Pennsauken Animal Hospital 6717 N Crescent Blvd. Pennsauken, NJ 08110…read more
***this was removed from FB apage Pennsauken Talks & I was unable to post on google**
I am submitting this statement regarding my recent visit to Pennsauken Animal Hospital with my cat. brought my cat to the hospital because he was experiencing a problem with his paw that appeared to involve an infection. I explained my concerns to the veterinary staff and wanted him examined specifically for the condition affecting his paw.During the visit, the doctor recommended approximately $1,200 worth of services. I did not agree to all of the recommended services because I could not afford them and did not feel that all of them were necessary at that time. After I declined some of the recommended services, the nurse became visibly upset, walked out of the room, and slammed the door. I found this behavior very upsetting and felt that I was being treated negatively because I did not agree to all of the recommended services.
The staff continued to recommend that my cat receive X-rays, explaining that they wanted to determine whether his paw was broken. I repeatedly explained that my primary concern was that there appeared to be an infection. However, I felt that my concerns were not being adequately heard or addressed. Because I was concerned about my cat and felt pressured in the situation, I ultimately agreed to the X-rays.
my cat was taken for the X-rays approximately an hour and a half after we arrived. After the X-rays were completed, I was told that the images would need to be sent out for confirmation regarding a suspected diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). I was also told that there was little the doctor could do for my cats paw at that time because of his heart condition and that euthanasia was essentially presented as the best option for him. Hearing this was extremely upsetting. I brought my cat to the hospital because I wanted him treated and evaluated, particularly for what appeared to be an infection. Instead, I left feeling that the focus had shifted toward expensive testing and ultimately discussing euthanasia rather than addressing the problem that brought us to the emergency hospital. There were also significant delays throughout the visit. After the examination and X-rays, I waited for approximately another hour before receiving my cats prescriptions and bill. Despite paying approximately $724 for the visit and services, I was not provided with a clear, complete medical report explaining what had been done, the results of the examination and X-rays, or the doctor's conclusions regarding my cats condition. I was also asked about vaccinations and was pressured to sign a rabies-related waiver. I did not feel comfortable proceeding with the vaccination under the circumstances, particularly because my cat was already ill and I was there seeking urgent medical care. The manner in which this was presented added to an already stressful and upsetting experience. By the time we received the bill and medications, more than an hour had passed. There were only approximately three patients in the emergency room at the time. I understand that emergency veterinary hospitals can become busy and that some delays are unavoidable. However, the length of the wait, the lack of communication, and the way I felt I was treated made the experience extremely frustrating. left the hospital feeling pressured into services that I was not comfortable authorizing and feeling that my concerns about my cats paw infection were not adequately addressed. I also believe that a pet owner should be able to decline services they cannot afford or do not feel are appropriate without being treated with hostility or made to feel guilty for that decision. Before leaving the hospital, I specifically requested that my cats medical information from this visit be sent to our regular veterinary office so that his veterinarian could review what occurred and continue his care. However, I was not given confirmation that the records or medical information were actually sent. I therefore remain uncertain whether our veterinarian received the requested information.Urgent veterinary care should be about helping an animal and supporting the pet owner during an extremely stressful situation. Pet owners should be given clear information about their pet's condition, the available treatment options, the costs involved, and the consequences of accepting or declining those options. They should not feel pressured or intimidated into authorizing services.This experience left me extremely disappointed and concerned about the way Meeko and I were treated. I am requesting that Pennsauken Animal Hospital review the circumstances surrounding our visit, including the recommendations made, the delays, the conduct of the staff, the services charged, the documentation provided, and whether my request to send my cats medical information to our regular veterinary office was actually completed.
