Animal Hospital Of West Nashville

Dr. Burgess and her staff have been very professional and caring. I first took one of my kitties to Dr. Greene, who performed surgery on her hip. and took the kitty back when she bruised her hip 14 years later. Dr. Burgess suggested we test for thyroid problems because of kitty's age, and it turned out that she had very high levels. We've been working with medicine doses to reduce her thyroid level. Animal Hospital of West Nashville sustained damage during the flood and my thoughts and prayers are with the doctor and her staff. Pros: Convenient to West Nashville more

Dr. Burgess is a very mediocre vet. Her quality of care seems very average, and her depth of knowledge seems very average. That said, there is no need to deal with her perpetually irritated and rude staff only to receive mediocre care. My cat has been a patient of hers for 2 years now, and after several negative experiences with her, her staff, and her poorly trained and non-gentle vet techs I have transferred my cat's records to another vet. Additionally, Dr. Burgess does not allow pet owners to play any role in the treatment plan of their animals - she becomes very put-off if a treatment suggestion is made that deviates from her plan. Dr. Burgess also does not seem to understand that not everyone can afford $1000+ in diagnostic testing, and her irritated and demeaning attitude suggests that anyone who does not ""pay up"" must not care as much about their pets. While I followed her suggestions, even asking how much a particular test would cost brings about a very irritated tone from her. Dr. Burgess is also very clever at adding items to your invoice that were not previously discussed. This happened to me on two occasions when injections were administered that I had absolutely no knowledge of - until I checked out. Also, the vet techs are aggressive and do not handle animals well, and while my cat is otherwise a very docile and easy going animal, he has severe anxiety for several hours after each of his visits with her - not something that a vet's office normally elicits in him.\r \r To summarize, Dr. Burgess offers very mediocre care (she never provided any information to me other than what I myself could easily find on the internet), she and her staff are rude and unfriendly, and there are questionable billing practices going on in their office. If you are a first time patient of hers, I would reconsider. \r \r Additionally, and for kitten owners, an office exam visit of $45 is charged for every vaccination appointment. Most vets in town do not charge an office visit fee for each vaccination of a kitten. Check around before wasting the money. Pros: Convenient location to West Nashville Cons: Unfriendly, unprofessional staff & poorly trained vet techs more

When Sandy, my first pet who I had loved for 15 years became ill I took her to Dr. Burgess.\r Dr. Burgess was deliberate about her approach to finding out what was wrong with her. She followed up with me frequently (on her own time) to monitor Sandy?s well being. She searched for answers and tried various things. In time it became clear that the kind thing to do for Sandy was to let her go. This wasn?t an easy decision but it was clear it was the right thing for Sandy. Dr. Burgess supported me and walked me thru this tough process. She broke thru some of the denial I had about having to give her up. I was more than just a customer or income to her. She came to care about Sandy and I thru this time.\r My brother was the one who took Sandy to have her put to sleep. He told me how lovingly and kindly Dr. Burgess handled things. I was also left with the comfort of knowing that there were no stones unturned when it came to helping Sandy. \r \r I wanted to mention that Rhonda who works on the front desk too was so helpful and just a wonderful person as well. Pros: Quality Care and Compassion more

Just wanted to put in a quick word of the great work these guys are doing since Dr. Jill Burgess purchased the practice. Dr. Greene is still there but basically filling his time till retirement. Dr. Jill is awesome and is doing some great things to the place. Quality innovative care and great follow up. Not to mention an awesome groomer on staff! She is great with the animals, ask for Dr. Jill if you have or have had problems with Dr. Greene! Seriously! Pros: Great care! Explores all options, very personalized. Cons: Office currently under construction but everyone goes through that... more

Dr. Greene was not even friendly. Did not introduced himself, make eye contact, empathize with my concerns of why we brought the dog in. He went over a full body review very quickly (when all I really wanted was his ears checked). I understand that he was being thorough which I appreciate, but when I continually asked about the ears, he just said ""they look fine."" I would have preferred details of what I was seeing. I continued to ask questions which the nurse or helper answered for me. \r I will not be returning to this vet even if it is less than a mile from my house! Pros: Office staff was amazing and loved our dog with lots of hugs and treats. Cons: Dr. Greene made no eye contact, didn't address fully the problem I was worried about! more

Dr. Rigney is no longer at Greene Animal Hospital, but when and if she begins a practice somewhere else, I will be there in a heartbeat. I've had dogs all my life and have seen lots of vets. Dr. Rigney really knows what she's doing and my dog, who HATES going to the vet, actually wags his tail when he sees her. She is gentle, brainy, kind, has a good sense of humor, and is pleasant to deal with. She's a compassionate person, too. She understands that not everyone is Belle-Meade-wealthy and works with you to make your visits possible. She's not afraid to give her opinion when there's a difficult issue at hand (for example, chemo or not for an animal with cancer) but she's also 100% supportive if you want to go a different way. She's able to be firm when it's necessary -- she's not afraid to call you on it if you've been neglecting your masterly duty -- but is never offensive. She really cares; this is obviously more than a job to her. Nashville pets lost some of the best care they could possibly have when Dr. Rigney left practice. My fondest hope is that when her child is older, she'll go back to practice somewhere. My dog and I will be there waiting for her to open the doors. I know this review sounds like a bit much, but it's not hyperbole. The woman is that good. Really. Pros: Gentle, knowledgeable, talented, caring Cons: She's not in practice right now -- May '07 more

We took our cat in to be neutered and get a distemper shot. We were told that the total cost would be $90. When we got there, we were told he needed additional shots. We agreed he could have the shots--should have cost a little over $100 according to what we were told. We received a bill for $260+. They had performed exams we had not authorized. We let it slide. They told us to come back in three weeks for a lukemia booster--$20. I did and when I arrived, I was told he also needed a distemper booster--$15. I agreed. When I got the bill, it was over $70. We had also been charged for an exam--even though his last invoice, from just under three weeks ago, listed an annual exam. While in the office, I said that I should not have to pay for an exam since he just had one, and I did not authorize the service. The receptionist said she couldn't do anything about it. I was told to call the office manager. I did, and my husband did. The office manager said I would have to speak with the vet. My husband and I both spoke with the vet. I started the conversation as sweet as sugar. From the beginning, she was rude and condescending--I will admit, after being repeatedly interrupted, I did raise my voice--only after provocation and I said nothing profane. I explained that I had not authorized the exam and likened it to going to a restaurant and being charged for food I did not order. She told me that was the ""dumbest thing she had ever heard""; she was talking about medicine not food. Bottom line he had an exam less than three weeks before. She told me that an exam charge was standard any time I brought my pet in. I asked if that was in writing; she said it didn't have to be. The point is I was charged (more than once) for services I did not authorize. I will never take my pets back, and I suggest you don't either. The services they did provide were fine but no better than services I have paid much less for! Pros: My cat was treated fine Cons: I was charged a lot more than I was told I would be for services that I did not authorize. more

The earlier reviewer had it right -- Dr. Rigney IS God's gift to animals but she has left. Dr. Greene IS gruff and not very gentle with the animals. The care IS expensive. All that's true. BUT . . . I've had my dog at other vets and they just aren't the same. The staff at Greene remembers me every single time I call and they're unfailingly respectful and cheerful. The vet techs are wonderful. As for the medication -- yes, it's high there. But if you ask them for a written Rx they will give it to you, and you can order the medication online or buy it at PetSmart/Banfield. And yes, they DO charge you for an office visit every time you go in -- just like a human doctor charges you every time you go in -- at least mine does. That said, Dr. Greene DOES charge more than Dr. Rigney did. She seemed to understand I wasn't the typical Belle Meade matron. And the big thing that keeps me so loyal: I was in a terrible car accident leaving their office one day. The folks from the office came running out, took my dog, took him into emergency surgery, and saved the eye the air bag had damaged. They kept him until I got out of the hospital and could go get him, and they did all this without asking payment up front. Yes, I had to pay for all the care, but it really was reasonable in that instance. You just don't get that kind of extra care and kindness from many people these days -- certainly not from most ""merchants."" So as long as I can save $$ with the medication and manage the fees, I'll keep going there. The only thing that will make me leave is if for some reason I can't pay the fees (which, since Dr. Rigney is gone now, Dr. Greene will be setting . . . yikes). If you want the absolute best care for your pet and money isn't an object, go to Greene's. If you just can't swing it and know of another great vet, let me know! Pros: incredible care, friendly staff, accommodating Cons: Expensive, expensive, expensive more

Greene Animal Hospital is a wonderful caring facility with an extraordinary staff. Dr. Nicole Rigney is truly gifted not only in her care of your pet, but in her understanding and approach to your concerns and fears as well. This is by far the best vet I have ever been to with my dog!! Pros: Personal Attention, Clean Facility, Exceptional Price more