We moved to Carlisle in 1999 and tried several of the area vets, only to be discouraged with the…read morequality of care our pets received. When we found Dr. Bowers, we knew our search was over. It was like coming home.
Over the years, Dr. Bowers and his staff treated my dogs for everything from common complaints to cancers and surgery. If he hadn't caught my Springer Spaniel, Zoe's, cancer diagnosis when he did, I would have lost her. It was a very aggressive cancerous lump that grew so quickly, we were all shocked. Dr. Bowers operated on Zoe and "got it all", extending her life by another 5 years. She was my baby and I'll always be grateful for that.
When the time came for us to say goodbye, Dr. Bowers treated Zoe so gently and with such concern for her comfort (and mine) in her last hour. I knew I could never take my babies to anyone else.
Dr. Bowers and his staff have cared for my three little Papillon rescues, Nikki, Jackson, and Cali, since each of them joined us starting some 16 years ago. They've each had all manner of various issues over the years, and each received the same level of care as though they were Dr. Bowers' own dogs. Even though I had moved a little more than an hour away to York and tried to find a comparable vet, I had been spoiled and realized it was worth it to me and my puppies to make the trip back to Carlisle for the sake of their health and my piece of mind. Not only did we find his care to be superior to others we'd tried, his fees were more than reasonable and much less than we had been charged previously by others (especially for their dental care).
I brought each of them in over time for everything from food allergies to kidney failure, and he was always able to find just the right treatment for them, even though my husband and I were mystified as to what the problem could be. Just recently, we found that our poor old Jackie was refusing food and water, kept falling as he struggled to try to stand, and was bobbing his head terribly like he couldn't even hold it up anymore. Of course it started at the very beginning of Labor Day weekend and by the time we were able to bring him in to see Dr. Bowers, we were mostly convinced it would be the last vet visit for Jackie in his old age. Imagine our surprise when Dr. Bowers told us that what Jack was suffering from was colloquially referred to as a "dog stroke" because that's what it looked like. In actuality, we were floored to hear it was an ear infection. He wouldn't eat or drink because his stomach was upset like when you're dizzy with seasickness. That's also why he couldn't stand. Once we followed Dr. Bowers' instructions and crated him with rolled up bedding on either side of him, like magic he was suddenly stabilized! He received the correct medications and a week later, Jackie was just about back to his old self again. Now we're rejoicing instead of mourning as we thought we would be.
We appreciate so much that Dr. Bowers does absolutely everything that he can for our dogs. But perhaps just as much, we appreciate that he tells us honestly when something is beyond his scope of practice. Papillons are notorious for "luxating patellas" (congenitally defective knee caps), and when we brought our newest rescue, little Cali, for her first visit to him, he knew right away that this was her condition. He advised us to take her to a vet in Maryland who specialized in such delicate surgery on such tiny little bones. He was so right to do that. After her surgeries and recovery, Cali could run like the wind and leap so high, she was like a brand new dog. Even so many years later at age 12, people think she's a puppy because she certainly doesn't look or act her age.
Dr. Bowers helped our senior dog, Nikki, to live for a precious extra year when she was diagnosed with most severe kidney failure. And when it was her time, he once again helped a dog of mine over the bridge with gentle dignity and care.
I've told his staff again and again that Dr. Bowers is not allowed to retire as long as I still have any of my dogs. We all laugh, but it's the truth. My dogs and I are completely spoiled. I couldn't and wouldn't bring them anywhere else. In my opinion, he and his staff are simply the best. Thanks, Doc. :)