s8n 14 Posted January 31, 2015 Hi All. I am wondering if anyone here has any experience with Garden State Veterinary hospital in Tinton Falls? My lab mix needs AcL surgery on his rear leg and this place was recommended .Also does anyone have any tips on recovery for this surgery? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tack Tickle 0 Posted January 31, 2015 Garden State is a great animal hospital with a very good friendly staff. Where are you located? If you don't mind traveling to Hamilton area, NorthStar Vet is one of the best animal hospitals in the country. They are open 24hrs as well. Both of them are great though! You can't go wrong with Garden State if you are close by. I WOULD NOT recommend Red Bank Animal Hos. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
paulnj088 9 Posted January 31, 2015 yess my boss says they are top notch.. GSV is a very good place to bring a pet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Njbanshee 9 Posted January 31, 2015 My wife worked for red bank vet. , they do a great job with the animals, but are kinda expensive. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyS. 12 Posted January 31, 2015 I've heard nothing but good about them from friends that have went there. I would take my dog there if needed. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSD1026 48 Posted January 31, 2015 Garden State is top notch for sure. They do just about everything there and have tons of specialists. We have take 3 of our dogs there in the past for various problems (stomach surgery, seizures, etc). Now, are they cheap? No. But they will certainly give you great care for your dog/cat/whatever..Please note - if you end up going there, you will have to pay half up front, that's how they do it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dan 177 Posted January 31, 2015 GSV is excellent. Our GSD needed arthroscopic elbow surgery when she was 6 mos old to correct a UAP. She's going on 7 now and that elbow has been rock solid perfect. <knock on wood> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
s8n 14 Posted January 31, 2015 thanks everyone for the info. it makes me feel little better.I just scheduled the surgery for Thursday. I just hope I can handle the recovery period... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Njbanshee 9 Posted January 31, 2015 It's very important for the dog to wear the cone. I hated watching my dog look so miserable, but they will lick the wound raw if y let them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TonyS. 12 Posted January 31, 2015 Yeah, I hate it when my dog(s) have had to wear the satellite dishes but they're wearing them for a reason, and it ain't to get better tv reception. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silverado427 10,682 Posted January 31, 2015 Hope your dog has a speedy recovery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
werder 0 Posted February 2, 2015 GSV is excellent ... Would recommend Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BullzeyeNJ 104 Posted February 2, 2015 They are excellent for orthopedic sx. . Request Dr Scavelli if you can get him. He is one of the best in the country. I dont know what his caseload is right now, he may be semi-retired since he founded the place. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
intercooler 41 Posted February 2, 2015 I hope it all turns out ok, my cat is doing pretty good, has a check up tomorrow. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
beachwhistle 28 Posted February 2, 2015 The brought my baby back from the brink. Excellent service. Be prepared for a big bill though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Porthole 15 Posted February 14, 2015 Have used Garden State and Red Bank over the last 15 years since moving to the shore. My experiences. We use a local vet for all the routine services for animals. Anything they can't handle moves up the chain. Don't know about GS, but Red Bank requires a referral to be a patient unless it is an emergency. They just don't take new customers AFAIK Three of our visits to GS were for emergencies. What I really dislike, almost despise, is that when you bring a dog in they will do a very quick workup of the anticipated costs and require 1/2 of the estimate before actually working on the animal. The only exception, and we did experience this, was for a dog with possible bloat. In that case the dog was immediately given emergency treatment first (turned out to not be the stomach twist bloat, instead it was food bloat), and then we paid the 1/2 estimate before any further treatment. As others mention, they are not inexpensive. We have used Red Bank for both emergencies and non E type visits that were above the capability of our local Vet. Unfortunately, most of them have been for canine cancer. Have never been charged up front when bringing the animals in. RB is also not inexpensive. But, at least I feel like we are getting our monies worth. Top notch facility, which BTW, is a teaching veterinary hospital. At any given time there are upwards of 30-50 people on staff. Two of our emergency visits were for injuries, one a "split" at the corner of the eye when the dogs were playing and one got head butted and the other for a torn open foot from running playing jumping in the yard. Never did find what cause the cut. Both of those injuries were on Saturday afternoons and both visits were under $125, which I though was very reasonable of a Saturday ER visit that required sutures and meds. We travel by camper and have used ER Vets several times while away. By far both GS and RB are very pricey compared to out of state and south Jersey (Northfield Animal Hospital) Have heard many good things of Northstar from several friends, 2 with regards to ACL surgery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Porthole 15 Posted February 14, 2015 Dog collars or cones. Years ago when we had our first Golden, who was very skittish about everything, we learned a trick to replace the collar. We use a large thick towel and make a wrap for the neck, kind of like a soft cervical collar. We then duct tape it up good. How thick and how long is dependent on where the surgery site is. But, once wrapped up good the pup can't bend at the neck. Solves the problem of the cone excavating the yard or walking into doorways. We have been doing this since the early 90's with good success. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Porthole 15 Posted February 14, 2015 Dog bloat - if you ever suspect your pup may be experiencing bloat (stomach intestines twisting) realize that it is an immediate "life death extremely painful" condition that requires immediate care. While you are on the way to the vet - call and notify them that you are bringing in an animal with bloat. The Vet should be standing by and take immediate action when you arrive. That was our experience with GS. MY wife called me at work with the concern, I told her to get on her way. I called GS and gave them the scoop and they were waiting at the door when my wife pulled up. Still cost me a bundle, but my girl was treated as needed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
s8n 14 Posted February 14, 2015 My boy is doing well since the surgery,haven't needed the cone but he is going crazy with being restricted to one room and short leased walks. Stitches come out tomorrow the another 8 weeks of recovery and we'll both be insane Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
s8n 14 Posted February 14, 2015 And Yes I did sleep on the floor with him the first night. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Porthole 15 Posted February 15, 2015 My boy is doing well since the surgery,haven't needed the cone but he is going crazy with being restricted to one room and short leased walks. Stitches come out tomorrow the another 8 weeks of recovery and we'll both be insane That rehab and taking it easy is real important for success. Hoping he'll be running and jumping by the time the trees are all in bloom. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites