Bountiful Animal Hospital

Reviews 5

LO

Lon Hazzard

Though Im angry about this - Ill just stick with the facts and you can make your own judgment. Two stories: We took our dog to see the vet to look at a growth on our small Lahsa-nese. Dr. Martin (Sr), at the Bountiful Animal Clinic on 500 W in Bountiful, examined the small growth on the skin about a half inch behind my dogs left eye and said it should be removed. We scheduled surgery to remove it. When the dog was returned to us, to our surprise, the growth was still there, untouched, and Dr. Martin had instead removed a tiny growth on the RIGHT eyelid that we had never even discussed and werent concerned about. The dog already had eye problems with this eye and was sensitive to general anesthesia -- so we would never have consented to any surgery near the eye itself. We called immediately, expecting, at a minimum, some apology and sympathy. But it was not to be. When asked about the surgical mistake, he first blamed us for not communicating the correct growth clear enough to the receptionist/assistant when we dropped the dog off (what?!). Then he blamed the assistant. We asked the obvious... whether he had even looked at the chart before performing the surgery. He claimed that he had. Yet we saw the chart, and it clearly stated the correct target surgery location. Simple fact, for whatever reason, Dr. Martin operated on the wrong location, and put our at-risk dog under general anesthesia. Having lost all trust, we asked for our money back so we could take the dog to another vet to have the surgery done properly. He refused to do this with a brusk "I wont do that." But he said hed remove the correct growth free of charge. We could have easily sued and won, but didnt want the hassle. I didnt feel good about it at all, but after 6 weeks wearing the cone of shame (the time was extended due to the surgery site becoming infected), and no spare money in the bank, I had the surgery done on the correct growth by Dr. Martin. No general anesthesia was required - though we got no refund for the anesthesia cost difference (I was sick of dealing with them by this time, and just wanted to get out of there). There were no residual problems from this second surgery. Medical mistakes sometimes happen, I understand that and was completely willing to accept that. But it is the doctors responsibility to take reasonable measures to assure that they dont, and if they do, to make sure that measures are taken to prevent recurrence. There was no acceptance of responsibility from Dr. Martin, no apology, no sympathy - only a deflection of blame, and there was no indication to me that anything would be done to prevent mistakes like this from happening in the future. Second story: Before the surgery incident, our older dog Scout was having trouble walking. Dr. Martin diagnosed Scout as having nerve problems and prescribed an anti-inflammatory and a pain killer. After the botched surgery, we took Scout to another vet, where, after a thorough exam, he was diagnosed with serious heart problems, severe arthritis, and pancreatic cancer. We hadnt realized it, but he was in severe pain and had multiple terminal health problems. The dog died a week later. Obviously, Dr. Martin missed a few things - and Scout suffered for it.

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A

A Private User

The Senior Dr. Martin was my family vet for many years. When he retired I naturally kept on going to the clinic. I was happy with the service. About 6 years ago I noticed a change in the office environment. There was a particular receptionist who was rude. I was not sure if it was just her or if office policy had changed causing her to be that way. In the spring of 2007 I called the office and asked how much it would cost to board two cats for a week. I was quoted a price. The receptionist who answered the phone told me that if I put both cats in the same kennel it would be half the cost. I decided to do that. When I got back from my trip I was quoted the price of two kennels. I explained to the receptionist on duty that I had been told that if I put both cats in the same kennel it would be half the cost. She told me the price was per cat not per kennel. I explained to her again that I had not been told that and I had put my cats in that kennel based on what I had been told. She turned to Dr. Martin who had come into the office area and asked him. He responded that he personally had talked to me and told me that the price was per cat. I had NEVER talked to Dr. Martin about ANYTHING concerning the kenneling. I do not appreciate being lied to by my vet. It amazes me that after 25 years of going to that vet he would be willing to treat me in such a manner. I have never been back.

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A

A Private User

The Senior Dr. Martin was great and so his is son! Growing up my family took our dog to Dr. Martin Sr. for 16 years. As an adult, I have taken my two dogs to Dr. Martin Jr. for 13 years. Dr. Martin Jr. is an amazing doctor and has done wonders for my two adventurous dogs over the past 13 years. I cant even count the number of times Dr. Martin has come to the rescue of my two dogs(emergency and non-emergency situations). Dr. Martin is friendly and knows about our lives and my dogs many adventures. As many times as I have been in to see Dr. Martin, with all the weird things my dogs have had or been through, not once in 13 years has he ever shown disinterest in what I was saying or given me useless medications. Like with any Doctor, sometimes it takes time to figure out what the problem is, especially when your patients cant speak to you! I would recommend Dr. Martin Jr. to any and all of my nearest and dearest friends and family. He is absolutely wonderful and I plan on all my pets being his patients until the day he retires... which I hope is not anytime soon.

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A

A Private User

I found BAH when my dog got something in her eyes and wouldnt open them. I called several vets and they all told me to take her to a Animal ER. Dr Martin answered the phone, even though it was after 5 pm, and told us to flush them out with saline and there was a slim chance it was something that would harm her. Later, when my dog started developing problems with her back legs I took her to several vets who told me there was no problem, or I would have to have a full series of X-Rays taken. I took her to BAH and Dr. Blount listened to me that she was having problems and started her on some pain meds and glucosamine. The difference in my dog was amazing, she was able to move again and wasnt always just laying around. Everytime I take my dogs for their shots and checkups, the whole staff is caring, they remember my dogs and my dogs are much calmer than they have ever been at any vet. I have reccomended them to family, who absolutely love them, and I will reccomend them to anyone who cares to listen.

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A Private User

Mis-diagnosed my pet (based on one simple look-over that cost 200$), gave medicine for my pet; and allowed us to treat it for a week. The medicine did not help after a week so they suggested surgery for it (they believed it had eaten something it was not supposed to). Turns out it had a cancer not an intestinal blockage, we had to put it down because it was too weak for surgery by the time we got a second opinion. If they diagnosed it properly the first time we took him in, he would still be alive. All it took was blood work to diagnose the cancer, which this vet never offered. Also they charge waaay to much certain services. Surgery for our pet would have been in the thousands (and not have fixed the problem.) Surgery at lakeview would have been only a few hundred to fix its cancer (the real problem). We used to trust this doctor, but after this we will continue to go to lakeview animal hospital for our vet visits.

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