Before I go into details, I would like to add that Ashley, the Veterinary assistant, is wonderful. I sincerely hope that she finds a veterinarian to work for that actually cares about animals.
My dog ... Read More
Before I go into details, I would like to add that Ashley, the Veterinary assistant, is wonderful. I sincerely hope that she finds a veterinarian to work for that actually cares about animals.
My dog is new to California, having relocated from my mothers house in another state. This was our first veterinary visit here in San Diego. I called ahead of time and asked for quotes on different services. I was quoted a price for an initial exam, and after I mentioned that they were advertising online for a special for first exam fee for new clients, I was told that they only honor that for people who ask. If you advertise something online, it is bad business to not honor that unconditionally. I also asked to get prices on various services before scheduling the appointment.
My visit goes like this:
Ashley takes us into the exam room and goes over the basics, such as how the visit will go, what to expect, and takes some basic information from us. Mind you... I have brought my dog in for pain in his back leg/hip from an injury when he was a pup, prior to his rescue many years ago. I would like to add that I am a Healthcare provider, am very familiar with medications, and also come from a family who has active, well established and professional veterinarians, with their own clinics, in other states.
Dr. Valerie Cardeiro enters the room after Ashley has let her know that we are ready. She made no eye contact and did not even shake mine or my daughter's hand. That is the first sign of a complete lack of professionalism. You are running a business. Act like it. After his exam, she proceeds to tell me that the animal would need to be operated on to truly fix his arthritis, which was disputed by veterinarians before her, unbeknownst to her. She hadn't even X-rayed him before telling me this. Laughable. My dog is almost 11 years old. I will not be operating on him for a sore hip/leg. She then goes in to how many other 'problems' that she is finding with him. Interesting how NO OTHER veterinarian, including his longtime veterinarian in Kansas has ever mentioned any of these expensive and unnecessary procedures. When she learned that we would be looking around, she instantly became callous and it was very clear that she did not care about our animal or us. She cared that she was not getting several hundred dollars from me that day.
She put together a 'quote,' an outrageous one at that, and I asked Ashley if I could get a copy of it, so that I could research the medications that she was proposing. Ashley informed me that she would be happy to provide a copy, but she needed to keep the original in the file. I had no problem with this. Upon leaving, Dr. Cardiero was nowhere to be found.....UNTIL I asked for the quote again. Her response:
"We do not do that." Do what?!?! Give your clients the names of the medications that you are suggesting, so that they can be researched?!?! I again repeated to her that I would like to research the medications before making any decisions and I also reiterated that I am searching for the right Veterinarian and will also be checking out other vets. She refused to give me the names of the medications, her original treatment plan, or any other details. Her last response was truly the topper. She belittled me and asked:
"Don't you make your veterinarian decisions based upon whether you like the vet or not?"
Yes, Dr. Cardiero. I do. I make my decisions based upon who I like. That person must be honest, forthcoming, and professional, and most importantly...qualified. You lack all of those qualities. What kind of Veterinary professional outright refuses to give you a copy of their treatment suggestions, including medications? A terrible one. Once Dr. Cardiero knew that she was not going to 'cash in' that day, she became rude and even offensive. AVOID AT ALL COSTS!!!! Read Less