Most Excellent Vet Experience!
The dog I went for a hike this past weekend, great weather, easy trail, nice scenery. All was going well until the "bad dog" (see prior review about IPAD breakage...) decided he would pick up the pace and chase a rabbit that crossed our path. I held onto the leash but he found himself face first into a Chola.... Oh boy the yelp he made!
My wife generally takes care of the vet visits and such but unfortunately she was out of town for the weekend. I called our regular "Vet" (NOT DC Ranch) and was quickly told that they where closing in 15 minutes and I should call and take him to the Emergency Hospital. What! SO basically they where unwilling to accommodate a long term client at noon on a Saturday. And that I would be paying more $$ at the emergency hospital -that P'd me off.
So while sitting in the car with the dog wincing in pain from what appeared to be hundreds of spines in his face, I remembered the animal hospital across from a wine bar we frequent in DC Ranch Market Street - found their number and called...
What a completely different experience!!! The young lady also said they where closing soon ( I guess Saturdays are half days in the Vet world) but they would wait for me to bring him over. Now I'm not a customer of DC Ranch Animal Hospital at this point mind you...
The Dr and nurse where waiting in the lobby... the nurse took him in back while Dr Barts sp? explained the process of removal of the spins, sedation, pain medication etc.. She made sure I understood what was involved and put me at ease. I guess these cactus spine "accidents" with dogs in our area is not uncommon. The young lady who answered the phone behind the desk had an estimate for me to review and I gave the green light.
An hour or so later the "bad dog" ( I do love him!) was spine free. A little groggy from whatever the used to knock him out a bit. Dr went over what I needed to do with the meds and monitoring him because of the sedative. The final bill was actually a little less than the estimate and I paid and was on my way.
The whole process of dealing with the Dr and her staff was awesome - from my phone call to checking out. The never made me feel like was holding them up for staying later than normal on a weekend, where professional and friendly. All for a first time customer with a "situation". On Monday I received a follow up call about how the pup was doing - these guys really care about their patients. My wife and I have decided to make them our new regular vet....