I brought my 11-year-old 62 lb pit mix to Dr. Farag after her tail tip was bleeding. She was…read moreotherwise in fairly good health and had no respiratory or other symptoms--this was the only issue we were seeing besides the bleeding.
We discussed amputation as a way to prevent this from happening again. She stayed overnight on Wednesday, March 25. The next morning they took X-rays of her tail and chest and ran bloodwork. Later that day, Dr. Farag called to say they saw nodules in her chest and that it could possibly be metastasis/tumor or a fungal infection. Because of those findings, he recommended we not proceed with the tail surgery and that we see a specialist. He did say her bloodwork looked fairly okay for her age and that she seemed healthy overall.
However, when I picked her up Thursday night and brought her home, she was extremely lethargic. I called immediately and spoke with the front desk about her being unusually low-energy. I was told she received a sedative and that more than a normal amount was given to keep her calm and prevent her from wagging her tail.
They said if she still seemed that way the next day, I should bring her back, but otherwise to monitor her over the next few days. On Monday morning, March 30 (about four days after being there), I woke up at 3:30 a.m. to my dog struggling to breathe and unable to hold her head up. Within 10 minutes, she died. It was extremely sudden, and it didn't make sense to me given that she had never shown breathing issues prior to this.
The next day I called, but Dr. Farag wasn't available. They told me he would call me back; I never received a call. About a week later, I called again from the original number and explained what happened. The front desk seemed honestly confused by how sudden it was.
The following day Dr. Farag called me back. I was not satisfied with how defensive he was or how dismissive he became. I asked whether there was any explanation for how she died so suddenly and whether the sedative could have played a role, especially since I had been told more than the normal amount was given. He immediately said the information I was given was wrong, and then he started reading off doses while telling me to look them up online so that I could see the proper dose was given. He also added in there that it wasn't his practice and that it wasn't his fault or responsibility if the front desk gave me incorrect information amount the dose given. He also ended the call by saying she wasn't a healthy patient, which directly contradicted what he'd told me initially.
I understand they found abnormalities in her chest on the X-ray. But for her to die within four days, after being active and otherwise fine beforehand, did not sit right with me. I wasn't calling to accuse anyone--I wanted answers, clarity, and compassion.
I also want to note that I'm truly grateful for the vet techs and the front desk staff. They were helpful and empathetic throughout the process. My complaint is specifically with the doctor's responses--his defensiveness and lack of empathy--when I was simply trying to understand what happened.
In the end, between wrapping her tail, X-rays, bloodwork, and the radiologist review, I spent around $1,300. It feels unbearable to say, but I feel like I spent $1,300 and went through all of that just for my dog to die shortly after. No it's not about the money if I could've spent thousands more just to keep her here I would have, but I feel I was given false hope when being told that she was fairly healthy, especially since I can see with my own eyes that she was a healthy and active dog. I know you can't predict certain things, but none of it makes sense, considering she never displayed any signs of her being unhealthy.
If you bring your senior dog--or any dog--to this clinic, please be cautious. I just wish I had been given more clarity and kindness when I needed answers most.
Also, since Dr. Farag was so quick to explain this wasn't his practice, and that misinformation given to me about his patient (my dog) has nothing to do with him, for whoever does own this practice, I would reconsider who you choose to assist with your business.
