We had been taking our 73 lb pit/dane/lab mix, Nicky, here ever since we moved to Boise two years…read moreago. Dr Stoenner and the entire staff have always greeted us & Nicky with professional and kind attention. They helped find and/or supply her with special need diet products and medications she needed after a very active 13 years.
The facility is linked to a great online product shipping associate that delivered Nicky's food & meds to our door.
We received timely notifications for her shots & always received quick appointments.
In November, 2017, Nicky was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on her spleen and, on Nov 31, had surgery to remove the tumor & given medication for recovery & medication for some petite seizures she'd been having. The tumor had bled into her abdomen, making the chances of the cancer moving to other organs a probable prognosis. She was given 6 - 9 months to live.
2 1/2 months later, on Jan 13, 2018, following weeks of her strength & appetite diminishing and her breathing becoming shallow, we brought her in on that Saturday. Although Dr Stoenner had the day off, Dr Lisa Christensen examined Nicky physically and, with the help of an ultrasound, determined that she had a massive amount of blood in her abdomen & around her heart. This accounted for her rapid breathing (panting) and occasional coughing/gaging and, of course, her lack of energy (her gums were very light pink to white).
After providing an option that I won't get into here, but intimating (not pushing) that euthanasia might be the best for Nicky, my wife & I came to the very painful decision to save Nicky any more pain & discomfort and say goodbye to our beloved family member of 15 years.
We were left alone with Nicky while we came to our decision and for the rest of procedure Nicky, my wife, & I were treated with respect, dignity, sympathy, & a very caring demeanor by the two techs who prepped Nicky and Dr Christensen. Lisa explained everything that would happen, and gently talked us through what she was doing every step of the way. She had earlier placed a pad under Nicky and made certain that she was in a comfortable position. We laid down with Nicky while Lisa injected a medication to put Nicky to sleep. She did this very slowly so it wouldn't alarm Nicky. After Nicky was asleep, Lisa injected the medication that would stop her heart. After Lisa confirmed that Nicky had passed, she left us alone. It was a tearful process made a bit easier by having someone there who obviously cared about our feelings & Nicky's comfort.
When we walked back into the reception area, we were greeted with condolences and a candle had been lit at a sign that reads something like "When this candle is lit, there is a family saying farewell to their pet. Please quietly conduct your business". We received a phone call to pick up Nicky's ashes within 24 hours and, in the mail, received a sympathy card with signatures & condolences by the doctors & entire staff.
When we're are eventually able to adopt another shelter dog, we will definitely bring him or her to All Pet Complex.