I was referred to ASG because my 11 y/o cat had early signs of hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). \r
The tech listened to my story, but hardly made eye contact - which made me even more stressed than I already was. She then took my baby back, came back a few minutes later and handed me an empty carrier, said they would come and get me in a few and walked away. At this point, I wasn't that impressed with the bedside manner - but it was imperative my baby get treatment immediately and since it was after hours, I had little choice. \r
When the ER doc saw me, she was much nicer than the tech, listened attentively and took notes on all the info I told her. About 30 minutes and $600 later - I got the results and the same doc explained to me that he had hepatic lipidosis, signs of pancreatitis and possible ulcers. \r
My baby is my life, my heart and I will do ANYTHING for him. This is when things started to turn bad.\r
They capitalized on this - without shame, without prudence and seemingly without any compassion for my little man's whole well-being. \r
I was brought an estimate for $3500 for 2 days - including multiple re-checks on vitals, medications, inserting a feeding tube, etc. By now I was balling, worried sick and knowing that for the first time in the 11 1/2 yrs we've been together, he would not be home for a couple days. Or so I thought...\r
He ended up staying for 5 days at this stressful, cold, sick-care place. They gave him med after med, without even explaining to me first what he was being put on. On day 3 when I visited, he was drooling, lethargic, wobbly and visibly depressed. I was called each morning by the doctor with an update on him, which only seemed to decline since admittance. Finally, on Christmas day I had had it. \r
Not only was my bill at $4400 now, but the holiday doc was very short, curt and just plain rude to me on the phone when I explained I couldn't afford this financially and couldn't bare to put my baby through this much more. Against the doc's recommendations, I took my baby home. I was given discharge instructions on the meds and tube feedings, and followed them precisely only to see my poor little guy vomit continuously and wobble around the house. \r
After continuing this torturous medication/ tube feeding regime for 24 hrs, I stopped. This was absolutely no quality of life and if it was his time to go then I was going to let him do it with dignity - not drooling, not vomiting, not drugged up. \r
As a hail mary, I turned to a holistic vet book by Martin Zucker and started him on homeopathic remedy nux vomica (anti-nausea) and milk thistle (liver detoxifier & healer). Within hours, he hadn't vomited and even used the litter box and noshed a tiny bit on some kitty tuna. It has since been a week since ASG and despite them, my baby is recovering fabulously. \r
What is TRULY DISAPPOINTING about ASG is the bedside manner. I never met the main doc on the case, just interns, and as soon as my boy came home, not one follow up call or anything. Nothing. Even when I cancelled his future check-ups they didn't even both to ask why. Is it too much to ask for a place that you entrust your beloved's health to, to call you to check on things? especially after 5 days and over $4000?? My regular, inexpensive vet, ALWAYS follows up a couple days after even a routine check-up. \r
When I asked to return the medications that he will not be using - they said no refunds, but if I can donate them, they will accept them. Wow, just wow, ASG - you got some nerve. Why the hell would I donate anything to you after all this? These meds will be donated to the animal shelter - not you. \r
Bottom line, ASG - get your act together. I will never ever take my fuzzy children there ever again. I'd rather go to Eagle Rock ER - they've always been extremely nice and affordable or my usual place, VCA Arden. NEVER AGAIN ASG\r
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