HORROR. On Friday, June 17, 2016 Dr. Julie Stephens diagnosed my 3 lb Chihuahua Zoe, with Pulmonary Hypertension after performing an echocardiogram. On Monday, June 21, 2016, my beloved dog passed aw... Read More
HORROR. On Friday, June 17, 2016 Dr. Julie Stephens diagnosed my 3 lb Chihuahua Zoe, with Pulmonary Hypertension after performing an echocardiogram. On Monday, June 21, 2016, my beloved dog passed away in my arms at 1am. That€s 3 days later. In my opinion Dr. Stephens was a coward and lacked any kind of empathy. As Zoe€s family we had a €right to know€ the full extent of her condition, but she didn€t explain to us what Pulmonary Hypertension was, or if it was mild, moderate, or severe. She didn€t tell us that it€s considered a €death sentence€ and "life-threatening". She didn€t offer us the standard treatment of care: oxygen. She didn€t tell us that if we took Zoe down to sea level (instead of where we lived at 7,200 feet) that she may have lived longer due to increased oxygen levels (which we would have done within 24 hours). All she gave us was €false-hope€ with medicine and sent us home, with no explanation. What Dr. Stephens stole from my family was Zoe€s last 2 days on this earth. For this, I will never forgive her because I can€t get those 2 days back. If we only knew her condition was life-threatening, Zoe€s last 2 days would have been very different. We would had a chance to say goodbye and spend more quality time holding and kissing her. But Dr. Stephens robbed us of that. Now we are left without closure and wounded hearts. My family is still heart broken and grieving, all these months later. I would never recommend taking your dog to The Veterinary Emergency & Specialty center of NM because of my family€s horrible experience with Dr. Stephens. Read Less