First off, we had a Westie, named Contessa, Tess for short; we took her to Pungo Vet clinic all her life (15yrs 4mo). They used to be awesome; the Vet used to let us go back w/ Tess for shots blood dr... Read More
First off, we had a Westie, named Contessa, Tess for short; we took her to Pungo Vet clinic all her life (15yrs 4mo). They used to be awesome; the Vet used to let us go back w/ Tess for shots blood draws ect. We loved that Vet! The current Vet is the opposite, we would take Tess in, and they would take her in the back, treat her and bring her out. We took her in a couple of years ago for ear issues, they took her back and treated her ears w/ something I don't even know what it's called now, but never told us the possible side effects were deafness, didn't know that until we called back about a week later asking why she was deaf, and that is when we found out about the possible side effects. Well that dreaded day came when we had to send her to Rainbow Bridge OCT-23-2015. I dropped her for an emergency look about 8:40am, they said they would check her out and I should have her back by noon. 40min later they called me at work w/ bad news, she was in renal failure, and there was nothing we could do but send her away peacefully. We agreed, when I got there, they had already sedated her without giving me a chance to say goodbye, she was too drugged to know I was even there, they gave here the final shot, and then she was gone. They were gracious and sympathetic, didn't charge me for the procedure, and provided a way to have her cremated and remains returned to us. They took a paw print in some clay, cut a tuff of fur, and sent a sympathy card signed by the Techs and Vet, and that was much appreciated. The problem I have with this issue is they presumed to know what was best for Tess and I. The family should know all aspects of the procedure, the pros and cons, and let the family make the call to sedate before saying goodbye. I have grieved and have been angry that I didn't get to say goodbye. I didn't want her think I left her there alone to die by herself, un-loved. Even though I was there with her during her final breath of life, I truly believe she didnt know I was there. This and other issues are why we will never take our pets to Pungo Vet in the future. Read Less