Southgate Animal Clinic

I have been very happy with this clinic so far. My cat, Franklin, had some skin reaction when we first moved here, and scratched his face open. Because it was an emergency, we took him to the animal hospital, who recommended that we follow up with a regular vet in a week. Dr. Ricker is the first vet I have met in the 9 years I’ve had my cat who doesn’t try to gouge my bank account. She prescribed one medication to handle his skin allergy, his sinus allergy and his GI track issues, all in one go, and he has been doing very well.
I am surprised at the complaints against the prices and the front desk staff. The staff here have always been very proficient and friendly with us. I don’t think it is unreasonable for a vet to charge to take care of your pet, and any pet owner should plan accordingly to have money to care for the pet they adopted.
Every vet who has ever done blood work on my cat has removed him from my presence to do that, so I don’t think it is unusual, and most of them have tried to sell me on tests and surgeries that are completely unnecessary.
Dr. Ricker is straightforward, and she is great with my old man cat. Every time we’ve gone in, I have been very happy with everyone here. We will stick with this vet as long as our proximity allows.

Wouldn’t take my dog anywhere else! They are super nice and thorough. We have always been able to get an appt quickly and never had to wait too long in the waiting room.

We have been going to Southgate for years after a horrible experience at another local vet. They are always so great with our dog Gryffindor and I am always confident in their care. Gryffindor got really sick in the last few weeks and we were introduced to a new vet (to us anyway). New vets can always be scary, but Dr. Wilson has been AMAZING with our baby and I feel she has helped us understand what is going on with him and what all our options are. He is already feeling much better and I could not be more grateful! I really love that I have a place I can trust to take my baby to.

I have a 13 week old lab puppy. We have taken him their three times over just one month. I took him in to get his second round of shots and I asked if they could just look in his ears and they said that would be another 35 dollars, so I said okay to the money and they took him out of the room and looked in his ear. The vet tech came in and said that they are irritated. She said they could do more testing (she threw in it would be more money) or I could get some cleaner. At this time my puppy was losing hair around his ears and face, I didn’t think much of it, just thought he was losing his puppy hair. They never told me that his hair loss by his ear could be causing the problem and they should look into it. They obviously saw the hair loss on the ears since they were checking inside them. Just over the past 6 days my puppy has became totally bald behind his ears, head, legs, and stomach. He happens to have mange. One of the first signs of mange is hair loss on the ears. We called the vet and told them how unhappy we are about it and the vet tech said she did not see any hair loss and they wanted to do more testing but it was denied. They never once said it could be something serious. All they said was the inside of his ears were irritated. I have been going to them for 30 years and I will no longer be taking any of my animals there. It is all about money there instead of the care of animals.

Very overpriced and not very professional in my opinion. Have taken our first Shih-​Tzu there for over a year and now our new puppy. Every visit is over $ 100. Looking for a more reasonably priced and professional vet for the next time one of them needs to see a vet.

I have been a customer of this clinic for close to 15 years now, and they are as good as it gets. Personal and empathetic service from amazing and talented vets, especially Doctor Shaw and Doctor Wilson. We also adopted our current cat from the clinic after they fostered her as a kitten and cannot thank them enough for our kitty Logan. I have no idea what the 1 star reviews are about except cranky and insistent owners who are sure they know more than the vet they are visiting. I have nothing but good things to say about the clinic and the staff.

I called this morning to switch over to Southgate as my vet for my dog and cat, and the first order of business was to order new cat food. My cat requires hypoallergenic food that I have to purchase through a vet. I explained that she had just been in to our old vet for a check-​up to make sure she’s still fine on the food (she is, she’s eaten if with no problems, completely cured her IBD, for years), and that I’d have my old vet send over the current prescription. I was very surprised to learn Southgate is going to make me bring my cat in AGAIN, just to order this food. That unnecessary visit (she’s not sick!) is extra stress for her, lost work time for me, and cost. And I’ve worked with several vets around town that are more than happy to simply honor other vets’ current prescriptions for this simple matter. When a vet requires an unnecessary visit– not as required by law for a prescription refill, but as a matter of their policy – I run the other way. I’ll find a vet that is more reasonable.

Not the same place it was a year or two ago.

The true test of a veterinary clinic (IMO) is when you have an emergency… Today — my dogs were attacked by two other dogs while on a routine walk through my neighborhood. I called Southgate Animal Clinic from the spot where the incident occurred and they immediately accommodated us for an appointment. We rushed to the clinic and they got us in quickly and treated both of our dogs with true compassion and care. My husband and I were quite literally distraught and the staff at Southgate Animal Clinic was compassionate and responsive. We did not have to pay exorbitant «emergency» fees — we were treated as a priority because this is our veterinary clinic — exactly as it should be!

We have long adored Dr. Edens — she is ever so patient with our oldest dog who is deaf and has challenges with visiting the vet but tonight — Dr. Ricker was our hero! She took what was likely more time than she actually had in her schedule to make sure that our dogs were OK and to give us peace of mind and her Vet-​technician, Patty was awesome (as is our normal experience with the Southgate staff!). Thank you to all the folks at Southgate Animal Clinic — we are lifetime pet parents and lifetime customers for Southgate Animal Clinic!

$ 50 per animal just to walk in their door. Then if you actually want your animal (s) to be tested for illness & examined its another $ 50 per animal.

As a person who has raised and trained dogs and horses my entire life, never in my life have a met a vet clinic where the bedside manner was completely disregarded.
Instead of asking you the routine care you are providing for your puppy, they tell you that «we don’t condone ‘puppy behavior’ here», and that even though I know the breeder very well, that they should not be trusted.
My new puppy is only 13 weeks old, is working on basic commands, LOVES everyone… and well, is a puppy. Before I left, with a stern look Dr Smith also said «Are you SURE you don’t want some advice on training and puppy behavior?» (As my little guy was sitting on the floor just looking up at her.“
They also stepped on my poor little guys foot, and I hear him Unilocaling incessantly. After which the vets palpation’s also left him Unilocaling. Where she told me I did not desensitize my dog enough.
Honestly, I am here for a wellness exam for a dog that I know the complete history of, his parents, their parents, and the family of breeders. I did not come to a vet to be talked down to like a 5 year old child, by someone who has clearly not taken an etiquette class.
I will
I would not recommend this vet (Dr Smith), or the clinic, as they all seemed very judgy and abrasive, and if it was an inconvenience for them to have to see my sweet little guy.
Will not return.

I was so bummed about moving back to California and having to find a new vet for my kitty Klaus in Los Angeles. I am seriously looking into moving back to Portland soon and mostly because of South gate Animal Clinic. I have been going to vets in Los Angeles all my life with various childhood pets and I have never liked a vet like I do Southgate, before. The people working at this clinic are so genuinely nice and caring. The clinic itself is small, clean and not overwhelming or scary. I always felt safe with them and trusted them with my precious kitten. They put up with his ferociousness like heroes and they treated him like a little prince. I am so lucky to have had them around for the first year of his life and for all my worries and «new mama angsts.» They never overcharge, they have fair prices and they are open, honest and very smart. I sometimes still call them with worries over the phone because I do not entirely trust the vets here and they are so kind and patient with me.
Every vet clinic should strive to be like Southgate Animal Clinic.

Several months ago, I stopped by this vet for a quick assist with my dog guide before heading to work. The man at the counter treated my request to have someone look at my dog to be sure that he had not picked up fleas as an occasion to schedule me for an appointment several weeks out. When I wanted to have someone look immediately, the counter man seemed annoyed and said there was an appointment at 10:00 that day.
I said that I needed to take a bus to work and that I could use the help. The counter man seemed unwilling to assist and said that no one could help. I asked whether there was nobody in the building with sight who could look at the dog to see if he had caught fleas. The counter man came around, looked and declared the dog free of parasites.
I then asked for the packet of flea and tick preventative that I had previously ordered. The counter man said he had sent it. Apparently, the other ladies manning the counter weren’t allowed to speak in this man’s presence because one had to signal him to show the un-​sent package on a back counter.
I had attended this vet as a patron. I found the attitude of this counter man insulting, disability aversive and obstructionist. It is my intention to seek different veterinary care for my dog guide.

If you can’t give your vet five stars, you need a new vet.
After bouncing around to various places the first few months of my dog’s life, I was referred to Southgate, specifically Dr Shaw, by a co-​worker. We have been going there ever since.
We used Dr Shaw the first time and she was fantastic. The next time we needed the vet was a bit of an urgent matter, so we used whoever had first availability. I can’t remember who it was, but they were just as wonderful. Since then, whenever we need an appointment, we just go with whoever we can see the soonest. They are all so compassionate, patient, and you can tell they all truly love animals. The front desk staff are just as great. We had a couple scares throughout the last five years and each time, someone from the office called after a couple days at home to see how our dog was doing. That goes way above and beyond in my book.
They are very knowledgable and never miss a beat when they answer our slew of questions whenever we go in. We are those dog people who feel like our pups are our kids and this is one place I don’t feel embarrassed to show it. They love animals as much as we do. Highly recommend!

The best vet! With a house full of cats who came from shelters, we’ve been to a lot of vets. Dr. Shaw has diagnosed and treated two of our cats with unusual, life-​threatening conditions. Both cats are perfectly healthy now. Before treatment, they are careful to discuss all options, costs and risks. They never push for unnecessary or expensive treatments and allow you to make an educated decision on treatment. This group really cares about the animals they treat!

100% fantastic. I trust Dr. Ricker completely with the care of all three of my pups (2 seniors and a crazy 4 year old Golden Retriever). Highly recommend them all.

From the moment we scheduled on the phone with Southgate Animal Clinic, we have had nothing but attentive, considerate and knowledgeable care.
When Tedbear, our Cockapoo was having issues, Dr. Stemper was incredible. She spent a lot of time with me, discussing the possible causes and treatment, reviewing his history, listening well, and really talking in a down-​to-​earth way. She carefully reviewed all the fees, and created a very structured plan for his treatment, that was mindful of costs as well as benefit (the best benefit for the lowest cost). Best of all, Tedbear gave her a kiss when she held him. This has never happened!
When we came back for another examination on the same issue, she didn’t charge for the appointment, only for the x-​ray. And, after that appointment, she called twice to check on Tedbear.
Tedbear has the unfortunate habit of pooping when he’s nervous. But the office staff were so kind, picking up after him and responding with gentleness to ease his worries. Southgate has a different area for dogs and cats, it’s very clean, and I love that they have a pharmacy right there, so when they prescribe something, you can take it home right away! It even has your name and your dog’s name on it.
it’s rare to find a vet clinic that offers such exceptional care at affordable prices. Southgate proves you can.

I don’t even know where to start. I guess I will start with the positives. The vets here are amazing! I really really like them. They’re great with my old dog. I had previously gone to the same vet for 20 years before moving halfway across the country. I was thrilled to find vets that I liked almost as much as my old vet. I trust these vets. They have kind hearts and gentle hands with the animals. The office itself is clean, airy and pleasant.
My reason for giving only two stars is out of absolute frustration with the front desk staff. Even if there are no other clients waiting, the front desk staff are short-​tempered, unpleasant, stressed and grumpy. I struggle with them every time I need to simply refill a prescription for my dog. I’m on hold for anywhere from five to ten minutes every time. I can then expect to spend another ten minutes waiting to be taken care of while just simply picking up the prescription. I’m never treated kindly, no matter how much kindness I bring in with me to be kind to them. If your pet is sick? Don’t plan on being able to get an appointment the same day. It is nearly impossible.
It saddens me to see such a discrepancy between the doctors and the office staff. It makes what could potentially be a great experience at a veterinary clinic into an exercise in frustration and irritation.

New to the area, we read reviews here on Unilocal and decided that since it’s not far from our home, we’d give it a try. The overall office is clean and nice, roomy and well-​equipped. I think they had coffee/​tea in the waiting area. I may be mistaken about that but I think I remember it. The front desk staff was very sweet. The vet tech was very nice and he seemed knowledgeable.
This was our FIRST visit and the vet spent maybe five minutes TOPS with us. This included giving shots. The vet tech took her temp and she was fine with that. The doctor did take her out of the room and ask us not to come for blood work, though. Weird, right? Didn’t even preface it with, «is this ok?» or «let me put you at ease here». Bedside manner seemed non-​existant, she was all business. It was ‘surgery day’ and they didn’t want us traipsing through, which I understand, but taking our cat out of the room w/​o us on our first visit — to do a blood draw — made us uneasy. Not to mention the cat, who hadn’t been to the vet in awhile.
The vet didn’t ask many questions (three? all in the area of teeth cleaning and food, nothing about her habits or you’d expect a vet at a first-​time appt to ask) but she did tell us to feed her wet food and when I asked about the fact that resistance helps build strong teeth and gums, which won’t come from eating wet food, and how to remedy this? She was dumbfounded. I’ve since learned that finding things that they can chew on like rawhide or even certain types of bones helps to make up for this. We asked about teeth cleaning? Between $ 440 and $ 660 depending on how many extractions, if any. This sounded extremely high to us, where $ 250 in a sunny resort community is the base price and we get it done every two or three years.
All in all, the vet seemed like she was too busy to tend to us, first time patients and left us with the vet tech for 83% of our time with a human, which was about 50% of the time we were in the exam room (about an hour). She was pleasant enough but seemed preoccupied and busy. We spent $ 250 for five minutes of vet interaction. We now have a vet in Gladstone who fits our needs better, all the way around.
*Spent all that money and the staff never even called to tell us the results of the bloodwork we had done! We had to track THEM down.

It is so nice to walk into SAC’s welcoming, friendly environment and I appreciate their obvious compassion and understanding when it comes to caring for my dog. She is very small and sensitive to anesthesia and I am very comfortable leaving her in their expert hands.
The best part is that when it’s time to pay I feel good about the fair price they have charged. No surprises!!!
A friend referred me to Dr. Shaw after I complained how tired I was of being nickled and dimed at my dog’s current clinic where I often felt pressured to pay for expensive tests and treatments that didn’t seem necessary.
Thank you Dr. Shaw for providing excellent care for my dog and not ripping me off in the process.
I’ve referred a few friend’s and they are all very happy :)