Lewisville Animal Hospital

Reviews 3

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A friend of mine recommended Dr. Bone to me two years ago. I scheduled an appointment for an opening a couple of days later for my kitty who was having seizures. Dr. Bone panicked and said it was very serious and to bring him in sooner. Well when the vet panics, you panic. I took my kitty in asap. Dr. Bone did blood work which came back fine a day or two later. He said he thought my cat may have a brain tumor. I pointed out that my kitty had hyperesthesia (very sensitive skin) which seemed to bring on the seizures. Dr. Bone said it also may be inflamed nerves. Dr. Bone prescribed medication to treat the seizures (phenobarbital). My kitty did not respond positively to the pheno, no reduction in seizures. He was visibly drugged all the time and he LOST THE ABILITY IN HIS HIND LEGS. Its called ataxia, obviously a very serious side effect, which I was not warned about. It apparently can happen in cases of over-and incorrect-prescription, likely both in this case. When I told Dr. Bone this, he advised me IF IT WAS HIS CAT HE WOULD PUT HIM DOWN. This vet was telling me to euthanize my otherwise healthy cat since the meds he prescribed rendered my cat unable to walk. I felt so terrible and defeated, I actually considered it momentarily. I had failed my kitty. There are things like kitty wheelchairs out there for disabled cats though, and I wasnt ready to give up on my kitty because the vet was. He still had all of his personality, was eating, going, getting into trouble (albeit harder now that he was dragging his rear but he managed still). It was not time yet. My cat will tell me when, and he didnt. A couple of months and a second opinion later, my kitty was put on on prednisone - which by the way, is commonly used to reduce inflammation and tumors, both of which were on the table for my cat. Prednisone should have been the first, most obvious option. Dr. Bone was treating the symptom (seizures) and not the problem (inflammation or tumor), and using a dangerous drug while doing it (pheno is literally what was in the koolaid). It has been two years and my kitty is still here today thanks to the second opinion! He has at most a seizure a month, usually much less. I actually cant remember the last time he had one; and they have always only ever been @ 10 seconds long - even from the first one. Two years of fun, happiness, troublemaking, etc. Not suffering. Except for the complications that come from not being able to walk such as an occasional UTI which goes away with antibiotics and more recently sores on his hips (he cant stay in the wheelchair all the time). I use dog vests to combat the pressure sores. Or use doggie diapers and a size 24 months onesie (hes a big guy). Yes it is a lot of work now and quality of life may not be perfect, but better than dead based on malpractice and a horrible recommendation. I am finally writing this review two years later because I think of Dr. Bone every time I see my kitty. I am both sad my kitty cant walk or jump (he had the best, longest, highest jumps youd ever see! not his cat brother though, he cant jump for squat, lol), but glad that I didnt fail him twice by listening to bad advice. Also, I dont want anyone else to have to go through this. The wrong prescription and inability to walk is horrible, but what if they didnt know better and took the advice? Tragic. I have to tell myself everyday that its not my fault, and sometimes I still cry about it. We trust our veterinarians with our most prescious gifts. They arent a car to diagnose and fix and if it doesnt work oh well (no alternatives even). They are living beings, our little living beings, with personalities, loyalty, and affection (or not, but we love em all the same, hah) who trust us to do whats best for them. Do whats best for yours and get a second opinion. I wish I would have sooner. Hold your pets, furbabies, companions, best friends, all of the above, a little tighter today. I know I do everyday.

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A Private User

I took an old dog here because I had read all of the wonderful reviews posted. In a week under Dr Bones "care", my dog was dead from a bloat brought on by one of Dr Bones Purina perscription dog foods. Before that he spent more time lecturing me about putting the animal to sleep than he did examining my dog. He recommended that I not bother with a blood test (she had some kidney/liver problems) but I chose to go through with them anyway to see how she was progressing (I had just moved here...she was under good care from her previous vet and he had prescribed some medicine to help her with the liver problems and wanted me to test her and call back with the results). When I got the results back they seemed to surprise Dr Bone (she had increased her red cell count, lowered the white cell count, her liver values were stabilizing and her BUN values were steady...thanks to her previous vet). All that Dr. Bone had to offer was..." I dont like to go by test results...I like to see how an animal responds clinically"...funny, I had to practically plead for him to stop lecturing me with his "philosophy" and actually examine her on her first and only visit. Clinically, my dog was doing better than the previous week (she ate well and was happier and responsive). Im not blaming Dr Bone for my animals death...she was an old dog. I just want people to know that he was of little or no help. He is a poor listener and very inexperienced when it comes to geriatric dogs. He told me that he already knew everything he needed to know about my dog when he saw her (before any kind of an examination...she was on Tramadol when i brought her in). I kept in touch with her previous vets and called them for advice (note...they werent charging me or making any money keeping her alive and both recommended that I find another vet)...In the end I did not have time. The "bloat" that my dog suffered eventually caused her to go into shock and I did not get her to the emergency on time. It is a condition that seemed to have little or no connection to the liver/kidney problems. Rest in peace little bear! I hope that this review is helpful to animal lovers that are moving to this area.

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Lori Reaka

I have taken my pets to Dr. Bone several times over quite a long period of time, and always have had nothing but a positive experience at each and every visit. The staff are friendly and helpful, and Dr. Bone is wonderful, professional and kind hearted. Over the past year, our family has been dealing with the issue over when it was time to tell our sweet old Akita goodbye. He is the most gentle, nobel and sweet natured dog Ive ever had as a family pet. Dr. Bone was very compassionate and forth coming on when and how it is time to let our pets go, and what factors to consider when they are declining in health. He put him on Rimadyl to see if it would ease the discomfort Tonka was experiencing. My dog hung in for a while, but took a turn for the worst last night. I called the animal hospital first thing in the morning, said that it was time, and my baby was suffering. They were so kind and compassionate, and said to bring him in and they would be ready to help upon arrival...no waiting. One of the techs came out with a stretcher (hes about 85-90 lbs) and helped carry him in with dignity straight into a waiting room. Dr. Bone explained the euthanasia procedure and gave us the option to stay or go during the process. We wanted to be with Tonka through it all. During the entire procedure, Dr. Bone treated my dog with dignity, kindness and respect. He had kind words to share with me about my special big old bear of a dog. As heartbreaking as it was, it was also beautiful that he was loved and cared for to the end...not just by us, his family, but by Dr. Bone and his caring staff. I would highly recommend this facility, and its staff for caring for your pet from its early days to the day it is time to let them pass into animal eternity. Thank you Lewisville Animal Hospital! Youre the best!