My family and I decided that it was time to put our nineteen-year-old cat to sleep, as her renal failure was causing her to suffer.
The first thing that Dr. Davis said when our cat finally shut her ... Read More
My family and I decided that it was time to put our nineteen-year-old cat to sleep, as her renal failure was causing her to suffer.
The first thing that Dr. Davis said when our cat finally shut her eyes for the last time was: “Yeah, sometimes it takes the older ones longer for their hearts to stop beating.” Not “she’s gone.” Not “I’m sorry for your loss.” Instead of leaving us for a moment to, you know, say our final goodbyes, he said (and I’m not exaggerating when he said it quite bluntly): “Uh, should I go ahead and take her, or...?” My father and I, who were just crying in the examination room, just stared at him, and he literally manhandled her out of the room.
After recounting this experience to others who have ever put a pet to sleep, I reaffirmed what I already knew: that this was unprofessional, and all-around inappropriate.
Now, I understand that when you are a vet, the death of an animal is a normal occurrence. I imagine that when someone becomes a vet, they have to become detached from the experience. However, it appeared to be like just another day in the life. And that’s an okay sentiment for a veterinarian to have. But, if you have tact and customer service skills, you would probably keep your feelings on the matter to yourself, and not let your sheer apathy be SO VISIBLE.
My cat had been in my life since I was six years old, and I honestly don’t even remember much my life before her existence in it. So to have the person who was in charge of her passing basically brush her off like a business transaction? I will never, ever forget that.
Look, I get it. She wasn’t a human. Animals are not held to the same standards as human beings, therefore the loss of them isn’t really viewed as important. But that’s the attitude I would expect, perhaps, in a human hospital. Not an animal hospital.
TLDR: Never in my life would I EVER recommend this veterinarian, or his practice. If I could give a straight-up zero score, I would. Read Less