This was the first vet I had when I moved to SM in 2007. It was convenient because it was right down the road from my apartment, and the prices seemed okay. However, the high school girl they used t... Read More
This was the first vet I had when I moved to SM in 2007. It was convenient because it was right down the road from my apartment, and the prices seemed okay. However, the high school girl they used to have answering the phones after school would always hang up on you or put you on hold until 5 (yes, 20 minutes on hold) and then hang up! I tried a few other vets in the area (Four Paws, Springfield, etc) which were a lot more communicative and helpful. Before that, though, a kitty I'd adopted out of foster ended up having FIP. Dr. House was extremely unhelpful in explaining what was going on with her and why she had such a huge bulging sac of fluid under her skin. I was given special food to stimulate the appetite but not educated on how to give it, even though I asked. I ended up researching it online. This was also how I found out the near impossible odds of beating FIP. When I asked Dr. House about it, not wanting the kitty to be in pain and suffering, she was evasive and only recommended "more tests" and prescribed pain pills. At first, I thought that maybe she was just afraid of recommending euthanasia for legal reasons, but I could not get a straight answer about the prognosis even when asking her what she would do if it was her cat. As a very, very young adult, I was depending on my experienced veterinarian to point me in the right direction and make sure I did right by my furry family members. At this point, my kitty could not walk, could not stand, was not eating, and was crying pitifully. It hurt me to watch her; it hurt my other cat (aloof butt that he was) to hear her; but, being young, I deferred to Dr. House's judgement and we did more tests again. Knowing what I know now, I cannot believe that she would let an animal suffer as much as this kitty was. After much thought, and without any input or advice from Dr. House (who only kept saying it was "up to me"), I contacted the foster, who basically confirmed what I had been researching and learning independently. She put me in contact with HER vet in Austin, who, although admitting that she couldn't be sure from not seeing her in person, said that from the photos, it was horrifically progressed FIP and that YES, the poor kitty was in terrible pain and that euthanasia should have been done long ago, and that she could not understand why my vet just wanted to do more and more tests. After finally getting through the high schooler at the desk that Friday afternoon, I told Dr. House that yes, I wanted to do euthanasia, but they could not get her in and that they could've if I'd called by 4:30 (haha, I had called several times throughout the afternoon and been put on hold for extended periods of time or outright hung up on) I came home from work the day before it was scheduled, a Sunday evening, and she passed away in my lap, violently and painfully. In grief, I called to arrange cremation and asked if I needed to do anything with the body to avoid upsetting other patients...was told no...I came in with her in her bed (a little wicker basket), tucked in a blanket, hoping any kids around would just think she was sleeping. Instead, I was admonished for not bringing her in in a closed box or crate by the woman up front.Several years later, we are with the Animal Care Clinic of San Marcos, admittedly by a fluke. We had adopted a dog from the animal shelter, and they sent him there for his usuals before we could take him home. I was extremely impressed with the vet there and arranged to have my older cat (around 12 at the time)'s care transferred there as well. Best decision we ever made. And while cost is no longer an issue, they're far cheaper than SMVC. His bedside manner can be a bit brusque, but not only is he upfront and straightforward with us about our furry kiddos, but the office staff doesn't hang up on us and is compassionate and understanding with us in our grief. Added bonus when you can bring all four kiddos in for routine exams and not get slapped with four separate office visit fees! Read Less