Animal Emergency Hospital of St Johns County

Reviews 3

DI

DIANE SALINO

"Emergency Hospital?" Seriously? Neighbors cat (with history of asthma) went off his feed, so cat was brought in to St. Johns Vet Clinic; cat examined there -- diagnosed with "heart murmur, enlarged heart, and fluid build-up around lungs and heart." Cat released to home with meds, but no improvement over next 2 days-- -- so, returned to St. Johns for revisit. At this point, cat is in severe distress, weak with labored breathing, and malnourished from lack of food intake. As result, he is referred directly to the Animal Emergency Hospital. Vet on duty (name of McClennan) at Emergency Hospital receives full written report on cats condition, directly from the St. Johns vet who referred the animal. McClennan also claims that he would contact St. Johns via telephone, to discuss cats condition and status. If nothing else -- and DESPITE having a detailed report from St. Johns, on his clipboard and IN HIS FACE -- he approaches owner making references to the cats "urinary tract infection!!!" In what world, on what planet, does a so-called "emergency facility vet" arrive at the notion that the issue goes to a "urinary tract" condition-- -- when, in fact, the records and reports in his hands, right before his eyes, make it ABUNDANTLY CLEAR that the condition was not REMOTELY RELATED TO A URINARY TRACT CONDITION -- but rather, exclusively and directly related to an enlarged heart, fluid build up in the lungs, and severe respiratory distress??? Left the facility feeling very much like this guy broke into the Tranquilizer supply for a quick hit -- therefore, wondering all the way home whether the poor animal left in his care would receive the appropriate and necessary follow-up treatment and procedure. Sadly, the question was answered that evening. Initially, when the owner called for an update on her cats condition, a technician reported that the cat had been tube-fed, and "was doing well." Before the hour was out, the vet on duty called to report that the cat was "in cardiac arrest." The owner was then placed on hold -- and when the vet connected again, she advised the owner that her cat had died, having failed to recover during efforts to revive him. Just what in hells basket went on at this facility? Why was this cat reported to be "doing well" (supposedly) at 10 p.m. -- then, within only 30 minutes afterwards, reported to be in "cardiac arrest?" Clearly, the cat could not have been "doing well," if he was already in advanced stages of respiratory and cardiac distress-- and, well on his way to heart failure. More ludicrous: Efforts to revive the cat fail, and the cat dies -- all within the short time that the owner is still on hold, on the telephone line? Odd reports. Odd series of events-- the most questionable of which, the intake vet on duty -- who "decided" (why, and how?) that the cat was admitted for a urinary tract infection -- despite having been provided with a detailed report from the St. Johns vets specifying that the animal was referred due to advanced cardiac and respiratory distress ! Appears there is ample reason this facility receives the negative comments and low ratings noted on its site. Something there is in the "state" of this "emergency hospital" that is very much amiss -- and, that "something" is akin to a 10-yr.-olds referral to an emergency room with a broken bone protruding from his thigh -- only to have the doctor on duty declare that the cause and condition relates to kidney stones. So sad, the prospect that the cats final hours might have been better spent in the comfort of his own home.

A

A Private User

After reading several of these reviews I am dicussed by some of you so called pet owners. You should be thankful that these Vets and Techs are there. They spend countless hours away from their own families to be there days, nights, weekends and holidays. Not once do you thank them for the job that they do. To the man whos dog was brought in with the snake bite, my dog was also seen for a snake bite last year and the girl that you were refering to was never heartless or cold she was just the oppisite. She seemed very knowledgable about snake bites which suprised me as she is just a tech. Further more you should be a shamed of yourself for even considering taking your dog home where it could die a PAINFUL death. I to could not affored to have the complete snakebite treatment but was aleast willing to call and wake someone up to get the money. I have been there several times since for various other things (always something) and seen I think every Vet that works there and they are always straight foward about treatment, cost and the possible outcomes, not like other Vets who try to hide the truth. This past year I had to have my 9year old dog E-Or put down and I brought him into the clinic. I was told that there would be a wait because the doctor was in surgery and that was fine but I can say that when it was time for him to be put down Dr. Johnson was wonderful. She talked to him and was petting him almost trying to comfort him but I think it comforted me more to know that E-Or had been taken care of over the last few years by a wonderful group of people. For that matter all my animals!!! So before you go bad mouthing the Vets and thier staff maybe you should stop and think they are pet owners also and only want what is best for your pet. Futhermore, I have been to other Animal ERs and they also expect payment up front. So to you who think that does not happen in other ER clinic go try one and I think you may be in for a big suprise. That clinic is not a human ER so there for they do have a right to refuse service for no money, being an a**hole, or whatever. I love this clinic! It is well worth spending the money for good quality treatment then spend the same money for half a** treatment. Thses people do a GREAT job and do a job I would never want to do. Thanks to the Vets and Techs!!!!!!!!!!!!

CA

Capstone Labs

Find another Vet. Here’s my story…. I call the Animal Emergency Hospital Monday 1/23 to have my 7 month old Lab spayed. The office staff gets us scheduled for a K9 wellness visit on 1/25, all goes well, staff seemed great, Vet was nice, so we schedule the pup for her operation on Friday 1/27. On the way out as I’m handed the pre-op paper work I read the spay and neuter operations are “cash only” (first red flag) in efforts to keep services at a low cost. While I felt the cash thing was odd I continued with the scheduled operation. Dropped her off Friday, surgery went well, picked her up late Friday afternoon. Saturday morning comes around and goes downhill very quick…. The pup is very sick, she can’t hold down any food or water so I call the Animal Emergency Hospital and the tech says nothing to worry about yet as the behavior may be due to anesthesia….as they decided to give her an extra shot because she was “whiny” after surgery and thought she was try to get extra attention (really, why is this the first time I’m hearing of this and 2 red flag). I was told to call back in the afternoon if she does not improve and they would have the Vet schedule a visit. I call back 3pm Saturday afternoon and get an answering machine… called again and again leaving 6 messages with no response. So here I have a very sick post op pup with no after care .. I drive her to the Animal Emergency Hospital in hopes there open ...nope all closed up, (they claim to be open until 8pm on Saturday). Now I’m forced to find another vet on a Saturday afternoon….. so we did and after being treated another $250 dollars later the pup is back on the mend. No return call until 9am Monday morning….. Tuesday. After speaking direct to the Dr Williams direct about this situation, she feels that Animal Emergency Hospital of St Johns County has no additional responsibility for the extra fees...the other vet was justified in treatment and the charges would have been the same if they would have seen her on Saturday .... Wait, you just operated on the pup and now there would have been additional charges for after care ..... Really ...way to go for customer service. Again if your reading this find another vet.