I had a hard time deciding between 3 or 4 stars. Β It's hard to blame doctors for the conduct of their staff Β and some of the general public and their stupid social bs gossip. Β When I went in, my elder... Read More
I had a hard time deciding between 3 or 4 stars. Β It's hard to blame doctors for the conduct of their staff Β and some of the general public and their stupid social bs gossip. Β When I went in, my elderly King Charles Spaniel had no vet and no recent veterinary advice. Β You can read about that if you want to. Β So I presented the receptionist with her most recent health records, so that the doctor would have something to go on. Β And the most recent records I had was from LSU Vet School and a Baton Rouge Β Veterinarian's office. Β She didn't want them! Β I had to talk her into photocopying them! If I am a doctor and I am about to see a patient I would want to see what her latest vet or a vet school would have to say about the status of my elderly patient's health! Β So after my insistence, she went ahead and photocopied those recent records. Β (I did not go to all of that trouble and expense to go out of town and get those records for my health!) Β So, she did eventually photocopy them for him to see first.We were then brought into a room and the only thing the staff at that point, was interested in, was her vaccination records. Β I did not have those records except as reminders, but she was current and did show the paranoid and ridiculous staff that she was current and due at the end of the month. Β She has never bit anyone, any veterinarian or their staff, so I felt that was Β ridiculous. Β Whoever was spreading those rumors via the stupid social bullshit gossip channels of New Orleans is an ass.Dr. Levy was a great communicator and was able to verbally express his opinions and answer my questions. Β He explained how my dog's health had declined. Although sad and I knew that upon my own observations, having a doctor who can effectively communicate was very important. He identified neurological problems which had really not been previously identified (which kind of bothers me) and explained that takes thousands of dollars to figure out what was going on. Β I realize that may be true but some sort of guidance of that issue by the previous vets would have been helpful in caring for her. Β Then that same staff member/receptionist came in and asked for my credit card and being that I was in a certain state of shock because my dog was about to be euthanized, I gave it to her before the services were actually performed and she took off with it to the back. Β I don't normally do that. Β She should have asked me to go to the front desk or to check out at the front desk after the services were performed, which I was going to do anyway. Β So that kind of bothered me, again. Β But this kind of conduct doesn't surprise me because I have had these same kinds of problems over and over again. Dr. Levy was great - I do recommend him for his ability to communicate scientifically and not expect you to read his mind or interpret crazy social gossip, his understanding of whether or not you have thousands of dollars for vet care, his bedside manner, and his ability to help you come to a decision. Β That was the case for me and having a vet who can be in-tuned to what is going on with your situation is important when you make health care decisions for your beloved companion. The prices were definitely reasonable. Β I was a little bothered that I got no brochure or receipt from the receptionist re: the crematorium who charged my credit card also, that day. Β But we got that straight. Β And I do recommend them, also. Β I would recommend making those arrangements in advance if you are someone who is involved with your pet and has a distrust of vets offices, as do I. Β I am bothered about the situation with the receptionist and the records and credit card situation and the paranoia about her vaccinations being current, but not with the vet care and communication or behavior of the physician. Β That is an administrative problem, not a physician problem. Β So that is why I have 3 stars, and not 5.(Some nasty people had interpreted my initial comments to infer the worst thing about my love for my pet. Β I tried to keep my emotions out of this. Β To me, Love is about being sure that my baby was not suffering or getting worse, without a possibility of recovery. Β Her quality of life was important. Β So my comments about the doctor's ability to effectively communicate with me were very important in this regard.) Read Less