Community Update

My wife brought our cat, Baby Belle, to you on Friday, 9/6/2013. Dr. Tepper diagnosed our 15 year old cat with an infection and dehydration. My wife left Baby Belle overnight with a required $500 deposit. Saturday afternoon. approximately 24 hours later I spoke to Dr. Hirsh on the telephone about Baby Belle. Dr. Hirsh had read the blood work and he advised me there was no infection and recommended an ultrasound at an additional $79. I advised him to do the procedure.

My wife and I received a telephone call about an hour and a half later, around 2:45 PM, and one of your receptionists told us we could pick up Baby Belle. When we got to the hospital the receptionist requested payment of an additional $150. I told the receptionist I didn't think that it was an appropriate time to request payment because we hadn’t spoken to the doctor yet to get the results of the ultrasound that he recommended and I wasn't told what all the additional charges were. The receptionist told us “this is how we usually do it (get paid).” I then requested an itemized bill to see what I was paying for and then gave the receptionist my credit card. The bill was paid and then we went into a back examination room and spoke with Dr. Hirsh. Dr. Hirsh explained Baby Belle wasn't going to get better. She was over 15 years old, liver enzymes sky high, bile duct was clogged, possible gall bladder problems and some tiny masses. Euthanasia was recommended at a cost of $117.

Synopsis - Bring 15 year old cat to veterinary hospital, leave cat overnight due to supposed infection, 24 hours later told to pick cat up, pay bill before doctor suggests putting cat down, Baby Belle gone, Paumanok makes out like a bandit - $767.00. .

The next time we are in need of an animal hospital we will not concern ourselves with the location of it being close to home; we'll find one that cares about animals, one that offers and suggests correct and appropriate treatment for animals; not one that picks your pocket then tells you to put your pet down!