McLean Animal Hospital

Started out great, but when my 2 boys ended up with runs after swimming in Potomac they couldn’t figure it out. Test after test (which I’m cool with) but then they wouldn’t call with results… could never get a doc on the phone… and my boys were sick. This escalated over 6 months. Ended up finding Burke Animal Clinic during stem cell research for 10YO Dane mix with arthritis and even tho they are an hour away it’s SO WORTH IT. He’s now 12.5 and boping around like a crazy man! My White Shepherd ended up having cancer which the new doc found in 2 weeks. After 1 appointment he sent us for a sonogram and bingo. It was all over his insides.

Our experience with Dr. Sexton has been nothing but exceptional. We had been taking our sweet girl, Daisy, for the 5 years. Dr. Sexton performed a successful operation to remove a cancerous tumor almost a year and a half ago. Then this year a large cancerous tumor appeared this fall, growing very quickly, he was honest and let us know that the medications would help prolong her life. Dr. Sexton would check-​in and see how Daisy was doing and when it was time to say goodbye to our baby girl, Dr. Sexton came through again. He was a saving grace coming to our home the day after Thanksgiving, and with her loved ones around her, Daisy passed away peacefully in her home. Today, Daisy came home in a beautiful wood urn with her named engraved and a clay paw print that Mclean Animal Hospital completed. Thank you Dr. Sexton again for your professionalism and compassion towards our Daisy!

This place is good but be careful they made mistake and gave my cat the dog frontline instead of cat. They get the two stars because they have friendly staff.

So grateful to the entire team at McLean Animal Hospital, especially the world-​class Dr. John Wesson, who responded to every email, call, sobbing message I have left him as our dog has declined (through natural old age). He has treated three of our dogs, wonderfully, expertly, creatively changing up meds, and has prolonged their lives – and their quality of life – more than could have been reasonably expected. He was sensitive and treated the whole dog and the whole family’s needs, and was always aware of costs and budgets and respect for the pet’s quality of life (and the humans as well). I give the team high marks – the office is busy but always professional – and we have been patients for almost 15 years. He came in on a vacation day to be with our beloved Earl on his last day and I will always be grateful for his and the team’s kindness and professionalism.

My cat almost died but thanks largely to Dr. Anderson and some excellent lab techs (who unfortunately seem to have moved on, but I guess that’s life) my cat is alive and well. I’ll keep returning to McLean Animal Hospital as long as Dr. Anderson is still there.

I took my two cats to McLean Animal Hospital for the first time this morning as we just moved to the area recently. Our experience there was nothing short of fantastic. Every single person I interacted with there was so pleasant, and also extremely clear and professional in how they explained the costs/​billing. Dr. Anderson was the one who performed their physicals and he was so gentle with the cats and really just fun to talk to. It was obvious to me that he truly loves what he does. Also, we were in and out very quickly, not having to sit around and wait in the exam room forever like I’ve had to do at previous vets. Overall an excellent experience from start to finish, and I’m so glad that we have found our new veterinarian.

I tried to complain directly to McLean Animal Hospital (MAH). However, when I called a week ago on August 15 at around 5:30pm I was told that the person in question stepped out and would call me back. No one has so I am complaining online.
I brought my dog to MAH since 2009. Our experience was always good, but my dog was pretty healthy. When she really was sick and needed professional treatment, MAH made medical and administrative mistakes that caused the dog some pain, cost me heartache, cost me money and delayed a diagnosis by two weeks, when I went elsewhere.
The troubles can be divided into two types — medical and administrative. There were many administrative failures and only one medical one, but the medical failure is more serious so I’ll start there.
My dog has cancer. Specifically, she has a tumor in her abdomen. MAH conducted not one but two biopsies and ultrasounds by at least two vets to try and get a sample to tell what was wrong. They could not get a useable sample. Every sample collected was not enough to actually identify the tumor type or even confirm that it is a tumor. MAH charged 1,300 dollars for this and delayed diagnosis and treatment by two weeks. The new vet got usable samples the first time, took less time, and charged me less to do it.
MAH also has administrative problems. Some are annoying, but small. Some are bigger.
While waiting for the second failed biopsy results, I asked MAH to please be quick as I was scheduled to leave the next Saturday for work and I needed to know if I could go. They said to expect results by Wednesday, but that I could call myself on Tuesday to check if they had them then. Based on this, I told my director that I might have to delay my trip and would tell him by Wednesday.
On Tuesday, when I called Ryan told me that the test was done, that all they needed was for the pathologist would write it up and I’d have it that day or the next.
On Wednesday, when I called Islam told me that the test wasn’t done yet but they asked the lab to hurry given my travel problem and they would have an answer that day or the next. I had to tell my director I still didn’t know what i was doing next week.
On Thursday, after multiple calls from me, Dr. Anderson said nothing had happened but that he had sent the lab an email asking them to do it that day and that they should have a result later that day or the next. I told him that I was getting a different story every time about talking to the lab. He responded that he had asked now and more could not be done.
On Friday I waited all day and finally called looking for an update at 5:30pm, I was told then that they had results, and had for «a few hours,» but Dr. Anderson was too busy that day to call and tell me. I asked for any other vet to call me as I needed to know about my flight the next morning.
One did, a woman, although I missed her name. She told me that the lab said that the sample wasn’t good enough and that they would try another slide.
At this point I grew frustrated and asked why no one could call me for hours even to tell me that they had results that required a re-​test when they knew that i was expected to leave the country the next morning. She said that Dr. Anderson was too busy all day to call me and tell me that they didn’t have useful results. I said that one of the many other vets could. I admit that I was pretty unhappy and my voice sounded it. She didn’t like this and got angry, telling me that the vets were all too busy, that there were many other people wanting lab results, that i wasn’t important as I thought I was (!) and that I’d have to be patient until someone had time to call me. At this point she was yelling and I was pretty mad so I hung up.
I then called and asked to file a complaint. I was told someone would call me back. That was a week ago.
Fifteen minutes after the female vet was so angry and rude, Dr. Anderson called. He did not address my complaint request, but had found time to call about the lab tests. He said that the lab had also found the time to try that second slide and that the results were also inconclusive. He seemed to think that i should be happy that he and the lab had such a quick response time. After a week of several daily calls begging for action, the fact that they could move when they decided that they really wanted to did not make me feel better.
Learning from the new vet that the main tumor is so easy to find and to biopsy, and that I put my dog through unneeded stress, paid an unneeded $ 1300, and needlessly looked bad at work, I feel worse.

We took our dog to McLean Animal Hospital today for the first time and we’re very pleased with the level of professionalism, care, and friendliness from Dr. Anderson and all of the staff members we encountered. I appreciate the level of care without the pushiness that we’ve encountered at other animal hospitals in the area. We will definitely be returning!

Dr Tyler Anderson, a Veterinarian at McLean Animal Hospital, is exceptional Doctor. He is very knowledgable, patient and has a good «bedside manner». He does not try to sell you unnecessary procedures or products. He follows up with phone calls and is reachable for questions. I am a high maintenance client with a high maintenance standard poodle! I highly recommend him.
Marjorie

I first found this vet using Unilocal; it had such wonderful reviews I decided to bring my dog here. I absolutely love bringing my dog here, we get excellent service everytime. We have been consistently coming to see Dr. Salkeld and she is excellent. The staff is friendly and helpful. My only complaint is that they take some time to email me prescriptions. I’ve had to call a few times over a couple of days to remind them to send my dog’s prescriptions. Other than that, McLean Animal Hospital is great!

McLean Animal Hospital has always provided helpful, kind, and medically sound service for my pets. We have been taking our family cats there for years, and I brought my own cat there when I was home after college. The vets are friendly and accomodating, and they really care about the welfare of all the animals they see.

We’ve been using Dr. Stork for 16 years. It took us a few years of going to other vets to find such a great doctor for our beloved animals. Dr. Stork solved problems that other vets couldn’t figure out. We moved to DC 13 years ago but still, happily drive to McLean for his excellent services. We’ve seen Dr. Sexton and Dr. Anderson, too. All were good doctors. All have been professional, understanding, down to earth and kind.

McLean Animal Hospital was recommended by a friend who has taken her pets there for years. And I am happy she did make the recommendation. A few years ago my cat was hit by a car and they put all hands on deck to repair his broken upper and lower jaw, saving his life. They took wonderful care of him for the week he was in hospital and he was good as new after the experience. I’ve subsequently moved to Alexandria but I still drive my cat to McLean for his annual checkup and shots.

I have been taking my babies, Bandit (German Shepard Beagle mix) and Roxie (Border Terrier), to McLean Animal Hospital for several years. Most recently, we have been going to Dr. Kate Salkeld. Dr. Salkeld is amazing and is very honest with us and does not push costly procedures on us. She is clearly communicates the pros and cons of options presented for whatever the issue one of the girls is having at the time. I did take my girls to another vet once when I moved from McLean to Arlington (Cherrydale Vet) — what a mistake! McLean Animal Hospital is expensive, but at least they do not nickle and dime you for the in between things like the bordetella shots & just charge you for the shot and not also an office visit. My girls are my babies and I will continue to drive to McLean for their care.

I’ve been going to McLean Animal Hospital for 18 years.
The two chihuahua’s that i’ve owned in that time (one died at 17 last June and the other one is a 4 year old rescue) have seen the following doctors for treatments and surgeries: Dr. Sexton, Dr. Stork, Dr. Salkeld, and Dr. Hodgdon.
And all of these doctors have been nothing but amazing on each and every visit.
All of them take their time with you to calm any fears, answer any questions, or even give you a shoulder to cry on when you have to say goodbye.
My chihuahuas prefer (ed) female vets and during the last few months of my former dogs life, Dr. Salked and Dr. Hodgdon were always available 24 – 7 to answer my questions, concerns etc and honestly acted like my friends throughout the entire traumatic process. I cannot thank both of them enough for what they did for me and my little fur-​baby to ensure that she lived her last few months the best she could. If you love your little fur-​babies as much as i do and want to give them the best honest care possible, bring them to one of the doctors above at Mclean Animal Hospital.

Dear Susan C. of McLean Animal Hospital,
1. To say that anyone at your practice ever «recommended a follow-​up test that provides a quantitative measure of his antibody titer against the disease-​causing bacterium,» is categorically false. Whether to do the follow-​up test, or preemptively treat the Lyme positive result were presented as two equal options. Dr. Wesson and I had lengthy discussions about this; I would under no circumstances decline a «recommended» test. Dr. Wesson repeatedly reassured me that there were absolutely no risks involved in administering the Minocycline without conducting further tests. Please do not add insult to injury by attempting to falsify facts.
2. Yes, the quantative antibody test was eventually conducted, and yes Rex tested positive for Lyme disease. However, not one of his elaborate team of veterinarians at either Old Dominion Animal Hospital, or Hope Advanced Veterinary Center, who have been treating Rex since have ever suggested to prescribe Minocycline to him. In fact, they have universally stated that they have never prescribed that drug, nor to such a tiny animal would they ever. Are you really alleging that all of them are irresponsible?
3. Your description of events is distorted and dishonest. Upon reporting the «sticky urine,» I rushed Rex to Old Dominion Animal Hospital, from which he had to be transferred to Hope. I did not disagree with your practice’s assessment; I just did not dare entrust Rex’s care to your doctors again… for obvious reasons.
Sincerely,
Maggie D.

When I moved to McLean in 2009, I chose McLean Animal Hospital for its convenience. But after several unfortunate incidents involving a clever cat that likes to swallow things, and the concern, kindness, and top-​notch service my cats and I received at McLean Animal Hospital, I continued using them as my vet even after I moved into DC in 2009.
I owe my cat’s life to the staff, and especially Dr. Hodgdon, who knew my cats by name and was always will to answer any question I had, no matter how silly it seemed (eg. «oh my gosh! Dr. Hodgdon, he sneezed! Is he going to be okay??»).
I only hope that I can find a similar practice when I move to San Diego this month.

WARNING!!! Do not and I repeat DO NOT go to Doctor Stork. I hate to give bad reviews but he pretty much killed my cat. Yes he ‘didn’t know’ but it still strikes me as suspicious that he saw my cat’s bloodwork and didn’t IMMEDIATELY run an ultrasound yet Doctor Wesson did. Hmmm. My cat was 4.25 pounds when he died. Yes you read it right 4.25 pounds because Doctor Stork gave him medicine for his thyroids speeding up the cancer in his lymfoads. The worst part was that my cat’s last day was spent laying in his own pee he was so weak. Oh did I mention it was 8 days before my birthday. However, Dr. Wesson was amazing. He had to, unfortunately, be the one to put my cat down and he was incredibly kind and knew what he was doing. Dr. Wesson also sent a handwritten card less then a week later. Also, yes it’s expensive but it is McLean and it is (mostly) amazing service. Hope this helps:)

After recently adding a wonderful bundle of kitten joy to our lives, it was time to take the little kitty in for his wellness exams and vaccinations. Skrillex, the kitten, was given to us at two months of age, and he was not eating or sleeping because he had just weaned off of his mother. I was concerned and had no idea what to expect, but after taking him to McLean Animal Hospital, all of our questions were answered. The vet also demonstrated how to get Skrillex to start eating, and since then, he’s been a BIG fan of food! Yay. We were also told that we certifiably have the cutest kitten ever. We’ve experienced nothing but kindness and professionalism from the staff at McLean Animal Hospital and will continue to take little (soon to be big) Skrillex here.

I love bringing my dog, Jacoby here. He’s not always thrilled, but it’s always clean and never smells like a vet’s office. While it is McLean, t’s not anymore expensive than the small town vet office from back home.
Dr. Andersen has always been knowledgable and helpful no matter what ailment I bring Jacoby in for. I’m a bit of a hypochondriac when it comes to Jacoby’s health. When we did have a real health scare with a possible seizure episode, Dr. Andersen was always updating me on his status and patiently listened as I rambled on about possible symptoms, which were all completely unrelated.
The only downside is I have to bring Jacoby in rather often for nail clippings (since other places can never get his back dewclaws short enough), and at $ 28 it is a little pricey.