The staff is very friendly and responsive, though I question their competence. I'm personally looking for another clinic that I feel will provide better quality care. A few years back our dog had all the classic symptoms of lyme disease (though we didn't know it), and the Birch Lake vet sent us home basically with ibuprofen for 2 weeks to reduce the pain. During that time a family member's pet with the same exact symptoms was diagnosed with lyme disease. When I looked up the symptoms and saw that lyme disease is basically an epidemic in Minnesota, I was shocked that the vet did not give us antibiotics on the spot for our dog's condition. They eventually did, but the damage was done and our dog has never been the same. On another occasion they gave us the wrong antibiotics for our dog's abdominal infection. When we had to return several times for care, they finally actually did a lab test and said, "oh, well the prescription you were using won't work for that type of bacteria infection." Really? I need a vet that can accurately diagnose problems and prescribe effective solutions. Again, the staff has always been very nice and responsive, I've just lost faith in their actual expertise and ability to provide the *right* treatment for our pets.

If I could give them NO stars, I WOULD. I am a Certified Veterinary Technician and I work at a Veterinary clinic in St Paul. I have 10 years of experience in practice and this clinic is so wrong for what they did to me tonight. I received a phone call from my mom tonight, who lives only a few minutes from Birch Lake Animal Hospital, that our family dog was in distress. His gums were pale, his breathing was very labored and he couldn't get up. My mother is the practice manager of the clinic I also work at, so she is knowledgeable enough to know that the dog needs IMMEDIATE help! I instructed her to have a neighbor help get him into the car and head straight over to Birch Lake Animal Hospital and that I would call them to inform them of the emergency that we were dealing with. They were the closest clinic to her and it was about 5:25pm, they close at 6pm according to their website. I got ahold of someone and told them that my mother was on her way with a dog that was clearly in distress-actually he was near death. The receptionist told me that they couldn't see her, I clearly asked if I was hearing her correctly-- that they WOULD NOT SEE THE DOG if she showed up there. She responded NO the Dr has several appointments before we close at 6pm. This is horrible! Any emergency trumps appointments...this is an unwritten rule in any good practice. If an emergency came in during your pet's annual exam are you going to tell me that you wouldn't give up your time slot?! It could be your animal some day. Most people understand that. I will repeat that I WORK AS A CVT at a VETERINARY CLINIC! We would never turn someone away if their pet was in distress and there was a veterinarian on staff to help the pet. Need I remind these people that the patient's wellbeing is WHY WE ARE IN PRACTICE AND WHY MOST OF US WENT INTO THIS PROFESSION IN THE FIRST PLACE?! By the time my mom made it all the way to St. Paul to the clinic that WE BOTH work at-our family dog was half dead, covered in bloody diarrhea and barely breathing. We ended up euthanizing him immediately. My mother in a panic, the dog in a panic and myself A VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL absolutely irate at the way this crappy clinic handled our very own personal crisis. I can also say that this is NOT my first terrible experience at Birch Lake Animal Hospital. Years ago we had a different family pet that had to be euthanized. They didn't administer enough euthanasia. Our poor old dog struggled to breathe as her body thrashed on the appointment room floor. The only reason that we even considered them again was because it was urgent. I'm glad that they didn't put a hand on another family pet after all is said and done. I'm absolutely appalled at the way they treated not only an animal in pain and discomfort, but they also simply brushed me to the side. By the way-a clinic should always offer some sort of alternative clinic that you might be able to take your pet to. Although I am a technician they should've still given me information about clinics close by. They offered nothing.

My parents have taken there dogs and cats to Birch Lake for years. So when I moved on and got boxers I started taking them there. One week I had one of my boxer start loosing her hair and her skin turned black. I took her in and she ended up having a skin biopsy. It came back negative. Dr. Howe told me that in some breeds it just happens every year ( I latter looked up this information online and found it was true in fawn, spayed female boxers.). This was on a Friday. That next Monday morning at 5 am my other, younger boxer was coming up the stairs and it sounded like she was dragging something. I got up and found that it was he back leg. I thought it was broken at first then realized it was not but it was almost palatalized. I called the emergency vet and they told me to take her to my regular vet because they were closing for the night. I called at 8 am and told them what was going on and they told me to bring her in right away. I did and they started running some tests. I left her in there care and went to work. DR. Howe put her on a steriode and confined her to a kennel so she wouldn't hurt herself. She spent the night there and in the morning DR. Howe told me to take her home because he said she should be with us and her sister. He also referred us to the U of M's vet clinic where she was diagnosed with Dropped leg syndrome. She went through physical therapy and walks with a limp. The ladies up front calleded latter that week to see how she was doing. What vet does that? Not many. I will always go to this clinic. They are great (minus one front end lady who has been rude on a few occasions. Younger blond lady). Other then the one lady the rest are professional and care about every pet that is brought in. Dr. Howe has always answered every question and when he doesn't know the answer he finds it. He never seems rushed and he gives 100% attention when he is with you.

I have taken my dogs to Birch Lake Animal Hospital for several years. I have always been very VERY pleased with the care that they have received. Dr. Tripp, Dr. Howe, and Dr. Sutherland have provided exceptional service and treatment. I will always bring my dogs there for care and will recommend this clinic to others.

I like Birch Lake Animal Hospital. I like the staff there, and I have always experienced good service. Their prices are great compared to others in the area, and the docs are friendly. I have two cats that I have taken there for a few years and they have always provided good care for both of them. I feel confident recommending this clinic to everyone who needs basic vet care for a pet they love. Their vet techs and front staff are always friendly and helpful, and really knowledgeable. I am surprised to read the review below by Gail -- I have never experienced anything but superior care. And to be honest, I doubt the validity of the review. I am sure it is not possible for your animal to have an obstruction (or foreign body) for Years without doing something more than just taking the dog in once a year for a check-up.. maybe this should be chalked up to the owner's fault, and not the vet's? Not to mention, if your dog had an obstruction for that long, she would be showing many more signs than just vomiting. I highly doubt the truth in Gail's review. Overall, I would sincerely recommend Birch Lake for your pet. The techs and the doctors are wonderful, and I am extremely satisfied with the care my pets have received! Thanks!