What has happened at Queensway Veterinary Hospital? Since we moved to this area in 1988, my 3 dogs, in succession (a basset hound, a lab cross and an Alaskan Malamute) have had excellent care at this clinic. But recently (and you can't blame Co-vid) Queensway seem to be following a different business model based less on the providing medical care for the voiceless ones we love and more focused on upselling high-end products of which equivalents can be found in a typical pet food store priced more reasonably. But upselling seems now to be la raison d'être of this once venerated veterinary care provider.
As an example, last year when I took my dog in for her shots and her Bravecto treatment, I was given a dose for a large dog and a second dose for a smaller dog because she had exceeded the recommended weight limit for a larger dog. I converted her weight from kilos, which I noted on on the scale, to lbs and discovered that she was in fact overweight but by only 1 pound. I returned the smaller dose and got my money back.
This year on July 12 she had her annual checkup and shots. Along with the kennel cough, Bordetella, vaccination required to send her to 'summer camp', I noticed Lyme's disease vaccination was included, something she had never had before and something that I didn't know even existed. People can get Lyme's disease so why aren't humans getting vaccinated for it? Ultimately my argument that persuaded the veterinarian was if my dog needed a Lyme's vaccination, what was the purpose of treating her with Bravecto.
But although this upselling may seem to be nothing more than good honest salesmanship, it is just a glimmer of what drives this medical practice.
On July 18, a week later, I called the Queensway about an unusual lump that I witnessed growing rapidly on the back leg where she got the shot. The staff said it had nothing to do with Bordetella shot but if I was concerned, I should take pictures and send them electronically so the vet could see what was happening. I did so immediately. On Tuesday I had not heard back so I called again and was told the doctor would check the pictures and get back to me. Nobody contacted me. I called again yesterday (July 20th) and explained my dog did not eat anything but drank a lot of water then vomited it and the sore was large and excreting blood or puss so I was given an opportunity to see a vet.
The vet argued it couldn't be the Bordetella shot but it's cause could only be determined by sedating the the dog and doing a thorough examination to determine if she were injured, if she had an infected abscess or if she had cancer. But it wasn't the Bordetella vaccination.
Unfortunately, the clinic doesn't have time today or tomorrow or all next of week to see her. It's probably true that they are quite busy selling high-end products and over-vaccinating pets but sadly enough, practicing veterinary medicine is not really their thing, although it really did use to be.
What follows is the literature concerning the Bordetella Vaccine Valencia Center webpage.
"If your dog receives the injectable form of the "Bordetella vaccine, lumps and bumps can occur around the injection site. A small, firm bump may develop, as well as some tenderness and stiffness in the area. Most likely these bumps are just the result of skin irritation, however, any time that the skin is punctured there is a possibility of infection. Be sure to keep an eye on the site where the injection was given. Look for signs of swelling, redness, discharge, and pain. If left untreated, infected areas may lead to more serious conditions.
The front staff of Queensway Veterinary "Hospital" were friendly and helpful, in fact I'd call them wonderful. But looking after a dumb (as in mute) creature that is a cherished member of the family forces me to scramble an find another practice where the medical staff has empathy and will do what is best for my dog.
If you want more reviews about Queensway sharing a similar experiences check out YELP.com
Having read other reviews in YELP re Queensway Vet in Simcoe, it is becoming abundantly clear that this business has the scruples of Martin Shkreli, the young money-driven investor that bought a pharmaceutical company only to raise the price of Daraprim by a factor of 55.5 times from $13.50 US per pill to $750 US per pill. This is a life-saving anti-parasite therapy for pregnant women, cancer patients and HIV patients.
I suspect the reason why Queensway was so dis-interested in addressing my dog's health and not having the time to treat the problem for at the earliest another 9 days (fatal for my dog) could be because maybe they have a financial interest in the emergency facility in Brantford who's prices are through the roof. The vet seemed curiously fixated with this emergency facility often reminding me that the Brantford Emerg Clinic doesn't open until 6 pm which coincidently the same Queensway closes. So of course, how could there be collusion? read more
