My emails sent after the sad loss of our 5 month old puppy recently:
Hello,
I am not sure who to address this email to yet I would like to express some thoughts and feelings I have after our experien... Read More
My emails sent after the sad loss of our 5 month old puppy recently:
Hello,
I am not sure who to address this email to yet I would like to express some thoughts and feelings I have after our experience with your clinic. It has taken me a bit of time to consider writing.
On March 1 about 5:30 pm, I brought my 5 month old puppy, Cami, into your clinic. It was very possible she had passed even before we arrived. I was quite distraught and the team came out (a friend had driven me as I was unable). They did not hear a heartbeat and asked if I wanted the vet to take a look at Cami, perhaps to confirm. I said yes and she was taken in. That was the last time I saw her. A few minutes later, someone came out and asked if I wanted CPR to be started. At that point I knew it was too late. We had absolutely no idea what happened to Cami as she just collapsed while running and her hind legs were paralyzed at that point. The only thing I knew was that I saw the life go out of her in the car as I held her.
My husband and son came to your clinic a few hours later and they were able to see Cami. I asked my husband if the vet said anything to him. He said "nobody said anything and they were more interested in getting paid."
I decided to have Cami cremated and to receive her ashes. Last Friday, we were told she was ready to be picked up. Once I got to your clinic, I called from outside as directed. The receptionist, appropriately so, asked if it was an emergency or could I go on hold, which I Was fine doing. I was planning on asking if there had been anything written in the chart...perhaps the vet had some idea what may have killed Cami. I suppose I am looking for some emotional closure as my sadness and guilt are still very strong. When the receptionist came back on, I told her my name and who I was picking up. Before I had the chance to ask if someone could glance in Cami's chart, she put me on hold again.
A minute or so later, someone (else?) got back on and asked me to meet her at the tent in the back. I then tried to ask her my question...about the chart. She abruptly told me that if we didn't ask for an autopsy, then it was impossible for them to know and it was too late now. I said that I just wondered if perhaps the vet had written notes in her chart and could someone just take a quick look. I was told that her chart was not there, it had been transferred and at this point it was impossible to find a cause of death anyway. She went on to say that i would have to contact her vet, he/she would look at the medical history and perhaps give me an idea as to what happened. I told her that Cami was only 5 months old so there wasn't much of a medical history.
I found her incredibly patronizing (yes, I am well aware that it is too late to have an autopsy done after cremation) and incredibly insensitive. I was there to pick up my young puppy's remains from some unknown tragedy. The least someone could be is kind, sensitive and compassionate....not make me feel as if I am annoying them and taking too much of their time.
Sadly, this experience has left me with a deep sadness as well as a hesitancy to use your service again. I just felt I wanted to let you know my experience at your clinic.
*My 2 nd email sent today after finding out Cami's chart was Never sent to her regular vet: (2 weeks after the death and 5 days after being told the chart had been transferred)
Good morning,
I have contacted Cami's vet. Apparently NO file was sent to them. Sadly this has added more distress to our situation and lack of confidence in your clinic. Please reply asap
***At the time of writing this, nobody has responded from the clinic. All I ask is for an apology....for treating me with a total lack of compassion and insensitivity. I lost a beloved very young family member. I hope I never need an emergency vet again but rest assured, if I do, I WON'T be taking my pet to the Vaughan/Richmond Hill Emergency Vet. Read Less