Category: | Veterinarian |
Address: | 130 Arrow Rd #101, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, USA |
Phone: | +1 843-842-8331 |
Site: | heritagevethhi.com |
Rating: | 4.6 |
Working: | 8AM–8PM 8AM–8PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–6PM 8AM–8PM Closed Closed |
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A Private User
In Feb of 2007 I had all the required blood tests, etc for a tooth cleaning for my dog Pooh. The morning of the 27th I took her to Dr. Latham. The dog would spend the day for the procedure and recovery. I was at work about a minute from the vet office. When I called the staff seemed slightly nervous, I thought a little strange, but thought nothing of it. They said to make sure I was there at closing to pick up my dog. I arrived between 5 and 5:30pm, paid my bill and waited. Dr. Harris left an exam room, walked right past me, never said a word or acknowledgment, and shut the door to his office. Staff member Megan came out and seemed extremely nervous. She said to make sure I was able to call Dr. Latham in the event anything was wrong. Dr. Latham herself and left early in the day. Megan instructed a young thin girl who could barely lift my dog to carry her in the elevator down to my car. My dog was limp, vocalizing, eyes open and fluttering, with white tongue hanging out, and I learned later was fully unconscious in a coma. I didnt realize it and asked the girl why my dog looked like this. She said "Didnt you already speak to someone?" The dog slid out and nearly fell to the pavement as the girl was placing her. The girl apologized for the hair getting all over my car, as if that was the issue. I very naively accepted that the dog was OK and left the hospital. I tended to her and waited for her to "wake up" and eat, but she never recovered. Urine spilled out when I picked her up to move her. I called Latham at home between 8 and 8:30pm, whereby she would research and call me back. So she calls me back and says that due to the anesthesia (after first telling me she didnt give her much due to her age)Poohs respiratory system was collapsing and she was dying. There was no treatment apparently. I said that I picked her up during business hours and she could have been treated then, and that to go down to the 24 hr vet in Savannah would take another hour. She said "potentially." I said I was never even given the option of further treatment early in the day and the staff said she was fine when clearly she wasnt. Pooh died around 11pm in my arms, and I had to feel the slower and slower breathing just before the death shudder as she passed. The worst part is my memory of how she resisted and didnt want to go into the vet office, and I forced her in the door thinking I was doing something good for her. The next day I spoke to Latham, and she pretty much just defended Harris saying he checked her at 4pm and she wasnt bad. I took her to Dr. Colorados office for cremation, as I didnt want Lathams office or staff to have one more thing to do with Pooh. I asked at the counter for a refund and they only gave me a refund for the bottle of pills that she could never have taken anyway since she left the hospital in a coma. I wasnt in a state of mind to argue. Dr. Colorado advised me that no animal leaves her office until it can walk. Pooh wasnt even conscious when she left Heritage Animal Hospital. Latham acknowledged that I received my dog without being informed of her condition, and said "It will be addressed" although she never elaborated on what "it" was or what "addressed" meant in this case. The only individuals to have any negative consequences of this botched procedure are me and my dog Pooh.
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Carolee Hutton
Dr. Latham , Dr. Elmore and the staff at Heritage are fabulous! As always, my dog and cats have always gotten the best care there. My last visit there started with Dr. Elmore sitting down on the floor to touch and calm Riley before examining him. The love she has for animals is very special. The firm and thorough (but loving ) care that he got checking out his ears ( which he is not too fond of), shows once again the how great the doctors at Heritage are. Julie, the assistant, was kind, relaxed, informative and great with Riley. Never once did I feel rushed with anyone at the hospital and all my questions were answered with thought and honesty. I love Dr.Latham, Dr. Elmore and all the people there. My family of furbabies have been going to Heritage since we moved to HHI 9 years ago. From the patient handling my two cats ( one of which is pretty feisty) for check ups and medical issues/ questions to the final day of my older cat ( which was handled in THE most respectful and kind way for both cat and family) the staff at Heritage have always been the best. I refer people to Heritage all the time because I have that much respect and appreciation for what they do for the animals- and their families!
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Dianne Hambly
We made a switch to Heritage Animal Hospital a number of months ago after a very bad experience with our Vet service that we were most loyal to locally for 14 years. We have never been happier! Doctors Davidson and Latham are kind, caring and awesome docs and their entire team does everything they can to make you feel comfortable from the second you walk in the door. All points are always clearly explained and outlined to you, including your bill. When you call the office, you get a respectful person on the phone who is concerns and takes care of your issue. I never had this with my past Vet, just great customer service that everyone is entitled to. I so highly recommend this group for your pet!!!
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Curtis Gorlich
We rescued our dog Eddy, who was extremely abused by his previous owner which caused a chronic condition to his hind legs from being kicked as a puppy. Dr. Elmore has been great with working out his treatment plan. We can not speak highly enough of Heritage Animal Hospital and their staff. They got us in quickly and were very thorough with diagnosing him. We are happy to say Eddy is a completely different dog now that his pain has diminished, and he has gained his range of motion in his hind legs due to Dr. Elmores treatment plan. I would not hesitate to recommend taking your pet to them.
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Lisa Hallam
We were on vacation when my dog became very ill. He needed to see a vet urgently. When I called the emergency line at Heritage Animal Hospital at 6 am, my call was immediately answered. After a few questions, we had a path forward and I felt better. My dog was seen as soon as the Hospital opened that morning and was given excellent care. Everyone in the office made me feel comfortable, ensured that I was informed of each and every step of my dogs treatment and took great care of my baby. This is certainly my go to vet in HHI.
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Kat N
I have 3 chihuahuas and they receive excellent care with Dr. Latham. My pups have had several dental cleanings and health conditions and they always get the best care. One of my dogs has liver failure and they are very good about rechecking her bloodwork and making sure she has the right medications. She also has a heart murmur and epilepsy all of which have been maintained well with medicine and diet. She is even going to go under anesthesia for a liver biopsy and dental cleaning next month. I wouldnt take my kids any where else!