We have a pet that we took in and needed medication for an infection. The doctor prescribed the needed medication, then asked if I was comfortable giving pills. I asked her to demonstrate and she did, but was not instructive - offered no tips or help, or even any recommendations on making the process easier. Thank goodness for the internet or I would not know what to do!
She also said she thought our pet needed x-rays, but was unable to tell me WHY she needed x-rays. I asked her several times about that and she was simply not able to communicate the need for x-rays. Our budget is tight and I pressed her on the reason for x-rays - the doctor simply couldn't tell me why we needed x-rays. Then I asked her for an estimate about the cost of the xrays. She told me that it would just be $90. I called me husband and we discussed it and determined that there might be a good reason for xrays.
Then I went out to schedule the xrays with the staff. The ""computer lady"" set up the appointment. I asked again about the price of the xrays to double check the doctor. (These folks seemed like untrained friends of the owner or something - just didn't instill in me any confidence that they knew what they were doing). The computer lady said ""Oh it is going to be WAY MORE than $90... oh, and by the way we have to charge you an additional $7 for a flea pill... and $35 for anesthesia... and $35 more for post anesthesia medication..."" At that point I felt like I was experiencing both an incredibly rude woman and being bait and switched! I said,""This seems deceptive - the doctor told me it would be $90... what are all these other things?"" The lady went on and on about how they have ""things that come up"" whenever they do xrays... The more she talked the more I felt that this place was just pumping us for cash... It has never been clean and I would NEVER leave my pet there for an extended time... and they were telling us that was just what we were going to have to do. After I came home I called a friend who has years of experience with pets - she urged me to cancel the xray appointment because it seemed unnecessary... Tests are for a reason and it is no good putting your pet through some test because the doctor wants to pump you for cash!
After this, we plan to just find another vet - the doctor we saw was not able to communicate well enough to tell me WHY she thought we needed xrays... the staff were unbelievably rude... and the exam rooms and entry area are dirty. Sure it is less expensive for the ... but I would rather be able to be told exactly WHAT is going on, and WHY the doctor feels that is necessary, and exactly what the charges I can expect will be - without having to get a verbal beating by the front office staff - who seem untrained and incompetent themselves.
Pros: rude staff, poor medical practices, poor communication
Cons: doctor condescending, not helpful, staff rude
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