When I got home yesterday, my kitty was lethargic and not herself. I took her over here just to make sure that it was nothing serious. I checked in and was told it would be a 1.5 hour wait time. Wow! ... Read More
When I got home yesterday, my kitty was lethargic and not herself. I took her over here just to make sure that it was nothing serious. I checked in and was told it would be a 1.5 hour wait time. Wow! But ok. So I took a seat and began to read my book, keeping an eye on her to make sure that she didn't get worse. After I was finally called in to the room, I explained the situation; the girl says she needs to take Cambria's temperature, and that I "need to hold her really good." I've never seen a vet that relies on the owner to complete the exam themselves. I ask her if a vet tech should be doing that to make sure everything is safe and done correctly. She goes to get one, and then comes back and says that they have to do it in the back. This strikes me as odd. I've never seen a vet clinic that takes the pet from the room to do minor procedures like checking the temperature, giving a vaccine, etc. Alarm bells everywhere, but this was a vet. They're here to help, right? So, after taking her temperature and dragging her carelessly around, the vet tech brings her back in. She says the vet is on his way, and would be just a minute. More than 20 minutes later, he finally shows up. He blurts out "She bit someone!" Now, I've had this cat for a while now, and have put her through her paces, trimmed her nails, checked her teeth, trained her to be ok in a cat carrier, etc. All without so much as a hiss. So I knew something was wrong. The vet then tells me that they will be reporting this "attack" to animal control, because "they have to." At this point, I'm pretty horrified it was that bad--who was this poor vet tech who got bitten?! Then he recommended X-Rays, to probably lead to subcutaneous fluids and pain medication. I asked him why we wouldn't proceed with that route directly, if that was the likely outcome. His reply? "I have my reasons." I. Have. My. Reasons. Alarm bells all over. But, they're helping....right...? $200 later, they tell me that everything looks completely normal--just fine and dandy!--and that they wanted to give her... wait for it... subcutaneous fluids and pain medication! During the procedure, I asked to see the vet tech who had been "attacked." It turns out that the girl I was speaking with was actually that very vet tech! I was confused... she had no bandage on... not even a band-aid! How could she be hiding a wound so well?? I asked to see it. She held up her hand, and I saw.... A paper cut? No, really, there was a scratch on her hand that was MAYBE a quarter of a centimeter in length. No puncture wound, blood, bandage, or even a glisten of antibacterial ointment on her skin. I bring this up, and she says well, it was bad. It WAS bad? Do you have special healing super powers? Are you a magician? No? Then this claim is SUPER shady. I ask the vet if I could have a picture of the (nonexistent) wound; I was told no, I have to go through Animal Control. Now, if I was ~actually~ bitten by an animal, I would want proof, because wounds heal and it would make sense to document my suffering to support my position. However, if I had scratched myself on my own, on god knows what while flinging a cat around like a rag doll, and then falsely blaming the poor kitty for a (non-bite-related, non-puncture, magically-healing, and essentially invisible) wound, I would certainly NOT want this documented. I am subsequently told that if quarantine is required, they would be happy to provide... for a fee! Super DUPER shady. A few minutes later, they bring Cambria back out to me, again holding her in two hands and at arm's length, without support of her hind end. Anyone who has ever been around an animal knows that this is not how you hold a live creature. Vet tech #2 follows with her carrier, into which I place her, gently and easily; I go out to pay, and notice that there is a hole in the (brand new, very sturdy) carrier. This is actually the first time I used it outside of introducing her to it. I ask what's up. The girl behind the counter (who is this establishment's singular saving grace) goes to get the vet. He appears and says "what's the problem?" I explain. His answer? A full minute of overly defensive blather. At this point, having these people alternately ignore, manhandle, accuse, and generally fail to help my cat, and now accuse me of falsely claiming that the damaged to the carrier happened during this visit, I was furious. I explain all I want is the cost of the ~brand new~ carrier to be taken off my bill. Eventually the vet rudely blurts out "send us a bill!" and turns to walk away. I say sure! I show them the Amazon receipt on my phone. He grudgingly allows a discount of the price of the carrier and walks out. SO, if you would like ineffective, careless, suspiciously motivated "care," and a guarantee that your pet will be handled like a rag doll and your belongings will be damaged, give this place a try! If not, I would advise you to stay far, FAR away. Read Less