- Report: #196968
Complaint Review: Sunset Animal Clinic - Dr. Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M. - Portland Oregon
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Sunset Animal Clinic - Dr. Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M.
14740 NW Cornell Rd. Suite 20 Portland, 97229 Oregon, U.S.A.
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503-690-8249
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Sunset Animal Clinic - Dr. Frederick W. Labavitch Dishonest ripoff fraudulent billing for services rendered without permission or reason price fixing Portland Oregon
*Author of original report: Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M. Portland Oregon, THIEF STOLE MY DOG & Refuses to give me a bill.
*Author of original report: Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M. Portland Oregon, THIEF STOLE MY DOG & Refuses to give me a bill.
*Author of original report: Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M. Portland Oregon, THIEF STOLE MY DOG & Refuses to give me a bill.
*Author of original report: Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M. Portland Oregon, THIEF STOLE MY DOG & Refuses to give me a bill.
*Author of original report: Finally Some Action
*Consumer Comment: An Extremely satisfied client who highly recommends the Sunset Animal Clinic and Dr. Labavitch
*Consumer Comment: Very Satisfied Client: Highly recommend Sunset Animal Clinic and Dr. Labavitch
May 27th 2006 2:30pm
My dog had salmon poisoning so I took him to Sunset animal Clinic on a recomendation from a friend of my mothers. When I take him in he's not doin to well, dehydrated cause he can't drink water when his lymph nodes are all swollen which is what salmon poisoning does. The vet (dr.labavitch) brings us both into a examination room he asks me to step out and he proceeds to examin my dog.
Not even 5 minutes later he comes out and confirms my belief about the salmon pisoning. He asks if I liked to fish and if I had been fishing recently. I tell him yes on both accounts. I also tell him my dog ate a small trout that had been caught and had swolled the hook, so it died. My friend had then tossed it up on the shore which is how my dog came to eat it.
He tells me my dog is going to have to be in the clinic for the next 2 days, and that he is going to need some antibiotics. He then proceeds to warn me that it is going to be a little pricey.
He tells me the treatments + daily boarding costs:
$80-$100 a day for hospitalization care
at 2 days
+ blood test at $50
+ exam cost of $50
+ antibiotic cost of $75 or more he says depending on which one he needs.
Sitting in the lobby I figure the math and on the whole I'm looking at $500-$600 dollars. I ask him about the over all price being about $5-600 dollars and he says yes somewhere around there more or less depending on the meds. I figure thats reasonable enough.
I then explain that I don't get a check untill the 15th of June and that all I have on me is $100. I also tell him I may be able to get a credit card from my father to just pay him in full but no promises. Both him and his vet tech receptionist say that it is no problem either way and that we can work out a payment plan. He tells me not to worry that my dog will most likly be just fine. I then thank him for his help and give him $100 down cash. he gives me a reciept for the $100
2 days go by and I've heard nothing. I call them up and have to leave a message. He then calls me back and tells me that he is doing better but he would like to keep him for 2 more days just to make sure. I agree because I trust he knows what hes doing at this point.
The extra 2 days go by and I go in to pick up my dog. When I pull up I can see the doctor in the lobby and he looks at me and imediatly turns around and goes in the back. I walk in the door and the receptionist say she'll be with me in a minute. I wait for 20 minutes before being helped. No one else was in there just me. But hey I'll wait.
Finaly the vet tech comes out through one of the exam rooms and call me in. I go in and she is sweating and acting really wierd, like nervous or something. Anywho she shows me the bill and she won't even look me in the eyes. I view the bill and it has over doubled what he quoted me. $1765.70.
Needless to say I was a bit taken aback. I actualy started laughing slightly gave an exagerated "WOW" and asked her why it was more than double what he quoted me. She said she was sorry about it but said that it happens and there was unforseen complications. I then asked what they were scince the bill didn't say, and she said I would have to speak to the doctor.
I agree with that and ask to speak to him. She then tells me that he doesn't want to talk to me. Dumbfounded I ask why. She says that the doctor doesn't like to talk to anyone untill their bill is paid. She explains that he doesn't like to deal with the money side of things that he considers it dirty work.
At this point a red flag alarm goes off in my head. I'm getting rippped off I can feel it! I then sit down in the exam room and ask to see the doctor Now. She leaves and 15 minutes later he finaly comes in. He is completely Irate."YOU OWE ME THAT FOR SERVICES RENDERED AT THE TIME WHICH IS NOW TODAY!" he yells at me.
More than a little caught off guard at this man bursting in the room and yelling a phrase that barely makes sense at a normal volume. I then proceed to stare at him like a retard. I had no reply for about 2 minutes. He of course goes on and on about how he never has questions over his billing and he is completly insulted and pissed off that I would dare to question him or his billing. He said that young punks like me shouldn't tell him his business.
I may be young(29) but I'm no punk. I regain my ability to speak and stand so I do so. I am not an easily upset person. I very calmly and nicly asked him why the bill had doubled. And why there where all these treatments like X-rays and some other test that was not needed not to mention the stuff that was needed didn't even come close to matching the quotes. He then starts waving his hands about and saying something about me not telling him his business.
I then ask him again about the quotes and he then denies even giving a quote. He said he never gives quotes or prices to anyone. I then, completly baffled by his out right lie call him on it. I say if that true then why does your recepionist remember you saying so and apolligised for it? She remembers you saying it, how come you convienently forgot. At this he loses it snatches the bill out of my hand and starts yammering on uninteligbly while storming off.
I being a more than a little concernd go back out to the reception desk. I demand at this point to have my dog back. She turns around and goes in the back. Not even 30 seconds later the doctor comes out and says that he is going to keep my dog and charge me daily boarding fees untill I have him paid off in full. At this point I'm upset. Without raising my voice I explain to him that he can't do that. I also bring up that he is going back on everything he said to me on my initial visit.
He tells me to get out of his office. I say not without my dog. He then threatens to call the police on me. I tell him to go ahead I havn't done anything wrong and that he will be the one in trouble. He picks up the phone and PRETENDS to dial 911 he then sits on the phone for about a minute. I think he actualy thought I would run out of there or something. He then hangs up. He then says "Your not getting your dog back no matter what untill I get my money." I then tell him to pick back up the phone and call the police for real, that I'm tired of his BS and I want them there myself. He refuses.
I then completely at a loss pick up my cell phone and start to call them myself. Just before I hit send it dons on me that I don't have a copy of the bill. I hang up and demand a copy of the bill.
He then says NO I don't have to give you a copy. I explain that in order for me to have to pay a bill I must first recieve a copy so that I know what to pay. the logic was lost on him. He says NO once again and tells me to get out of his office. I tell him that no one pays anything without first recieving a copy of said bill. I tell him that his business practices are as ridiculous as he is and that he would not get one more cent out of me unless he gives me a copy of my bill and my dog back now.
He then starts yelling so loud that I couldn't understand what he was saying. And to be honest I didn't care. I got so fed up and so upset that I was shaking. I just turned and walked out. As soon as I walked out I dialed the nonemergency line for my local police. But I never even heard it ring for I was distracted by them locking the doors to the clinic.
So not only is he Price hiking on me but he refused to give me a bill and he STOLE MY DOG!
I have tried to go in there and get a bill to no avail. I have called the Vet board for Oregon and they are less than useless. I have no Idea what to do next. I called 6 other vet clinics and asked them about their prices (they had no problem talking about them by the way) And found that his prices are more than double the normal price. The Vet board of Oregon has no jusrisdiction over the fees vets charge. I called the cops and they didn't know if they could help me or not.
If anyone out there can help me please do! This is my last and final hope!! I WANT MY DOG BACK!! I have no bill no dog and yet now I have over $2000 in debt if he really does charge me for boarding(which I'm sure he will).
PLEASE HELP!
Daniel
Portland, Oregon
U.S.A.
My dog had salmon poisoning so I took him to Sunset animal Clinic on a recomendation from a friend of my mothers. When I take him in he's not doin to well, dehydrated cause he can't drink water when his lymph nodes are all swollen which is what salmon poisoning does. The vet (dr.labavitch) brings us both into a examination room he asks me to step out and he proceeds to examin my dog.
Not even 5 minutes later he comes out and confirms my belief about the salmon pisoning. He asks if I liked to fish and if I had been fishing recently. I tell him yes on both accounts. I also tell him my dog ate a small trout that had been caught and had swolled the hook, so it died. My friend had then tossed it up on the shore which is how my dog came to eat it.
He tells me my dog is going to have to be in the clinic for the next 2 days, and that he is going to need some antibiotics. He then proceeds to warn me that it is going to be a little pricey.
He tells me the treatments + daily boarding costs:
$80-$100 a day for hospitalization care
at 2 days
+ blood test at $50
+ exam cost of $50
+ antibiotic cost of $75 or more he says depending on which one he needs.
Sitting in the lobby I figure the math and on the whole I'm looking at $500-$600 dollars. I ask him about the over all price being about $5-600 dollars and he says yes somewhere around there more or less depending on the meds. I figure thats reasonable enough.
I then explain that I don't get a check untill the 15th of June and that all I have on me is $100. I also tell him I may be able to get a credit card from my father to just pay him in full but no promises. Both him and his vet tech receptionist say that it is no problem either way and that we can work out a payment plan. He tells me not to worry that my dog will most likly be just fine. I then thank him for his help and give him $100 down cash. he gives me a reciept for the $100
2 days go by and I've heard nothing. I call them up and have to leave a message. He then calls me back and tells me that he is doing better but he would like to keep him for 2 more days just to make sure. I agree because I trust he knows what hes doing at this point.
The extra 2 days go by and I go in to pick up my dog. When I pull up I can see the doctor in the lobby and he looks at me and imediatly turns around and goes in the back. I walk in the door and the receptionist say she'll be with me in a minute. I wait for 20 minutes before being helped. No one else was in there just me. But hey I'll wait.
Finaly the vet tech comes out through one of the exam rooms and call me in. I go in and she is sweating and acting really wierd, like nervous or something. Anywho she shows me the bill and she won't even look me in the eyes. I view the bill and it has over doubled what he quoted me. $1765.70.
Needless to say I was a bit taken aback. I actualy started laughing slightly gave an exagerated "WOW" and asked her why it was more than double what he quoted me. She said she was sorry about it but said that it happens and there was unforseen complications. I then asked what they were scince the bill didn't say, and she said I would have to speak to the doctor.
I agree with that and ask to speak to him. She then tells me that he doesn't want to talk to me. Dumbfounded I ask why. She says that the doctor doesn't like to talk to anyone untill their bill is paid. She explains that he doesn't like to deal with the money side of things that he considers it dirty work.
At this point a red flag alarm goes off in my head. I'm getting rippped off I can feel it! I then sit down in the exam room and ask to see the doctor Now. She leaves and 15 minutes later he finaly comes in. He is completely Irate."YOU OWE ME THAT FOR SERVICES RENDERED AT THE TIME WHICH IS NOW TODAY!" he yells at me.
More than a little caught off guard at this man bursting in the room and yelling a phrase that barely makes sense at a normal volume. I then proceed to stare at him like a retard. I had no reply for about 2 minutes. He of course goes on and on about how he never has questions over his billing and he is completly insulted and pissed off that I would dare to question him or his billing. He said that young punks like me shouldn't tell him his business.
I may be young(29) but I'm no punk. I regain my ability to speak and stand so I do so. I am not an easily upset person. I very calmly and nicly asked him why the bill had doubled. And why there where all these treatments like X-rays and some other test that was not needed not to mention the stuff that was needed didn't even come close to matching the quotes. He then starts waving his hands about and saying something about me not telling him his business.
I then ask him again about the quotes and he then denies even giving a quote. He said he never gives quotes or prices to anyone. I then, completly baffled by his out right lie call him on it. I say if that true then why does your recepionist remember you saying so and apolligised for it? She remembers you saying it, how come you convienently forgot. At this he loses it snatches the bill out of my hand and starts yammering on uninteligbly while storming off.
I being a more than a little concernd go back out to the reception desk. I demand at this point to have my dog back. She turns around and goes in the back. Not even 30 seconds later the doctor comes out and says that he is going to keep my dog and charge me daily boarding fees untill I have him paid off in full. At this point I'm upset. Without raising my voice I explain to him that he can't do that. I also bring up that he is going back on everything he said to me on my initial visit.
He tells me to get out of his office. I say not without my dog. He then threatens to call the police on me. I tell him to go ahead I havn't done anything wrong and that he will be the one in trouble. He picks up the phone and PRETENDS to dial 911 he then sits on the phone for about a minute. I think he actualy thought I would run out of there or something. He then hangs up. He then says "Your not getting your dog back no matter what untill I get my money." I then tell him to pick back up the phone and call the police for real, that I'm tired of his BS and I want them there myself. He refuses.
I then completely at a loss pick up my cell phone and start to call them myself. Just before I hit send it dons on me that I don't have a copy of the bill. I hang up and demand a copy of the bill.
He then says NO I don't have to give you a copy. I explain that in order for me to have to pay a bill I must first recieve a copy so that I know what to pay. the logic was lost on him. He says NO once again and tells me to get out of his office. I tell him that no one pays anything without first recieving a copy of said bill. I tell him that his business practices are as ridiculous as he is and that he would not get one more cent out of me unless he gives me a copy of my bill and my dog back now.
He then starts yelling so loud that I couldn't understand what he was saying. And to be honest I didn't care. I got so fed up and so upset that I was shaking. I just turned and walked out. As soon as I walked out I dialed the nonemergency line for my local police. But I never even heard it ring for I was distracted by them locking the doors to the clinic.
So not only is he Price hiking on me but he refused to give me a bill and he STOLE MY DOG!
I have tried to go in there and get a bill to no avail. I have called the Vet board for Oregon and they are less than useless. I have no Idea what to do next. I called 6 other vet clinics and asked them about their prices (they had no problem talking about them by the way) And found that his prices are more than double the normal price. The Vet board of Oregon has no jusrisdiction over the fees vets charge. I called the cops and they didn't know if they could help me or not.
If anyone out there can help me please do! This is my last and final hope!! I WANT MY DOG BACK!! I have no bill no dog and yet now I have over $2000 in debt if he really does charge me for boarding(which I'm sure he will).
PLEASE HELP!
Daniel
Portland, Oregon
U.S.A.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Sandi
Shelton,Washington,
United States of America
Very Satisfied Client: Highly recommend Sunset Animal Clinic and Dr. Labavitch
#2Consumer Comment
Mon, September 13, 2010
My experience with Sunset Animal Clinic was very different from the person who wrote the rip-off story. Thanks to the expert care I received from Dr. Labavitch and his staff at Sunset Animal Clinic, my dog well outlived his life expectancy. We travel 2-1/2 hours from Washington and wouldnt consider taking our other dog anywhere else. The staff and Dr. Labavitch have gone out of their way to accommodate us while we are in town and I cant thank them enough.
What I tell my friends, when I refer them to Dr. Labavitch is: He is not in this for the money He is passionate about what he does He works from his heart. And hes really good at it Hes a miracle vet. I was first told this by an emergency clinic vet who referred me to him. I had said Well, there are no miracle vets and she said, There is one, and she told me how he had cured her dog of advanced brain cancer.
At Sunset Animal Clinic, you get results. Our dog was a challenge medically. We spent a lot of $$ at other clinics before we met Dr. Labavitch, and, just didnt seem to get any answers. For example, our dog had an inflamed, red eye. Our local vet prescribed an eye ointment and saw us several times for this. The eye would look better and then worse and our vet never referred us to a specialist. When we took our dog to Dr. Labavitch for a mass on his leg, he looked at the eye and told us he had a tumor. It was malignant but he was able to remove it and preserve our dogs sight. We never had any further trouble with it. Was the local vet cheaper? Not after you add up the multiple visits, time, and in the end, my dog could have lost his eye.
Dr. Labavitch treated our dog for pancreatitis, Wobblers, cancer which involved radiation and chemo completely cured; congestive heart failure, and various other maladies. Speaking from the experience of many years and many vet visits, I never felt ripped off. Cost estimates were given in advance of procedures and surgeries, any questions I had were answered, and everything was very professional. If we checked our dog out of his clinic on a Saturday, he always called on Sunday to see how our dog was doing, answer any questions and make any medication adjustments. If our dog was hospitalized on a weekend, we always received a phone call to let us know how he was doing.
When our dog was hospitalized, in an oxygen tent, Dr. Labavitch would go to the clinic in the middle of the night and check on him. His wife asked him how he could do that (he works long hours 6 days a week) and he said: Because people are counting on me. That memory brings tears to my eyes because our dog meant so much to us, and we knew he got that he understood and he cared.
He diagnosed a friends dog with an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which is an unusual vascular brain anomaly featured in the book My Stroke of Insight by Jill Bolte-Taylor. She had spent years visiting different vets and considerable $$ trying to figure out what was wrong with her dog and this is an extremely rare diagnosis; the first time Dr. Labavitch had given this diagnosis in 30+ years of practice. The dog had a spell where she almost died. We arrived in the morning and by that afternoon, she had an answer. Her dog has been very well since and she says he is a miracle vet too.
His personal dogs are rescue dogs he contributes a percentage of the clinics earnings to help shelter dogs. He cares about dogs he cares about people and he cares about his practice. It is very unfortunate that misunderstandings occur certainly my experience at this clinic has been positive and I hope my story helps assure anyone who is considering this clinic it is absolutely the very best vet care available its where you go if you need a miracle.
Rs
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
An Extremely satisfied client who highly recommends the Sunset Animal Clinic and Dr. Labavitch
#3Consumer Comment
Wed, April 01, 2009
It's unusual that people don't have unfortunate encounters and misunderstandings in their lives. They occur and leave impressions. This individual believes that they were ripped-off by the Sunset Animal Clinic and wants you to know about. The story is compelling. However, I and many more people that I know had and continue to have completely opposite experiences with the Sunset Animal Clinic. I want you to know that this clinic, its staff, and especially Dr. Labavitch, have never done anything that I would consider a rip-off. Over many years, I brought my pets to this clinic and others in the Portland area. I prefer the Sunset Clinic because my pets always receive the finest care by Dr. Labavitch and his staff. He is the one of the best veterinarians I have known, and one of the most experienced and best veterinary oncologists on the West Coast. At no time in my pet's care by Dr. Labavitch was I ripped-off. We are all fully aware that our own medical care costs money, and disagreements can occur. Veterinary care is no different. I want you to know that the experience this individual had is not indicative of my experience with this clinic. I know others say the same. Don't take one rip-off report, from years ago, as a guide to your pet's treatment by this clinic or Dr. Labavitch. You will receive an accurate estimate of cost and your pets will only receive the best care. RS
Daniel
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Finally Some Action
#4Author of original report
Thu, June 22, 2006
Just to let everyone know there will be a protest of Sunset Animal Clinic at noon on the 23rd and mabey the days following. If you beleive that it should be against the law to hold an animal/pet hostage in lue of payment or if you have been ripped off by Sunset Animal Clinic, then join us. I will be there with others, some of which have been scamed by this guy before. Some who beleive that pets are not just property like cars, they are living being with inate rights and feelings. Please feel free to contact me about any of this. Thank You, Daniel.
Daniel
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M. Portland Oregon, THIEF STOLE MY DOG & Refuses to give me a bill.
#5Author of original report
Sun, June 18, 2006
I'd also like to point out that my dog is a local blue ribbon agility contest winner multiple times. And not to mention hes the best mannered best looking red nosed pit bull you'll ever see. Hes got his ADBA Papers and I think this guy is trying to steal him. Never have anyone seemed as shady as this guy. PLEASE HELP any suggestion will help.
Daniel
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M. Portland Oregon, THIEF STOLE MY DOG & Refuses to give me a bill.
#6Author of original report
Sun, June 18, 2006
I'd also like to point out that my dog is a local blue ribbon agility contest winner multiple times. And not to mention hes the best mannered best looking red nosed pit bull you'll ever see. Hes got his ADBA Papers and I think this guy is trying to steal him. Never have anyone seemed as shady as this guy. PLEASE HELP any suggestion will help.
Daniel
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M. Portland Oregon, THIEF STOLE MY DOG & Refuses to give me a bill.
#7Author of original report
Sun, June 18, 2006
I'd also like to point out that my dog is a local blue ribbon agility contest winner multiple times. And not to mention hes the best mannered best looking red nosed pit bull you'll ever see. Hes got his ADBA Papers and I think this guy is trying to steal him. Never have anyone seemed as shady as this guy. PLEASE HELP any suggestion will help.
Daniel
Portland,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Frederick W. Labavitch D.V.M. Portland Oregon, THIEF STOLE MY DOG & Refuses to give me a bill.
#8Author of original report
Sun, June 18, 2006
I'd also like to point out that my dog is a local blue ribbon agility contest winner multiple times. And not to mention hes the best mannered best looking red nosed pit bull you'll ever see. Hes got his ADBA Papers and I think this guy is trying to steal him. Never have anyone seemed as shady as this guy. PLEASE HELP any suggestion will help.
