I took my dog in because of he was close to passing away. The individuals working there started off quite friendly and showed empathy for what was happening. As we began the process to administer euthanasia they told me they would take my dog in the back to prep him. First by giving him a sedative to help him relax, and by there being fluid in his lungs the doctor said he would be able to breathe easier. So like any normal person I say “ok” and I tell my dog “I’ll see you in a second”. As I am signing paper work and going over my options regarding body care all of a sudden the doctor comes in and tells me my dog is beginning to pass away and I should come in to say goodbye. So when I walk in the back I see my dog surrounded by 4 people his chest not rising or falling as they are trying to put a needle in his vein. I noticed a band aid on his back leg suggesting they they tried to put the needle in his back leg but were unsuccessful. While in front of me they tried his front leg—again unsuccessful. And finally were successful in his back leg to finally end my dog’s struggle. He without question was choking to death (fluid was in his lungs and when we laid down he couldn’t breathe) and he had no idea I was even there.
I took my part Maine Coone/long hair domestic cat here for an emergency visit. Our regular vet couldn't see us, so they recommended this place. The staff were friendly and the free coffee was awesome. They were even so kind as to clean up my cats carrier for me because he got sick in the car.
All I have to say is this place was magnificent. We brought pebbles here because she had some intestinal blockage. We thought she wouldn’t make it but the great doctors, love and compassion towards Pebbles was amazing. We are so thankful that we have our baby back and she is doing great. I want to tell everyone at this location THANK YOU! I know the staff here are doing their jobs but they do it with compassion. For some, the expense is a little overwhelming at times but it is an emergency room. They have expenses to pay just like any other business. Don’t listen to the negative reviews. It can be expensive but our pet is a family member not just a dog. THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH. :-)
Took my dog there because she was having trouble walking and we were worried her leg was broke. The drs and everyone were very friendly and helpful, but they will try to bankrupt you with their pricing. Unless you have a pet that is dying and needs immediate care or else, wait until your normal vet is available. Overnight services are usually more expensive and this place is no exception.
However, communication here was severely lacking. The main doctor and another woman who gave us updates were never on the same page. One would say a procedure was just done and the other would say that he was waiting to have that procedure done. I felt like we just kept getting inconsistent information, so when I got my bill and it was $800 I was a little suspicious as to how many things he actually needed on there. Communicating what I am paying for and why it is necessary is vital in the trust I have in a business.
Worse Experience!!
Immediately after he was pronounced dead I began to express my frustration with not being able to interact with my responsive dog. I never got a chance to even say goodbye to my dog while he could look and know it was me. But of course my thoughts were not received well. One individual there even tried to tell me “he knew you were there, he was just ready to let go, you weren’t” —which I felt insulted my intelligence. I knew this day was coming, I watched him get sicked, and I brought him to you because I knew he was struggling. So how am I not ready to let go, because I wanted to say my last goodbye? That same empathy that was shown at the beginning of the service quickly disappeared. They collectively couldn’t bring themselves to saying “We messed up”. I understand you are the experts in this field and usually you are right. But, this time you handled the situation all wrong.
The thing that made me angry though was the lack of follow up. My cat's urinalysis showed blood and protein and I had to call them to discover this. They were supposed to call me a few days later with our results but I called them a week later and even then they had to go find the results and call me later that day. They also didn't give me any advice on what to do going further.
I came in because my vet was closed and recommended this place. However, when I came in I didn’t expect to spend my night here! I have things to do like WORK! When I came in there was no one I quickly got into a room and my cat was scene and the doctor came in shortly after to give us the updates. Then tick tock tick tock......waiting.....waiting an hour goes by I ask the front desk any idea when we can leave and I was told to be patient?! Be patient just like you were in a emergency with people you would be there all night. First of all, how about a thank you for your patience and second of all did these animals come in with gun shot wounds or something what is so severe that I had to be put on the back burner? At the end of the day it is an animal let’s keep everything in its place you cannot liken an emergency room to a vet clinic you go to the ends of the earth to save humans but with animals any minor not just major threat to their health vets have no problem giving the option to put them down so I don’t even want to hear that. There’s no reason I should have waited that long only thing is I can think of is too many trainees do that during the day not at “rush hour” people have things to do. Staff was friendly but they need to be balanced with the flow of the patients in and out make better use of their time especially if you are going to charge your clients an arm and a leg. If I didn’t love my cat I wouldn’t have stayed and dealt with the stress but I hope to never have to come to this facility again. I went to another one previously and the time in and out was fast and my cat was better and he suffered from the same problem but this facility too many hands in the pot taking up my precious time!
I am completely dissatisfied, and I feel it’s my duty to strongly encourage anyone that reads this to never use their services. Especially in your pet’s final moments.
My cat was traumatized for days after this vet visit. Full disclosure, my fluffy cat had a hairball stuck in his bum. I had to bring him in because he could have given himself a hernia trying to pass it if I didn't, and I could have injured him if I tried pulling it out myself. I wasn't given any information on how to prevent this happening to him in the future. They didn't recommend any hairball medicine or diet changes, or anything at all. In fact, I got more useful information from an employee at a pet store after the fact, in regards to potential diet changes and hairball medicine.
Vca Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists is a US Veterinary Care based in Warrensville Heights, Ohio. Vca Great Lakes Veterinary Specialists is located at 4760 Richmond Rd, Warrensville Heights, OH 44128, USA.
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