Tierklinik Dr.Himstedt & Dr. Lewan

I've been taking my dogs to this clinic for over 10 years now. I've only had positive experiences so far. When I had to have my Tibetan Mastiff put down five years ago, we were given all the time in the world to say goodbye. I'm still grateful to Dr. Himstedt for that. The veterinarian, Ms. Prestel, is also very competent. However, the friendliness at reception varies quite a bit. It really depends on which of the staff members you encounter.

My cat was limping, wouldn't move its leg, and was making pained meows and grumbles. I called the emergency number. An unfriendly doctor answered and brushed me off. His reasoning: the X-ray machine had already been shut down and he couldn't do anything more so late (9:30 pm). So, off to Ravensburg I went, where the diagnosis was: broken leg, pain medication, and surgery. Where was the helpfulness in Opfenbach? How much do you care about animal welfare if you don't even want to give pain medication? I'd rather drive an hour to Ravensburg!

Great! Very friendly and competent people there. The opening hours over the holidays are excellent and provide peace of mind, and the prices are very good too. Thank you!

A very nice young vet, who stayed really calm, which is great if you're a bit tense yourself, especially on a Saturday. Thank you for your help.

0/10 – Please read if the well-being of your animals is important to you! I'm not writing this review to vent, but to warn other pet owners. If you've found this review, you'll be trying to figure out whether you can entrust your pet to this clinic for treatment with a clear conscience. In short: NO. - Interest in animal welfare: 1/10 If the treatments aren't lucrative, the interest seems minimal. Our cat, just 2 ½ years old, had severe inflammation in her mouth, including purulent wounds. These weren't rinsed or disinfected, but merely briefly examined. The case wasn't seriously addressed. When she later developed shortness of breath, the response was a dismissive, "Well, she just inhaled bacteria from her mouth into her esophagus or lungs"—but no further investigation was conducted. - Quality of treatment: 1/10 The young cat also had a torn paw. Initially, the swelling was treated with medication only, and later, stitches were administered – but even then, there was no sense that the overall situation was being properly considered. In the oral cavity: only superficial antibiotics and fever reducers were given, including the wrong antibiotic. It wasn't until a week later (!) that anyone thought to take a blood sample – the result: FIV-positive. An antibiogram (to select the correct antibiotic)? Not a chance. X-ray? Not a chance. And when we asked for a swab due to the severe inflammation in the oral cavity, the only response was: "Yes, we could take a swab, but where would I even begin?" – even though the source of the infection was more than obvious. The antibiotic was changed blindly, and the answer was very quickly, "There's nothing more we can do." In comparison: The second opinion was obtained after 2.5 hours, blood tests were performed, X-rays were taken, a precise diagnosis was made, and the treatment was adjusted accordingly. - Veterinarians' competence: 1/10 Yellow discoloration in the mouth was explained away as fatty liver disease without a blood test, leading directly to a recommendation for euthanasia. A second opinion revealed that it wasn't fatty liver disease at all, but rather a consequence of massive blood loss (internal bleeding in the lungs). The liver was fine. With this misdiagnosis, our cat, only 2 1/2 years old, would have been euthanized prematurely. It seems as if only routine medical treatment is possible here. - Stress for the animal: 2/10 Evening appointments every two days instead of administering medication at home → unnecessary trips, unnecessary stress for a weakened cat. Long waiting times → pure stress every single time. - Compassion: 0/10 For example: During our cat's spaying, my wife sadly remarked that it was a shame such a beautiful cat wouldn't be able to reproduce. The vet simply replied, "Well, there are enough cats already." Friendliness: 3/10 Curious tone, no interest, no empathy. I was labeled stubborn because I didn't immediately accept the recommendation for euthanasia. Value for money: 1/10 Many unnecessary, short appointments → good for the cashier, bad for the animal. One of our epileptic cats once received a small pack of tablets here for more money than a large pack of the same medication later cost. That reeks of a rip-off. Facilities: 4/10 Waiting area with flies and a musty, barnyard smell. Examination rooms clean. Our cat was just 2 ½ years old. Instead of admitting that the case was beyond their capabilities, we were strung along for three weeks with symptomatic treatments. Three precious weeks in which we very likely could have saved our cat's life with a competent veterinarian. Conclusion: Not only was the treatment incorrect, but valuable time was also wasted. If they had honestly said, "Please find another veterinary practice," our cat, who was only 2 1/2 years old, would have had a real chance of still being alive today. Instead: incorrect diagnoses, blind trial and error, and hasty recommendations for euthanasia. If you truly care about your animals, please find another veterinary practice.