It's been one full year. 52 weeks. 365 days.... since Dr. Rhonda Daniels cut me off and told me…read morethat my dog could "die any minute !"
But today, my baby is still here, still alive, still loved, and cared for by another vet.
This review is not just about medical care, but how vital compassion and communication are, especially when you're caring for a pet with a chronic condition (heart failure).
Monday, October 21st 2024, my Yorkie and I had a follow-up visit. An employee named Ashley was reviewing with me the pricing for the blood work visit ($245). After approval, I requested Daniels, because she told me last visit that she would have the answers to my questions upon my return, since she did not know or have all of the answers then. I had 3 unanswered questions which I had written down in my notebook.
Ashley stated she'd go check with Rhonda about this because they only labeled this appointment as "bloodwork," and a "consult" would be an extra fee. I responded, "A fee for questions she didn't have answers to from my last visit?"
Rhonda comes in, without speaking (no good morning or anything) and goes right into saying she only had ONE question from me and that was about the cough suppressant, which they could prescribe. I could already tell by the rushed way she entered the room that she was not prepared, and her demeanor was different than what I've experienced in the past.
After her statement, I checked my notes. (My dog saw a heart specialist who gave a report on his condition using letter grades. Since no doctor was on-site there, I had to schedule and pay for a follow-up with Rhonda to review that report- that was the last appointment. At that appointment, she didn't know how the letters matched stages 1, 2, or 3 of heart failure, and said she would find out).
She also said she would check with one of her vet techs about a home-cooked diet, since I explained the $100 prescription food was out of my budget.
The immediate, snarky remark that made me realize that remaining under her care was not an option:
When I asked what my dog's diagnosis meant, she said "it's a level of heart disease." I let her know that I knew that, and I reminded her we had discussed her finding out the exact stage, like stage 2 or 3.
She abruptly said "It's the last stage. That means he could DIE any minute." I had to take a pause. I even caught the reaction of her vet tech before I documented her statement in my notebook. I knew then this was my last visit.
90% is HOW you say it. It wasn't my fault she didn't document all of my questions or come prepared to answer all questions concerning this diagnosis. I paid for the heart report AND separately for a visit for analysis of that report. It's only fair I receive the information I paid for. It's perfectly fine not to have all the answers right away. What's not acceptable is failing to follow up, provide accurate information, and maintaining professionalism.
Her response was cold, abrupt, and compassionless.
When I asked my remaining question about a home-cooked diet, she brushed it off, repeating what she said last visit, even though she told me she would check with a vet tech who fed their dog a home cooked meal. Clearly, she didn't.
I do not recommend Rhonda Daniels nor this practice. I also called the heart doctor afterwards. My dog was NOT in the last stage of heart failure, nor did the results show he could "die any minute."
As a professional, always conduct yourself like there is someone RECORDING in the room. In my profession, documentation is everything.
Pros of office :
Front office ladies are spectacular! Sweet, patient and caring.
Ashley was wonderful as well.
Dr. Means was amazing when I had to
see her once in Rhonda's absence.
Cons:
--Unnecessary consult fees.
I paid for an initial vet visit. Then paid for the recommended heart doctor visit. Then I had to pay for another vet visit to go over the cardiology report. (They would not allow a phone call to explain results) Easily $1200.
--Bedside manner
No need to respond. Best wishes
Cross posted.
