We were clients of Paws and Claws when it belonged to Dr. Johnson and felt it was convenient to continue services for our two dogs. We regret that decision immensely after this week. Dr. Johnson built a very strong relationship with us because of her amazing professionalism and caring/kind demeanor. She really connected with her patients and their fur parents. When she left, we noticed a total change. Dr. Levine is not Dr. Johnson in any sense. The lack of empathy and professionalism that my husband and I received after trying to address an issue with Dr. Levine is sickening.
My husband brought in one of our dogs for a breathing issue in late October. Our dog was given a cortisone shot and chest X-rays (xrays were clear). During the visit, the vet tech noticed a small growth on our dog's head. My husband was asked to bring our dog back for a biopsy on Nov 4th. A biopsy was done. Results were allegedly communicated to my husband via phone on November 7th. My husband advised Dr. Levine stated "no cancerous cells were found." However, we should continue to monitor the growth for changes. Our dog continued to have a breathing issue that we took him to the hospital for on Nov 2nd bc we did not feel the cortisone shot brought any relief after the vet visit with Dr. Levine in late October. He received prednisone from the hospital. I received a call from Dr. Levine on Nov 3rd and he scolded me for bringing my dog to the hospital after he had already given him the cortisone shot. He didn't ask how about our dog's condition at all. He wanted to know why the hospital called to request record, which we found out he never sent. That was the first time I realized he lacked professionalism, empathy and sympathy!
As time passed, we noticed our dog's breathing issue worsened and the growth on his head became larger. So, my husband went back to Dr. Levine on Dec 29th. I was FaceTimed during the visit. Dr. Levine advised that the growth didn't look good and he believed it was cancerous. I immediately started to ask questions about the biopsy. He stated the biopsy showed atypical cells, but maybe there was an issue with the biopsy that didn't catch the issue at hand. I advised that I was confused how we received information that said there was no cancer noted previously. Now, we are being told the growth is cancerous. Dr. Levine said he spoke to my husband and gave him all of the information via phone. When I advised I was not aware of the fact the cells were atypical and there was an additional issue outstanding, he raised his voice and began to blame me for not calling to speak with him. I told him it was his responsibility to communicate properly with his patients as the doctor. He should have sent a written report or followed up in written format, which is appropriate. Apparently, Dr. Levine recognized his error bc I received an email yesterday, 12/30 outlining the alleged details he discussed with my husband with the verbiage that he claims was included in the biopsy report. Well, that email was VERY LATE and only infuriated me since he chose to continue pointing the finger at my husband claiming they had a a detailed conversation. The email was clearly a "cover-up" at this point for the lack of information or misinformation provided.
We had an appointment with MTL Animal Hospital for additional testing yesterday and are praying that there is a treatment plan that can help him.
Needlessly to say, neither one of our dogs will ever see Paws and Claws or Dr. Levine ever again. I can only hope that no one else has a similar story or experience with him or his office.
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I'm sure he will respond to THIS review in a similar manner as he has to all of the other one star reviews. Please note his inability to accept accountability, his lack of professionalism and the crassness in his responses. His true character shines through in every response. read more