I took my rescue baby to South Paws after a very "well-known franchise" Vet Clinic, in Metairie, LA literally "kicked us to the curb" with a dying dog! My dog had lost his back legs. Over 4 days, my p... Read More
I took my rescue baby to South Paws after a very "well-known franchise" Vet Clinic, in Metairie, LA literally "kicked us to the curb" with a dying dog! My dog had lost his back legs. Over 4 days, my personal Vet communicated to this franchise surgical clinic that my dog's spine swelling had subsided, and he needed surgery ASAP to replace tissue that had slipped and blocked his spinal cord signal to his rear legs, as well as the payment check arriving ASAP. They were FULLY AWARE that my dog had been 4 days with this injury, and needed surgery immediately to have any hope of surviving and regaining the use of his rear legs! I advised that I had sold stock to pay for this surgery, and a check was arriving FedEx in 3 days as promised 4 days ago. I even provided proof of the payment arriving. The vet said it was VITAL that she prep for immediate surgery. While she went back to scrub, the Receptionist approached me and said I would have to LEAVE IMMEDIATELY if I was not able to pay for the surgery THAT MOMENT! I provided a telephone number to verify that I was receiving a $3000 Cashier's Check to pay for the surgery as fast as available. She then charged me for a Vet exam and Office visit, and asked me to leave with my dying dog. When I asked what would happen to him if he waited 3 days for the check to arrive for the surgery, they advised he would probably die, and they would be more than happy to dispose of his body! I left with my dog, and sat, crying hysterically in my car while frantically calling every Vet listed on Google in the area (I had just moved there 1 month prior, and was not familiar with all the Vets available to me.) Two hours, and after contacting 8 Vets in the surrounding area, I was finally advised there was only 1 Vet qualified to do this type of surgery...Dr. Bob at South Paws Veterinary Surgical Specialists in Mandeville, LA - approx. 40 minutes away. When I called and explained my situation to the receptionist, she stated, "Bring him here...Dr. Bob will take a look at him, and I am POSITIVE we can help you out!" I found my way to South Paws, Dr. Bob examined my dog, and Dr. Bob looked at me, explained he understood my situation having just moved to the area, got a new job, selling stock to receive the check to pay for the emergency surgery, even though the check would not arrive for 3 days, but he would do my dog's surgery as long as I promised to pay him when my check arrived! He advised he didn't know me, I didn't know him, but he was going to trust me that I was committed to give my "rescue" pup the best chance at a quality life possible, and he would do the surgery (which was needed IMMEDIATELY), but I HAD TO PAY HIM!!! I advised I was a debt collector for 25 years, and I had collected delinquent debt for Veterinarians before, and he could REST ASSURED I WOULD PAY HIS BILL IN FULL, as soon as my stock payment check arrived!!! Dr. Bob called me before I had even returned to my home in Metairie to tell me that Diego had come through the surgery successfully, and he felt his prognosis for a full recovery was "GOOD"!!! Diego DID regain full use of his rear legs, and 3 years later, he is a happy, healthy, shih tzu walking, running and playing with his little playmate (baby brother) Every Day!!! Words cannot express the way I feel about South Paws Veterinary Surgical Specialists, Dr. Bob, and their entire Staff!!! This group of people work at this organization for the LOVE OF PETS, and they work tirelessly FOR YOUR PETS, and their well-being! They do miraculous, state-of-the-art procedures to preserve and save the lives of their animal patients--that would have been a death sentence years ago! Dr. Bob and his Specialists perform miracles EVERY DAY!!! YOUR PET IS IN THE COMPANY OF THE MOST HIGHLY-SKILLED, LOVING, COMPASSIONATE INDIVIDUALS IN THE VETERINARY FIELD AT THIS FACILITY!!! As an animal advocate, I am proud to say I recommend South Paws with NO RESERVATIONS!!! Don't hesitate to use these Specialists should the need arise...YOU ARE IN THE HANDS OF THE VERY BEST!!! Read Less