I am an animal lover who has had small dogs and exotic animals all of my life. I have a 7 yr old female Chihuahua who had one eye that did not blink along with one side of her mouth (dewlap ) hanging... Read More
I am an animal lover who has had small dogs and exotic animals all of my life. I have a 7 yr old female Chihuahua who had one eye that did not blink along with one side of her mouth (dewlap ) hanging. She was lethargic and seemed very ill. I saw West Boca Animal Hospital online and made an appointment to see Dr. Kuehnel. I walked into the room with 2 techs and eventually the doctor. I told the doctor about my dog's eye of which he replied, "I don't see anything wrong with her eye". I actually told him to pull her bottom lid down to show him how cherry red it was. He then said, oh I see it. Then we spoke and he said, looks like partial facial paralysis. I looked at the symptoms online so I knew that seemed right. I also asked if he could check the pressure that eye for glaucoma since it appeared she was blind. He did and said it is from the paralysis.He asked about anything else I said actually I would like adult blood tests and i was done. I asked him to do a liver enzyme and CBC on her. He never suggested any blood work. I asked for adult blood work .Which he did. I had told him that my animal was raised all natural and I do not give her drugs unless necessary. He told me he could give me an antihistamine for her head. I said you mean like a Benadryl. He gave me a bottle of pills. They drew blood and I paid $400.He said he would call me tomoroow with the results. That evening my dog was so I'll I thought she would need a hospital. The next day no phone call. I called in the afternoon for the results. I was told Dr. Kuehnel was off and a tech would call me back. I got a voicemail from the tech to call her. I called back she was in a meeting. I asked the receptionist if the blood work was okay. She said, everything is negative. I asked for her to email me the results she said the tech will call me back. The tech called and said, calcium and phosphorus was high. I asked her to email me the report. Actually when I looked at the report, protein was out of range high and lymphocytes were high. When I was there the doctor suggests an antihistamine for her head. I said you mean like Benadryl? Instead I was what I was given was an antinflamatory not an antihystamine (Rimadyl). I asked if Dr. Kuehnel could call me because now i was really upset since my animal was so ill and her tests were off. I told her I'm returning this drug it was not something discussed with the other doctor and in would never give my dog this drug. Rimadyl is for hip dysplasia and after surgery for pain. Internet states. Not given for facial paralysis. She said, we don't takeback drugs. Price $30. I asked to have the doctor call me . Another night with no sleep. Some hours in the day my dog seemed okay. Then out of no where she would fall I'll. I get a call Friday 8am from Dr. Simon. I was woken out of my sleep. I told her my dog was I'll. She replied, I'm just calling to go over the blood tests no discuss the dog since I never met you. I said, please have Dr Kuehnel call me. Saturday comes, no call. I called after 2pm and asked to speak to Dr Kuehnel. She said I'll him call you. He called me back and started yelling at me how he's entitled to have 2 days off and surely I don't expect him to call me on his days off. I started to talk as I was in shock. He went on how I like to talk a lot. I stopped him and said, I haven't been able to say a work. He continued to be so out of line and nasty. I could take it so I said. I think you are so unprofessional and I'm done. Never asked about my dog. Was an experience that in my 60 yrs on this planet and owning dogs, iguanas, rabbits ,monies, and a cat, I've never had and hope to never go through again. As I'm writing this review, the phone rings and it's Dr Kuehnel trying to apologize. I said, you know you need to have compassion as a vet and be symphathetic when someone's animal is ill. He tried to undo what he did. He started to tell me to go to another doctor if which I replied , I intend to. I added, you called me so I don't write a review about you. That's the reason. I said, I going to wish you well but I'm hanging up. He continued and I hung up. This was a nightmare. If I could give less than 1 star I would. Seek a different vet hospital if you expect compassion and find a doctor who will actually care. Read Less