Animal Emergency Clinic of Brandon

Reviews 3

V

V Brooks

Let me start by saying, this review should really reflect no stars. Please note, my opinion is for one never to visit this clinic at all- under no circumstances. After reading several reviews, I realize I am not alone in realizing this faux animal hospital is nothing but a scam. The staff appears to care nothing about their patients and bottom line just wants to make money with scare tactics. I was appalled. Let me start at the beginning. At almost 11 pm on a weekday night, my partner and I brought my chorkie in as she was having a seizure. She had an initial seizure and then another in the span of an hour. Once we arrived at the clinic and spoke to the front desk/nurse, we explained these details and she also could see my dog was clearly in the end going towards the aftermath of a seizure. She took my dog to examining room to be checked by the doctor. After what seemed like 10-15 minutes, the nurse comes back to say the doctor saw no signs of a seizure (????) and he recommended an extensive plan involving keeping the dog overnight to perform blood work to attempt to determine the root of the problem. This plan also involved an IV set up, injections, possible medication for a seizure (although later the doctor says again he saw no signs of a seizure?) and anesthesia to the tune of a quick estimate between $901-$1500. But, this is the killer bit-the doctor said he recommended all of this, but in the end he probably would not be able to give us an answer as to why my dog had a seizure. What???? And, to top it all off, again, he said he did not think she even had a seizure, because she was not in an active seizure state at the time we brought her in. We had already explained to the nurse, and now to the doctor she had a seizure over a year ago, however, it was not as bad as the she was having at this time and she obviously recovered. The biggest point is the doctor never explained that her breed(s) are prone to these issues, which a doctor previous to this situation had explained to me. This doctor when asked about the breed(s) and this issue said seizures were not breed specific! We asked if she could receive any medication to make her more comfortable at this point (even after the nurse had already spoken about valium) and he said there was nothing he could do because again, she was not in an active seizure. As he is telling us all of these things, he has no bedside manner. It is quite obvious he does not care about my animal and was getting angry because we would not agree to his money-making plan. We were asking to many questions, and he was pissed. Towards the end of this conversation, I said I did not want to keep my dog overnight at this place, the doctor was clearly perturbed. He did not ask why, he just turned around abruptly to go back to the examining room, saying, I wouldnt recommend that. Curt and with and attitude, he was gone. We were stunned at his behavior. I then knocked on the door to the examining room, and another rep came to the door. I told her I would like to speak to the doctor again. At that point, I saw my dog (the only animal in this room. It appeared there were no other patients) and saw her writhing and shaking. I said to the doctor, This isnt a seizure?, and he said it was not. I then asked again if he could give her anything to make her more comfortable, and he said no. The nurse then appeared and said I could take me dog, which I did and then paid the $84 for this bogus exam. The nurse then said if my dog has another SEIZURE I can bring her back and the initial exam charge would be waived, as I already paid the $84. Unbelievable. Thank the Lord, my dog is recovered and we are going to another doctor for a real exam. I remain stunned and appalled by the doctors lack of integrity. I just look at my dog and remind myself how blessed we are she is ok and we can go to a doctor who cares. This is a truly despicable place.

MA

Matt McConnell

The date was May, 7th 2016. Our cat, Liara was ran over. Yes, upon arrival they took her immediately. After a few minutes of inspection, as Im watching my cats eyes dripping blood and hear her attempting to breathe through her blood, the nurse turns to us to explain costs. I understand there is a sign that states that payment must be paid in full before anything is done, however, I figured maybe we could... oh, I dont know, maybe take care of the already drastic situation that took over. Well, I said in a panic, "Look, we will pay but will you PLEASE take her in and at least put her in a safer spot rather than worry about the payment"? To this, she replies (with no emotion), "We need the payment up front". So, here we are trying to see if we can apply for some BS pet insurance or whatever since we didnt have the money. After about 15 minutes, we finally get something and she is paid for. She died soon after. I know that it was likely going to happen anyway. I know that some people are not the best and might walk away without payment... but the morals at this clinic stand behind the money. No money? These people dont care about you anymore. Just how they are. I lost a passionate, loyal and all around perfect pet in this office that day. The lil girl was our pride and joy, and there was little action to stabilize and rehabilitate our sweetie. Hey, at least they only charged $180 to get an urn with her ashes... as if the $1100 that we ended up paying wasnt enough. If youre a loving pet owner, Id suggest the Blue Pearl animal hospital across Lumsden from this pet deathbed. They dont bother you about pay, they show understanding and compassion. We brought our (new) kitten here to be dewormed. They took her in IMMEDIATELY and asked only important questions. The nurse and doctors loved helping our kitty, and GUESS WHAT!? They only asked for payment after the procedures. I was glad to pay. Goes to show how morals change on the other side. I hope this animal hospital goes out of business... no one deserves to watch their baby die in the arms of these demons. Go F yourselves. I took this long to finally put a review up for you people, and just be happy you guys are still able to run your pets Heavens waiting room.

AL

AL Crawford

A 10 STAR rating would still be an under-rating for Dr. Otero and the Animal Emergency Clinic in Brandon Florida, because Dr. Otero and his staff stand far above the rest. As the tropical winds had already begun from huricane Irma at about 5pm on September 10th, I rushed my dog to his office. Scared for my dog and also worried about being able to return home as the hurricane winds increased, I waited for the necessary blood work to be completed. It turned out my dog was suffering from pyometra and was at edge of deaths door, but worse yet, the blood results couldnt have been worse with near kidney failure as well. Unfortunately, while imediate surgery was necessary, there was little chance my dog could survive the surgery due to the failing kidneys and other concerns, without first trying to improve her chances with IVs but there was little time and increasing risk. With the hurricane upon us all, Dr. Otero and his wonderful staff stayed in their clinic all night right through the hurricane (amazing) and did their best to rejuvenate my dog with IVs sufficient enough to improve chances for a successful surgery. I made my way back to the clinic at 7am the following morning, while dodging fallen trees and flooded roadways, only to find the clinc had lost power during the night, but Dr. Otero and his staff had stayed all night. I strongly believe Dr. Otero may have been the only Vet to still be open within the entire state of Florida, or certainly among the very few if any others at all, due to the hurricane. Unfortunately, Dr. Otero showed me a two page list of other Veterinarians from which he had only found one who still had power but who might still remain closed. There was little chance my dog would survive much longer without the necessary surgery, so Dr. Otero explained he would be willing to proceed with the surgery by relying on a generator for the power he needed. Of course, I agreed with no reservations at all in my trust that Dr. Otero would do the best he could to save my dog and he did!!! Miracles do happen and finding Dr, Otero in the nick of time, was a miracle Ill never forget and will always remain extremely grateful for!