Bartels Busack Pet Hospital Resort & Spa

Today I took my new best friend, Brutus, for his first vet visit. Dr. Walker and the staff were unbelievably wonderful to both of us! He was never nervous or uncomfortable, and even sat by the door for Dr. Walker to Coke back into the room! They even gave me a cup of coffee while I waited! I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for a new vet!

we had a great experience with their puppy daycare and boarding.

A few months ago I realized that they were giving my dog the 60 – 70 pound heartworm medication even though he is only 40 pounds. Coincidentally he had seizures for the first time in his life the entire time he was on that medicine. Absolutely ridiculous. Look elsewhere, please!

Echoing the other reviews, the care is phenomenal but the pricing outrageous. Frankly, I don’t mind paying for top notch vet care when it’s warranted or a specific procedure, however for things like annual shots and basic exams I hate paying more when I’m receiving the same service.

I took my dogs elsewhere about a year ago after becoming frustrated with the treatment I received when my original veterinarian left the practice (who was communicative and showed a real desire to manage expenses and include me in the decisionmaking), and we started seeing Dr. Walker.
My older dog has a long term, chronic illness that this clinic was unable to identify. He was placed on several expensive medications and food that totalled several thousand dollars a year, including a medication for dogs with insufficient pancreas function. When I tried to discuss options for long term care to maintain quality of life while decreasing expenses, the response that I got from Dr. Walker was essentially that she knew best and then she questioned whether I wanted what was best for my dog. The final visit, she ordered bloodwork but did not even bother to check his pancreas values. I took him to a new vet, and when he went through my dog’s paperwork, he could not find evidence that my dog needed the pancreas medication. He checked his pancreas values to be safe. His lipase values were normal the only time he was tested by Bartles and Busack. His lipase values are normal currently. We took him off that specific medication and his stool improved, and I am spending $ 1000 less a year. So my dog was on expensive medication for no defensible reason.
Then there was the time I asked for a refill of his pain medication and she acted like I was a drug addict. The prior doctor had told me to give him 2 – 3 pills a day and I was under the impression that this was a permanent medication regimen because I had been told his condition is very painful. I had one refill left on the prescription and at the time I was traveling for work with my dogs, so I would make sure I had more than enough of everything that they needed. Instead of calmly explaining that I was supposed to be weaning him off of the pain medication she yelled at me about it being a controlled substance (how am I supposed to know that?) and how I couldn’t possibly need a refill even after I had been upfront with how many pills I had left and my travel situation.
Then there was the time that she acted like I abuse my other dog because I brought him in wearing a sweater in winter (I’d just shaved him, he is a terrier, and he gets cold). She told me she doesn’t like it when they come in because usually the owners are trying to hide something. Because there is no way the vet would take off the sweater. If you were trying to hide something, wouldn’t most people be smart enough to cancel the appointment?
Finally, The American heartworm association recommends testing your dog once a year. They are requiring testing twice a year to be able to purchase the medication needed to prevent heartworm. If I remember properly, they were charging $ 40 for this test. There is no scientificly supported reason for their required testing frequency and when I tried to talk to them about this, I got the same «don’t you want what is best for your pet?» Non-​response. There is a reason that testing frequency is established based on scientific data: every test has a false positive rate (that can lead to unneeded followups and expose the patient to unnecessary risk) — the established rate weighs the benefits with the potential risks based on statistics.
The funniest thing is that when I finally got my complete records (surprise surprise, they didnt give me my dog’s blood work originally with the rest of the packet) and read the notes about why I left, the office supervisor made me seem like I am anti-​vaccine (how she got ‘vaccine’ from ‘overtesting and putting my dog on unnecessary medications’ is beyond me…) and did not make note of any of my real concerns. Let me be blunt: a woman who feels strongly about scientific evidence is pro-​vaccine.
I feel strongly that your veterinarian (and your doctor) should having honest conversations about quality of life and cost of care. I did not have this relationship at Bartles and Busack after my original veterinarian left their practice.

I would highly recommend anyone with pets to come here. The whole staff and doctors were very concerned with our pets and made sure we knew what we were getting into before any procedures were done (including prices and whatnot). The doctors were thorough with their explanations on what each procedure we were dealing with.

My review is based solely on the spa side. I boarded my dog for 2 days, and specifically told them that my dog shouldn’t have contact with other dogs. (recently spayed and had stitches). They «accidentally» let her participate in doggy play time, and this could have endangered her. Also, the reception staff was not too concerned about my concern as a pet owner. I felt that they were negligent, and not very apologetic or empathetic. When the manager from the clinic side came to check out my dog, she was quite helpful and the vet came as well. This part made me feel better about the place.
Will not be going back there.

I would give the boarding/​spa portion of this business 5 stars and the veterinarians 3.5 The services themselves and the staff are great, but the prices for the veterinary services are astronomical. If I added up the money I have spent at this place in the past 3 years, I probably could have purchased a nice used car.
Anyway, I had a cat who I brought here for about two years (she just passed away), and a dog whom I adopted a year ago and have been bringing her here for that year. She has been boarded, brought to day care, and had baths here. The prices for day care and boarding are comparable to other places in Cleveland. The reason I bring my dog here instead of those other places are 1. The Staff. The people who play with my dog during day care, watch her, and work the desk, are extremely friendly. They always make comments about my dog’s personality and are happy to see her. It seems like they really enjoy their jobs and the animals. 2. My dog’s reaction. My dog is always super excited to GO to boarding. She loves to play with other dogs and she loves the people here.
As far as the vet side, there are a few of the vets that I really love and a few I am not wild about. Dr. Busack is a compassionate and wonderful vet. He is very thorough, does a good job of explaining things, and obviously loves animals. I always try to see him if I can. When the decision had to be made to put my cat to sleep, he was very honest and straightforward. He didn’t beat around the bush. I had a vet years ago basically not want to tell me I should put an animal to sleep. Dr. Busack was very kind but said it was really the only option because she wouldn’t get better. I really appreciated that. I can’t remember the name of the woman who was caring for my cat over the weekend when she was very sick, but she was extremely kind. She went and bought tuna for my cat, even though it was probably obvious to her that the cat would have to be put down. I just thought that was very sweet of her. I feel that my pets have always received the best care here. If it was a little less expensive it would be the perfect place.

The whole staff went out of their way to help me save a stray cat I found when no one else would. Not shelters, Humane Society, or other vet offices. Thank you so much for saving my precious Easter. She’s on her way to a healthy and happy life now in a home filled with love.

Over all I find Bartels Busack to be a top notch vet. I find their new facility to be outstanding. HOWEVER, I was just in for my dogs, and spent $ 600 or so on check ups exams, updated shots, frontline, etc. Not more then a week later my dog had an issue that we needed to go back. I was charged another $ 108 for an NEW exam, an ocular pressure test (which feels to be to be the biggest scam ever — but I am not a vet), and medication. Another $ 108. Disappointing. There was no «well you were just here, so we will only charge you this…»
Also, they never seem to send coupons, or thanks for you business «gift cards», or pay for 10 check ups and the 11^th is free (even the guy who changes my oil does that). They do nothing to feel like they appreciate me coming there. This last experience today will have me going to a new vet next time around.

I would not think of taking my dog to any other vet. He has been going here since a puppy. Two co-​workers recommend them to me when we got him at 9 weeks old. He is now eleven. Their new facility is very nice and huge. They are always concerned about your pet and know he is a part of your family. Always follow up calls if there is surgery or concerns. You know you are in good hands with them.
Oh and my dog is a terrier and always makes a ruckus and no one seems to care he is being a total idiot. We moved and live further away from their office but I still take him to Bartels-​Busack.
I have used the Resort for boarding when going out of town. A bit Pricey — depends what you are looking for. No worries while away