Animal Clinic of Rough & Ready

Dr. Erick Muehlenbein at Animal Clinic of Rough and Ready is as good as it gets. We are new to the area and were in search of a local vet for our two dogs. We feel like we hit the jackpot when we found Dr. Muehlenbein. On our first visit with him, he quickly diagnosed a yeast infection on the skin of our dog. Dr. Muehlenbein prescribed a course of treatment that quickly cleared up the problem. Just today, we visited the doctor again because our dog was not using one of her back legs. She’s previously been treated for cancer and we feared the worst. Dr. Muehlenbein spent time reviewing her records from the oncologist and previous vet, listened to my concerns, and then clearly explained his diagnosis and recommended a veterinary acupuncturist to treat the problem holistically. I was relieved and impressed that he wasn’t quick to prescribe pain medications. He didn’t even charge me for the visit! I don’t know what’s gone on with this clinic in the past, but if you’re looking for a kind, bright, and professional veterinarian, I encourage you to visit Dr. Muehlenbein. Just as a side note, he’s also committed to his community as he recently volunteered at the Nevada County Fair and served me a baked potato.

This review concerns the people who bought the practice from Dr. Fassino. Dr. Fassino was simply GREAT. My dog went blind, suddenly, over night. In a panic, I phoned the practice but got the answering service. They were very caring and said they’d fax over my information so I could go to the practice and be there when they opened. I did that, but the rude female person behind the counter said, «You can’t just walk in here with your dog, you need to make an appointment». When I explained that I had spoken with the answering service and they were faxing over my information, she said that it wasn’t there and why don’t I take my dog to my ‘regular’ vet because I’ll have to wait at least three hours before being seen, although there was only one other patient present. My explanation that this IS my regular vet, was met with silence. I waited probably 30 minutes until I was able to see the vet who then tried to joke and kid around about my newly blind border collie. Not funny at all and he continued until I began to cry. He had no idea why my dog was blind, but he prescribed a course of prednisone which restored her sight. Since that unfortunate experience, I’ve learned that ranch dogs, who are often exposed to Ivermectiin (a horse wormer), sometimes eat the Ivermectin and suffer severe neurological effects. My large animal vet knew all about this problem. Oddly, when I was at the Animal Clinic of Rough and Ready, the vet mentioned that he used to be a large animal vet. HUH? Then why didn’t he know about Ivermectin and the problems caused by dogs eating it. OK, so he didn’t know the dog ate Ivermectin, neither did I, but living in a rural environment, such as Nev. Co., and having a border collie, it’s not much of a leap that the dog might live around horses who are wormed. Turns out, Ivermectin poisoning in dogs is not all that uncommon. The worse part of this whole thing is the cold rudeness of that awful woman behind the counter. She treated me like an unwanted intruder. I’m looking for a new vet.

This review is being given for DR. LAURA BOOTH who bought Dr. Kevin Fassino’s practice. Living in the country, my three dogs are prone to breaking their toenails with their adventures on our ranch. Between the three of them, I have seen at least 5 broken toenails. When I bring them to the vet, it is because the nail has broken up so high that it would be impossible to clip it without extreme pain. Every time, the Dr. Fassino gave an injection of local anesthetic and tried to clip the nail. And every time, he ended up putting the dogs out because it was just too painful.
When I brought my dog to see DR. LAURA BOOTH, I was not greeted. She did not even look at me, and went straight to my dog, slapping him on the side and calling him «stink pot» and making fun of him. She put some topical lidocaine on the nail and was about to proceed. I advised her that it is too painful and the Doctor usually knocks them out for this. She said «its not that bad» and clipped the nail. My dog screamed. SCREAMED. I have never heard him make such an awful sound. I should have stopped her, as topical lidocaine isn’t even sufficient for a bikini wax, but she was the doctor and I thought she might show me something I didn’t know.
My dog is now traumatized. He won’t let me touch his feet at all. I ended up having to take him to another vet to have the nail re-​treated as it was splitting up the quick from the dull nail clippers she used. DR. LAURA BOOTH is a barbaric and uncaring doctor and she needs to be educated on the standard of care for her patients. DO NOT BRING YOUR PETS HERE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. And, if you do not heed my warning, please post a review after you experience this awful person for yourself.
On a positive note, Dr. Mimi Vishoot in Penn Valley has been amazing after all of this. I highly recommend Dr. Vishoot and her staff!

All the reviews here are true. If I could give Dr. Kevin Fassino 1000 stars I would. This man works from his HEART. He understands and is beyond compassionate. He was born to heal and love animals — and their owners. A one in a million Vet and Clinic. Staff are beyond loving, tender and awesome always. Even when I moved with my dog, Sky, across the country — we stayed in touch — had a connection. So glad we moved back. He made EVERYTHING — easier — if that were possible. He is so detail oriented, so patient and a great listener also. He has VAST experience and is not just a supreme vet, he is a supreme Human. WELL worth the beautiful drive to Rough & Ready. I feel completely blessed to have encountered this fabulous vet and his clinic, and know that all who go there will have a wonderful, HEALTHY connection with this place of healing for the rest of their, and their incomparable animal companions, magical lives.

Dr. Fassino and his staff are WONDERFUL!!! These people love animals and it shows! I highly recommend this vet if you love your pets!

I can’t rate them high enough. Most caring, loving, committed veterinary clinic I’ve ever had the good fortune to work with. We took a stab in the dark when we moved to the area and what a lucky shot it was. Doc Fassino is not allowed to retire, ever! :-)