My family's dogs were former patients of South Denton Animal Hospital and saw Dr. Cody for years…read more Throughout our time there, we repeatedly felt that our concerns were dismissed with comments like, "Dogs can just be weird sometimes," or, "Don't worry, these things happen."
When I first adopted my dog, Clementine, a Chihuahua/Terrier mix, she began having severe episodes of bloody stool--sometimes passing only blood with no stool at all. As a first-time dog owner and a college student, I was understandably worried. I immediately took her to Dr. Cody with photographic evidence and asked whether I should change her food or if there was anything I could do to help.
Dr. Cody told me that dogs can have sensitive stomachs and assured me the issue would likely resolve on its own. Although I left feeling uneasy, I trusted his professional opinion. The problem continued, and I couldn't stand watching Clementine struggle. Against his advice, I switched her to a food formulated for sensitive stomachs. Her symptoms resolved almost immediately.
While I was relieved that she was finally feeling better, I couldn't understand why such a simple recommendation hadn't been suggested from the beginning. Similar experiences continued throughout the years we brought Clementine to South Denton Animal Hospital. At the time, the clinic's affordability and my trust in Dr. Cody kept us there.
After graduating from college and moving away from Denton, I established care with a new veterinarian. The difference was remarkable. Appointments became thorough rather than rushed. They took the time to listen to my concerns, discussed preventative care, explained their reasoning, and worked with me to develop treatment plans when needed. It made me realize how different veterinary care could be.
Our other dog, Scooter, had seen Dr. Cody since he was a puppy. Scooter was a mixed-breed terrier who generally appeared healthy, so most of his visits consisted of annual exams and vaccinations. During those appointments, we routinely asked questions like, "Is his weight healthy?" and "Does everything sound normal?" We were consistently told that everything looked fine.
As Scooter got older, he developed a persistent cough and began showing signs of labored breathing. We brought him back to Dr. Cody, who attributed it to allergies and again reassured us that it would likely resolve on its own. No X-rays were taken, and no additional diagnostic testing was recommended.
When Scooter's coughing continued to worsen, we remembered how our concerns about Clementine had been dismissed and decided to seek a second opinion from a newly opened veterinary clinic near my mom's home.
During Scooter's very first appointment there, the veterinarian listened to his heart and immediately asked whether we had ever been told he had a heart murmur. We were shocked. Dr. Cody had listened to Scooter's heart during countless annual exams, yet this had never been mentioned.
After X-rays and additional testing, Scooter was diagnosed with a collapsed trachea and Stage C congestive heart failure. By that point, his disease was already advanced. Rather than preventing or significantly slowing its progression, treatment focused on managing his symptoms and keeping him comfortable.
His new veterinary team worked tirelessly for him. They monitored him with repeat X-rays, adjusted his medications as his condition changed, and gave us clear explanations every step of the way. Within a short time, we noticed meaningful improvements--his coughing decreased, his breathing became easier, and he had more energy.
Sadly, despite their efforts, Scooter's heart disease had already progressed too far. Just six months after his diagnosis, we made the heartbreaking decision to let him go. He was only 11 years old. Many small terrier mixes can live several years longer, and I can't help but wonder whether an earlier diagnosis could have given us more time with him. While no one can know for certain what the outcome would have been, I believe that taking our concerns seriously, investigating his symptoms sooner, and performing appropriate diagnostics may have allowed treatment to begin earlier.
I understand that, in hindsight, we could have changed veterinarians sooner. We carry that regret every day. But we trusted Dr. Cody because he was our veterinarian. We weren't medical professionals--we relied on his expertise, reassurances, and judgment.
It has been about a month since Scooter passed away, and writing this review has not been easy. I'm sharing our experience because I don't want another family to find themselves wondering whether their concerns should have been investigated sooner.
If you choose South Denton Animal Hospital, I encourage you to advocate strongly for your pet, ask questions, and seek a second opinion if your instincts tell you something isn't right.
