I have a six year old German Shepherd named Charlie, She became ill and I took her on Friday May First to Animal Hospital of Laveen.
She was given a checkup and had blood drawn which was sent to the Lab for a workup.
This morning May second Dr Watson called and said preliminary results were in and he was very sick, that he had a serious kidney issue I said she was female and he responded, their kidneys were the same.
I let it go and immediately took her in. At the clinic they kept us waiting for over 30 minutes and when he finally came to see her he ignored her, said he was very sick and needed to stay until Monday, as their hours are posted as not open Sunday and due to his apparent lack of concern for his patient I said I was uncomfortable due to the fact that the last time I left a dog at a clinic he never came home (as he had terminal cancer) I was pointing out my ambivalence, and fear not suggesting they would mistreat my dog.
His reaction was that I was belligerent, and that I could take her to an emergency room and pay three times what he would charge.
He angrily left the room, I discussed the situation with my Wife and as she wanted to leave Charlie there I went out and told Dr Watson, He said I was belligerent and that he refused to admit her (please see the scanned document he placed in her chart)
I submit the animal is his responsibility and as he stated she was very sick he had a responsibility to treat her.
I have taken her to Emergency Animal Clinic in Phoenix and feel much more comfortable with her there as Dr Russell was 180 degrees from Dr Watson and because they are a 24 hour facility where she will be looked after around the clock.
I felt Dr Watson just did not care, prior to his refusing her treatment and certainly afterwards.
Additionally, Dr Russell said that Charlie may not survive as she is in renal failure based on her blood work which makes this that much worse as the loss of the hour it took me to take Charley elsewhere may well have been an hour she did not have.
I love my dog like my children, I agree this is abnormal but it is the case and I feel Dr Watson has a moral imperative to treat his patient regardless of his feelings toward it’s owner and that he failed that responsibility today
Pros : Close to my home, still would not go there again.
