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Review content:
I was referred to Pieper by my vet for my 12 year old Golden Retriever, diagnosed with a nasal tumor. We all knew the outcome, but, at the suggestion of my vet, we took him to Pieper’s Oncology Department anyway. When someone in my vet’s waiting room heard them tell me to go there, she whispered “don’t do it, go to Norwalk.” I didn’t listen and made a huge mistake I have to live with for the rest of my life. At Pieper, we were greeted by unfriendly receptionists. We were seen by Dr Ho, who felt it may be possible to extend his life six months, making it easier for him to breathe at night, basically not be in much pain, and have a decent six months ahead. We knew, as she explained, it was just a hope and nothing set in stone. It could be less than six months but we thought we’d give our beloved Norman a chance. We decided on chemo vs radiation because of his age. Before his treatment, I had a question and sent her an email as well as called Pieper twice. No one ever returned my call even after promising that even though she wasn’t in, another oncologist would call me. No one ever did. Pieper staff was supposed to call the night before the chemo treatment with instructions regarding eating/drinking/meds yet no one called. My husband had to call and practically beg for instructions!
At his first treatment that I was unable to attend, my husband and daughter both felt uncomfortable, confused and anxious. Upon arrival, no one gave them any kind of instructions other than to wait in the waiting room. After the treatment, I called when my husband told me Norman’s next treatment wouldn’t be for three weeks. That worried me because she said the tumor was growing and I knew waiting three weeks wasn’t good. She called my husband and daughter “confused” and basically told me they didn’t understand her. Mind you, these instructions Dr Ho gave to my husband and daughter were “on the fly” in the middle of the crowded, noisy waiting room. I told her I was worried because my primary vet thought without treatment, Norman would only have about 4-5 weeks to live. She responded by saying they are just veterinarians and not oncologists like herself, and that her extra schooling was evidence enough that she would know and they wouldn’t. That statement was very rude, arrogant and extremely upsetting to me and obviously did not answer my original question. After a week when his chemo had no results, she said he needed radiation which was completely different than what she said initially but I would do anything to save him. She gave me a doctor’s name in Norwalk where I should have started in the beginning. Norman went for a blood work up so he could start on an additional medication. The blood work was sent to her on Wednesday morning, and Dr Ho did not call me back until late Thursday afternoon. At that point, it was too late for me to drive to Middletown for the medication so I said I’d go on Friday. Friday, Norman was having trouble waking up, not eating or drinking. He was too weak to stand. I knew he was just too tired to go on. I called and left a message for her early in the morning to let her know Norman’s condition and that I wouldn’t be picking up the medication unless it could have a positive effect on him. She never called me back. This was her patient. This was my beloved family member. She was told he was dying and she couldn’t return a phone call?? She eventually called me back at 6:30pm, which was 8 hours later. She was cold and dismissive yet again even at this painful time. She offered nothing but for me to drive my 80lb practically comatose, dying dog 40 minutes to her facility. I obviously was not going to choose that option. No condolences, no sympathy, nothing. In my opinion, she is a very arrogant, condescending doctor. I was never so disappointed in a veterinarian in my life after owning 10 dogs and cats throughout the years. I should have listened to the negative online reviews of her and Pieper but sadly I didn’t. Stay away. Norman passed 12 hours later, in case you read this Dr Ho.
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