I took my doberman here after doing asking around for an experienced doberman vet. Even though they were almost an hour and a half away I wanted him seen by the most knowledgeable and one that has a c... Read More
I took my doberman here after doing asking around for an experienced doberman vet. Even though they were almost an hour and a half away I wanted him seen by the most knowledgeable and one that has a cardiologist that comes in the office. My doberman was a week shy of two and has suffered from Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy since he was 5 months old. I took the day off work and took him in on Friday 3/24/17 because I noticed his pain coming back. They were able to squeeze me in only waiting an hour with no appointment. When I walked him back to the exam room the tech made a comment about him limping, I said yes and gave a brief explanation.When the vet came into see us, Dr. Winters, I provided her with Nixon's entire health history from the previous vet along with xrays of his progression. I also showed her videos of him reacting in pain from the night before and his progression from 5 months. She then examined him and said he is in noticeable pain he wouldn't even put weight on his left leg. Dr. Winter said, yes it is definitely HODS. She then said she could treat him with out xrays but they would be interesting to see. I said the cost is not issue, I just want him out of pain and since it was a year prior I would like to see how his bones are now. She then started going over all this treatment and listed these two things she would give him. Also, detailed about how she wanted him back in a week or two for acupuncture and how she wanted he fill his "lantern" up and heal him from the inside. I said that is fine, also I said since he is coming up on two in a week and this is his annual should he have blood work down? After all he has been on Tramadol off and on since he was 5 months old. She said it wasn't needed and that a tech would come back with my estimate. I believe it was $335 or around there. After the x ray, she came into explain them I said no I would rather look at them while you are explaining so she brought me in the back. It was then I took photos with my phone of all the xrays and she said that a radiologist should look at them for $150 to make sure. I said no problem, I completely agree. Checking out the bill was almost or over $700, I'd have to look back to double check that. But whatever I was just happy that he was getting something to feel better. That evening he was in excruciating pain. I'm talking HOURS of barking, whining and focus on his limbs. So much so at 10:30 that night I went to the store and got Benedryl to try and take the edge off along with heating pads on him. That morning. I called at 10:36 am on Saturday I called explaining to Francesca what was going on and that he is in significant pain. She assured me the vet would call me back but she was the only on there. I called again at 2 because I knew they were getting ready to close at 4, she put me on hold while she went and talked to the vet. While on hold I hear they offer cold laser therapy for pain, strange I never got offered that. She finally came back and said yes, what the vet prescribed you you will not be able to see relief for at least TWO WEEKS! I said well, what are we supposed to do in the mean time?She said that the vet suggested Gabapentin in the mean time and if I could get there in time to pick it up. I explained several times how far I was and at this point in the day it is not possible, I would have rushed over if they had responded to my concerns in the morning. I then suggested they call a pharmacy near here or a vets office by my house that does ER care and is always open. Francesca said that she was going to call Costco Pharmacy and Yorba Linda Regional Hospital, the one by my house. She then calls me past 4, their closing time and says that none of those Pharmacies carried that drug. She said they vet said her hands are tied and basically he is out of luck. Took him to an ER vet after an they prescribed me the same stuff Francesca said she called about. This office is neglectful and the manger will not respond to concerns about the staff. They also will not let you speak with the owner of the practice. Read Less