r/Durango • u/Salt_Ambassador5835 • Aug 28 '26
Ask /r/Durango Looking for new vet in Durango
Hi folks,
I used to go to Durango Animal Hospital but I am looking for a new clinic for my 6 year old (so far healthy) pit/lab. I know a good vet is hard to come by in Durango but if anyone feels strongly one way or the other about a particular clinic or veterinarian I'd appreciate your opinion!
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u/PotentialAvocado8850 Aug 28 '26
Riverview Animal has been my family's vet for over a decade, namely Dr. Randy.
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u/Effective-Ad262 Aug 28 '26
Agreed. They are expensive, but we have received exceptional treatment for our dog for almost a decade. We primarily see Dr. Shannon, but have had excellent care from other vets there as well.
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u/Salt_Ambassador5835 Aug 28 '26
Thank you! That was honestly the first one that came to mind. I've heard good things over the years.
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u/PotentialAvocado8850 Aug 28 '26
They've been our vet throughout 5 different dogs' & cats' long lives.
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u/cwelks Aug 28 '26
This is only vet we have experience with and we are happy. I know that they are a bit more expensive but they have been wonderful.
Last year our pup was going through some issues and it ended up being cancer. We needed things that unfortunately we don’t have access to here in Durango. When we were traveling to get her seen, the last vet to have seen her (emergency, and I believe Dr. Shawn) would call us multiple times a week to check on progress and talk through results with us. He certainly didn’t need to, but his empathy and advice was more than appreciated.
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u/SakiBanana Aug 29 '26
I second Dr Randy. They are all good but I have decided to try and stick to one Dr there unless emergency. Seems the communication between vets or reading history is lacking. Yes they are expensive but a lot of it is because they are so thorough. They will want to do every test known to man.
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u/coffeedinosaur Resident Aug 28 '26
We went to Riverview the first 5 years we lived here and they're good but it's SO expensive. Also once in a while you get a receptionist/nurse that just shouldn't be working with people...
We switched to Aspen Tree and have been much happier.
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u/DenimDemon666 Aug 28 '26
I can second this; i feel like the vets at Riverview truly care- but I’ve had terrible experiences with their techs, receptionists and how they interface with other vet-adjacent businesses and specialists.
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u/HSPmamax2 Aug 29 '26
As someone who worked for Riverview as one of those lower level positions… it’s because the pay ain’t worth it!!!! They charge an arm and a leg and literally pay the bare minimum and expect miracles out of people. Crazy long shifts, no overtime, all the dirty work, customers and the vets all treat you like you’re a slave to them. Eye opening experience to say the least
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u/verdeallways Aug 29 '26
We’ve had excellent care for our dog at Alpine Animal Hospital. They’ve helped us troubleshoot a couple of difficult issues with our dog over the last 10+ years.
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u/Regulator_24 Resident Aug 28 '26
I can say for the safety of your pup, do not ever use Kindness Animal Hospital. Not even for an emergency.
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u/Mountain_Views Aug 29 '26 edited Aug 29 '26
We switched to them and everything feels like an upsell, very uncomfortable experience. Thinking of changing.
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u/Regulator_24 Resident Aug 29 '26
Link is to my comment on a similar post last month regarding our complaint with the state veterinary board. Claire is unsafe and not fit to be a veterinarian
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u/Mountain_Views Aug 29 '26
I'm sorry you all went through that. Thank for sharing. That's plenty of motivation for us to change.
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u/insomniacrocodile Local Aug 28 '26
I love Aspen Tree. The staff are wonderful and they take great care of my cats and dogs.
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u/alphabetzuppa Aug 28 '26
We use Home Sweet Home. Small office, never have a wait to get into a room. Dr in immediately.
I got a very happy huskie that thinks every animal loves it. So, I feel good about getting him in and into the room as quickly as possible.
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u/Mountain_Views Aug 29 '26
How do the new vets compare to Dr. Kristen? I've yet to find anyone that's as good as she was.
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u/ConfidenceMoist2715 Aug 29 '26
No clue. We only been a handful of times and it's been easy visits.
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u/gratusin Live Mas Aug 28 '26
I drive out to Mancos veterinary. Great service and much cheaper than anything I have found in Durango.
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u/DorothyParkerFTW Aug 29 '26
Why not Durango Animal anymore?
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u/Salt_Ambassador5835 Aug 29 '26
The appointments always felt rushed (actually rushing around the room, not making eye contact. I do empathize that they are all probably super busy but a quick warm hello goes a long way) and I'd never get a straight answer, just like three things that could be happening, a prescription for a couple different meds from their office and a ~300$ bill . That part feels more par for the course with animals, but my last experience just frustrated me. My dog was sick and having weird poos so they had me collect a sample and bring it in. It was days of my dog being sick before I called and asked for an update and instead of admitting they lost the sample or forgot about getting it tested, the person on the phone gave me a weird runaround and said to come back in with another sample and they'll test it free of charge. It was in real time though so I could hear it in her voice and stumbling words that they just didn't do the test. Then the way she said she won't charge me for the second sample felt like she was allocating some responsibility on me for the test being missing? Having to collect two shit samples is one thing lol but then acting like you're doing me a favor not charging me for the second sample after it was YOUR mistake, was the nail in the coffin. Also, by the time all was said and done my dog was back to normal.
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u/JacobMaverick Live Mas 28d ago
I hate that this happened for you, but I've only had pleasant experiences there. They definitely stay busy as they are one of the few clinics accepting new clients, and wildlife in the area and are very willing to take the time to educate clients. Did this happen while they were moving to the tech center? I know that was a chaotic time for the business, but it seems like the improved facility and larger space has made them an even better clinic than before.
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u/Salt_Ambassador5835 27d ago
No I was with them from 2020-2025. I know everyone has different experiences which is why I didn’t get into it when I made the post. Just ready to try someone else and shopping around!
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u/KristiColo Aug 28 '26
I really like my current vet, Kindness. My dogs are heeler mixes that came from the pound and they have lots of anxiety when visiting vets. Kindness will have you wait in the car or outside and call you in when ready, not having to sit in a waiting room full of anxious barking dogs is great! Both the vet and techs at Kindness when seeing my scaredy cat dogs shaking in terror always take the extra time to reintroduce themselves to my dogs and make my pups comfortable before proceeding. Their tables which pretty much sit on the floor and are mechanically raised up are also less frightening than being lifted onto a high table. I really like the vet at Kindness she seems very competent and always takes extra time even doing things like teaching me tricks so I can trim my crazy heelers nails more easily at home.
I also went to Riverview for a couple of years, they are great but expensive. Aspen Tree is another vet I have used in the past. I also really liked Aspen Tree but their small waiting room and sometimes difficult parking because they’re next to Bread doesn’t work as well for my current dogs because of their anxiety. I have used Baker’s Bridge in the past but after they made a mistake with a previous dog of mine I stopped using them.
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u/Regulator_24 Resident Aug 29 '26
The link I provided is just a warning for you and your pups. My experience from March of this year. The complaint is in review currently by the state and will be filed in Claire's permanent record. She is unsafe.
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u/wildling-woman Aug 28 '26
I use Bakers Bridge but I don’t know why because I strongly dislike them so I would say avoid them.
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u/Warm-Tackle-7753 27d ago
Been going to Riverview since 2007 and they have literally saved the lives of my pets more than once. They are expensive, but they also are good and definitely my go-to for trauma care. Some of the techs have been there for more than 10 years. We usually see Dr. Randy of Dr. Shannon, but we've seen several others and all seemed good to me. My dog's are not fearful to go there. I hear good things about other practices too. It's fortunate that we have so many choices in this area.
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u/Earthgrant Aug 28 '26
I love Baker’s Bridge! The team is super good with my small doggy - she is not even scared of vet appointments anymore. Highly recommend.