I wish I could give them a zero-star rating; unfortunately, the lowest option is one star. I feel…read morecompelled to leave this negative review because the death of my bird taught me a lesson--one I want other pet owners to heed, as the cost was far too high, and no one should have to learn this through the loss of their pet. The receptionist (an Asian-American woman) acted like a wall standing between me and the medical staff. When I asked her about medical details (such as medication) over the phone, she claimed she had no medical background; yet, when I asked to speak with someone who *did* have medical knowledge, she refused, saying, "They are very busy and don't have time." When I asked her to tell the doctor that my parrot needed lab tests (blood and droppings) before starting medication, she simply said, "That's how we treat diarrhea; no tests are needed." My parrot, Lisa, died within just a few days of falling ill. I had initially sought help at this clinic; later, when an emergency vet advised me to see an avian specialist, I was foolish enough not to follow that advice and instead contacted this clinic again. Lisa had started plucking her feathers after her mate died, and two days later, she developed watery droppings. When I spoke to the doctor at this clinic, I described the appearance of her droppings in detail because I wasn't sure if it was urine or diarrhea. The doctor neither examined the droppings in person nor ordered further lab tests (blood or fecal analysis); she simply told me to come to the clinic to pick up a nutritional supplement. Lisa died two days later! Before she passed, she was passing massive amounts of watery waste; I know she died from dehydration and an electrolyte imbalance. The medication the doctor ordered me to give Lisa had no effect whatsoever (I used medication I already had at home). After Lisa died, I asked the clinic to email me her medical records. Five days went by with no action on their part; only after I repeatedly urged them did they sluggishly send the records. I don't know why they were so careless and slow in handling this. What were they afraid of? After Lisa died, I consulted an avian specialist and showed them the medical records from both the emergency clinic and the clinic where she was treated. The specialist stated that it was highly likely Lisa had suffered from kidney disease; the watery discharge she was passing wasn't diarrhea--it was urine! However, without laboratory test results, it is extremely difficult to make a definitive diagnosis now. Lisa's death has left me heartbroken; my heartaches every day, and I still cannot stop myself from sobbing uncontrollably. I lost my beloved, cherished birds in the span of just 12 days--it was an unforgivable mistake on my part, and I am filled with profound regret. I urge all pet owners: if you ever feel that a clinic's treatment of your pet lacks logic or compassion, turn around immediately and go to another clinic--preferably to a specialist. Your pets' lives are fragile; they cannot afford to lose precious time. They can slip away in the blink of an eye, leaving you behind to suffer endless anguish.
