Called today asking for an ultrasound on my dog who had not eaten in 3 days and was obviously failing. Another vet had done stats (all good) and an X-Ray, that showed "something" in her bowel. I brought her home, and then the vet that lives down the road suggested this place for an ultrasound to try to pin down the problem.
This place refused to allow an appointment without a referral from the vet who did the X-Ray. So then I finally reached him and he called them, and he OK'd a referral. THEN they refused to make an appointment until after the holiday weekend (this is Tuesday before Thanksgiving) without talking to the vet who had given the referral again. He would have to call them and say it was an emergency.
I said, "I am calling it an 'emergency'! She is failing, and I need to diagnose her problem fast". They told me that was not good enough. They needed to talk with my vet again. I hung up.
I called Oak Springs Veterinary Hospital (no referral, no BS) and they are cheaper on the ultrasound, and they took her right away. She needed an exploratory. They opened her within an hour and she was diagnosed with advanced cancer of the upper bowel and not a candidate for surgery or therapy. She was put to sleep on the operating table before waking in pain.
I do NOT recommend this 'exclusionary' hospital for anything that needs immediate attention without the red tape as described here. They are just TOO "Special" for most of us with pets who need quick attention.
