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Highlands Animal Clinic

Updated 2026-07-05 · 1,188 reviewed · 179 listed · Scored from 525 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.6(525) 77 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
General Veterinary CareVeterinary DentistryVeterinary SurgeryExotic & Avian CareLarge Animal & EquineHolistic & Alternative Medicine
Highlands Animal Clinic
Services
General Veterinary Care, Veterinary Dentistry, Veterinary Surgery
Reviews
525

What recent reviews say

Most established clients praise the clinic's vets-especially Dr. Drake-for genuine care, clear communication, and patience with nervous animals. However, several recent reviews flag serious gaps: rushed initial exams missing standard senior bloodwork, unanalyzed stool samples, and unanswered medication follow-ups. New clients report dismissive front-desk treatment; some former loyal patients say the practice feels impersonal and overly aggressive with surgery recommendations since the ownership transition. The best experiences come from clients with continuity; worst ones involve diagnostic missteps and poor communication on results.

Strength lies in individual vet quality and comfort with timid pets. Weakness is inconsistent follow-up and the gap between initial exams and urgent care. Multiple deaths linked to missed diagnoses have shaken trust. Value proposition is unclear when similar clinics in the area charge less and offer proactive senior protocols.

Recent shift: Ownership transition (timing not specified) marked a turning point for multiple long-time clients. Reviews from two to four years ago were positive; recent complaints cite impersonal service, rushed exams, poor follow-up, and overly aggressive surgery recommendations. One loyal client switched clinics; another notes Dr. Lostoski (mentioned as "probably the best vet there") has left.

Praised for
  • compassionate vets (especially Dr. Drake, Dr. Dredla)
  • patient with anxious animals
  • thorough surgery work
  • caring about the animal's comfort
Watch-outs
  • front desk rudeness to new clients
  • rushed appointments and insufficient diagnostics
  • follow-up failures on prescriptions and results
  • recommendation of unnecessary surgery
  • impersonal experience since ownership change
  • lack of senior pet bloodwork protocols
compassionate-staffgentle-with-animalsknowledgeable-vetsclear-communicationpoor-communicationunresponsive-staffrushed-appointmentsthorough-examslong-wait-timesexpensivepushy-upselling
Best for: Owners seeking long-term relationships with individual vets who show emotional investment in their animals.
Think twice if: You have a senior or brachycephalic pet and expect proactive diagnostics; multiple reviews cite missed senior bloodwork and diagnostic gaps that coincided with pet deaths.

Strengths

  • individual vet quality (Dr. Drake, Dr. Dredla noted for genuine care)
  • gentle handling of anxious and timid animals
  • knowledgeable veterinarians who explain options clearly
  • open 7 days a week

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Drake sends flowers after learning of a patient's serious diagnosis
  • Dr. Dredla's surgical scar work on tumor removal described as nearly invisible
  • Multiple clients report front desk staff rudeness to new callers
  • One owner cited a vet (Dr. Lostoski) as particularly thorough; that vet has since left
  • Follow-up gaps: clients wait days for medication status updates and never receive fecal test results
  • Ownership transition cited as turning point for service quality decline

What reviews say by service

General Veterinary Care
Seniors and brachycephalic dogs: initial exams lack standard bloodwork and diagnostics; long-term clients report good care.
Veterinary Surgery
Praised for clean surgical outcomes (scarring barely visible); flagged for unnecessary surgery recommendations.
Veterinary Dentistry
No direct review evidence on dental services.
Emergency & Urgent Care
One client brought senior dog in respiratory distress; clinic misread chest x-ray; ER hospital corrected within hours.
Exotic & Avian Care
No direct review evidence on exotic or avian services.
Large Animal & Equine
No direct review evidence on large animal services.

How it compares

  • Rated 4.6 against a 4.6 average across the 167 general veterinary care businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 75% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Scoring Method
Star rating 73
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 43
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
455
4
19
3
8
2
7
1
36

Common questions

What hours does Highlands Animal Clinic keep?
The clinic publishes 7 days of opening hours on Google; call to confirm specific times, especially for emergencies.
Do they offer emergency services?
Their website lists pet emergencies; however, reviews note that one client in respiratory distress was misdiagnosed. Clarify after-hours coverage and whether they handle critical cases or refer to emergency hospitals.
What should I expect at a senior wellness visit?
Multiple reviews flag that senior bloodwork (CBC, chemistry panel) is not automatically performed at initial exams. Ask explicitly about senior protocols-including bloodwork, fecal analysis follow-up, and post-visit communication-before booking.
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Last updated 2026-07-05