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Highlands Animal Clinic

Updated 2026-07-08 · 946 reviewed · 172 listed · Scored from 526 Google reviews · How we rank ›

4.6(526) 79 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Verified
Low-Cost & Affordable Vet ClinicsGeneral & Wellness Veterinary CareVeterinary Surgery & OrthopedicsVeterinary Dentistry
Highlands Animal Clinic
Services
Low-Cost & Affordable Vet Clinics, General & Wellness Veterinary Care, Veterinary Surgery & Orthopedics
Reviews
526

What recent reviews say

Long-term clients praise Dr. Drake and Dr. Dredla for attentive, unhurried care that avoids unnecessary upselling and centers senior pets' comfort. A significant number report excellent experiences spanning years, with staff who make anxious animals at ease.

Recent one and two-star reviews surface serious concerns: missed senior bloodwork, no follow-up on test samples, rushed visits, and two owners reporting surgery recommendations they later felt were unnecessary. Several mention deterioration since an ownership transition, with complaints about rude front-desk behavior and medication refills requiring costly new appointments rather than phone authorization.

Recent shift: Ownership change appears to have triggered a noticeable decline in service consistency and staff culture. Multiple recent one and two-star reviews contrast pre-transition experiences (described as caring, patient, family-like) with post-transition complaints about rudeness, follow-up gaps, and aggressive treatment recommendations. Long-standing clients and a handful of new five-star reviews suggest some vets (Dr. Drake, Dr. Dredla, Dr. Anderson) maintain high standards, but front-desk and systemic process issues persist.

Praised for
  • skilled vets, especially Dr. Drake and Dr. Dredla
  • patient, unhurried care for senior and anxious pets
  • genuine concern for animal welfare, not profit-driven
  • clean, comfortable, welcoming space
Watch-outs
  • poor front-desk communication and follow-up
  • rushed appointments and missed diagnostics
  • jumped to surgery without exploring alternatives
  • inconsistent care quality since ownership change
skilled-vetscaring-bedside-mannergentle-with-animalsclean-facilitypoor-communicationrushed-appointmentsupselling-concernscompassionate-staffknowledgeable-staff
Best for: Long-term pet owners seeking individual vet relationships; families with senior or anxious animals
Think twice if: Have a senior or breed-prone-to-illness pet; some recent clients report missed diagnostics and post-visit follow-up gaps

Strengths

  • Individual vets like Dr. Drake known for long-term patient relationships
  • Patient, unhurried approach with senior and anxious animals
  • Transparent about medical necessity vs. cost
  • Welcoming, at-home feel to the facility

Worth knowing

  • Dr. Drake noted for nine-year relationships, sent flowers to family after pet's death
  • Dr. Dredla performs tumor surgery with minimal scarring
  • Recent ownership transition coincides with complaints about culture shift
  • Some clients report no follow-up on completed fecal tests or medication readiness notifications
  • Medication refills and minor concerns sometimes require paid appointment rather than phone authorization

What reviews say by service

General & Wellness Veterinary Care
Long-term clients report excellent wellness care; recent clients report missed senior bloodwork and slow follow-up on test results
Veterinary Surgery & Orthopedics
One reviewer noted minimal scarring from tumor removal; others questioned necessity of surgery recommendations
Veterinary Dentistry
Website lists pet dental care; no review text specifically speaks to this service

How it compares

  • Rated 4.6 against a 4.57 average across the 31 low-cost & affordable vet clinics businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 74% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Ranking Method
Star rating 73
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 48
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
456
4
19
3
8
2
7
1
36

Common questions

Does Highlands offer senior pet bloodwork or diagnostics?
They offer bloodwork, but recent reviews suggest it is not always offered during initial wellness visits without specific request. One client's senior dog was given only a heartworm test at a new-client visit, with no CBC or chemistry panel.
What happens if I need a medication refill for my pet?
Recent reviews indicate refills of existing medications sometimes require a paid appointment rather than a phone authorization, though this may vary.
Does the clinic follow up after visits with test results?
Recent reviews report that fecal tests ordered during visits were apparently never analyzed, with no follow-up call or email. This is not universal, but worth asking about before booking.
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Last updated 2026-07-08