Reviews of Riverside Animal Clinic (Veterinarian)

Lawrence Maddock

Just out to get a buck, every time I go here my dog needs some kind of outrageous procedure or surgery. When ultimately it was fleas and ticks I will do so, thanks for reply.

Nancy Spesard

Simply put, I found this Dr. Carlson after my dog became extremely sick after eating a very popular brand of dog food. I took her to several vets and emergency clinics who stabilized her. Some of the vets were wonderful, but It was Dr. Carlson who got her on her feet again. I drive some 80 miles to get to this clinic. The staff is wonderful, the Clinic clean. Is it more expensive? This Isn't typical treatments that you find at most vets. I guess you get what you pay for. It is a very busy clinic, sometimes you have to wait. There seems to be a lot of people who bring their pets to this clinic. I think that in itself sums up what all these people think of Riverside Animal Clinic. And no, I don't work there. Thanks Riverside!

Kim Schmitt

Dr Carlson and staff have been a tremendous help over the past 11 years. My Golden has immune issues since he was a pup which have caused us to deal with seizures. Dr Carlson has always made time for us and we appreciate it so very much.

Steve Karki

We've been using Riverside for over 2 yrs now for our Boston Terrier, for routine care/shots to a minor emergency here and there. No complaints at all. the staff has always been friendly and the Vets are happy to answer questions and very accommodating. Top notch care in MY books!

Cathie Neufeldt

We love Riverside Animal Hospital. We have taken our pets to many different vets trying to find the right fit. Their prices are justified. Riverside fits us fine. Dr. Carlson & staff gave us the option to let our girl Aspen go to the Rainbow Bridge in his office or in our home. We chose our home where Aspen was most comfortable. The staff & Dr. Carlson let us say goodbye for as long as we needed. They also made us a keepsake of Aspens paw print. We are grateful for the respect & honesty they have given to us.

gayle sheck

I was using Grove Animal Hospital to get my pet’s hemp oil, which has now been closed down. They referred me to the Riverside Animal Clinic, which is too far to drive to so I paid to have the medicine shipped to me. We never received the product and called to find out where it is. They never told me what happened but are now sending a new one and I’m out of the product. I felt they should have shipped the product out overnight. They said they wouldn’t do that and now with the holiday upon us it will take longer to receive since the post office does not run on National Holidays. Apparently they don’t seem to be bothered by the fact that he will not have his medicine for what is going to be longer than what they said is an okay time to go without it. Overall, I am very disappointed in their lack of care and initiative to get this situation handled, especially when it is our animal & these clinics should put the animals needs at a high priority.

Sinthya Dayment

We love this clinic. Yes you wait in a waiting room but it is nice and clean. The staff is attentive and receptive. Compared to many other vets the prices are similar or slightly higher. They always explain information and take time to inform you of any decision you can make. They are willing to communicate with you about all information. We take our 2 cats and 2 dogs there for last 2 years.

Jaclyn W

Dr. Carlson and Dr. Olech are wonderful! My youngest Akita has severe allergies, Dr. Carlson's recommendations and holistic treatments are the only cure I've found that actually worked. I love that the holistic test shows what he is sensitive to and I know what to avoid with him. Not only has Dr. Carlson helped my boy with severe allergies, he also cured my other dog of a fungal disease. My boy was in remission for just over a year and was recently sick again. Dr. Carlson cured him a 2nd time! I thought for sure I was going to put him down, but both doctors offered me many options, including vitamin C therapy, and within days he was 100% better!! I love that they also support raw feeding! I highly recommend Riverside Animal Clinic!!!

Tania Khan

Our precious Rottweiler partially tore his acl and we wanted to take a more conservative approach and purchase a custom made brace. After a lot of google searching, I found Dr. Carlson and he's truly a blessing. He helped cast our dog for his brace and also offers prolo therapy. He took the time to answer all my questions thoroughly. He's is very compassionate, patient, and kind. His wife Cristen was also very welcoming to us when we visited and gave us her direct cell number to contact if we have questions. The nurse Nancy is very kind and also is very patient with my questions. I will be switching both my dogs to this clinic. Our 40 minute commute to see Dr. Carlson is so worth it!!

Jason Mistretta

Brought in 2 corpses to be cremated with ashes returned. Received 1 urn after a month. Not even an apology for the screw up. Update, the crematory sent the other ashes to another clinic. The owner called me a few months later to claim the missing ashes and the receptionist has been replaced. Horrible experience but corrected and the owner did apologize. (Also likely true because the crematory serial number tags were sequential and not just ashes issued as a placebo for the issue.) [Update, there crematory service has stopped serial number tagging to prove the services were provided.]

Elena H

We’ve come here for several services. We started coming here years ago. We had services for cremation years ago, the team and doctor acted professionally and accordingly. They made the process as easy and simple as it could have been. We still continue bringing our dogs here to get routine check ups, shots, etc and are always pleased with the services provided. Doctor is very informative and thorough. The staff is super friendly, but I feel as though they could work on flow and efficiency within their office. Went there today and it was just a reminder that there are doctors that truly care.

Anne Worth

Dr Carlson is a kind and compassionate vet. At different clinics, some vets can be condescending to my questions, not here! not Dr Jim! He always says " Now that is a very good question" The staff is amazing as well and treat my dog like he was their own! We are blessed to have them!

Michele Maroulis

We have been going to Dr Carlson for over 2 years.... this is the most amazing animal hospital that I have ever brought my fur babies to. I currently have 7 cats and 2 cane corsos and this team goes above and beyond for me! And that includes the vet techs and receptionists too. I rate the whole team 5 stars hands down!!!!!!

Sean Watts

I've taken several animals there over time and it is a MONEY PIT!! Most recent experience: I took two dogs with excessive scooting and licking of the genitals (more than normal and excessive humping by female dogs (fixed)). It took multiple trips for them to decide to extract the urine (from 1) needed for a test. They expressed anal glands and the urine test came back negative. On the follow up call, that I had to prompt, the vet kept referring to the anal gland or something irritating their genitals... We ruled that out on the first visit. Today was the last straw. I will return to Riverside for one thing and that will be my animals' records, which of course will cost me! I would NOT recommend Riverside Vet in McHenry!

Gurnee FlashCab

dr carlson and all your wonderful staff members both at riverside and grove i want to thank you all very much for taking an 1 1/2 hours out of your day and saving my little precious life june 2017, and bringing her back to her normal self, thanks for taking her under your wing, on sunday march 4th will be her 14th birthday and going strong and hopefully a lot longer with with all your knowledge and experienced staff, once again thank you and i have been mentioning you to other animal lovers

Savannah Sein

They were nice and real patient and good, but expensive. I was charged $40 for being shown my cat's xrays

Alden's Kennels Pet Resort

Dr. Carlson is very good but better yet is his added medical specialty in chiropractic, acupuncture, laser surgery, massage therapy, holistic medicine. What more can a client ask for when it is their family pet?

Amy PG

Dr. Carlson is amazing! I have been a client for many years and I have never had an emergency until this year. I called and they told me to bring my girl right in. They performed emergency sedation and stitched her right up. I was able to pick her up that night. Both he and his staff were amazing and took excellent care of her and reassured me that she would be ok.

Elizabeth Falls

DO NOT BRING YOUR ANIMAL HERE. My 9 year old American bulldog was seen for a emergency visit. She dad suffered from a seisure. Dr Carlson suggested that she have a chest xray done and blood work. He had said that the seisures can be brought on from pain. Also said there was a thyroid issue. So I left there with meds for thyroid. Nothing given for seisures and pain. So I came in the next day for pain meds. She had multiple seisures that day into the next day. Then I had to bring her into Grayslake emergency clinic. The Vet there said that nothing on her bloodwork stated anything abnormal or a thyroid issue. But she was suffering from a brain tumor. We were forces to let her go. Which was very hard. But no one from Riverside had called me back after i had wanted to speak to Dr Carlson for answers they totally avoided making sure that my dog was ok. I felt like it was a easy fix for him to diagnosed bullshit! I would never step foot back there nor recommend anyone to go there.

Suzzane Brown

I have been meaning to write this review now for the last month.. I have read a lot of reviews for Riverside on sites just regarding basic check ups/vaccinations and their demeanor with the animals so I wanted to make sure I left some feedback regarding my experience with Riverside Animal Clinic from a surgical experience. First off about 6 or 7 weeks ago our dog (8 year old chihuahua mix) needed to have knee surgery for his luxating patella which he developed a severe case of after jumping off an unusually high step. Dr. Carlson performed the surgery and I was very pleased. Not only did he provide excellent care but now my dog is finally starting to walk again with more stability and I am thrilled!! (we just went for our first full walk today :)) Also our male cat (4.5 years old) has recently had some issues with urinary symptoms and a blocked bladder (yeah, we've had some serious bad luck with our poor furry babies lately). About a month ago we came home to a very ill kitty and brought him into the ER vet in Chicago because it was late at night and it cost us a ridiculous amount of money just to have him catheterized and given IV fluids for 2.5 days. A few weeks later we noticed he was still having additional urinary symptoms so I made an appointment for him at Riverside (I was taking our pets to them years ago when Dr. Shakir owned the clinic and I continue to go there despite having moved to the city and despite the change in ownership). Long story short, it turns out our cat had developed some serious scar tissue in his urethra and needed to have an emergency perineal urethrostomy. Again, Dr. Carlson performed the surgical procedure and unfortunately had to call and bear the bad news that our kitty's scar tissue/condition was far worse internally than he had realized. He was able to perform the procedure but because of the complications he discussed the possible options of referring us to a specialist for additional surgery or even euthanization. We made an appointment for the next day to come in and discuss our kitty's condition further but we honestly thought we were going in to put him down.. he's been through so much at this point with the bladder issues that we didn't want him to suffer any more without any guarantees of a successful surgery. Well, to our surprise we went in that next day for our appointment and Dr. Carlson said to his dismay our cat was doing very well and already showing signs of progress so at that point he would like to keep him an additional few days for observation and see where to go from there. Overall I hesitate to write this review because I don't want to jinx anything but a few days after that appointment we were able to take him home and as I write this our sweet boy is sleeping soundly on my lap.. :) Also even at this point if his condition changed and complications arose, I would still be BEYOND thrilled and satisfied with the level of care that Riverside Animal Clinic has provided our family with through all of this. They have worked with our crazy work schedules and commute from the city, gone above and beyond in ways I couldn't even begin to describe, and I just love that overall they are a small clinic that cares a great deal about animals and their patients. Riverside is the only reason why our kitty is alive in this moment and doing well, and I will continue to drive 2 hours from our home in the city to take our beloved fur babies to them for years to come (and you should too). Now I'm really looking forward to when all of our babies are fully recovered and I can take them in for some acupuncture to relax them a little bit! ;)

dana hultin

Dr. Carlson was very professional, and polite. He made me and my dog comfortable right away and took his time. Seemed he took the time to go over any notes and was prepared before walking into the room. Great veterinarian, I trust him.

Tony Kraus

The staff was awsome and veary helpfull.. got my sick cat in right away and the price was great!! Thank you all for helping Tiger out.

john wisniewski

Put my dog down here and they were more than accommodating.

Brittany Specht

Dr. Carlson is the Dr to go to hands down. Towards the end of my dog's life, even though still a very difficult situation, made me feel more than just a client. We pretty much knew it was only a matter of time before the end, but Dr Carlson stayed confident and went through Evey resource before the inevitable. When it was time to make that very hard decision, he and his staff were very respectful and considerate, did not rush us out and even took the time to send a sympathy card a few days later. Once our family decides to add another fur baby, I will most definitely continue to see Dr Carlson.

jessica escobar

Very Disappointed! We brought our dog there because a couple of friends gave us good reviews of the place and yeah they're very nice but there's a LOT of room for improvement. 1st of all they're never on time they give you a time and they'll get to you 30 min later. They send you letters letting you know that it's time for an specific vaccine or check up and when you get there they don't know what you're there for, 2 out of 3 times they had no idea what we were there for. when our dog got spayed we drop her off around 8 am they called us around 4 pm asking to re-schedule because they didn't have time to get to it! we were on our way to pick her up and they called us again oh never mind we're doing it today!. Our dog started having serious problems about 9 months ago, it started with loosing hair, bold patch on her back and crusty ears, the vet said it could be an allergy but most likely hereditary, a thing passed down from her mom, the crusty ears he said it was because of the breed, such a big ears is hard to pump blood all the way up! it was never a "big deal" but they made us spend the money on a blood test anyway, just to make sure...and yeah even after the blood test it wasn't a big deal they just gave us some vitamins and antibiotics and told us to feed her sardines or flex seed oil to help her skin, it didn't work we took her to the vet again and he forgot the treatment he gave us and kept asking us about it and did another check up like it was the first time, still wasn't a big deal but maybe we should try a dermatologist...maybe but we can wait... we waited and now our dog got worse she got bumps all over her body, you can see them bleeding sometimes, her skin got a lot worse! finally took her to a different vet and we FINALLY got an answer she has an auto immune vascular disease causing all of these issues, she's on 5 different medications and got medicine for her ears too because is not normal on her breed, right now we're just praying she'll get better. I feel like we wasted so much time in this place for nothing, our dog could have been a lot better by now!

maryjo salzburg

Dr. Carlson is a gentle, sweet and compassionate doctor. Our family is very happy to have found him. My dogs are my life, so when it comes to their health, an excellent veterinarian is top on my list. Prior to Dr. Carlson, my three dogs were taken care of by another vet for many years. I made the switch because of Dr. Carlson's holistic practices and his desire to keep the immune system strong first and foremost. His knowledge cannot be matched, nor can his caring methods. He truly deserves 5+ stars.

Brandon DeVries

Great group of tech and vets. Love them all.

Danielle Ebert

I have been bringing my dog here for a few years now and I am so happy with the care he gets, the staff is always friendly and I wouldn't bring him any where else. I am so glad that I found a place that has holistic options rather than just modernized medicine . Santo loves all the attention he gets when he arrives and appreciates being told how cute he is!!!!! Thanks for all you do Riverside!!!!!