First, I'll say this was the most non-compassionate animal facility I've ever been to. The only one we felt truly cared for my Chloe and respected the emotions we were going through was the reception... Read More
First, I'll say this was the most non-compassionate animal facility I've ever been to. The only one we felt truly cared for my Chloe and respected the emotions we were going through was the receptionist! We took our beloved Chloe in upon recommendation of a friend because our vet was closed for the holiday. She had a mass on her toe and from the first few words out of the extremely emotionless and non-interactive tech, I had a bad feeling. At that point, I should have gotten us out of there!!! We were told Chloe would have to have surgery to remove her mass AND toe. I will forever live with guilt of letting them keep her to do the surgery! They didn't explain anything.....not risks, procedures, NOTHING! It is my fault for not asking those questions, but I was so emotionally distraught and naive enough to, at the time, believe this was no big deal....as if it were (as I was led to believe) they would've explained more or done more tests, right? WRONG! NEVER were the risks of anesthesia gone over with us, nor did I sign a waiver or DNR (which I learned AFTER the fact, I should've done). We were rushed out of there, me in tears, and my Chloe in a small cage not much bigger than her. The following day, we get a call that Chloe did not respond well to the anesthesia and suffered a collapsed lung! WHAT??? This was a possible side effect? Again..... not one mention to the risks prior to this. We were then told the tumor had spread to her lungs! Again....WHAT?? Why weren't xrays done PRIOR to anesthesia to see if her lungs were healthy enough? Why wasn't a sample of the mass sent to the lab to determine if it was actually cancer before you decide to cut her toe off? They did a needle aspiration....why wasn't that sent out??? They then proceed to tell me they tried the anesthesia AGAIN! WHAT???? She didn't respond and you try again??? I then tell them over the phone not to proceed. We picked her up that night and the next day met with doctor to discuss what happened. Was told the same thing,showed some xrays and handed a pamphlet to another clinic and sent on our way! Not one "I'm sorry" "Do you have any questions/concerns?" "How's Chloe?" NOTHING! Nothing but vague answers, no instruction on what to watch for now that she has a collapsed lung, no advice on how to proceed now that she has possible cancer, no recommendations on how to make her comfortable. There were NO words of sympathy, NO words of advice on caring for the mass (they didn't even bandage it as it was bleeding), on dealing with a member of our family that they so nonschantly told us was terminally ill...just literally shoving us out the door with a grim diagnosis, which by the way, was never even tested for!!! No biopsy, no lab work...LITERALLY NOTHING. NOTHING... but a $600 bill (for what exactly I'm still trying to understand....as again, we didn't even get a bleeding toe bandaged!!!) and a beloved member of our family that went in with a toe mass and came out with a collapsed lung and possible cancer diagnosis! And the worst thing of all this is that it was all done so methodically and with ZERO EMPATHY OR COMPASSION!!! Also, since being there, we have discovered on their website, a presurgical packet that requires owners signature....WE NEVER RECEIVED THAT FROM THEM PRIOR TO SURGERY to review or sign!!! We were absolutely blindsided and taken advantage of here and my precious Chloes life will be the price we pay! I am absolutely heartbroken and disgusted a place like this exists! I will always feel the guilt of not listening to my gut and getting her out of there when I questioned their concern and compassion. This has truly been one of the worst experiences since bringing Chloe into our family 7 yrs ago. Read Less