Extremely Disappointed -- Money Before the Well-Being of Our Dog…read more
I would never want another pet owner to go through what we went through at this veterinary clinic on Monterey Road in Gilroy.
We brought our 16-year-old dog, Daisy, to this clinic a couple of months ago. We were told she had pyometra, a serious, potentially life-threatening condition. The first recommendation we received was emergency surgery, despite Daisy's advanced age. We ultimately spent approximately $5,000, only to have to make the heartbreaking decision to put Daisy to sleep anyway.
What makes me so angry is that Daisy was put through approximately two weeks of suffering, and in the end, we lost her. Given her age and the seriousness of her condition, I believe the veterinarian should have clearly discussed all the options with us from the beginning, including humane euthanasia, the likely outcome, the risks of surgery, and whether putting her through such an invasive procedure was truly in her best interest.
Instead, we were left feeling that the focus was on expensive treatment rather than Daisy's quality of life. I understand that veterinarians have to make difficult medical decisions, and I understand that pyometra is a serious condition. But pet owners deserve an honest, compassionate discussion about prognosis and quality of life before committing thousands of dollars and putting an elderly animal through a potentially difficult recovery.
The final visit was another source of frustration. We were charged for an examination, yet when the doctor came into the room, he already had the syringe in his hand, and the process went straight to euthanasia. Given that we were being charged for an examination, I expected an actual assessment and a clear explanation of Daisy's condition before proceeding.
Losing a beloved pet is devastating enough. Feeling that you spent thousands of dollars, watched your dog suffer, and were not given the full picture of your options makes the experience even worse.
My biggest regret is that Daisy had to go through those two weeks of suffering. I wish we had been given a more direct, compassionate discussion about her prognosis and quality of life at the very beginning.
Based on our experience, I strongly urge pet owners, especially those with senior pets, to ask hard questions, get a clear explanation of all treatment options, understand the likely outcomes, and consider a second opinion before agreeing to expensive emergency surgery.
Our experience left us deeply disappointed and heartbroken. Daisy deserved better communication, more consideration of her quality of life, and compassion throughout this process.
