Lort Smith Animal Hospital
23 reviews
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Apsolutely disgusting and horrible place. They care more about money than saving a dog! My dog was left laying on the floor for over an HOUR in a critical condition because a payment hadn’t been made!!!!! We had to pay before a vet would even enter the room just to look at my dog, I paid then there was no communication from anyone, once a vet… Read more
finally came in they told us she would need emergency surgery but yet again they wouldn’t take her until a 50% payment was made. ($2300) I said “what if you don’t have money right now to pay” and they told me they would “surrender my dog”!! A 1 star rating isn’t even justice for how bad my family and dog was treated. couldn’t not recommend this place more, apsolutely shame on them.
ABSOLUTELY INCOMPETENT. firstly, had 3 cats have dental extractions. Over $7500 Two of my cats still have pain. A vet said there was still an inflamed tooth. Wth did you remove then. Trying to get scripts and phoning through is a joke. Be prepared… Read more
to wait at least 30 min then they NEVER return your call. Then I get an email that accuses me of not calling them back and not picking up scripts. NONSENSE. I DID call. I OAID and the scripts were emailed to Vets Live Pets. Get your facts straight before accusing clients. Learn to apologise. These morons also cancelled my 4th cats dental surgery as I never confirmed. How can I confirm if you never contact me re an operation date. OMG. I’ve never met such useless incompetent. Go elsewhere
Follow-up · The 4th cat will be going to another vet. Definitely!! Aftercare was trash. I’ll be lodging a complaint with Consumer Affairs. I never heard back from LS when the vet said it was an inflamed tooth. I paid $2500 for dental extraction not counting visits and medication I’m going to Greencross in Hoppers Crossing
Took sick husky there. Two blood tests. CT scan. Ultrasound and steroid and antibiotic tablets for 4 weeks. $6000 ... they charge ridiculous prices for medication ..ask for a prescription and get the meds from a vet chemist at a fraction of the price. $1800+ for a CT scan is obscene. Their business model actually encourages euthanasia
It's a difficult situation for pet owners to have a sick pet but this place sees it as a way to milk as much money from the grief as possible. Then they admit, on the phone during an emergency all, that they're just experimenting and will try something if that doesn't work. They had already caused issues with the wrong medication and they wanted me to try them again while growing my pension money at them. No thanks.
We lost our sweet girl, Autumn on Wednesday 16th July 2025. Our bunny was a VIB bun (very important bun) already 9 years old. We adopted her only a few months ago from Rabbit Runaway Orphanage Olinda. a wonderful organisation to adopt or bond bunnies. Autumn’s family left for QLD, who won’t allow bunnies into the state. She was never caged, & I… Read more
knew our time together wouldn’t be extended, perhaps 2-3 years if we were lucky. Unfortunately none of us knew she had advanced cancer around the lung area.
Bunnies have a way of making their way into your heart very quickly so after battling on, the moment had come to ease her suffering no matter how painful for us.
Lort Smith were wonderful. They explained the entire process & we stayed with her until she peacefully went to sleep. Everyone, from Miriam, the nurse (a British girl, sorry, her name eludes me, through to a fabulous young vet, James were thoughtful & pastoral. They gave us plenty of time to say goodbye. Afterwards they gave us time to gather ourselves & asked would we like some paw prints & fur, which we did. The whole experience was thoughtful, kind & understanding. Couldn’t recommend the Lort Smith& their staff highly enough.
Released our dog to be cremated by the wrong company. Was not transparent in explaining how this happened. Hence, would not send any animal here.
what a rip off mob, I will never ever go back, took our sick Budgie in to get it checked out, they looked at her through the cage, didn't even handle it, $$190 bucks, thank-you see you later..
Absolutely Disgusted and Deeply Disappointed My experience with Lort Smith Animal Hospital was profoundly upsetting during an incredibly difficult time. When my beloved dog, Aishia, was gravely ill, I found their approach to be completely devoid of compassion and instead, heavily focused on finances. I was quoted an exorbitant $500 for basic… Read more
blood tests, and then pressured to admit Aishia overnight for an additional $2,500, even though it was clear she was dying. I chose to take her home, a decision that proved to be correct given her rapid decline the next day.
When I desperately called Lort Smith for Aishia's test results, needing to speak with the vet, the receptionist was incredibly unhelpful and rude. Despite my distress, she claimed the vet was "too busy" and then hung up on me, not once, but three times, when I tried to call back.
In stark contrast, when I immediately took Aishia to another vet, they promptly provided the test results, confirming her critically elevated kidney and liver levels. That vet was kind, compassionate, and understanding – everything Lort Smith was not.
I am utterly disgusted by the lack of empathy and professionalism shown by Lort Smith. In my darkest hour, they prioritized profit over care and treated a grieving pet owner with appalling disregard. I am seriously considering escalating this matter further.
I can understand that people are writing 1 star reviews for their experiences at Lort Smith, because they aren't the cheapest VET in town. BUT, I've had a few cats requiring surgery over the years and despite the costs, I've found that their surgical skills are excellent. Diagnosing an internal issue isn't cheap and the steps they use are… Read more
designed to identify the issue as efficiently as possible. There is no Medicare for your pets and owning one comes with a financial responsibility. I followed the Vets advise for our cat Simba and he is alive today because of that advice and the subsequent emergency surgery. I have a local vet I use for our everyday needs but they aren't equipped for complex surgery. I'm thankful that Lort Smith is.
My experience and my cat’s experience of Lort Smith, was truly traumatic. I initially took him there because it was close by and he needed his annual vaccination. This first vet did not discuss the imperative of having a lump removed from his hind leg. Due to its position, the sooner the better for wound closure on such a flexible site. The next… Read more
vet did not clearly explain the potential awfulness of healing such a wound either.
My cat was duly operated on and returned to me with a gapping open wound on his leg because it could not be stitched at that site - movement would burst the stitches I was told.
There began 6 months of this poor cat’s healing. But not that wound site. No, it was a wound from poor bandaging on his joint that took 6 months to heal.
I would attend the hospital every 2-3 days to have his bandage changed. I would hear him crying out in pain until they started giving him sedatives.
The reception staff were just plan rude, unempathic and didn’t give a care about the animal or me. Not once smiling or addressing me by my name. They would leave me and this 12 year old cat sitting for hours and hours.
All this time they were charging far more than the private practice I eventually took my poor cat to when I was told that Lort Smith would no longer care for him!
The private practice I took him too was absolutely beautiful and wonderful - ultimately it was their suggestion that I dress the wound every day or 2 with Manuka honey, that allowed him to heal. Interestingly, he was so cooperative with these bandage changes - I did them by myself. Why had trained vets struggled so much???
His treatment was truly terrible at Lort Smith - one vet actually said, “oh this poor cat” when she knew who I was bringing. It was clear, not just I, thought the situation was disgusting!
The vets stuffed up, the receptionist were bitter old women, and the hospital charged far more than a private practice.
No one ever took accountability. I was made to feel too difficult when I kept taking my cat back pleading for someone to care, to help.
Guess what? My cat is now 18 years old - but it has taken us both this long to heal from the gruesomeness of Lort Smith.
No continuity of care and difficult to get results back – Difficult to get your results back - say they will call back and then don't - finally get through to someone and they say the vets are too busy while we wait over a weekend to know if our dog needs palliative care and is in pain. Bloods and scan done on a Tuesday morning and still waiting on a Friday evening for a call. It is usual to get bloods back in 24 hours so can't understand why such a long wait.
Adoption centre procedure – Had an experience with the adoption centre that has left a bad taste in my mouth, today 31.01.25 We were lucky enough to be picked for a meet and greet today - there were 2 parties having a meet and greet .Our meet and greet was in the morning the other at 200pm .We were to be called after the second meet and greet to see if we'd been… Read more
successful.Unfortunately we weren't successful but the way we found out before the call was by going to the dogs profile and seeing the word adopted across his page.We were upset enough by missing out but would have really appreciated the call before the profile was updated
Money hungry – After taking my nearly 13 year old dog there sick I realistically wasn't expecting to be able to do much I was told they believed he had pancreatitis after spending 500 for an injection and a blood test he was still very ill days later Again I took him back and advised he would need ivf fluids another 900 when I received the call he had improved… Read more
but wasn't eating for me to pick him up and I could see if he would eat at home On picking up the dog he had got worse I stated my concerns and was told he was fine the only other opinion was more fluids and a scan which would be 1000 1500 I refused and took him home where he still hadnt improved i contacted the clinic to speak to a vet was told someone would call me back no one called I had him humanly euthanased which I had asked them whether that was the better option at the start
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They showed they really care about animals – When I had to take some injured wildlife (Boobook Owl) there, the staff were very professional and took the poor owl immediately to be looked at by a nurse. Looking after wildlife is something all Victorian vets have to do for free, but I could tell they really cared despite this being a cost for them.
Amazing place – Amazing place, amazing staff. We had to discharge our pet from another veterinary hospital to take him to the Lort Smith. From the moment we walked in the door, we could see the difference in professionalism and care that our boy would be receiving. Well and truly worth the hour drive to get there. Veterinary care is expensive. Those people… Read more
complaining about price clearly haven't been to other emergency veterinary hospitals. Our dollar went so much further than any other place we have been. As our issue was very complex we became regulars with staff members recognising and checking in while we waited for our appointment. Unfortunately the disease was much stronger than he was and we had a sad decision to make. I know that they did everything possible.
To all the staff at the Lort Smith we thank you from the bottom of my heart in trying to save our pet Soda. The dignity and compassion that you show is inspiring.
Caring and Supportive staff and service – LORT SMITH CAMPBELLFIELD My dogs and cats family are in heaven so l hadn't been to the new Lort Smith in Campbellfield. Unfortunately l was caring for my brothers dogs and one was a very sick the staff at reception was so understanding and supportive brought us in the side entrance then our Vet came took time to explain her final steps gave her a… Read more
doggie treat before her final journey although we have a heavy heart to see her finally at peace gave comfort. They gave us time and support thankyou for making a difficult journey the best it could be under the circumstances well done to all highly recommend ❤️
Horrible experience – Lort Smith was not at all compassionate and was just pushing for money not taking into account what was best for my dog $500 sounds a bit rich for blood tests and on top of that the she was trying to put my dog in overnight for another $2500 when my fur baby Aishia was dying I took her home then the next day she couldn’t walk I rang Lort smith… Read more
highly stressed wanting to speak to the vet and the receptionist said she was too busy I was crying saying I needed the test results and she hung up on me and when I tried calling back two times without speaking to me she hung up both times I quickly took her to another vet and they got the tests results straight away And they told me her kidneys and liver where elevated really high and I would have to make a choice as she wouldn’t live for long this vet was very kind and compassionate opposite to what your company was I am disgusted at your company I am considering taking this matter further ! To the response as below it wasn’t until the other vet asked for the results then much later you responded you might want to have a word to the rude receptionist I dealt with hanging up on me constantly I will be letting all know how I and my dog was treated! After having Aishia registered their from a puppy before your vet had caring compassionate vets and specialist working there but now there is all new people there I would avoid this vet at all costs !
There only love is money – Can't believe they call themselves animal lovers won't even give a ball park figger for a ct unlike the other 5 vets I called , only after your money " you will need to come a vet so we can give you a price " So they can give me a ball park figger
For the love of you pet – Don't go here for the love of you pet. The vets don't care. The will try to over charge you at every possible option they have too. You will be told different information depending on who you speak to. Vets will even tell you to just go and get a loan. They will chase you for payment that you have already paid. They just don't care
Terrible Customer Service – Quoted one price and then charged me a higher one after procedure. Still waiting for them to get back to me for a matter I raised almost a month ago. Probably a good place to adopt a pet but would really NOT recommend using their Vet Services.
My pure breed british cat now 1.5 yrs not properly diagnosed and NIT TREATED for gum infection/ inflammation at 3 mths – My pure breed British cat was not given antibiotics at first vaccination when they noticed he had red gums. 4 vaccinations later they tell me he may have gum infection? Quote was to sedate him, inspect and the cost at $2,000.00 regardless if not. They are to know all breeds but they tell me it may be genetic? If so will they reimburse me? NO… Read more
THEY SAY. Dental inspection which is in my opinion a rip off considering the above submission of facts.
Will suck up your money like a vacuum cleaner – They don't care about your pet, they only care about the potential lifestyle they can lead once their bank accounts are full and their house in South Yarra or Yarraville can be renovated.
My recommendation and advice would be to never use this service if you love your animal! – Communication is virtually non existent. Attempted to charge almost $1000 for testing for a condition that had already been confirmed with ultrasound and couldn’t be treated due to comorbidities anyway. Animal lost over 1 kg of weight in their “care” and was repeatedly loaded up with opioids without advice or consent, then advising that she was… Read more
in pain for days despite no record of pain ever existing and staff specifically advising she had not experienced any pain. Hadn’t advised about a condition that was known to them from last year, found out by chance in a conversation with one of the very many vets you’re forced to deal with. Vets constantly change and no one takes ownership of your animal, it’s condition, tests or results, in fact one of the Vets [Name Removed] didn’t even know what my dog was there for when speaking to me, nor did she know the sex of my animal, lied about having administered drugs and looks to have continued working on my animal after I was assured my animal would be removed from her care (as she prescribed more opioids). When I advised I was collecting my animal, all authorities and consents were revoked and they continued to “treat” her without consent. I personally consider this practice to be extremely dangerous given the way it’s run, really unethical and have found a number of people online who have experienced similar issues, others lost their pets. I’d encourage anyone who has experienced issues like this to IMMEDIATELY lodge a formal complaint with the Veterinary Practitioners Registration Board of Victoria. https://www.vetboard.vic.gov.au/VPRBV/VPRBV/Complaints.aspx?hkey=a03d1895-4bd9-46f0-9d35-f80def80ca9b I’ve had my animal for almost 16 years and I’ve never experienced such deception, lies, dismal communication, cash grabs, threats, aggressive behaviour etc. and there been very little investigation or response from the Veterinary Director of Lort Smith, despite having weeks to investigate and all claims being evidenced. I actually had to threaten to call the police in order to have my animal released to take her to a reputable Vet and will be making an application to VCAT to recover all costs and have pending invoices revoked.
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