PLEASE THINK TWICE BEFORE BRINGING YOUR PET HERE, ESPECIALLY FOR SURGERY!…read more
I am sharing my experience because I would never want another pet owner to go through what my husband and I experienced at Dr. Zoo. What should have been an emergency surgery for our French bulldog turned into one of the most stressful and heartbreaking experiences of our lives.
We dropped off our French bulldog on Tuesday at 8:00 a.m. for emergency surgery, believing she would be operated on promptly. Throughout the day, I repeatedly called for updates, only to be told that her surgery kept getting pushed back. She did not undergo surgery until Wednesday at approximately 4:00 a.m., nearly 20 HOURS after we dropped her off. I still question why an emergency surgery was delayed for so long, especially when we were being charged for her overnight stay.
At approximately 4:00 a.m., we received a call informing us that her surgery had gone well. However, around 11:00 a.m., we received another call stating that there had been a complication and that our dog needed a SECOND surgery, which would cost approximately another $400.
After her second surgery, I went to visit her, only to be told that she now needed a blood transfusion. At this point, I was extremely frustrated and emotionally exhausted. I questioned the staff about how so many complications continued to arise. The staff member I spoke with told me that complications cannot always be anticipated. While I understand that complications can happen during surgery, I believe a facility performing emergency procedures should be prepared to recognize and manage them appropriately.
To make matters worse, I was told that I needed to find a donor dog MYSELF, bring that dog to their facility, and have it tested to determine whether it could donate blood to my dog. This would involve additional testing and expenses. I was shocked that after everything my dog had endured, we were now responsible for finding a blood donor while she supposedly needed an urgent transfusion.
At that point, I had completely lost confidence in this facility and decided to take my dog elsewhere.
I will never forget carrying my French bulldog out of that hospital, crying while she lay exhausted in my arms. I requested ALL her laboratory results, medical records, and surgical reports so I could take her to another veterinarian. It took approximately an hour for the staff to gather the available paperwork, and I was told the surgical reports would not be sent to my WhatsApp until 3-5 days later. Why should it take that long to receive records for a dog who had just undergone two surgeries and needed continued medical attention?
I could not waste any more time waiting. My husband drove me and our dog to another veterinary hospital, then returned to Dr. Zoo to collect the paperwork.
When we arrived at the new veterinary hospital, we were informed that our dog did NOT need a blood transfusion at that time, although her condition was critical and required close monitoring. This was extremely concerning after everything we had been told at Dr. Zoo.
Thankfully, our French bulldog is now doing well. I thank God every day that she survived this experience, and I am incredibly relieved that my husband and I decided to transfer her care.
What made this experience even more upsetting was that, as I was leaving Dr. Zoo, another woman told me she had previously brought two of her dogs to this facility and that both had passed away. Although I cannot speak to the circumstances of her experience, hearing that while carrying my own dog out was heartbreaking.
During my time there, I also witnessed other pet owners crying and visibly distressed over their animals. I understand veterinary emergencies are emotional and complications can happen. However, the lack of communication, repeated unexpected expenses, delays, and overall handling of my dog's care left me extremely disappointed.
My biggest concern was NEVER the money. I was willing to pay whatever was necessary to save my dog's life. My concern was the lack of trust, transparency, and confidence I felt in the care she was receiving. The repeated charges and complications made me question whether my dog's well-being was truly being prioritized.
I cannot say for certain why her surgery was delayed or whether every additional procedure was necessary, but the entire experience left me feeling that financial charges were taking priority over clear communication and compassionate care.
I would NEVER bring another one of my pets here for surgery. Please research your options, ask questions, request your pet's medical records, and seek a second opinion whenever possible.
Our pets are FAMILY. We trust veterinary professionals with their lives, especially when they are at their most vulnerable. That trust should never be taken lightly.
PLEASE THINK TWICE BEFORE BRINGING YOUR PET HERE
