Complaint Review: Auburn After Hours Animal Clinic

We apologize for the loss of your pet. We are only a small business, not affiliated to any non profit organization and only open weeknights from 6pm to 8am, on weekends we started at noon until Monday 8am and 24 hours during holidays. We always tell our clients over the phone about our charges before they let their sick patient into our clinic, that our clinic don't do billing and we don't take financing from Care credit, that payment is due at the time of service. It is very hard for the doctor and staff watching owners undecided for the treatment and not to be able to treat the patient unless the owner has signed the treatment estimate. Again, sorry but it is our policy not to do billing because we are very small business.

Sincerely,

Sherly

Hi Kelly. I'm very sorry about your loss. I am a certified veterinary technician and used to work at the Emergency Animal Hospital in Pueblo West, CO (now closed due to the doctor's drug habit). Anyhow I degress... The reason why I am posting is to give you a look at the situation from my point of view.

I was the primary person in charge of the accounts receivable, payment plans, and collections and let me tell you I got a real lesson in life doing just that! I never realized how many people don't pay their bills and don't stick to the payment plans! We got stiffed ALL the time and learned very quickly that you can't trust all the people who walk through your door. My job, beside triage and initial treatment, was to set up payment plans with out clients. We always asked for 20% of the estimate down payment and 5-10% per month payment. A lot of the time 20% was not an option for the client and well sometimes we went on faith that they would pay. But over all we had sent cases to collections that totalled in all $35,000! Now that is a lot of money gone down the drain! We always put the animal first and started initial BASIC (less expensive) treatment then worked out the kinks in payment options.

I saw and assisted in something like 10 GDV's and let me tell you 1/2 of them didn't survive. It is all in the timing (and you have to catch the signs quick) and the overall health of the dog. It's nothing at all that you did wrong, I agree, the veterinary hospital should have had enough staff to handle triage and initial treatment in back while someone handles finances in front (Care Credit, payment plans, etc). That way at least administering some pain medicine and starting an IV and possible releasing some pressure via belly tap would have been a good start and the dog may have had a better outcome... Costly X-Rays are necessary but not immediately if you have a doctor that knows what he/she is doing.

If you would like any more information from me I'd be happy to assist you. Again it's tragic that this had to happen and I'm very sorry. They may have just been fed up w/ being screwed over but obviously that was not the way to handle it.

First i will say I am so so sorry for your lose. I do feel for you. I have lost animals that i considered to be a hugh part of my family and it hurts just the same when you lose them. But add to it the horrible treatment Rozi and the family recieved. I had a similar situation many years ago with my four year old dog that was hit by a car. It was a sunday night and out of 7 emergency vets that i called only one bothered to call me back and that was two days later. My dog died in my 7 year old daughters arms. I cryed and could not get out of bed for 3 days.

That emergency vet should be reported to the humane society as a pet owner can be jailed for not getting care for their pet, a vet should be like wise resposibile.

As for Robert I am not sure how he has the time to run a business because he spends an awful lot of time here defending big business. I thought it was just the Auto industry but now find he can be so horribly rude to individuals with such a lose that could probley have been avoided or at least the dog could have at least been made comfortable. Robert shame on your unhuman feelings toward people you money loving twit. May kismet visit you in the best possible way.

To the family with such a lose I strongly suggest you go and get another puppy as soon as you feel able. Not to soon though because then you find it hard to bond due to your feelings of lose. But don't wait to long as a puppy can help you heal. Try to do some research before you chose so that you find a breed with few health issues so you don't set yourselves up for more hurt.

All my prayers, From me and my 3 dogs, 5 cats, 1 rabbit and all my chickens.

May Rozi enjoy pet heaven with all my beloved friends there. I know they will all be great friends.

The vet clinic is still a business. Do you want to work for free?

One of my clients ( I am an accountant )had over 100K in uncollectable debts in her 1st 3 years of business. She tried to put the animals first even if she new she would not be paid and people took advantage of it.

Could you afford to give up that much income? I could not.

I have lost three babies because of vets like this 1000.00 for my cat and they sent him home over the hoilday his leg became so large. i called the vet he want double the money because its a hoilday my baby died in my arm. than my next cat was in the garden that night i thought antifreeze it was sap from a bulb flower. I paid the vet 518.00 that was just to look at him than she want 568.00 for the next 12 hours to try and save him.

my husband gave my baby mouth to mouth 5 times who was she kidding. she just wanted more money than sent me a bill for a private creamation the nerve than a card on how sorry they are for your loss. There is one vet in eugene, or who make house calls and hes the only one i have found who really cared, him would visit to make sure my dog who had kidney stone was always doing okay.

Robert,
you missed the point. EMERGANCY vet clinics rarely see the same people twice. Do you go to the Emergancy room often? Do they know you by name? I didn't think so. It's the same with emergancy vet clinics. The one time (ONE TIME) I had to take my dog to the emergancy vet clinic, they did NOT require me to pay upfront. They took care of my dog and then took care of my payment.

Your absolutetly right, they don't work out of charity but they do work under an oath:

"Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge.

I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity, and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence."

Nowhere does it say that they will do this if and only if they are paid in advance.

I just find it sad that there is someone out there that is going to take someone's pain (needless pain) to tell them that they are dishonest people. I have no way of knowing if they are or not but that's not for you to judge.

9 times out of 10, you have to fill out all sorts of information at the vets (phone, address, references, etc.) and unless they lie on that (which I know it happens) they will be able to find them if payment is not recieved.

That's all... I'm through... agree to disagree. :)

Thank you Krista

You made my point as well as I did. You did not have to pay up front. I never have to. This individual had to. It is not the same place you or I take our pets, but they all pretty much work the same. If you have a history of paying in a timely manner, you are treated better. She had to pay up front for everything, from admission to X-Rays to surgery. You and I don't have to do that. Apparently, we pay our bills. She may or may not, I do not know. But, I can guess very well, and so can you when you take emotion out of the picture. I am sorry that her pet died. I am not sorry however, that the Vet wanted to make sure he would compensated for his efforts. He is running a business, not a charity. Even charities need money to operate. I know a man who cannot take his kids anywhere except the free clinic because every hospital around and every Doctor in the county knows he won't pay after the injury or illness is taken care of. He's pathetic. The question still remains, will she pay the Emergency Clinic for their efforts, even though the dog died? I still say no. If she does pay it, I'd like to see the scan of the bill saying "Paid In Full" posted on this thread. It won't happen though, and even you know it. As for your last sentence about pet owners being honest and caring, sure. Hitler loved his dog Blondi. Killed it first, he did. PETA kills more animals than anyone can even imagine...an amazing 86% of their pick-ups are killed in the van before leaving the driveway. The question here was never whether Cori loved her dog. The question is whether she will pay for services rendered, and I believe she will not. Her entire complaint was, in fact, how terrible the Vet was for making her pay for it. Money was the issue, not the dog. This all happened 2 weeks ago. Notice how Cori isn't even the one posting here. It is her relative. "According to Cori"...second hand knowledge. Kelly does not really know what took place. I am willing to bet the Vet at the 1st place knew what would have happened though.

Robert, you are way out of line. The Auburn clinic is not their regular vet, it's an emergancy office. I took my dog to an emergancy vet and they DID NOT require that I pay them upfront. Their first concern was my dog! Your very cynical to say that you don't think they actually would pay. Unfortunately their are bad people that don't but not the majority. The majority of people that have pets actually care and are honest.

Robert, you are way out of line. The Auburn clinic is not their regular vet, it's an emergancy office. I took my dog to an emergancy vet and they DID NOT require that I pay them upfront. Their first concern was my dog! Your very cynical to say that you don't think they actually would pay. Unfortunately their are bad people that don't but not the majority. The majority of people that have pets actually care and are honest.

Robert, you are way out of line. The Auburn clinic is not their regular vet, it's an emergancy office. I took my dog to an emergancy vet and they DID NOT require that I pay them upfront. Their first concern was my dog! Your very cynical to say that you don't think they actually would pay. Unfortunately their are bad people that don't but not the majority. The majority of people that have pets actually care and are honest.

I love "other people's dogs". I don't have one since my $$$birds$$$ would not be happy with the situation. I have one question though and I want you to think before you answer it. Leave the emotion out of it as it does nothing for the issue at hand. Since you are upset that the first Vet was concerned about being paid, are you going to pay the 2nd one where your dog ultimately died? I will venture a guess and say no. Nobody ever does. I have never had a Vet require me to pay first, yet your regular one did. I have the feeling he didn't think he'd get paid after the fact. It may be that you have a bad record of payment for services, or he may have too many others that don't like to pay. I would like you to place yourself in his position and pretend you have a list of deadbeats who owe you money but will not pay. Are you going to increase that list, or do whatever you must to get paid for your work. Without emotion, you will choose the latter. He runs a business, nothing more. I fix cars for a living, but I also have deadbeats who owe me money. The difference is simple. I can get a lien on the vehicle and sell it to get paid for my services. He will be left with a dead animal. I don't see too many ads being run saying "dead dog for sale". Every business requires money to stay open, including non-profit ones. If the owner(s) cannot expect a return for their investment, they may as well sit and play solitaire. Everyone else, go ahead and have your emotional outburst.

They don't really have a "Business Name". They are located on Auburn Way and they rent the space out after hours from the Auburn Veterinary Hospital Inc PS. They call themselves the After Hours clinic.

I am a greyhound owner and as being such, I have learned a lot about bloat. It's a serious thing and it's something that can be prevented but it's not gauranteed. I'm sure through your research (GOOD JOB!) you have found that simply changing the feeding and watering habits can help (HELP, not keep) it from happening.

However, your family is indeed nowhere near to blame! It can happen even when all those measures are taken. I'm SO sorry for their loss and SHAME on Auburns clinic for not working with the family! That makes me so sad. I don't know if Rozi would have survived otherwise but like you said, chances would have been better.

If you think your dog has bloat, you can give it Phazyme at home (while getting ready to rush out to the vets).

Again I'm truely sorry for your families loss! Rozi will never be replaceable but there are a lot of dogs that need a caring and loving family like yours!

I am a greyhound owner and as being such, I have learned a lot about bloat. It's a serious thing and it's something that can be prevented but it's not gauranteed. I'm sure through your research (GOOD JOB!) you have found that simply changing the feeding and watering habits can help (HELP, not keep) it from happening.

However, your family is indeed nowhere near to blame! It can happen even when all those measures are taken. I'm SO sorry for their loss and SHAME on Auburns clinic for not working with the family! That makes me so sad. I don't know if Rozi would have survived otherwise but like you said, chances would have been better.

If you think your dog has bloat, you can give it Phazyme at home (while getting ready to rush out to the vets).

Again I'm truely sorry for your families loss! Rozi will never be replaceable but there are a lot of dogs that need a caring and loving family like yours!

I am a greyhound owner and as being such, I have learned a lot about bloat. It's a serious thing and it's something that can be prevented but it's not gauranteed. I'm sure through your research (GOOD JOB!) you have found that simply changing the feeding and watering habits can help (HELP, not keep) it from happening.

However, your family is indeed nowhere near to blame! It can happen even when all those measures are taken. I'm SO sorry for their loss and SHAME on Auburns clinic for not working with the family! That makes me so sad. I don't know if Rozi would have survived otherwise but like you said, chances would have been better.

If you think your dog has bloat, you can give it Phazyme at home (while getting ready to rush out to the vets).

Again I'm truely sorry for your families loss! Rozi will never be replaceable but there are a lot of dogs that need a caring and loving family like yours!

I am a greyhound owner and as being such, I have learned a lot about bloat. It's a serious thing and it's something that can be prevented but it's not gauranteed. I'm sure through your research (GOOD JOB!) you have found that simply changing the feeding and watering habits can help (HELP, not keep) it from happening.

However, your family is indeed nowhere near to blame! It can happen even when all those measures are taken. I'm SO sorry for their loss and SHAME on Auburns clinic for not working with the family! That makes me so sad. I don't know if Rozi would have survived otherwise but like you said, chances would have been better.

If you think your dog has bloat, you can give it Phazyme at home (while getting ready to rush out to the vets).

Again I'm truely sorry for your families loss! Rozi will never be replaceable but there are a lot of dogs that need a caring and loving family like yours!