Red River Animal Emergency Clinic

Reviews 4

LI

Liza Casey

Rusty and I will NEVER be back unless he is seconds from dying and I cant drive to Casselton (who I found out has a 24/7 emergency service). They DID treat him and he is on the rebound (hopefully to stay) but only after I dealt with two doctors, Dr. Ben Stengaard, and Dr. Kline (?) who were extremely poor at communicating AND had Dr. Ben Stengaard degrade and humiliate me over the payment issue. Rusty went in with re-occurrences of arthritis and nausea; turned out he had bleeding near his urinary area (which I was shown) and a severely swollen bladder, which was making him unable to pee on his own (and without blood). When that was suspected, Dr. Stengaard said hed do a diagnostic ultrasound and would be back "in a few moments". I waited...and waited...and waited. Meantime, a friend showed up for moral support. We waited. Finally, I had to ask the front desk what was going on. He finally came back into the exam room and said hed already started Rustys catheter: "were extremely efficient around here". While Id consented to that verbally, if needed, he should have come back in after the ultrasound to say it was needed; then, obtained my written authorization, giving me a copy. After that, the rest of my FOUR (!) hours there (while my cat was being treated fine...I did verify that by demanding to see him at the end of the night) he manipulated me into calling everyone I knew (including friends who arent very close) to temporarily help with the bill because I didnt have enough in my checking account or credit card to pay the remaining balance (beyond the $103 exam fee Id been warned Id be charged at the door). I explained it was not a financial problem; I was waiting on an inwire deposit to my local checking account from an investment account out of town. But it was the weekend and the end of the month. I asked if I could write a post-dated check. I said I would be willing to sign anything holding me liable with collections if I didnt pay. I showed them the website of the investment bank in Williston so they believed I had said account. They did believe me. But they kept saying they are not self-employed and dont make the rules re: the payment policies; I couldnt write a check because it wouldnt pass through their electronic clearance system. But it was ridiculous that I couldnt get clearance from a manager (and nor was Stensgaard really willing to try) when my situation was out of the box, yet legitimate. Anyway, who are they in the business to serve; themselves or my baby?! Also, they forget whos really funding their fancy careers! After the receptionist got a call back from a social acquaintance saying that she didnt know me well enough to put up $900 until I could pay her back (though she thought I probably would...its just that her husband didnt want her putting the money on THEIR credit card) the receptionist said to her, "Well, I thought you were a close friend". Then, the receptionist told her not to worry about it. WHAT?! I TOLD THE CLINIC IN PLAIN ENGLISH I HAVE NO CLOSE FRIENDS OR FAMILY AROUND HERE. HOW MUCH MORE HUMILIATED AND DEGRADED DID I HAVE TO BECOME BEFORE I COULD PROVE NO ONE WOULD HELP?! The friend said I probably should have told them, "Im sorry, theres nothing I can do until Monday", and, she was right, but I was an emotional wreck and, with the double speak they were giving me about treating the cat without immediate payment, I certainly didnt want him in a continued crisis, only to be told to take the cat home because I couldnt pay for a couple of days. He may have died. So, I had to boot lick these sons of guns shoes in order to advocate for my baby! Rusty did stay overnight and was doing as well as expected when I kissed him goodnight. The next night, they let me know they were ready to take out his catheter, permanently, in a couple of hours, if he peed on his own; his blood was finally out of his urine. They said theyd "prefer" to keep him overnight and when I was trying to ask what that entailed, Dr. Kline kept talking over me. Then, I asked a simple question...

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KY

Kyle Theisen

This review is somewhat delayed, but will hopefully help someone else in a similar situation. Last August my 5 year old dog, who was very active and ran 6 miles everyday with me, became extremely tired. He could no longer run with me, became too exhausted to walk outside to go to the bathroom, and finally one morning was unable to walk. All of his legs were locked up, and he was unable to move. I loaded him by hand and brought him to Red River Animal Emergency. He was seen by Dr Ben Stegman. Almost immediately he seemed irritated that I was there, probably because my dog wasnt missing a limb or bleeding. I told him I suspected lymes disease because of where I live. Dr Stegman said its definitely not lymes, and insisted my dog is fat and out of shape! I was so irritated. I asked if hed test for lymes, since at this point Ive already spent several hundred dollars just to walk through the door. He said he personally wouldnt if it were his dog. I chose to. Low and behold, he was positive for lymes! Dr Stegman was ready to kick us out the door with a weight loss plan instead of the proper medication needed for lymes. Which, by the way, was over $750 all said and done. Long story short, Id never go here unless its your absolute last option. If Dr Stegman sees your pet, Id highly recommend requesting someone else. Someone else who cares about you and your pet.

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ER

Erika Fieldhammer

I came home and my cat was not breathing well at all - Im talking she couldnt even move. So I called and they said to bring her in immediately. They took her the second I walked in and explained to me that I had to pay upfront - just like any emergency service - and that I would be refunded any money that they did not use. They just have to make sure they can cover their own costs. Totally understandable, but not cheap. The environment is very calming for a distressed pet owner, and all the staff are so friendly and dont judge you for being a crying wreck in their lobby. Dr. Eric Kaufman came out periodically and told me what they were doing to my kitty and how she was and was SO comforting. And I was a wreck, so props to him. Then after some xrays, he took me back to an exam room and explained everything to me point blank and actually, he offered explanations to problems shes been having for over a year that I just thought were behaviors. He emailed me some information about my cats condition and made sure that I understood what was happening with her. He kept her a few hours for observation and in the oxygen kennel, but let me see her before I left. I honestly could not have gone anywhere better than here and I am so thankful to all the staff that was working tonight. They were so calm and professional through everything.

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BR

Brad Samplis

#1 Its a $109 as soon as you walk in. They will take your pet in the back where you cannot go. I stress you cant go back.#2, After a minute they will come back with a evaluation literally in a split second. #3, next is where they will tell and hand you a paper that says basically without a upfront payment of $500-$700 we will not operate until paid. If you say yes they will go back and act as if they are doing something with your pet. But I can promise you they do not start until they quote you inbetween the $500-$700 range and you have paid. #4, There is no payment plan and the staff is incompetent and rude beyond measure. #5, the cat I was trying to save died an hour after leaving there facility. #6, And remember this, you may agree to pay the quote of $579 like they gave me. I did agree and was ready to pay, they said OK, went in back and came back with a counter saying the total would be far more possibly 3 times the $579. At that point I couldnt go farther. By that time they had already drugged the cat with a pain killer and dehydration liquids and I was $240 in with nothing fixed. Do not take a pet you love here or your wallet. I hope whoever reads this believes this and doesnt go through the trauma put on the animal.

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