East Orange Animal Hospital

Nothing but great words to share for my experience at East Orange Animal Hospital! Rokko was all relaxed the moment we walked in. The receptionist was very friendly and Rokko seemed to like her as well. The building itself, was a bit small and outdated. Only negative feedback is, the waiting area needs an upgrade. I understand it’s a vet spot but it could use some new seating and an interior facelift. My Vet was cool. He checked out Rokko and my boy was all good! Rokko was a major hit with all the assistants. Overall it was a positive experience!

I personally don’t know what I would do without Dr. Santiago and the staff at East Orange Animal Hospital. They are absolutely the best, kindest and genuinely care about you and your furry baby.
I recently went through a very difficult time in which I had to put my cat down whom Dr. Santiago had been treating since she was weeks old and I don’t imagine going through this anywhere else. The compassion shown to me and my sweet angel was incomparable. I wish he would treat humans as well because animals are lucky to
Have him. I rest better at night knowing there is a Vet out there that cares about animals as much as I do.

Professional, Considerate, and Compassionate. Dr. Santiago really made a very difficult time for me and my spouse easy to bare. I only wish that my doctors were this personable, patient and kind. Dr. Santiago, YOU ROCK!

What a doc! He answered all our questions. Dog loved him. And inexpensive. We will be back.
As wait-​time cropped up on another review: We waited about 25 minutes. Not a problem for us.

First of all, it’s really important to say that Dr. Santiago is AWESOME, very caring, clearly loves animals and is very smart. I knew that my dog was in great hands with him. The prices were incredibly reasonable and even when my dog got a shot, he was so reassured by the Dr. that he wasn’t even upset.
The bad side… I went to visit them 3 times. And each and every time, even though I had an appointment… I had to wait between 1 – 2 hours to see Dr. Santiago. 1 – 2 hours PAST my appointment time. I dont know about you… but I think that’s just rude and poor planning on their part. I understand that once you are in there he gives you great attention and all… but who plans for a 2.5 hour routine vet trip? It’s just crazy. The third time I was there I turned to my husband and said… I don’t think driving to east orange (which was about 15 – 20 minutes from my house) is worth it knowing that there was LITERALLY an animal hospital ON my block in West Orange. I went to Dr. Santiago because he was recommended by my boss… but I just don’t have the patience or the time to wait 2 hours to get a shot for my dog when I MADE an appointment.
We have sinced moved and I needed to contact them to get my dog’s vet records… and their website doesn’t even have the phone number for the place on it ANYWHERE. So I had to search the internet for their phone number (eventually found it on Unilocal)…and when I emailed them to get my vet records (sent an email to the email address at the bottom of their website… it bounced back saying
«
user is over quota»
Whatever that means… lol.
Anyway… if you have 2 hours to spend at a vet to get a simple shot or procedure done for your dog, you will love this place. Because it takes 2 hours AND Dr. Santiago is very kind.

I use to love him but lately him and his office staff have deteriorated. Back in the day it was very possible to speak To Dr. Santiago over the phone. Recently I took my cat for a check up with Dr. Santiago and they gave me another vet without even telling. She was horrible and missed the problem with my cat. So I was told I could speak to Dr. S the next day. I called and left a message with the front Desk because he was busy and he never called me back. I tried again because I ran into him @ Shoprite and he told me call the next day. I did and again I was not allowed to speak to him. I left my number and again no one called me back. I called again then I was told he was leaving for the day and to call him tomorrow. I got really upset because there is a problem with my cat and he doesn’t care. So I told I will find another vet. Which I’m looking for now. but I was a loyal customer of him for years and that is how he treats me. He never called back to apologized and if he continues like this other people will find another vet. We pay our money even if it’s lesser than other vets for service for our animals and no one should be treated like that.

Dr Santiago is a caring person and a good vet. I took my puppy in for cherry eye surgery and he did a fantastic job. She looks amazing and is doing well.
He did not charge me the extravagant prices a bougie hospital would have.
I will definitely continue to come back to him now that I’ve found a real vet.

I love this place. I picked up a stray kitten with some type of eye infection and brought him to E O animal clinic at the recommendation of my boss who lives very far from me but brings his dog to Dr. Santiago. They performed a thorough check up and provided meds that got my little kitty back to normal in a few days. No wasted test, no unusual charges just results. I found a vet.

I was lately relocated to another city with my two dogs. While I was researching for new vets, I just realized how much I missed East Orange Animal Hospital and Dr. Santiago. HE IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST.
I’ve been visiting here for 2 years since we moved to NY and this is not the closest vet we could get. BUT after visiting a couple vets near us, I followed a friend’s recommendation and gave this place a try. Dr. Santiago is no doubt the most responsible and caring person I’ve ever met.
I have to say that I’m a super meticulous and picky person when it comes to my dogs. I have two Maltese and they are my babies. Money is not really an issue and I want them to have the best. I spend a lot of time doing research online and try to understand everything they get into their body (food/​medicines/​vaccinations/​shots). I always have TONS of questions regarding those technical stuff (like the side effects of each shot, the necessity of getting combination shots, risk of over-​vaccination). And I tend to over-​react when I see my dogs have any sign of any health problem. I visited quite a few vets before and they either impatient, unknowledgeable, or just care about money. Dr. Santiago is nothing like that. He is always patient enough to answer all my questions, address all my concerns and clear all my doubts. He is super friendly and caring but in the same time very professional. He knows what he is doing and what he is talking about. He never asks us to do unnecessary tests, sometimes even I request, if he thinks it’s useless he would not suggest me to do that. He is superb!
I have to say that this is not the cleanest/​fanciest place i’ve been to. But a good doctor is a million times more important than fancy facilities. If I’m going back to NY/​NJ I will def go back to him again. And I strongly recommend him to every responsible pet owner who really cares about their pets!

First let me say that I do not know anything about his prices, bc someone else is footing the bill, but I am pretty sure that Dr. Santiago tries very hard to accommodate people and their budgets.
I have a dog that has multiple issues that I got from a shelter that claimed the dog was healthy and also was much younger than he really was. Dr. Santiago’s manner is wonderful, not just to your pet, but to you and your needs!!! Some of the vets in this area seem to think that the pet is worth more than the owner. But Dr. Santiago is a very pragmatic and realistic man who does care about the whole family while you are going through pet issues.
Just so you know, I saw that his degree in Veterinary Medicine is from CORNELL UNIVERSITY, (and from this century) so he up on all the latest information and has gone to one of the best schools in the nation. All of that aside, he is a very thoughtful man and takes his time with you.
I have been to many vets in this area, I will say that I liked Dr. Cameron in Montclair for my cats! He is great, but very on in years. Many of the other vets lack something that Drs. Cameron and Santiago possess. They are my faves!!!
He located right off of RT 280 so it is easy to get to his office. Sometimes you find the best in the most unlikely places.

You won’t find anything fancy like a doggie spa or shitty new age music piping through the speakers. What you will find is no frills vet care that is both courteous & professional — & reasonably priced.
The place may need a fresh coat of paint here & there, and pehaps a spackle of cement at the front steps (& keep an eye out for that occasional dog poop outside), but you don’t come here for the ambiance. You come here because your pet will be in the very capable hands of Dr. Santiago & his staff. Rest assured that they will not try to upsell you into paying for unecessary procedures & services.
He has A LOT of patients, so try arrive 15 – 30 mins before your appt.