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becker animal hospital misdiagnosed Internet
I took my beagle in March 2011 because I suspected that he had gotten out of our yard and was hit by a vehicle. I thought this because I had left my home to run errands and was gone for approx. 3 hours. Before I left, my beagle was running around and jumping off the hot tub and chasing squirrels, etc. When I returned home 3 hours later, he was in my patio standing stiffly and breathing very shallow rapid breaths. He was so stiff he didn't want to walk or move. I noticed he had a couple of cuts on his back and he was very dirty, so I immediately took him to this hospital. BIG MISTAKE!!! Dr. Okafur assessed him and ordered an x-ray that was immediately done. She came back into the examination room and accused my partner and I of neglecting our pet. She stated that he had a bad case of pneumonia and that we had waited too long to seek care for him. Perplexed, I asked her how it was possible for my dog to develop pneumonia in 3 hours. I explained to her that my beagle had nothing wrong with him that day as evidenced by him eating breakfast and dinner, running around throughout the day in our yard, chasing squirrels and jumping on to and off of our hot tub. I told her again that I suspected that he must have gotten out of our yard and injured because he was fine just three hours ago. All of this information fell on Dr. Okafur's deaf ears because she was not listening and maintained that my dog had a bad case of pneumonia and that we waited too long to seek treatment. She recommended we leave him overnight so that he could have antibiotics, IV fluid, etc. and of course we did. We went home confused and concerned and worried that our baby was very sick. The next morning I showed up and met with a different Vet. Dr. Volosen told me that my beagle's pneumonia was getting better and so on. I then asked him how it was possible that my beagle would have acquired pneumonia in 3 hours and went through the whole explanation about my pet's behavior earlier that day and the wounds that I noticed and more importantly, that I suspected he got injured. Dr. Volosen listened and then rechecked the xray and came back and told me that indeed, my beagle had been probably hit by a car because the xray showed he had 7 ribs broken!!! He also stated that the "pneumonia" was actually fluid build-up from the injury. He altered my beagle's treatment and I requested that my beagle get pain medication which he completely agreed and he ordered an immediate dose. It is because of him that my pet FINALLY received the proper treatment. I spent over a thousand dollars getting him better which I don't regret. HOWEVER, Dr. Okafur NEVER apologized or even acknowledged her mistake, and that is why I will NEVER bring my pets here EVER again. Apparently, she has misdiagnosed more animals since my experience in 2011...get her out of there!