I took my lab retriever mix, Taz, to the vet he had for almost 15 years. I was never really happy with them because I felt that every year I took him for their 'wellness exams, they' were incomplete b... Read More
I took my lab retriever mix, Taz, to the vet he had for almost 15 years. I was never really happy with them because I felt that every year I took him for their 'wellness exams, they' were incomplete because Taz used to get so nervous and I had to muzzle him so he wouldn't bite the vet and the vet was not patient and understanding to the fact that he just felt uncomfortable and scared there. Long story short, I took him there again in April for his yearly and she could not figure out why he didn't eat much, why his back legs were buckling, why he lost 10 lbs in a year and why he had some type of blisters or pimples in his anal area. The only thing she did was give me a price estimate of all the exams, x-rays, bloodwork etc. she said she had to do and charged me for a full wellness exam when all she did was take his temperature and weigh him. I ended up searching online on how to cure his blisters myself, changed his food to so he would eat more, got him glucosamine vitamins for his hind legs. But I still felt that he needed a full wellness exam.It is thanks to Yelp that I found the best vet ever! Dr. Bart. I felt welcomed right away just from the outstanding phone etiquette when I spoke to Pricilla and Alix. I setup and appointment for Friday, June 9, 2017, and I warned them that Taz gets very nervous but I have a cage and fabric muzzle if needed. They told me not to worry, they have muzzles if needed. When Taz and I arrived at the appointment, I saw Taz was super calm and relaxed. Everyone was so attentive and caring and he felt the love of the staff. Dr. Bart did a full wellness exam (I finally saw what it really includes) and I only put the muzzle on him as a precaution when he did the prostate check and even then Taz was calm. Dr. Bart asked me why I got a cage muzzle for him because the fabric ones are better. Β I told him the other vet said I needed that! Right off the bat, he said Taz had cataracts and a heart murmur. Regarding his weight loss and poor appetite, Dr. Bart said he would like to start with x-rays and go from there. He gave me an estimate on the spot and the prices were very reasonable. Β Meanwhile, Taz is wagging his tail...never was he that calm at the vet! The Dr. came back with the x-rays and showed me Taz had a big tumor in his belly that was pushing against his organs and had pushed his intestines so much that they were smashed together to his rear. After he gave me the devastating news, he allowed me to calm down and then they brought Taz in. I thought that was so smart to give me the bad news, allow me get a hold of myself and then see my sweet dog. Β Dr. Bart gave me the facts regarding Taz's age (He would have been 15 in September), his quality of life right now, and what his future days would be. He was kind enough to show me what a normal dogs intestines look like and he even told me a personal story about one of his dogs and how he decided what the next step would be. Dr. Bart made an excellent point stating that if your dog does not get happy or excited doing the things that he likes, then that is the right time to free him from his pain. We had to make a decision. Taz was getting worse every day, he could barely walk, would vomit what he ate at times, and barely had bowl movements. He no longer got excited seeing his leash for a walk, I Β saw very little happiness in him. On Friday, June 16, 2017, we euthanized Taz. Five family members were with me in a room with a blanket on the floor where I could lay next to him, talk to him, and see his sad eyes looking at me. Dr. Bart and his team were so compassionate and explained the process and they told us that after Taz passes, we can stay in the room with him as long as we wanted. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do and I have not stopped crying. Thank you so much Dr. Bart and his Amazing staff and team. I wish I would have found you sooner. If I ever get a dog again, I will drive from anywhere to get to you and make sure he is in the best hands ever! Read Less