Category: | Emergency Veterinarian Service |
Address: | 202 NY-303, Valley Cottage, NY 10989, USA |
Phone: | +1 845-268-9263 |
Site: | valleycottageanimalhospital-hub.com |
Rating: | 4 |
GR
gregg fortunato
Valley Cottage Animal Hospital at 202 Route 303 in Valley Cottage, NY is all about the money and their bottom line. We brought our beloved, healthy Rottweiler in for a wellness exam and her annual vaccinations. A few days later, our dog was unable to walk, in excruciating pain and no longer eating. We took her back to Valley Cottage Animal Hospital, where they wasted her precious time taking x-rays, ultrasounds and claiming she most likely had a tumor or cancer. They sent us home with oral medications knowing full well she was not able to eat. Hours later we rushed her back because she was vomiting and her leg had swollen up to 3x its normal size at the injection site (from the vaccinations administered by Valley Cottage Animal Hospital days before). We believe at this point they administered nothing more than pain medication, but only after wasting more time insisting they review their ignorant estimate of costs with us. After admitting/leaving our baby at the hospital and while driving home at 2:30 a.m., the hospital asked that we return to give them a $500 deposit toward the estimated bill (after we already paid about $1,000 earlier in the day). The next morning we transferred our dog to Cornell University Veterinary Specialists where she was immediately diagnosed with a sepsis infection and began treatment. How can one doctor so clearly diagnose a life threatening infection when the doctors at Valley Cottage Animal Hospital insisted it was either cancer or a bad reaction to the vaccinations? Sadly and tragically, our baby died at Cornell from complications stemming from the infection she received at her wellness visit at Valley Cottage Animal Hospital. Valley Cottage Animal Hospital’s incompetence in recognizing their unfortunate mistake cost our dog valuable time, unbearable pain and suffering, and in the end – her precious life. Our dog would still be alive if we never took her to Valley Cottage Animal Hospital. The doctors at Valley Cottage Animal Hospital either lied to us or were grossly incompetent. While our baby lie dying on a stretcher waiting to be transferred, they were still denying any wrong doing, insisting it was our dog’s fault (her immune system fighting the vaccine), and their top priority at that moment was making sure they received payment on the small balance due on the bill. They never showed an ounce of compassion, never said or did the right thing – their concern was getting paid and insisting we take our dying dog out the back door, not the front lobby. If you love your pet, please stay away from Valley Cottage Animal Hospital because THEY ARE ONLY CONCERNED WITH MONEY.
XO
XoCheryloX
Even one star seems to be too much. I brought my rabbit to see Dr. Maidhof on Saturday afternoon, after she had seen her primary doctor earlier in the day and was diagnosed with early GI stasis. She had gotten a bit worse, and there were no hospitals closer to us with a doctor available to see her, so our hope was to have her get fluids and antibiotics. The doctor insisted on giving her pain medication as well, which I was hesitant to agree to as she was already depressed but I was assured it was safe and he would dose her low. Her temperature was low, as well. At no point were we told that her prognosis was poor. At no point were we encouraged to hospitalize her or even to try and warm her up. They did not bring in heat discs. Someone even started vacuuming outside of the exam room - where a sick and scared rabbit was. The recommendations were bloodwork (which wouldnt be in until Tues/Weds) or radiographs, which he felt were not warranted because he did not feel anything obstructive but could be done to rule it out. I declined both as my rabbit was not even handled appropriately - on several occasions, she was left uncovered and unattended on the exam table despite that I said she was typically nervous when she was feeling well. When taking her temperature, they held her up in the air with her back curled and her face uncovered. The fluids she was given didnt appear to be warmed, which was also concerning. Lola died on the ride home, 15 minutes after leaving, after becoming recumbent and developing shallow breathing. I recognize she was ill. My issue is that, as said, at no point were we told that the doctor was concerned about her prognosis. There was very minimal communication. When I called the hospital to let them know she had passed, I was put on hold for an extended period of time in which two people asked why I was on hold. I was then told that the Doctor was "in a procedure" and the receptionist "didnt know when he would be free or if he would be free". They asked the issue, and I explained it again and was told they would "go talk to the doctor". I hung up after another extended hold. He called several hours later and expressed that he was highly concerned about her temperature and overall state when he saw her and did not feel she was going to pull through regardless. The call was disconnected and I did not hear back. This practice left a very, very bad taste in my mouth. Things may not have turned out differently with Lola, but it is just terrible that I can wonder if they could have been if I had been to a different practice.
BE
Ben Nice
Okay lets see. There are three reviews of 3 stars or less. One is a pet owner who is flabbergasted a THIRTEEN YEAR OLD CAT died. That cat was blessed to have that many years. UTI might have been a sign of something way worse like kidney failure. Another one is a ferret owner. The third is a family who purported to use the service since the 1970s and yet gives a 1 star review because when they wanted to switch vets Valley Cottage obliged without haggling or bothering him. I wish you could see how much Im rolling my eyes right now. My wife and I have used Valley Cottage for several years now. We have had three dogs go through the ringer. One of them was hit by a car in a tragic accident and they allowed us to bring her bloody body into the hospital, they consoled us, they offered ways for us to keep her memory (we ended up cremating her), and they were genuinely excellent about the whole situation. Another one, a beagle, died after many many wonderful years, and again, they helped to console us and assist us in his cremation. Our current dog, a pit bull terrier, gets treated wonderfully there. When being examined, one person will hold her and pet her and give her kisses while the doctor examines her. The doctor always involves us in the process and shows us what she is looking at and explains everything thoroughly. They do not endorse immediate invasive actions. Today, for example, I brought Nena (our pitty) in because her "area" was swollen and they explained that a blood scrape of the skin would reveal the exact source of the problem but that they dont like to do that without trying less invasive methods first, namely Zyrtec and some antibiotic. Ive been dealing with this Animal Hospital for quite some time and their service and communication has always been outstanding. The facilities are super-clean, the staff is friendly and understanding, and there may be other capable animal hospitals around, but I cant imagine any of them possessing Valley Cottages level of combined cleanliness, quality of facilities, and staff competency and compassion.