Dear Engelberg-Kristy Animal Hospital!…read more
I visited your clinic yesterday with my puppy Teddy because I noticed yellow discharge and wanted to prevent more serious problems. I showed the doctor a photo of two small yellow spots. Teddy was happy - playful, eating and drinking well, and as hyperactive as ever, he didn't seem sick, I just brought him in for a checkup.
The doctor took his temperature and said he had a fever. I had to ask for the exact number because he refused to give me one, which turned out to be 102.8. Since my English is very limited, I called my son to help clarify the situation. He spoke to the doctor four times.
The doctor also said that Teddy was dehydrated and needed an x-ray to check his stomach. He immediately gave me a quote of $620, which I accepted. He said it would only take 15 minutes.
I started to get really worried when they brought Teddy back 30 minutes later, then an hour later, then an hour and a half later. I have no idea what they did to him during that time. He had a tiny muzzle on his little carrier - Teddy is very small - so I don't understand why that was necessary. When I got him back an hour and a half later, he was shaking, wouldn't let us touch him, and we were in that situation for two days.
They told me to feed him sparingly and put him on a diet, but after we got home he got worse. He kept falling over, his eyes were really inflamed, and instead of coughing, he seemed to be gasping for air.
The estimate didn't include his fever, his weight, or any explanation for why the procedure took 90 minutes instead of 15. We didn't get anything for the itching either. I can't see any reason for what they did to him, and I'm completely devastated. There is no sign of the Teddy I knew yesterday morning.
None of the above diagnoses were actually treated. If he was dehydrated, what was done to help him? How was the fever treated? I explained to you that he was scratching and chewing his claws, paws, and entire body intensely. However, we received no meaningful help, no diagnosis, and no basic advice on how to relieve the itching. Last night, we desperately called several clinics to find someone to care for Teddy, as he was feeling extremely unwell.
In the end, the original estimate was increased by another $100. Now I have a $740 bill and my puppy has been mistreated, I am almost depressed - and of course, completely devastated.
I am very upset and respectfully ask that you answer all my questions. We are deeply concerned and disappointed by the lack of guidance, especially given the severity of yesterday's symptoms. I would like my money back, we simply did not receive treatment. Sincerely, Maria Daru
On November 6, 2025, we were at the appointment. I sent the above letter, but I have not received a reply. Teddy has completely changed--he is afraid of everything, we cannot touch him, we cannot hold him. I do not know what was done to him during the promised 15 minutes that instead lasted an hour and a half, and afterwards we had to take him to another hospital so that he would not suffocate!
I would like to read your response, and along with it see nearly $800 credited back to my account, since we received nothing for this amount of money. He is still itching, and the doctor Marianne Willis VMD only said it might be an allergy. If an X-ray was truly performed, she only said there might be something there! This is all we learned for such an astronomical sum.
I sincerely hope you understand my complaint and that I will not need to take further steps, as my little "baby" has become completely different since visiting your clinic. Once again, thank you if you read this and resolve the problem you have caused.
