Reposting my review because it was deleted on Google by the clinic... On Memorial Day, my horse…read moreBrailey suffered what I immediately suspected was a broken neck after a fall in pasture. I contacted Littleton Equine Medical Center's emergency line and was told a vet was on their way. What arrived nearly an hour later was NOT an experienced veterinarian, but a young intern who admitted she barely knew how to use the imaging equipment and had limited emergency experience. Despite OBVIOUS signs of severe neurological trauma and a broken neck (you could literally see the break), including stage 3 ataxia, she told me my horse was likely fine, prescribed Banamine and Vitamin E, and left. None of the requested imaging was done, no thorough exam, and worst of all--she didn't even palpate my horse's neck.
The next morning, Brailey could barely breathe or walk, was clearly in critical condition, and I called the clinic again begging for help. Multiple veterinarians told me to trailer her into the hospital based on the previous day's notes from the first vet. After a lengthy, emotional conversation, my husband convinced them to send someone back out. A different vet arrived and within FIVE MINUTES discovered that Braileys first cervical vertebra (C1) was broken just behind her ears, by simply touching her neck (no imaging needed). She confirmed Brailey was now stage 4 ataxic, and we had to euthanize her immediately to stop her suffering.
This was not a case of simple misdiagnosis. This was institutional negligence. Littleton Equine Medical Center knowingly dispatched an underqualified intern, alone, on a major holiday with no supervision and no ability to escalate the case when it became clear she was out of her depth. When we spoke to the leadership afterward, they offered no apology--only excuses, and told us we should be grateful we had more time with our horse. That time was spent watching her suffer. The leadership acted as if we only complained because we didn't want to pay the bill (which we paid in full)... then later said they would no longer provide any veterinary services to us after we asked for an apology for their malpractice.
This review is not about blaming the intern who was placed in an impossible situation. It's about the hospital that failed her, failed my family and failed my horse. No animal should suffer like mine did because a medical center chooses to send unsupported, inexperienced staff to life-or-death emergencies. I hope this review and my video helps prevent another tragedy like this from happening again.
TAKE YOUR HORSE SOMEWHERE ELSE. LITTLETON EQUINE MEDICAL CENTER WILL NOT LISTEN TO YOU--YOU ARE THE ONLY VOICE YOUR HORSE SOMEWHERE ELSE.
