South Paws Veterinary Surgical Specialists

Reviews 3

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Robin Black

I took my rescue baby to South Paws after a very "well-known franchise" Vet Clinic, in Metairie, LA literally "kicked us to the curb" with a dying dog! My dog had lost his back legs. Over 4 days, my personal Vet communicated to this franchise surgical clinic that my dogs spine swelling had subsided, and he needed surgery ASAP to replace tissue that had slipped and blocked his spinal cord signal to his rear legs, as well as the payment check arriving ASAP. They were FULLY AWARE that my dog had been 4 days with this injury, and needed surgery immediately to have any hope of surviving and regaining the use of his rear legs! I advised that I had sold stock to pay for this surgery, and a check was arriving FedEx in 3 days as promised 4 days ago. I even provided proof of the payment arriving. The vet said it was VITAL that she prep for immediate surgery. While she went back to scrub, the Receptionist approached me and said I would have to LEAVE IMMEDIATELY if I was not able to pay for the surgery THAT MOMENT! I provided a telephone number to verify that I was receiving a $3000 Cashiers Check to pay for the surgery as fast as available. She then charged me for a Vet exam and Office visit, and asked me to leave with my dying dog. When I asked what would happen to him if he waited 3 days for the check to arrive for the surgery, they advised he would probably die, and they would be more than happy to dispose of his body! I left with my dog, and sat, crying hysterically in my car while frantically calling every Vet listed on Google in the area (I had just moved there 1 month prior, and was not familiar with all the Vets available to me.) Two hours, and after contacting 8 Vets in the surrounding area, I was finally advised there was only 1 Vet qualified to do this type of surgery...Dr. Bob at South Paws Veterinary Surgical Specialists in Mandeville, LA - approx. 40 minutes away. When I called and explained my situation to the receptionist, she stated, "Bring him here...Dr. Bob will take a look at him, and I am POSITIVE we can help you out!" I found my way to South Paws, Dr. Bob examined my dog, and Dr. Bob looked at me, explained he understood my situation having just moved to the area, got a new job, selling stock to receive the check to pay for the emergency surgery, even though the check would not arrive for 3 days, but he would do my dogs surgery as long as I promised to pay him when my check arrived! He advised he didnt know me, I didnt know him, but he was going to trust me that I was committed to give my "rescue" pup the best chance at a quality life possible, and he would do the surgery (which was needed IMMEDIATELY), but I HAD TO PAY HIM!!! I advised I was a debt collector for 25 years, and I had collected delinquent debt for Veterinarians before, and he could REST ASSURED I WOULD PAY HIS BILL IN FULL, as soon as my stock payment check arrived!!! Dr. Bob called me before I had even returned to my home in Metairie to tell me that Diego had come through the surgery successfully, and he felt his prognosis for a full recovery was "GOOD"!!! Diego DID regain full use of his rear legs, and 3 years later, he is a happy, healthy, shih tzu walking, running and playing with his little playmate (baby brother) Every Day!!! Words cannot express the way I feel about South Paws Veterinary Surgical Specialists, Dr. Bob, and their entire Staff!!! This group of people work at this organization for the LOVE OF PETS, and they work tirelessly FOR YOUR PETS, and their well-being! They do miraculous, state-of-the-art procedures to preserve and save the lives of their animal patients--that would have been a death sentence years ago! Dr. Bob and his Specialists perform miracles EVERY DAY!!! YOUR PET IS IN THE COMPANY OF THE MOST HIGHLY-SKILLED, LOVING, COMPASSIONATE INDIVIDUALS IN THE VETERINARY FIELD AT THIS FACILITY!!! As an animal advocate, I am proud to say I recommend South Paws with NO RESERVATIONS!!! Dont hesitate to use these Specialists should the need arise...YOU ARE IN THE HANDS OF THE VERY BEST!!!

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A Private User

In April 2010 I rescued a yorkie that needed emergency surgery. I was recommended to South Paws. I was scared. I have super high standards and get anxious trying new vets. My vet assured me I would like Dr. Hancock. Dr. Hancock & his staff are amazing. They are top of the line for normal ortho surgeries and ones that require more out of the box. I have since had nine surgeries performed at South Paws. I was happy with the outcome of them. Ive had four additional surgical consults at South Paws where surgery was not recommended. We have two more dogs waiting to have surgery at South Paws. At South Paws Im treated like an individual. The other clinics in the area you have to wait forever. The staff is not knowledgeable and the doctors are far from friendly. Ive always been impressed with South Paws Staff and Im always treated with respect. Ive referred adopters and never had any complaints. We discuss the issue first with Dr. Hancock. Sometimes the dog is brought outside to run in the yard for a visual. Then the dog is taken in the back for sedation and possible x-rays. Im then brought back to the dog to be shown the diagnosis on my dog while they are sedated. I then discuss options for the diagnosis. Im part of the decision on what will be done. Dr. Hancocks staff is excellent dealing with the volunteers and fosters that bring the animals over for consults & pt. They explain everything fully to them and then call to tell me. Not all clinics are willing to do the extra work for the fosters. South Paws is a huge supporter of our rescue group. Im able to contact Dr. Hancock for questions outside of business hours without a complaint. He helps us consult on dogs before we take them or to tell us its not necessary to bring them to him. Ive had one dog that did not make it. After Dr. Hancock examined the dog and reviewed the findings with the regular vet, Dr. Hancock did not recommend surgery as the dogs chances of survival were low. We discussed possibilities of what was wrong with the dog. Dr. Hancock then gave me time to make the decision. He was very supportive. I choose to do the surgery. I was kept up to date on the lengthy exploratory surgery. Once it was determined the dog could not survive Dr. Hancock came out of surgery to explain everything he found and again the possibilities for a diagnosis. All of the staff was excellent working with me even though I was an emotional wreck. They gave me prints of his paw to remember him by. We rescue many animals a year and we are very picky with our vets. We recommend South Paws to anyone. We promise you will be satisfied.

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A Private User

Wow...a friend told me about this review while "googling" South Paws. She knew I had some very good experiences with them, pointed me in this direction, and I thought I would share them. I have an elder dog who had been limping and stiff for sometime. My local Vet in New Orleans kept telling me it was arthritis, but I felt there was more to it. I went to another Vet in the NOLA area who tested, took x-rays, etc and did all he could. The suspicion was fused and/or degenerative discs. He recommended South Paws. During this time, a niece had a Chihuahua who slipped a disc in his back and was recommended to South Paws also. I went with her to the Chis appt (my dog was still in the eval stage in NOLA). I was very impressed with what I saw, learned and experienced with the Chi. My niece was given a few options, the first NOT being surgery, but pain management and steady crate-rest. The dog improved over a few weeks, no surgery was needed. About two weeks later I returned to Southpaws, this time with my senior dog. He was evaluated for over an hour, and his x-rays from the previous Vet reviewed. We decided that a myleogram was needed to see what was really going on. When the results came back the next day, Dr. Edwards told me that surgery was NOT an option. It was far too risky and very slim chances of success. We are treating the condition with pain meds/blocks, and South Paws is even working with my local Vet as far as dosage and adjustments, so that we do not need to go across the lake for meds or anything. I have found everyone at South paws to be very professional and always wiling to help answer my questions. With two very different experiences, one of which was my decision, one not, the Vets were not "surgery happy". I find them to err on the side of caution, and try everything they can before surgery as the last resort. They are the experts, they understand the risks, they also understand the chances of success. There are always risks with surgery! And no one, except the Man Upstairs, can foresee what the complications might be. I am sorry that your dog did not make it. But I would guess that the people at South Paws were devastated as well. You are right, sometimes Mother nature should not be tampered with. We as the owners have to make the call after weighing the options and opinions from the experts. We dont always know the outcomes of our decision until after the fact. But I feel pretty confident in the Vets and staff at South Paws.