I need to tell the story of my cat, Mongo, in order for people to understand why I am giving them a bad review. Our cats went to Ashland Animal Hospital for many, many years. About 3-5 years ago, our ... Read More
I need to tell the story of my cat, Mongo, in order for people to understand why I am giving them a bad review. Our cats went to Ashland Animal Hospital for many, many years. About 3-5 years ago, our cat, Mongo, was very ill. I'm estimating the time. We rushed him right in and told them to do whatever they had to do. Of course we had a budget...which they took advantage of. Before I continue I want to warn everyone that no matter where you bring your animals, NEVER tell the vets how much money you have. They'll ask you that. Not "how much can you spend." They'll ask "well how much do you have now." So with that said, here it goes. We never knew what was wrong with Mongo. They did an insane amount of X-rays. You'd think after the first 2 that maybe they'd see something. But no. If my memory serves me well, it was 5-6 X-rays. After being at the hospital all day on IV fluids and getting antibiotics and blood work, they had no answers from the tests they did. Because of that, they told we NEEDED to do an ultrasound, more X-rays and maybe an overnight. This was very traumatic. After almost $2,000, they had no idea what was wrong with him. They said MAYBE an obstruction, but all of the tests were inconclusive. So we decided to bring him home with us. He was still weak. If he got to that "point", we'd take him to the 24 hour hospital. On our way home I was crying and confused. I stopped at a local convenient store and bought a regular can of wet food. I opened the cat crate and opened the can. Mongo jumped out and started to eat like nothing ever happened to him. Literally ate the whole can (which I usually don't allow), and then sat on my lap. I called my boyfriend immediately and he was SO HAPPY. We kept a close eye on him the entire week. I can honestly say it was a miracle. I called the vet and they told us to bring him back. He was basically on his death bed and they were very concerned. We ignored them completely. I think we can all agree that we know our fur babies. I can say with a huge smile on my face that he's happy and doing extremely well. Here is where I will tell you why I think this place is HORRIBLE and UNETHICAL. This past Tuesday, September 24th, Mongo's mother, Mama, fell very ill. One minute she was okay and the next she wasn't. We have been seeing Slade Veterinarians in Framingham since 2016. Since Mama hadn't been there, I myself needed to call Ashland to have them fax her files over. I don't know who I spoke with on the phone. I told them who I was and who my cat was. I told the woman that Mama was extremely sick and I needed that file to be faxed as fast as they could. Knowing what I just told her, the woman said, and I'm paraphrasing "okay, well I see here that you owe $71 and we're going to need that as soon as you can." REALLY????? I'm in the middle of Slades office, 2 receptionists about 3 patients and Mama basically dying. Then this nasty woman is discussing my past due balance!!!!! I was mortified! I was too upset to be mad at the time. I refused to talk about my past due balance as I was focusing on helping Mama. Unfortunately she passed away the next day. They think it was a tumor that was growing at a rapid pace. I'm glad we brought her when we did. She didn't suffer. Slades office was so compassionate and helped us with every single thing we needed. Ashland on the other hand didn't give a rats butt what was going on with Mama or what Jon and I we're going through. I am so disgusted with them. I hope and pray that no one has to deal with this kind of situation. You know your animal(s). You may be like us and go to the vets when needed. Or you take your fur babies to the vets once a year. We're all different. But what they did with Mongo was a shame. I'm glad we brought him and we would and did do everything for him. To us, it was about the money at the time. Doesn't look like we were wrong. God only knows how much we spent those couple days. I was painfully reminded of that the day before Mama died. If we had a $71 balance and they needed it quick, why no phone calls? We are taking about a bill from 3-5 years ago!!! No notices in the mail or any calls. Nothing. But when I have a dying cat and I'm at a new hospital, they really need that money. What happened to compassion? Why couldn't they bite their tongue and maybe call us a week or two later? Why did it have to be at that moment? HEARTLESS. I will make sure that everyone I know that has animals NOT GO THERE!!! Not ever. We will never forgive them for what they did. And I will be speaking with the highest person I can regarding this situation. I hope this helps at least one person. Stay very far away from Ashland Animal Hospital! Read Less