AWFUL EXPERIENCE - In tears, my daughter and I recently took our 12 yr old dog to Airport Pet Clinic because he suddenly became ill, lethargic, and wouldn't eat; we suspected mushroom poisoning and ... Read More
AWFUL EXPERIENCE - In tears, my daughter and I recently took our 12 yr old dog to Airport Pet Clinic because he suddenly became ill, lethargic, and wouldn't eat; we suspected mushroom poisoning and we told them so. We were basically told, it's not likely that he was poisoned from mushrooms. Since he was old, having hip issues, going blind and having trouble hearing we didn't want to spend a lot of money. They seem to understand. I'm will try and condense the story. Vet. did visual exam and took x-rays and told us his x-rays look really good and said they'll get us an estimate. We were very excited about the news until we were handed an estimate for $630 dollars. Then we were devastated and said we'd have to put him down. They bring us a paper to sign which says nothing about price, so I asked. It was going to cost $140 to put him down. So I said wait, let me talk to my husband. Then I was told, you are at $295.00 right now if that influences your decision. WHAT??? I had no idea they were charging for x-rays. We left and had him put down somewhere else for $60. We left without paying, intending to pay only for the office visit which was $48.00 A week later our younger dog gets suddenly sick with same symptoms. We took him to a different vet. They gave him medication a less than 24 hrs was getting better, after a week he was fully recovered. When I initially looked at the estimate, I only saw the total and was shocked. After our second dog got sick and recovered I took a closer look at the estimate, turns out the estimate included the same medication given to our younger dog by a different vet, who survived. Given the age of our dog, I don't understand how/why a vet. wouldn't offer a less expensive option. If we were sent home with the medication it would have been about $150.00, which is less than what they charge to kill him, he may still be alive, like our other dog. They included the name and cost of the medication before they had a diagnoses for our dog. The other tests, hospitalization, IV fluids were not needed if they already knew what medication they were going to prescribe.Being a Vet, I'm sure they deal with similar situations on a regular basis. Why wouldn't they offer more than one option. I felt like, if you loved your dog you would spend the money on him. I've emailed twice and asked why no other options were not offered. I received a reply, but no answer to my question. Read Less