Large Animal Hospital Uf College Of Veterinary Medicine

Inconsistent at best, cruel and indifferent at worst. I sent the feedback email below after a $1,300 experience with my 100lb potbelly where bloodwork wasn't even drawn and received no response. I largely dealt with a medical resident resistant to putting him under for diagnostics - the reason he was there - & then Dr. Mallicote, who wasnt familiar with his history, didn't care to learn about his history & was condescending and glib. She also refused to answer questions about his discharge paperwork after checking out - wildly unprofessional. Reading reviews here, it seems I'm not alone. The email: "I called the Large Animal Hospital the evening of the 5th to gauge how serious my pig's symptoms might be and what to do next. The vet suggested he should be seen within 24–48 hours, & so I stayed up with him & left for Gainesville around 5 a.m. the next morning. During the drive he passed stool without urinating and vomited multiple times. When I checked him in, I was told the CT machine had broken overnight. The vet said she would try a portable ultrasound, noting the challenges a pig's abdomen can pose, & put him on the list for a CT when it became available. She also noted concern about putting him under twice in quick succession for bloodwork & the scan, which I understood. Over the next two days I received reassuring updates that he was improving, until Wednesday evening when he developed a 106-degree fever. I asked if the fever should be treated and whether he could now get the scan & bloodwork. I was told he had been added to the Thursday list but would be triaged based on need. On Thursday morning I was told he had been removed from the list because he seemed improved. The plan described to me was essentially home care, aside from IV fluids, & I asked that he receive bloodwork and imaging anyway, even if it meant waiting for an opening. These were things I had expected would happen on Day 1 but were delayed due to mechanical circumstances. I was told repeatedly that the “risk/reward ratio” of anesthesia did not justify it, which I found surprising now that we could do blood and a scan together and explained that I was prepared to accept that risk and had brought him there specifically for that reason. When I asked for a second opinion, another veterinarian called, but she did not appear familiar with his prior history, including abnormal liver enzymes found at this hospital six months earlier, or interested in what the underlying issue might be. She also said the risk/reward ratio did not warrant diagnostics obtained with anesthesia, which was beyond confusing since Frank had previously been anesthetized at this hospital twice, including for a tusk trim that was less medically necessary than his current situation. The next morning I was told he would likely be happier at home for the weekend. When I arrived to pick him up, the veterinarian declined to meet with me, and no one else could answer questions about his discharge. He vomited repeatedly on the way home. I called from a gas station to report that he was still very sick and was told that while I could bring him back, there was no additional care they could offer. He is now home and extremely unwell. He is barely eating and struggles just to walk outside. I am devastated and deeply confused about what happened. I brought him for help because I was afraid of how sick he was, and after a long, difficult, expensive trip, I left without answers or diagnostics while he continues to decline." Read Less

These people take advantage of your credit card. They take your number and then they charge whatever they want. Even if they dont do anything. The guy that answers the phone there is so rude. He doesnt follow his price list that they have. Stay away!!! Read Less