I took my dog here today because he didn't eat last night and was acting like he needed to go to the bathroom but couldn't. I showed up without an appointment. I was greeted with, "And who is this?" ... Read More
I took my dog here today because he didn't eat last night and was acting like he needed to go to the bathroom but couldn't. I showed up without an appointment. I was greeted with, "And who is this?" Me, "This is Dusty, he's not feeling well." Clerk, "Hmm I don't see a Dusty on the appointments so we can't see him" Me, "Ok" Clerk, "But we can see him in an hour if you want to make an appointment".... Me, "Sure thanks!" I felt the approach to seeing my dog in an hour was a little odd, and full of attitude. This was just the beginning of doom. An hour later I bring dusty back and I greeted kindly by the clerk and then the vet. The Dr. did his exam and we concluded Dusty was having urinary difficulty and we discussed what to do next and how much it would cost. We decided he better put Dusty under and use a catheter to clear the tract and that he would most likely dislodge the stone fixing the problem. This was going to cost about $600, and I would pick Dusty up in a couple hours.I get a phone call an hour later explaining Dusty has stones in his blatter and more than likely needed surgery TO SURVIVE. I inquired about when we could do this and the Dr. replied that I should take Dusty to the VCA clinic for an ultra sound and surgery. I asked about how much that would cost and he replied "around $3000."! He told me I could pick up Dusty in a couple hours. I hung up the phone in a whirl wind of emotions. Is my dog gonna die? Can I afford this? is my dog worth this? Why do I have to take him somewhere else?.....I called around and was basically told they would have to do to Dusty everything I had just paid for again prior to Surgery. I learned that Vets love that initial consultation and exam... It's $600 !!! Don't wanna lose that! So that got me wondering why the Dr. was directing me away, I just wanted to keep my dog where he started off. I called the Dr. and he simply explained it was Friday and too short of notice for a surgery, that he was capable but just couldn't do it today. That is understandable.What I don't understand is why he didn't just tell me that from the get go. During the exam before the catheter and xrays. He knew then what was going on, but failed to express high likelihood of surgery within 24 to 48 hrs just to keep my dog alive. This wasted valuable time for me. I was now confronted with a $600 bill and my dog not one bit better than when I took him in. I asked for the xrays to provide the next vet. They weren't there.... They were out being made digital at the VCA clinic and wouldn't be available till the next day.. I offered to go pick up the physical copies myself and explained this whole thing was time sensitive wasn't it????? They agreed but requested I returned them because they were not my property but theirs.... Are you kidding me? My dog is ill and you just told me he might die if I he doesn't see a vet right away even though I'm standing in a clinic and just handed you $600 to get my dog back with advise to get him helped elsewhere.Now I'm faced with finding another vet with fear they will all do this to me. My guard is up and I'm sad, scared, and angry. This is how I left here today. My dog is scheduled for surgery tomorrow and a different vet who I had to beg to give me a free exam . FunAll I needed was honesty. They wanted a few bucks, so they inconvenienced me by starting a job they knew they couldn't finish. If you go here, you may want to confirm how committed they are to you. Read Less