Complaint Review: Knowles 24 Hour Animal Clinic - Kendall Florida

I took my pet to this clinic on 9/19/2015 for an emergency seizure. I was initially assisted by Dr. Garcia. He explained to me that the seizure was controlled, my pet was doing fine and would be observed for 24 hours to make sure there would not be a reaccuring seizure. I was given an estimate and went on my way. I called throughout the day to check on my pet and was always told he was doing fine. At some point during the day I was told he had an x-ray done to check for lumps(something I was not told would be done).

At about 8:30 that night I received a phone call from Dr. Wenzl and I was informed that he had bloody diarrhea caused by a parasite that they found in his feces(again another exam I did not know they were going to do). He would be given antibiotic for that so I said ok. Sunday morning I call to check on my pet and see when I can pick him up. I am told by a tech that he's doing fine and perky. About one hour later I receive another phone call from Dr. Wenzl and I am told they want to keep him for observation, but if all continues well he would go home in the afternoon. They wanted to keep him for observation due to the diarrhea and the blood in his feces.

At about 11:30 that morning I go to the clinic to see my pet. I waited for about 20-30 minutes to be seen by DR. TRACY SCOLA. I advised to Dr. Scola that I just wanted to see how he was doing and see if I could take him home. I explained to Dr. Scola that I'd rather have him home with us if his diarrhea condition was manageable not only because I just wanted to take him home but also due to financial purposes. I explained to her I could not afford a $3000 vet bill just for observation. Her response was: "well, the bill hasn't changed much since yesterday" and...she went on to say "I was there when the doctor spoke to you last night"...and then she told me to hold on, walked away and never came back. Dr. Scola had a very nast and ungenuine demeanor to her. Right of the bat, things did not mesh with her. I advised the girl at the front desk that I would be back at around 4:30 to pick up my pet, that he would not spend another night there. Dr. Scola seemed very determined to keep my pet for "observation" due to diarrhea.

At around 4:30 I received a phone call from Dr. Scola at which point she basically tells me there's been a new development....my pet now has a deadly blood disorder called DIC and if he doesn't get and emergency plasma blood transfusion he will most likely bleed to death and not make it and was given an estimated cost of $700-$1500 more. I PANICKED!...I could not believe what I was hearing. So, I drove to the clinic to see my pet and see exactly what was  going on. When I arrived I am taken to one of the rooms. Then, Dr. Scola comes and explains the situation once again....with a very un-genuine, un-sympathetic and quite frankly cynical look to her. She tells me he needs a blood transfusion yesterday or he won't make it. She tells me he could be bleeding internally and they may not know...I asked about the x-ray they took and she seemed confused as if she didn't know about an x-ray and then she said an x-ray would not show internal bleeding. The whole time she has some sort of rep standing next to her re-affirming everything she's saying(not quite sure what her role was other than to confirm the Dr. Scola's conversation).  Not to mentioned they didn't even bring my pet to me. I had to ask them to bring him to me so I can see for myself what they were talking about. I explained to her I did not have another $700-$1500 to pay them. I asked her what would happen if took him and then take him to his vet in the morning...she said in theses very words...."oh, it'll be too late".."the chances of him surviving will be 30% if you take him and 70% if you leave him here and that clinic may not have the resources for a blood transfusion". Again, in a very cold, un-genuine cynical manner.

At that point I decided to take my pet and run the risk of him dying over night(or so I thought) not only due to my financial hardship, but more so due to Dr. Scola's demeanor and tone. Long story short, my pet is perfectly fine. He survived the night, as a matter of fact he woke up spunky and himself. When I took him to his vet to confirm what I was told about him having a deadly blood disorder that would make him bleed to death, the doctor told me he would've been dead by now if that was the case. He was a little anemic but that was it. 

When I took my pet from Knowles I STRUGGLED with the decision I made. I thought  I was the reason my pet was going to pass. The guilt Dr. Scola made me feel for not getting a blood transfusion was unbearable. I took sleeping pills for two days thinking my pet was going to die due to this terrible blood disorder...WORST PET HOSPITAL IN MIAMI, y far. In the end I ended paying $1300 for a seizure, unnecessary exams, medication and observation. And had it no been for Dr. SCOLA's very NASTY demeanor and my financial hardship they would've done an unnecessary blood transfusion and possibly killed my pet. Dr. Scola is by far the NASTIEST vet I have ever dealt with and Knowles animal clinic is a scam. They look for everything and anything and if they can't find it they will make it up to drain your pockets...abusing of the pain pet owners go threw as it is. Be very CAREFUL and think twice before you go here.