After previously having good experiences here, I was so disappointed with the way they managed our recent emergency. Our cat was in the ICU for 5 days, we were told he could possibly die but it was a struggle to get anyone to contact us regarding his condition over the next several days. Didn't hear from a vet for nearly 48 hours despite calling many times. When I called, the nurse told me he was 'fine', he was on Hills CD diet (which is for the other cat, not him, they couldn't even look at the right patient records!) and that his belly was not distended (why would it be? that was never an issue or relevant to his condition!). But when I finally spoke with the vet, she said we may need to put him down as he was dying. Then got a call last night at 6pm and were told by another vet that he was ready to go home and was 'fine'. However, he couldn't until the next day since they didn't have the time or staff to discharge him at it was too late in the day. Which meant I would be charged another nights fees for the ICU (even though he apparently didn't need to be there!), they just didn't get around to calling me until it was too late. When I did pick him up, no vet to discuss anything, I asked about further tests, they told me they didn't do them because I "insisted" on picking him up. The vets contradicted each other, staff were rude and condescending, and no one seemed to care that we were worried about our pet. After 5 days at around $300 a day, with no answers and contradictory advice, we are going to a new vet. Either understaffed or just lacking compassion, I would not recommend taking your animal there in an emergency.

Every time I take my cat here it is a disaster. The vets can't handle animals and then blame that for the reason they can't examine properly. They only dispense a single dose of antibiotics when they tell you the animal needs a double dose......but they want an extra consult fee don't they. They take 24 hours to return calls. The vet refuses to return calls because that would be good customer service and may not get the extra consult fee. They tell you on the phone that if you are 2 mins late for your appointment they will cancel it but leave you in the waiting room for nearly an hour. So all up 1. Customer service is garbage. 2. The vets are next to useless. 3. They are not about animal welfare but more about getting money. I wanted to support Lort Smith but they have never given me any confidence and that's going back 22 years to when my dearly departed cat/kitten was booked in to be desexed there and not only did they confuse her sex and thought she was male but were so rude I demanded they give her back so I could take her to a vet that knew the difference between male and female cats. They have not improved. The reason I am forced to go back is simply they are open later than other vets but you pay for it! I'm hoping I will NEVER have to take my pet there again because I always have to take her to her usual vet to follow up on what Lort Smith vets haven't done. And my vet is always appalled and charges way less.

Took in my German Wirehaired Pointer pup with severe symptoms and they quickly diagnosed it with a very rare condition. They commenced treatment and the puppy is on its way to a strong recovery, when it seemed like it would be heading to an untimely end. I found the vets and staff to be very knowledgeable, capable and friendly. Contrary to some of the negative reviews I've read, I found that this organisation provided a first class service that was very affordable, even with my pup being hospitalised for over two days. My thanks and full credit to the vets and staff.

We (as a family) have been taking our pets to Lort Smith for over 30 years, and after today's treatment by the staff, 19/7/2014 I doubt I will ever return. We had a booking and were 10 minutes late, the person on reception Shane, looked down his nose at us as if we were dirt and stupid. Shane told us that because we were late we would be charged the emergency rates $89 and that we would have to wait for the first available vet, then after seeing 6 people come in with their pets, who did not have appointments and be seen before us, we got up and left. Be careful that you do not get caught in the medication rort or racket that Lort Smith run. My pooch had been given medication allegedly to last for 7 days (what was printed on the medication label) and we ran out of medication after 4 days, so Lort Smith sting you again. The price of medication at Lort Smith as I found out is 60% more expensive than a local vet. Over the years myself and my family have volunteered our time on open days at Lort Smith, provided them with items to be sold and made annual donations to Lort Smith to keep the place running. Ever since the new building has been built the place the service level has gone down and the prices have gone up dramatically. Shane and the rest of the staff at Lort Smith need to treat their customers with respect and not treat them like dirt and idiots. Lort Smith, you need to lift your game and get over being money hungry parasites that you have become and revert back to the brilliant veterinary hospital you once were. Never Again!

Worse than bad. More expensive than a local vet, my pet was roughly treated - worse than a piece of meat, misleading info given on the phone. If you want to wait 2 WEEKS with an open wound for surgery go to them, l would advise ANY OTHER vet practice over them. The vet l saw didn't believe what l said, making her own opinion vocal - which was totally incorrect. Then l'm reprimanded for actions l didn't do!!! The whole experience was extremely traumatic for my pet and a total waste of my time. This vet should be ashamed of her words and actions!!!!!! I will NEVER speak a positive word about Lort Smith.