Albatross Veterinary Services

What a standoffish receptionist I encountered. I called to book an appointment was highly recommended by a friend who has been there for many years. I was struggling to find the right vet for my sick dog. Receptionist was about to book me in for next week, until she found out we are not a client. She turned us down due to not able to book clients sooner. I've never seen any one turning down business for their boss before. It's really bad karma and bad energy to have someone like that working in the office.

I have been bringing small animals to this clinic for more than 40 years.The recent years have not been as pleasant as previous years with Dr.Svanborn.The office has lost its personal expert service and I recently had a terrible experience with the clinic selling a flea pill called Brevedex made by Merck Canada. Our dog had an extreme reaction and come close to dying. One day we had a full Vet inspection and were given a clean bill of health plus worming and flea treatment . Within 2 days our dog cannot get up or stand.We had very difficult time waking her up.Friday afternoon 3:00 pm we phoned clinic and office tells us vet is gone for the weekend. I pleaded to have them contact and give the vet our message.Her response was There is an emergency vet you can phone.Our dog has lived and it has been over 2 months with this having not gone away.We contacted Merck Canada and they offered to pay vet bill to look at her again.After contacting Health Canada we learned the Manufacturer and vet clinic must report to them on any serious side effects on the on product being used within 12 days.When we asked the office if this indeed had been reported to Health Canada the reply was well no because the product was not the problem.This lady is not a vet and really not a person you want involved with a problem with your pet.We now have Health Canada looking at why this incedent was not reported.I do not enjoy speaking badly about people but I caution you to have your eyes open at that clinic."

We've used Albatross for all of our dogs ever since I can remember and highly recommend them to anyone I know!

They are closing... and in order to take your dog to a new vet.. they want your old records.. well they refuse to issue them.. no electronic options. Was told maybe next week they can fax or get them prepared for pick up [if] they get time. So I essentially couldn't get a full review with the new vet when I needed too since they can't see my dogs medical history and no idea when I'll have them.Used to love this vet in the past, but it's crumbled, and it's a shame they are closing because that resulted in a huge downturn in their service.

Glad to hear they are staying open. Only vet I've trusted my animals with. I hope they can work through the challenges they have been faced with over the last couple years and continue to service the community at ease.

Been a patient for 15+ years for all my dogs. There is no one I trust more than Albatross. I drive from downtown Vancouver to see them. They are a quintessential old school Vet who puts animals first and is friendly to people. They keep their prices down which keeps people loyal to them. Just pulling into their long driveway transports you into their little world. Can’t recommend enough!

Dr. Wessell is a professional, resourceful veterinarian. We have brought our pets to him for 10 years and have always been happy.

Dr.Chris is a very fine veterinarian, but his support" staff leaves a bit to be desired. Dr. Zwamborn had a wonderful business with caring

I just got a letter in the mail that Albatross closes in April. My whole life - and for almost 50 years of my parent’s lives - we have been clients of Dr. Zwamborn and then as the business sold, Dr. Wessell.We watched a business go from being super accommodating - staying late in emergencies to give our pets care, making room for us on busy days, making sure we could be seen as soon as possible and receive continuous care from the business and people we trusted - to being turned away for appointments with a 2-3 week booking wait and told to go to an emergency clinic.I have read some of the reviews and understand other clients experienced the same drop in service, even commenting on the demeanour of staff changing or the interactions not being pleasant. But I think it’s fair to say that with the pandemic and the amount of people getting pets, it was probably a lot of pressure on staff to turn away new clients, not be able to serve their existing ones in a timely manner, and to have to say no to families with emergencies.I can only imagine how hard that would be on everyone at Albatross - who have grown up with us over the years, know our families, and have seen our pets - to not be able to provide the level of service to which they used to be able to give. Not to mention, they probably had to deal with a lot of frustrated clients, having difficult conversations, all while having the business hours drastically cut.My heart breaks because I love and adore the team there, and my experiences with Dr. Zwamborn and Dr. Wessell thereafter have been wonderful. I have always known our pets were in the best possible hands, receiving excellent care, and I have always felt at ease - completely comfortable. To me, it has been more like an extension of family there, rather than just a business.The last couple years it has been difficult to have to take our aging pets elsewhere when we haven’t been able to get an appointment during a time sensitive matter. My greatest fear, as I expressed to Dr. Wessell this past year, is if it comes time to say goodbye to one of them, that going somewhere new with people they don’t know would be extremely traumatic… which it seems is now going to be a reality.Dr. Wessell, if you read this, I wish you and your family all the best. Our pets have loved you dearly, as we have, and it is sad to see you go. I seriously hope this next chapter for you all is one of peace, good health, and happiness.My greatest wish at this point is that Albatross can somehow be saved from closing and restored to what it has been and will continue to be a thriving, family-like business with exceptional service.

I have been bringing my dogs here since 2012. Initially the service was great and the prices were reasonable. Three times now they have not been able to assist us in an emergency. They have no problem taking your money for routine stuff they can book three weeks out but if your dog gets ill they cannot help you. I had thought that being an existing customer they would try to help when in an emergency but all that we encountered was a rude receptionist.