Falconbridge Animal Hospital Durham, North Carolina

Friendly staff, curbside drop-off is convenient. Have your phone ready for that though

I took my dog to Falconbridge Animal Hospital in Durham, NC on July 9, 2021 because he was repetitively vomiting. Dr. Lang at Falconbridge ordered abdominal X-rays to evaluate the cause of the vomiting. The records say she found a “round radiopaque density in the stomach” that she diagnosed as a “Gastric Foreign Body” which she concluded was a rock in my dog’s stomach. She charged me $472.75 for this visit. After her evaluation, Dr. Lang told me that I needed to drive my dog to Triangle Veterinary Referral Hospital (an emergency veterinary office) for further evaluation and a possible endoscopy or surgery to remove the rock. At the Referral Hospital, I was told by the vet that she would like to take X-rays and run blood tests because based upon her review of Dr. Lang’s X-rays it appeared that the object was not located in the stomach. After such additional testing she concluded that the “round radiopaque density” was in the location of the liver or gallbladder. Since she was able to determine that he had not eaten a rock, she did not recommend following the suggested treatment from Dr. Lang. The Referral Hospital kept him overnight to ensure my dog was stable and no longer vomiting. I was charged $798.33 for his treatment and the many rounds of lab tests. I was told to follow up with another vet to have his diagnosis of a liver-stone or gallstone confirmed. As I had lost my trust in the vets at Falconbridge Animal Hospital, I made an appointment for my dog with my parents’ vet in Charlotte, NC. I was able to get him seen on July 26, 2021 by Dr. Miller at his practice, Miller Animal Hospital. He was able to take two X-rays and immediately determine that this object could not have been in the stomach. Based on the location, his diagnosis was that my dog had a gallstone. He sat down with me and explained what he was seeing on the X-rays and walked me through how he came to his conclusion. I have medical training as a dentist and with my limited knowledge of canine abdominal anatomy, even I can clearly see this object is on the right side of my dog’s abdomen close to the sternum/chest. I can also clearly see the stomach, which is located on the left side towards the spine/back. It is evidently clear that the object (gallstone) and the stomach are on complete opposite sides of the body. Dr. Miller gave me Ursodiol which is a medication used to clear gallstones. In a follow up visit one month later, the gallstone is clearly breaking down and my dog is on the mend! I was very upset about the misdiagnosis made my Dr. Lang at Falconbridge Animal Hospital and contacted the practice to let them know what happened. I wanted to talk with the vet and learn how a gallstone could have been mistaken for a rock in the stomach as they are on opposite sides of the body. Another goal of my conversation was to request a refund. Dr. Lang’s incorrect reading of the X-ray led to my dog undergoing additional testing and appointments to confirm the misdiagnosis and properly diagnose his condition, resulting in significant additional cost and delayed treatment. When I got in contact with Dr. Lang she was defensive over her incorrect diagnosis. She told me, “it was clear he needed to be referred because he was so sick. Either way, if it was a rock or a gallstone, he would have needed surgery.” This statement is incorrect as my dog did have a gallstone and did not need surgery, just a simple medication and diet change. It is now clear to me that had I not taken my dog to Dr. Lang in the first place, my dog would have received more accurate and timely care without the incompetence that I experienced.

I don’t write reviews often but I’m very frustrated with this business. We made an appointment for our dog at village vet and nobody told us that they would be closed so we had to go to Falconbridge. Not one person apologized for not telling us their other clinic would be closed. Staff was rude and dismissive and could not even give me a time estimate for how long I have to sit in my car.

Falconbridge has been our vet ever since we moved to Chapel Hill. They've always been there to help us, and have helped us through the loss of our elderly dog, through bringing a new puppy into the family, various cat ailments, and recently helping us with hospice for our elderly cat with a terminal prognosis. The vets and staff at Falconbridge (and their sister hospital, who we've also visited) are unfailingly kind and considerate. Many times they've worked us in when they were already tired and overwhelmed, and I can tell how much they care about our animals. We're lucky to have them available to us. Everyone there from the receptionists, to the techs, to the actual doctors are fantastic and they try so hard to do all they can.

I had the sad experience of bringing a sick pet in and him not making it. The Vet was very communicative and clearly cared. She brought him out herself when it was time for us to take him to his final rest. The whole team was very helpful when they could hear the concern in my voice. If we ever have a other animal, this will be our vet . .

Great vet - super friendly and caring staff. True animal lovers

Cruelty free vet. They care about your pet as much as you do.

Seems very good. Had to take my friends cat in. FYI if you are going during covid and have to call from your parking spot, do not wait on hold. Do the option to leave a message. Then keep trying to call back.

One of the reasons we drive all the way to Falconbridge is that they understand that part of the ability of owners to take care of their animals is keeping the costs reasonable to own the animal. Dr Reeves several times has recommended approaches that were more effective and far less expensive than other vets we had been to. The quality of care is good and they care about the animals.

Great services, highley recommend it.

Gave my cat a rabies shot, which I had done already, without asking. Then refused to refund my money. Changed vets.

I have a great experience with Falconbridge. Just curious has anyone noticed in their annual visits that they don't conduct the shots in front of you? Happened on my last annual visit. Just curious if anyone else had the same experience as I did.

Great vet and super friendly

I have a geriatric cat, a long-hair who's sweet until she's really not, a diva when it comes to the existence of any other pet within her purview--she should be the only one, or so she thinks. As divas go, she is very finicky about what she eats, but in the end we've discovered that she suffers from inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Reeves at Falconbridge Animal Hospital has been very helpful during our visits there. She is calm, measured, and deliberate in her care and took the time to answer all of my questions during appointments. We've gone down a couple different paths to manage my cat's IBD, including experimenting with different foods and probiotic treatments. Whatever the outcome of our current regimen, I'm looking forward to my cat's next visit with Dr. Reeves. She's professional despite my cat not being "nice" all the time. As far as the facility goes, it's clean and tidy and equipped to do testing and boarding on site. The staff members are friendly and ready to answer questions about billing or appointment-making. So far, my experience has been great, and I highly recommend their services!

Caring and friendly staff. I love Falconbridge.

They take care of my rescue pups with professional yet one of the family like care. Staff is extremely friendly and professional . Pups hate going to doctor but run in when they see the smiling faces welcoming them with treats and kind hugs.

Do not under any circumstances go to this vet. Dr Karl is rude and unprofessional. She laughed at me when I had a question and continued to be unpleasant the next day when I went to pick up my dog after she was spayed. I do not question her technical skills but her "bedside manner " is abominable. There are plenty of other veterinary practices do not subject yourself to this one.

Top notch. Dr. Karl is outstanding!

The vet was so kind and caring. I would ???? go back there. It was a hard day as I had to put my pet down due to cancer.

The folks at Falconbridge Animal Hospital have been taking care of my pets for over 10 years. They are consistently caring and compassionate as well as most knowledgeable of the variety of conditions I’ve presented them with. I usually see Dr. Keri Reeves and she is wonderful along with all the other staff members there. I can’t recommend them enough.

Good people and pet care.

Caring, well-educated, capable veterinarians and vet techs, responsive to contacts and gentle to the creatures in their care. Have used Village Vet and Falconbridge for 13 years with two Labs. When we get another dog, we'll continue to be clients. Recommend highly.

Falconbridge has a highly knowledgeable, gentle, and welcoming staff. Our dog loved Dr. Lang and the other technicians that he met during our visit.

Been with them for many years. They have been doctor to my dogs and bunnies. Thank you!

They were able to pull the unpillable cat!

They took excellent care of my dog, Sonny after he had a reaction to a nest of yellow jackets attacking him. He started getting shocky, I took him there because they have a great reputation and were very close (mind you I have never taken my dogs here before so I was a new client they could have told me to go elsewhere) and Dr Reeves saw him within minutes and was treating him immediately. Made a full recovery and he is back to doing his retriever training, thanks everyone at Falconbridge for taking care of my boy!!

The staff make you feel as if your pet is just as important as their own. The time, attention and quality of care given to us at every visit is unparalleled.

Dr. Karl is excellent and has a great bedside manner with my mini schnauzer named Heidi. I trust her implicitly. Falconbridge is conveniently located which makes it a very short commute. All the ancillary are friendly and helpful. Thanks, Brenda Cunningham, RN.MSN, MEd, PhN, Commander, US Army (retired).

I have always had exceptional care for my Penny here. We recently saw Dr. Lang I believe was her name, and she was so informative, giving us options and benefits/risks of those options. Highly recommend!

Great care and service. Been bringing our dog here for years now.