North Harbour Veterinary Clinic

I've taken my cat here for a number of years and North Harbour Veterinary has always done a good job, and always follow up the following day to see how my cat is.

My cat Sita has been under Bruce Chard's care for over 17 years and has always been well looked after, what makes the difference to me in terms of treatment is the care and consideration for the four-legged family member - once Sita was hospitalised for a whole week with diarrhea (I cannot give her the tablets) North Harbour Veterinary Clinic took care of it and looked after the little girl with great care. Yes, I have had my expensive moments as well such as blood tests (for arthritis) and regular teeth cleaning - but these tests and procedures costs this much. If most people knew the costs of public healthcare they would be horrified and understand that when looking at all the elements pet care is relatively speaking lower cost. I think it is important for owners to ask the right questions around options, scenarios and costs upfront...what happens if - and that will help avoid surprises. Sita has also been very successfully treated by Bruce Chard for her hyperthyroidism and balancing it with early kidney disease - finding the right dosage to get the best health outcome - she is on regular medication now a spot on gel that I can apply (no need to visit) and is doing fine now. There have been several times when the team at the North Harbour Vet Clinic have a suggested a lower cost approach or not doing something if it was also in the little patient's interest. Plus I have found the communication very good, how my cat is doing phone call when she was treated at the clinic, follow-up calls, reminders etc. Your vet is a matter of trust and I have only had positive experiences at this clinic (not so for others). Just to provide a bit of balance, and this is based on 17 years experience at this clinic for Sita and other two other cats (5 yrs) before that. Thumbs up from me ! Michael S (Unsworth Heights)

Thank you Bruce and team for your lovely care of Stripey over many years and your sensitive manner at the end of his long life.

In response to Hayley L I need to point out some relevant information. I am sorry that she became so upset with our treatment of Suki and she was not prepared to follow our recommendations perhaps because she had mistakenly remembered the amount we charged for Suki’s Spey operation in December 2015. The actual cost was $154.49 not $65.0. This included a general anaesthetic, ovariohysterectomy, materials and an injection for pain relief. This is a standard cost for speying. In February 2016 Suki was brought to the clinic for a wound on her hind paw which had first been noticed 3 days previously. Due to her having just eaten the veterinarian elected to delay surgery so it could proceed on an empty stomach. The $105.0 fee included consultation, bandaging of the paw, an antibiotic injection plus a further 5 days of antibiotics, and an injection for pain relief. When Suki was returned to the clinic the owners were quoted $232 for the surgery. This would have included a general anaesthetic, materials used and a sterile surgical pack and the surgery carried out by the veterinarian. Unfortunately the owners declined the surgery and a further bandage was applied and Suki was released to the owners.
In regards to spey and neuter prices these are generally low as they are competively priced by most practices. There is often a social factor here as veterinarians are involved in the effort to control unwanted breeding. This is definitely not a ruse to get people in the door as claimed. However any practice hopes to strike up a long term relationship with a client if early kitten vaccinations and desexing is done for their pet.
The claim of not feeding Suki is preposterous. In general surgical cases are not fed due to the risk of vomiting. Once the surgery was cancelled water was placed in her cage. In general food is not offered as often it is different to what is fed at home and many cats are fussy with strange food. There was also the chance that Suki was being taken to another clinic for surgery. The fact that Suki was calling out was almost certainly due to her being in a strange place and not due to hunger.
To suggest that my practice is uncaring and my staff unfeeling is totally foreign to us due to the job we have chosen to do and are passionate about. We are all pet owners and deeply value the pets we are privileged to treat.
It does seem the main judgement is being made on a mistaken recollection of cost for routine surgery with a not too dissimilar charge for surgery for a paw wound the cost of which is unrelated to the number of stitches used but the estimated time to do the procedure.

Bruce Chard. Veterinarian.

I have always taken my pets to North Harbour Veterinary Hospital - and although I have moved from the North Shore to the other side of town, I continue to use their services. I have complete faith in all the staff that my cats will receive the best treatment possible. Mostly, I have dealt with Bruce Chard and have been so impressed with his professionalism and ability to deal with the serious health problems one of my cats has developed. In addition, the nursing staff are fantastic - so kind and caring. Whenever I go on holiday, the cats always board at NHVH, where I know they will be safe and well cared for. I have no hesitation in recommending NHVH whatsoever.