On March 27, 2026, I brought my Westie, Leo, to Chasewood Animal Hospital. One of the main reasons…read moreI chose this hospital was because their website describes Dr. Maria Lowry as practicing both conventional and traditional/holistic treatments. I was desperately looking for a more holistic and integrative approach to help Leo, who had been struggling with severe allergies and constant paw licking.
During Leo's first evaluation, Dr. Lowry told me, "Leo is a mess, and I wish I could give you a magic holistic pill to help him, but this is not the case." At the time, I was desperate to help Leo and trusted that her recommendations might be the right path.
After extensive and expensive testing, including bloodwork and allergy testing, Leo was placed on prednisone, Sporimune (cyclosporine), and a strict Royal Canin Hydrolyzed Protein diet.
Unfortunately, Leo did not do well with this treatment plan. He gained considerable weight on the new diet, and while taking the medications, he became extremely lethargic and weak. He had very little desire to walk or participate in his normal activities. Most concerning to me was that despite all of this, he continued licking his paws desperately.
Seeing such an active little dog become so unlike himself was heartbreaking and alarming. I eventually felt I needed to seek another opinion urgently and consulted holistic veterinarian Dr. Michael Dym.
His approach was very different. He changed Leo to a completely raw diet and focused on addressing his allergies from both the inside and outside, including supporting and rehabilitating his digestive system. Under this different approach, I saw a noticeable improvement in Leo's overall condition.
Another disappointing part of my experience with Chasewood occurred when I asked whether I could return unopened medications and expensive unopened bags of prescription food that Leo would no longer be using. I was told they could not accept them as returns. When I then asked whether they would accept those same unopened items as a donation, I was told they would gladly take them.
I also found my interactions with the front desk unpleasant. On several occasions, it took considerable effort and repeated follow-ups to receive Leo's evaluation and medical information by email.
I spent a significant amount of money on consultations, testing, medications, and prescription food, but unfortunately, our experience and the results were not what I had hoped for. I am very grateful that I sought another opinion when I did and that Leo subsequently improved.
I am not writing this review out of anger or retaliation. I am sharing our experience because I sincerely believe other pet parents deserve to hear different experiences when making decisions about their animals' care.
Every animal is different, and another family may have a completely different experience. I can only speak honestly about what happened with Leo. If you are specifically seeking holistic or integrative veterinary care, I encourage you to ask detailed questions about what "holistic" means in the treatment approach being recommended and to consider seeking a second opinion if your pet is not responding well.
Our pets cannot speak for themselves. As their caregivers, we have to pay close attention to what their bodies and behavior are telling us and advocate for them when something does not feel right.
