The clinic, itself is lovely however the DVM we saw will never touch my dogs again. Dr. Betty Jean Harper has been practicing veterinary medicine for 37 years and while she may care for the animals sh... Read More
The clinic, itself is lovely however the DVM we saw will never touch my dogs again. Dr. Betty Jean Harper has been practicing veterinary medicine for 37 years and while she may care for the animals she sees her table side manner is far from caring. When I took my little guy into the clinic for a check up, I was admittedly nervous. He's a recent addition with no prior vet care to my knowledge. She looked him over and the first thing she told me is I should neuter him. First, he is thirteen years old and a Neuter is an unnecessary, invasive procedure. I mentioned my hesitation due to the risk of putting him under anesthesia. I reiterated that he is thirteen years old. She argued my decision by telling me she puts her sixteen year old dog under for a dental every six months. It was not only incredibly rude but rather uneducated to suggest he would be fine because her dog is fine. My boy could have an adverse reaction to the anesthesia. My dog is not her dog and I said No. That alone should be respected. Aside from my decision to decline Neuter let's look at some studies.:* [naiaonline.org/pdfs/Long…* [dogcancerblog.com/blog/s… Of course she was too busy trying to guilt trip me into neutering him (by stating false statistics on cancer and fear mongering) to be bothered by science. She then checked his teeth. Several have fallen out since bringing him home in November. I know he needs many pulled. I know he has Gingivitis. She gave me the most condescending look and spoke to me like I had done it to him. She looked at me like I let him get that way. She told me he would have to be put under for a tooth extraction. I knew that. I still do not want him neutered. Tooth extractions are medically necessary for him. Her next comment was that his submandibular lymphnodes are swollen. She said she wanted to do a blood panel. She quoted me a price but I could not afford it that day. I told her this. Again, She was judging me. I said I have to discuss finances with my partner. She started fear mongering again, starting that it could simply be from his teeth or it could be a sign of cancer. What she didn't say is it could also be allergies, it could be a number of things but she focused on cancer. When I mentioned, again, that I couldn't do it that day she asked me about CareCredit. I didn't say I couldn't come up with the money, it's just a matter of moving bills around. Instead of taking this for an answer she left the room and came back with a care credit pamphlet with the website and number to apply circled. She wanted me to apply right then and there in the office.Since I didn't have any prior records on my little man we had to do a rabies vaccine while we were there. Not a big deal. She asked if I knew what vaccines were "required". By law, the only vaccine required is Rabies and that vaccine needs to be administered by a licensed DVM. So, She gave me a list of vaccines he will "need" - Distemper, Adenovirus Type 1 (Hepatitis), Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme, if we travel, and I could if I wanted - Coronavirus. She told me they were required and had to be given by a DVM (not true). I'm not anti-vaccine by any means however, I don't believe overdosing his system all at once especially not with swollen lymphnodes we don't have a cause on. I had brought my 4 year old (intact) Doberman girl with me. After I declined the idea of neutering the chihuahua earlier and Dr. Harper went on her fear monger cancer "stat " rant she mentioned breast and uterine cancer and glanced at the doberman. My doberman is a show dog so no, she will not be unnecessarily spayed. Not that she even asked Why I chose to keep both dogs intact. On my way out of the exam room she, blocking the door, asked if I wanted her to prescribe antibiotics incase his lymphnodes were due to infection. I declined. Why? We don't know that it is an infection. I'm not feeding him antibiotics because it might be an infection. To top it all off she told me my small man was underweight by a few ounces. He weighs six pounds even, he's in incredible shape for his age and if she's going to nit pick over "a few ounces" she doesn't need my business. The only nice thing she had to say about my senior boy is that his ears are incredibly clean. Overall, Dr. Harper was judgmental, rude, pushy and condescending. I understand she has been with the clinic (s) but I think with the number of people who refuse to be seen by her (which i learned from the absolutely wonderful woman at the front desk) the owner needs to reconsider keeping this woman on staff. It's not okay to treat clients like that, it's not okay to guilt trip people into things they cannot afford that day. It's never okay to lie to clients and you certainly do not speak to them in a condescending, judgemental tone for ANY reason. Read Less