I waited before writing this review because my priority was getting my cat, OG, healthy again…read more Unfortunately, after everything that has happened, I feel other pet owners should know about my experience with Rancho Pet Hospital.
OG had dental surgery here on Friday, August 14. While he was under anesthesia, I was offered a complimentary nail trim, which I agreed to.
Over the weekend, OG was heavily medicated and recovering from anesthesia. I noticed he was urinating in his sleep but initially assumed it was related to the anesthesia and pain medication. By Monday, August 17, it was obvious something was seriously wrong. He was repeatedly going to the litter box, straining to urinate, and clearly uncomfortable.
I called in a panic and brought him in around 9-10 a.m. At approximately 4 p.m.--around SIX HOURS later--I received a call saying they were just then going to collect his urine. I was extremely upset knowing my cat had apparently spent hours there while visibly straining and in pain. When I questioned this, I was told they had been busy.
I was then told he would be sent home with pain medication while we waited for his urine results. When I arrived, I was charged approximately $400. I questioned what had actually been done for him during those hours and why a cat experiencing significant urinary symptoms was simply being sent home to wait.
The interaction at the front desk made an already frightening situation worse. When I explained that OG had been suffering all weekend, I was reminded that they had called Saturday and I had said he seemed okay. I was then told, "It's not like we can talk to him and ask him if he's in pain."
I found that response incredibly dismissive. I brought him back specifically because his behavior was now clearly showing that something was wrong.
Once home, I knew I could not watch him continue suffering while waiting several days for results. I took him to an emergency veterinary hospital, where he was evaluated immediately and treatment was started. His testing ultimately showed an E. coli urinary infection, which he has continued receiving treatment for.
Taking the timeline back to August 19, I discovered something else.
While holding OG, I noticed dried blood around multiple freshly trimmed nails. I was horrified. I called Rancho Pet Hospital and spoke with Dr. Ravi. He told me this was news to him and that he had not noticed any problem with OG's nails before discharge.
I later requested reimbursement for the August 17 visit and some form of accountability regarding the nail trim. I was told there was nothing to refund for the nail trim because it had been complimentary and that the matter would be discussed with the team.
The fact that the nail trim was free is beside the point. I wasn't concerned about the price of the nail trim. I was concerned that my cat came home from their care with freshly trimmed nails and dried blood around them.
I stopped pursuing the matter because my attention needed to be on OG's recovery.
Today is August 29. While examining his paws, I noticed the affected areas are now healing with scabbing and what appears to be residual bruising/blood blistering around the tips of his toes. Seeing this during the healing process brought everything back for me and is why I am finally writing this review.
EDIT: AS I AM THINKING THIS THROUGH I AM JUST NOW REALIZING THEY MOST LIKELY USED A NAIL FILE AND THE FRICTION OF THE FILE WAS RUBBING HIS TOES WHICH CAUSED THEM TO SCAB AND CREATE BLISTERS
I understand complications happen in veterinary medicine, and I am not claiming this hospital is incapable of providing good care. What I cannot overlook is the totality of my experience: my cat spending hours at the hospital while experiencing painful urinary symptoms, the dismissive interaction when I questioned his care, discovering dried blood around his freshly trimmed nails after a complimentary nail trim performed while he was unconscious, and feeling as though my concerns were brushed aside when I tried to address them.
OG cannot tell someone when something hurts. That is precisely why I trust veterinary professionals to recognize signs of pain and handle him carefully when I place him in their care.
I will not be returning to Rancho Pet Hospital. I am sharing my experience so other pet owners can take it into consideration when deciding where to bring an animal they love.