TLDR: I took my dog in for a simple teeth cleaning and signed a portion of the form that allowed them to do extractions without getting my approval first, they wanted to extract 60% (19 )of my dog’s teeth. The vets defended the decision even though this would greatly alter my dog’s overall health. I would not visit this vet.
- I have an audio recording of the whole interaction.
Feedback for the vet: I would make it VERY clear if an owner signs this part of the form, they could get a dog back with no teeth left in their mouth and a bill +$1500. As I was told at drop off “a tooth or two”
First off, let me say I apologize for being so livid during my pickup of my dog from the vet. Everyone deserves respect but a dog is a member of the family as well, and so his health and well-being matter just as much as mine.
Full story:
I took my dog in for teeth cleaning on the 21st of September, this is when they run their monthly special. When I arrived, they walked me through several papers I could sign that would state what I would and would not allow. Things like CPR, a vitals check, health monitoring etc. One of these selections was the option to allow the vets, if they are not able to get me on the phone, to go ahead and pull some of his teeth that needed to be extracted. This was explained me as “In case we need to remove 1 or 2 teeth”, each tooth would cost something like $37. This is totally fine, my dog is 6 now, I’m sure he has a tooth or two that need to be removed. He is otherwise a happy, healthy dog, who has never shown an issues on tooth pain and never has any prior surgeries. The box stated, that if they tried to call me, and I could not pick up the phone or was unavailable, they would go through with the extraction since the time a dog can be under is very small and they need to act fast. THANK GOODNESS I was able to grab the phone when they called. They called me and told me the new cost BEFORE telling me what needed to be done. I’m glad I asked because they told me they needed to remove 19 of his teeth. I asked how many would be left, and they told me 14. I am not aware of the exact impact this has on my dog’s livelihood, but my previous dog had teeth removed and could no longer hold in his tongue or eat dry food easily. I over the phone denied the request very heavily and they had to yell at the doctor that the extraction was not approved. If I had missed this call, they would have removed my dogs 19 teeth from his mouth. Mind you, even if they are dead, I’d rather they fall out naturally has he never shows signs of mouth pain. When I went in for pickup, I was absolutely livid thinking of the idea that they could have severely altered my dogs mouth without giving me the full gravity of what I was agreeing to. I came in and waited for my dog to be in my possession before explaining my grievances. I was very upset, and for that I apologies but the fact NONE of the vets provided any sympathy is crazy to me. I cannot imagine trying to defend removing 60% of a dog’s teeth without getting consent first. I paid what was due and left. It goes to say though, that the vet staff was zero percent sympathetic and argued back with me on the issue, even stating a dog can eat with NO teeth. Anyway, I felt I needed to get this review out here for others that visit this vet. I will not be back ever, and I recommend you do the same if they provide this level of care and sympathy. I recorded the whole conversation, and although they did not fight me with pure aggression, I would state that they wholeheartedly defend their actions.
1 review 