I don’t usually leave reviews, but this experience has been bothering me.
Country Brook is no longer the walk-in emergency clinic it once was. Dr. Pipes has sold the practice, and it now operates like a standard vet office with scheduled appointments and multiple newer doctors. If you’re expecting continuity of care, that’s no longer the case.
Front desk/appointments:
The front desk staff were wonderful. Scheduling was easy, and everyone I interacted with was kind, patient, and welcoming. This is one of the reasons this isn’t a one-star review.
The visit:
Unfortunately, this is where things went wrong. While the vet was friendly, my concerns were dismissed and my dog was misdiagnosed.
My dog suddenly began having severe mobility issues that worsened over several days; unable to walk or stand properly, arched back, obvious pain. Despite this, Country Brook insisted it was simply a severe flare-up of his knee issues and pushed for emergency double knee surgery, even though his knees were checked and found stable just four months earlier by his primary vet. My concerns that something else was going on were brushed aside.
I sought a second opinion from his regular vet of seven years the very next day. They immediately identified the issue as spinal, not his knees. X-rays confirmed it was not surgery-grade, and given that my dog is epileptic, the surgery recommendation was especially concerning. He was diagnosed with a pinched disc, prescribed appropriate medication, and placed on strict crate rest. Two weeks later, he’s doing significantly better.
Pricing:
Pricing was reasonable. I paid approx. $460 for the exam, X-rays, and medications, which is in line with other local practices.
Overall:
It’s sad to say this place isn’t what it used to be. Country Brook once provided thoughtful, thorough, and compassionate care, but that magic seems to be gone. While others may have good experiences, I strongly encourage pet owners to trust their instincts on this one.
TL;DR:
Friendly front desk, easy scheduling, fair pricing. However, my dog was misdiagnosed, and an unnecessary, major surgery was pushed when the real issue was a spinal injury.
