I brought my cat for an observation and DR.Arlene Gardsbane examined the cat. I love my Cat very much and brought him in due to I have noticed he wasn't happy and perhaps in pain. Doctor knew cat was... Read More
I brought my cat for an observation and DR.Arlene Gardsbane examined the cat. I love my Cat very much and brought him in due to I have noticed he wasn't happy and perhaps in pain. Doctor knew cat was in pain and pulled him out of the carrier by the fur (on the neck), cat got scared, jumped off the table, perhaps hurting him more, and hid under the furniture, hissing and making unhappy sounds. Doctor noted that she'd need to sedate him in order to examine the cat. Doc did not want the liability issues for her and staff. Doc said that X-ray would be needed as well. I Requested to see the charges prior to any services that cat would receive today. Staff gave me a bill listing 3 things: X-ray, sedation and exam that totaled to $247. I agreed to pay that, because I love my cat and really wanted to know what's wrong with him.My cat was taken to the back room, and I was sent into the waiting area. When Doctor came back, she told me that cat was examined and X-rayed, however, they found nothing wrong with him except that cat may be developing an arthritis and perhaps has a bone fracture. Doctor recommended a long term pain medication administration, or a referral to the orthopedist. Doctor said there is not much that can be done. I asked about the cost if I decide to go that way, Doctor said it would be long term injections to relieve the pain. Doctor gave no other inexpensive alternative. When I was ready to pay the bill, I saw that the amount has changed. The new amount was over $330, when I asked to explain the additional charges, staff told me that they administered pain meds to the cat. I was surprised that no one asked me or presented me with charges prior to administering the meds. I refused to pay the charges that weren't approved by me, and paid only $247, as originally agreed to pay. Doctor belittled me and made me feel guilty that I refused to pay to reduce cat's pain. I explained to her that regardless what Doctor wants to do and believes, customer is the one that pays for services, and Doctor always needs to present charges prior to the billing. Vet services get to be expensive and since I am the one who is responsible to pay the bill, I should be the one who knows how much money it would cost me to get my cat better. Doctor did not even ask me how I feel about pain meds, as I don't even support pain meds, and wished to find an alternative to pain med treatment. Instead, Doctor Arlene G. Told me to not come back to their Clinique and that I should look for other place to take my cat. This is absurd! This vet place careless about pets, about customer's ability to pay/ cost effective method, and if customer thinks differently about the treatment, they are out of the door. After my cat received pain meds, he felt terrible and unhappy even more then before I took him to the vet. I regret that I took him to this place in the first place, and I wish staff told me that they would administer pain meds to the cat. Today, my cat feels better because I found an cost effective alternative to administer him a baby aspirin, he is doing better only because I consulted with some knowledgable people who care about pets but also about my pocket and spending that I would have to encounter if I listened to that Doctor. I want to warn and advise other pet owners to think twice when they go to this place to take their pets for more then just an immunization. This place cares about your money, not pet; Doctor guilts you if you disagree with her treatment plan or charges enforcement. Customer deserves to know final charges(aside from the hospital stay charges) before anything is done, especially pet owner has a right to know what meds/treatment is administered prior to actually administering it. I disagree with doctor's decision to discontinue services to my pet because I refused to pay extra charges that Doctor did not let me know about ahead of time. This is wrong! Read Less