DO NOT BRING YOUR DOG HERE!! LACK OF EMPATHY, KNOWLEDGE, AND A COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY!
Background story:
On August 14, 2024, my mom called and set up an appointment for her sick dog. A day prior to this (Tuesday), her dog started losing her appetite, her hind legs were collapsing, and it was evident that she had a fever, which is why we brought her to urgent care the next day. At our appointment, the doctor suggested that we run tests that included X- Rays and blood work. Trying to get some answers, we agreed to do as the doctor suggested. Shortly after, the doctor brought in her X-Rays and told us that we had a severe case of pancreatitis. The doctor acknowledged that her spleen was pushed back but did not suggest any further testing. Given that she seemed so adamant on her diagnosis, we of course went with the medication they suggested and left there feeling hopeful and relieved. Fast forward to the next day (Thursday). My mom went into her normal vet who could not see her until Thursday (she called Tuesday before she called Watersedge, but they couldn't get her in right away which is why we went there first). When my mom went to her appointment on Thursday and seen Dr. Nelson through Grand Avenue Vet, the first thing she mentioned after examining the X-Rays was that her spleen was pushed back and that she was concerned she had masses growing. Since they do not do ultrasounds at this clinic, Dr. Nelson was kind enough to get us scheduled with a doctor up in Two Harbors at their "sister clinic." On Friday, we drove up to Two Harbors praying for good news but unfortunately, we got the alternative. The doctor did the ultrasound and did indeed find masses growing which was why her spleen was pushed back. Given that she was almost 15, there was really only one last thing we could try, which was a steroid shot that some dogs do well with and can bounce back from. The doctor gave her the steroid shot and suggested we wait no more than 24 hours to see if she had any improvements, and if she didn't, she would need to be put to sleep. We spent Friday taking her to her favorite place and just spending as much time with her as we could. Saturday, unfortunately she did not get any better and we ended up needing to bring her to BluePearl ER in Duluth to put her down (BluePearl has the BEST staff and truly do have such a sense of compassion and love for animals. I've been there twice now and I've felt it both times, regardless of the circumstances).
Our sweet girl had a happy, long, and full life. The outcome of the situation would have remained the same but the issue with Watersedge is that they ACKNOWLEDED what every other doctor also saw, and rather than looking into it further, chose to disregard it and to make matters worse, give us false hope that everything would be okay. Here's the thing, no one goes to these clinics because they feel like spending an arm and a leg for nothing. You know the second you walk into any ER/Urgent care clinic, you're not spending less than $1,000 each time. You go to these places to get accurate results NOW as time is of the essence. Not to be toyed around and given false hope and essentially, spend money for nothing. Had Watersedge dug into what they fully seen and acknowledged during our appointment, we could have dealt with things sooner. The outcome would not have changed but we would have been brought to realty sooner and most importantly, relieve our dog of the pain she had been feeling as she had such a quick decline and the mass was growing substantially.
This establishment is not knowledgeable nor do they have the most caring staff given the places we have been to over the years in comparison. If you want accurate information from caring doctors and can't get into your normal vet in the Duluth area, I would suggest BluePearl. They have the kindest staff and although you'll still end up paying a lot of money, you can feel confident that you're paying for the best information/treatment possible for your fur baby. read more