Somewhat torn. Had a good experience with the entire staff in November 2017 when I brought my pup here, but a terrible one late last night. When I arrived, I waited for 10 minutes while a person in fr... Read More
Somewhat torn. Had a good experience with the entire staff in November 2017 when I brought my pup here, but a terrible one late last night. When I arrived, I waited for 10 minutes while a person in front of me discussed the back and forth particulars with the front desk about a lost dog they had found. At an emergency clinic, pets entering the office for an emergency visit (should) take priority over conversation about analyzing the microchip information of a found/healthy pup . I took my pup in for a foxtail lodged deep in her nostril (so not a huge emergency, but a stressor nontheless after a long day at work, 45 minute commute to the vet, replaying horror stories of what foxtails can do, etc). I understand the need for triaging, but a found dog (who is currently safe in the office and uninjured) does not take precedence over a pet needing some sort of emergency care.
I do want to acknowledge that the vet and staff are very friendly and have been both times I have been there. Before she was taken back, I was told she was going to be sedated before they attempted to remove the foxtail- that’s something I was billed for. Shortly after her being brought to the back, I hear her yelping several times (which she has never done at a vet). When I asked the front desk what was wrong( because that behavior is unlike her), I was told she was probably scared, which is not the case for her. I don’t want to be THAT person that says their dog wouldn’t just do that, but she literally would not just start yelping even with getting vaccines, drawing blood, being poked or prodded- she has never reacted that way- she’s a tough girl. I don’t like assuming, but it just appeared as if they started jabbing into her nose before she was sedated.
When she comes out, she’s bleeding from her nose profusely and could barely walk (I was mentally prepared for the lethargic response, but not the bleeding). I was so angry that that it appeared they initiated removing the foxtail before she was fully sedated- I paid 100.00 for a sedation that didn’t appear to be exploited before work on her nose began. I was even more upset that they couldn’t just keep her in the back for a little bit to ensure the bleeding was controlled and wouldn’t obstruct her airway or anything like that or become a more serious issue.
I was told the foxtail could not be found and I had to prompt the vet in asking what possibly could have happened and what the implications would be for it getting lodged elsewhere. There was no explanation offered as to why she was bleeding or how to really provide comfort to her after the fact. If there had been a slight explanation like “hey, the insides of dogs noses are really sensitive and susceptible to bleeding. She was comfortable and sedated before we went in”: that would have sufficed. But the totality of the yelping and the bleeding and the lack of tact in her return really set me off.
Anyways, my dog is miserable and still lethargic today and entirely off balance. Ultimately, we would have been way better off not going at all. Won’t be going here again if it can be avoided and will hold out for our regular vet. Folks are very friendly there and that would be a separate review. But I was so angry at the end with the seemingly careless return of her to me, that it put the entire experience in a bad light for me.
An ailing pet might be routine for folks there, but it’s never routine for the owners. Put pets that are needing emergency care ahead of non-essential chatter. Simple things such as cleaning a bleeding pup up a bit and explaining to the owner why they’re dripping with blood when they didn’t go in that way will go a long way. But lack of explanation isn’t tactful or conducive to a good practice. Read Less