| rev:text
| - Up until our last round of appointments, I would give AHS a higher rating (maybe a 3.5, as its always been VERY expensive), however the last 2 visits have left a very sour taste in my mouth.
Our dog (1 year old English bulldog) was suffering from a bout of vomiting (twice) and diarrhea, so upon the advisement of our breeder, we brought her in via their urgent care on Friday, February 14th. It was pretty rushed and all the things they had to do/give to her weren't explained ahead of her being taken in the back, but since it was urgent care we expected a slight lack in communication. She was given fluids, an injection of medication to stop the vomiting and an injection of Pepcid. We were sent home with nothing but a receipt to the tune of $250.
Several days later, although the vomiting at stopped, the diarrhea was still persisting. Usually we receive a follow up call from the office to check on her progress, but this time we did not. Fair enough. Instead, I called them and asked if the vet could call me. Was it a side effect of the 3 things she was given? Did they not fully address the problem?
I waited several hours (3) without a response, so I decided to just get her in for a follow-up, in fear of her becoming dehydrated. I took her in yesterday, February 19th. The technician was great (I didn't catch her name) and we saw the same vet as Friday night. I brought up the fact that we originally brought her in for vomiting/diarrhea (looking back it seems they only treated the vomiting) and the technician said that a test to check her diarrhea extensively was $100 through "3 different methods". I said 'wow that's expensive' and that was about it.
The vet came in and said "we'll check her stool for parasites" and went out of the room. To me, that is not confirming whether I am comfortable doing a test. They just assume I'm made of money, I suppose. She came back and said she tested negative for everything and was going to prescribe a "few things". She suggested a pro-biotic and would "see if they had it". To myself I thought... so you'll just sell it to me if you happen to have it? I didn't see the vet again after that.
Again, like Friday, I wasn't fully informed what all the medication was for. The tech asked me whether we were giving her the over-the-counter medication we were advised to give her on Friday. What? Like I said previously we left with ONLY a receipt and no paperwork on what to give her, nor verbal instruction. I told the tech we were not given such info. We even made a point to ask before we left "are you sure we don't need anything else?" because the vet had mentioned Pepcid over-the-counter, but they ended up giving it to her as an injection. Needless to say we had no idea we were supposed to be continuing that. So, whatever it was we were "supposed to" be giving her...would that have cleared up the diarrhea? I find it EXTREMELY frustrating that we were not given proper instruction.
Anyway, I get to the counter to pay and it's another $230. So that's nearly $500 in FIVE days for diarrhea and 2 vomiting spells where she had no obvious issues (no lethargy, no temp, they did a rectal exam, felt her stomach, nothing there and no signs to pointing to something serious).
That "pro-biotic" was $40. I'm obviously not convinced she needed it, as she was only going to give it to her if they had it. It really makes you question the other meds she was given as well and all the other things we've paid for at AHS in the past. And we've paid A LOT. I don't even want to add it up...ugh. We would do anything for our dog and I really feel taken advantage of.
Besides the diarrhea exam (which I still don't feel I authorized), NOTHING about the cost of services/meds is told to you before you get the bill. You have no control or options, they just do whatever they want. After a year of giving them way too much business, we're officially done.
One more note: As others have said, it's very sales pushy for science diet. They will lecture you every time if you use anything else. I even had to be snippy towards them the last time because I was plain tired of it.
****UPDATE****
The facility manager did call us shortly after this review. My husband spoke to him and although he was apologetic, we have still decided to change veterinary care. Our dog has been itching non-stop since we started the latest round of meds (always something, right??) so we will be going to a new vet on Monday.
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