ONE WEEK, $ 17,000 LATER, AND NO CAUSE FOR DEMISE.
It has been just about 6 months, since the death of our beloved Skye. I now can write with a clear mind.
Skye could not eat her morning food, leading to a visit to our vet. She was 10-years-old and now walked cautiously across the floor. After stumbling, she could no longer walk unassisted with her back legs. Two days later, she could not pick up her food, other than a little rice. She ate the night before.
Skye was referred to Oakland Veterinary Referral Services (OVRS) after a blood panel revealed glucose findings of 511, when all of her previous readings were normal. The full blood panel from the year before indicated a glucose level of 108. Skye also presented with a fever of 105.3. Prior to taking a blood panel, another veterinarian on staff suggested placing her on a broad-spectrum antibiotic and sending her home to be observed. I wish I had done that!!
Instead, we took her to OVRS where she was started on a broad-spectrum antibiotic followed by a multitude of tests. When I felt the recommended test would yield no findings, I was made to feel that I was tying the doctor’s hands if I had turned down the tests. Each expensive test came back NORMAL. Skye went from one breathing tube to two and her condition did not improve. Dr. Beer did mention the same thing happened to another patient. The family wanted to stabilize the dog to bring it home. Never happened and thousands of dollars later, the dog died.
Skye’s fever was never controlled and her condition deteriorated while she laid restrained on the floor. The policy at OVRS only allowed us to visit her once every 3 days for a few minutes. After $ 17,000 (Seventeen Thousand Dollars) and exactly a week later (June 21st to June 28th), we agreed to euthanize her. We still agreed to the euthanizing, but her tongue was hanging out and she was already on her way when we arrived. My daughter and I brought her remains to MSU for necropsy.
OVRS found nothing on the multitude of tests performed and had no idea as to why she declined and passed away. No findings on necropsy either. The necropsy report indicated that "there was no overt evidence of an infectious or neoplastic process to explain the fever or hypoxemia. There was no evidence of musculoskeletal, brain, or spinal cord disease to explain the reported hindlimb weakness and ataxia." Cysts and age-related findings were noted but excluded as relating to cause of death.
We notified Skye's veterinarian who suggested that we call OVRS to get an "educated guess" as to a possible cause leading to death. Our Vet said that for $ 17,000, that’s the least they can do. The tech Ashley returned my call and said that for $ 125.00 I could set up an appointment with Dr. Beer. Astounded, I replied "is this just a matter of money?" She repeated her remark and I hung up and notified our veterinarian. He was stunned.
Sending Skye home with broad spectrum antibiotics and insulin would have allowed us to spend time with her, rather than leaving her pinned down at OVRS. This place is ONLY interested in the money. Under the circumstances, we and our veterinarian believe if the customer is important to OVRS, an "educated guess" as to Skye’s demise would be provided without asking for additional money. We also believe that payment for an "educated guess" had already been rendered.
Stay with a local animal hospital. Testing can be referred out and there is a better chance of the dog returning home.
by Skye's biggest fan.
xxx.xxx.70.47
December 10, 2023