able to see the foam mat thru an X-ray and would need barium tests) he got way worse over night brought him back in the morning so they could do barium tests. So we left him there and they ran the test and called saying yeah he had a foreign body and we had to let them know asap if we were going to to do it since they were closing. We said yes and a couple hours later they called and said we could pick him up. My husband picked him up and he was lifeless. They said he would wake up more at home.They went over his meds and what we needed to do when we got HOME ect. He died less then two hours after we brought him home. When we called the next day they said they told us we had to take him to a 24hr vet to be monitored. They NEVER verbally told us that. They typed it on our receipt in 10 font at the top under their address. Never offered to call the 24 hour vet so they would know what was going on with him or even suggested where the closest vet was. We would never taken him there if we would of known they couldn’t keep him. Why would I pay thousands of dollars to two vets? They are all about money, they talked more about our bill then our cat. When talking to them after they never answered any of our questions and deflected acting like it was our fault because we didn’t take him to another vet for continued monitoring. I’ve worked in the ag/vet industry and was so naive thinking vets would look out for your pet and I was so wrong. I 100% believe if I would of taken him somewhere else he would be alive today. After talking to some people who work at a huge vet office in the city they said for the price we paid we should of drove an hour to their clinic and it still probably would of been cheaper. How is that? So ridiculous. They should of never taken our cat and sent us away to a vet that could of actually of helped him. Our Loki deserved better. (This did happen a few months ago. I didn’t want to write a overly emotional review that would of not been very helpful to pet owners.)

posted: 07/26/2023

First visit to Rusty Ridge and Dr Joe who is amazing. Our 9 yr old mini dachshund was lethargic, vomiting and diarrhea with blood. I had taken him to an emergency clinic Sunday but they couldn't find anything significant. Wasn't better today in fact worse. The vet clinic that we have used in the past could not see him until Thursday and suggested that we return to the clinic that we used Sunday. They had a 7 hour wait and was turning people away. In comes Dr Joe. Went to Rusty Ridge and was in within the hour. After talking with Dr. Joe he pretty much knew what the issue was but confirmed it with x-rays. An hour later and relieved that it wasn't too serious we were on our way home. Rusty Ridge Animal Center and Dr. Joe will be our new veterinarian clinic. Calling tomorrow to discuss upcoming boarding of our 3 mini doxies!

posted: 06/12/2023

Absolutely incredible team. From the first phone call to the moment I picked my dog up from surgery, I felt looked after and that my dog was in great hands. Can't recommend this clinic enough. They were PHENOMENAL with my new GSD mix, who I didn't know quite well enough to predict his reaction to the visit. Special thanks from Lunchbox Boy, who is resting peacefully after his surgery with the lovely Dr Rees. Thank you!

posted: 06/14/2023

We went to Rusty Ridge because our normal vet who claims they are emergency center had a 14 hour wait. Our mastiff was not moving, panting terribly and we knew something was wrong. They got us in right away and Dr. Joe came in the room as soon as we did. He got on the floor with her and after looking her over, he told us exactly what he thought and ask us if he could ultrasound her right there and then. No games, he was just as concerned as us. He returned and showed us a giant mass in her abdomen that was ruptured and bleeding. He explained what could happen, what needed to happen and that even with surgery, she might need to go to VCA or U of I if he could stop the bleeding and stable her. My husband and I didn't know what to do, but he told us both that he would do everything in his power to save her. He gave us an estimate, told us to stand by our phones and he went right to surgery. As we were leaving you could hear the receptionists asking his clients if they would be willing to move their appointments just to help save our dogs, I knew she was in the right hands. My husband and I prayed she would make it throgh and Dr. Joe and faith prevailed. He called us a few hours later and let us know surgery went great. He had to remove her bleeding spleen and she was looking so much better but wsa not out of the woods. He said he would stay with her until they closed but if she needed to go to VCA for additional IVs he would let us know at that time. Thankfully she felt so much better that she actually starting walking around and greeted us when we came back to get her. He said to us that he would feel comfortable with her in the ICU at a overnight facility so we transferred her there out of precaution. Thankfully she only needed to be watched there with fluids and she came home with us that morning. I can't thank Dr. Joe and his staff enough for saving her life. If we would have waited at our vet for 14 hours she may not still be here with us. This is the most caring and compassionate vet I have ever been to and theyve gained a family for life. As soon as we found out they also do non-profit welfare for shelter animals as well, we knew that Dr. Joe and his staff genuinely care for the animals they treat. I can't thank them enough for saving our girl, without them, we would be lost. Highly highly recommend as the best vet around! Thanks to you, our family is whole!

posted: 07/28/2023