• Report: #270759

Complaint Review: Animal Medical And Surgical Center

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  • Submitted: Tuesday, August 28, 2007
  • Last Posting: Friday, October 09, 2009
  • Reported By: — Peoria Arizona
Animal Medical And Surgical Center
17477 N 82nd Street Scottsdale Arizona 85255 U.S.A.

Animal Medical And Surgical Center Unethical and disgusting veterinarian in Scottsdale ,Paula Mack Scottsdale Arizona


1Author 4Consumer 0Employee/Owner

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This article will be about my recent experience with:

Animal Medical and Surgical Center
17477 N 82nd Street
Scottsdale Az 85255
4805024400

On July 21 we brought our poor dog (Shenzi) to the vet because she had begun to lose weight at an alarming rate. She was a 13 year old Cattle dog that we had owned her entire life and loved dearly. The test results were not good at all. Our poor baby girl had a heart murmur, severe diabetes, Cushings disease, and possibly pancreatic cancer (test results were still pending). We set up another appointment for July 24 to discuss treatment options or possibly euthanasia to end her suffering.

Unfortunately, our poor doggie took a turn for the worst on July 23 and lost the use of her rear legs. She also began to vomit what appeared to be dry blood---a total of 12 times in 24 hours. After repeatedly finding our baby girl lying in a pool of vomit and whimpering....our decision to put her to sleep and end her suffering was painfully clear.

By the time we brought her into the clinic again.....she had become limp and lifeless. My step daughter had gone to the vet with me to say her final "good-byes" to the dog she had known most of her life. Our normal vet was unavailable so a Dr. Paula Mack was sent to discuss the situation with us. After expressing my desire to put our dog to sleep....I was SHOCKED when Dr. Mack told me that I was being irrational and completely overreacting to a minor medical situation. My step daughter's face began to glow as Dr. Mack explained that our dog would be fine by tomorrow morning if I allowed her to treat her illness. Normally this would be good news to me but I have to admit that I didn't feel the vet was being honest with me at all and was taking advantage of my emotional step daughter to pressure me into spending money that I couldn't afford just for her own financial gain.

I was then presented with an estimate of $1884+ to treat my dog and save her life. I protested that there was NO WAY I was going to spend that kind of money when I know in my heart our dog was going to be dead in a few hours! Dr. Mack massively pressured me (in front of my step daughter) to spend the money and make my dog well again. I reluctantly agreed. Several hours later Dr. Mack called me and recommended euthanasia because our dog wasn't responding as planned. Total cost for tests, treatment, etc...nearly $2100!!

In my opinion Dr. Paula Mack's behavior was unethical and completely disgusting and should not be tolerated by anyone. I have taken my dog's medical records to other vets in the Scottsdale area and not a single one of them agrees that ANY form of treatment should have been an option. My dog was way too sick and way too old to have any chance of survival.

There must be something that I can do to recover atleast a portion of the money that I needlessly spent trying to help my dog. The fee for euthansia is only $61 and that is what I originally brought my dog in for. Any advice would be appreciated.

Shenzi's dad (Mark)

P.S.---When I asked for a refund under the circumstances....Dr. Mack's reply was " I didn't hold a gun to your head so stop blaming me!"

Smartbet
Peoria, Arizona
U.S.A.

This report was posted on Ripoff Report on 8/28/2007 8:59:49 AM and is a permanent record located here: http://www.ripoffreport.com/veterinarian-services/animal-medical-and-s/animal-medical-and-surgical-ce-e9fw8.htm.

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REBUTTALS & REPLIES:
1Author 4Consumer 0Employee/Owner
Updates & Rebuttals

#1 Consumer Suggestion

Call the Arizona State Vetrinary (sp) Board

AUTHOR: Valerie - Mesa (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Tuesday, August 28, 2007

We had a "vet" that, when our dog was diagnosed w/heartworms commented 'you're a big dog, you'll need lots of pills'. I had paid this creep over $100 at that point and was shy I believe about $15 for our pet's blood test. He KNEW she was sick, he refused to send her blood in until I came up with the extra money.
Our dog died, I believe as a result of his wanting money more than caring about our pet's health.

I contacted the Arizona State Vet. Board and this individual's license was suspended.

Good luck,
Valerie
Apache Junction, AZ
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#2 Individual Responds

Rebuttal to Accusations on Dr. Paula Mack of Animal Medical & Surgical Center

AUTHOR: Real Deal - Scottsdale (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Thursday, September 13, 2007

September 12, 2007

To Whom This May Concern,

I am saddened by the sentiments expressed by Mr. English regarding the treatment of his dog Shenzi.

Mr. English presented his dog to me at Animal Medical and Surgical Center for examination in July of this year. Shenzi had been diagnosed with Diabetes earlier in the year, and was obviously not doing well. She was not eating and was lethargic. I suspected a problem with her Diabetes control, or possibly a pancreatic tumor, and asked Mr. English if he wanted to treat his dog. He said yes, and I proceeded to create an estimate for the plan of diagnosis and treatment. He did not bring up euthanasia. He was presented the estimate for treatment by a staff veterinary technician, and carefully reviewed the plan. He declined an ultrasound of the abdomen and x-rays at that time. After receiving the signed estimate form by Mr. English, the support staff ran blood work and discovered that Shenzi's blood glucose was very high. I called Mr. English and alerted him that we would start insulin intravenously to stabilize her glucose levels. Her glucose levels began to normalize with treatment, and Shenzi started to feel much better. Earlier in the evening, Mr. English's daughter came in to visit Shenzi and feed her food she brought from home. Later that evening, her blood glucose levels started to rise again despite our continued efforts, and the next morning, Shenzi started to vomit with dark blood flecks. I called Mr. English to alert him, that despite our best efforts, Shenzi's condition was declining. I suggested euthanasia as an option, as I felt it was the responsible thing to do. Never did I guarantee that Shenzi would be fine after treatment.

Mr. English's allegations that I guaranteed such an outcome is wildly and irresponsibly fictitious. As all health care providers, I do guarantee my absolute best effort to promptly diagnose and treat patients with compassion and care. It is my oath. I did my very best to help Mr. English and his dog Shenzi. Obviously hers was a critical case, and we are all disappointed with the outcome. I am sorry Mr. English feels remorseful about his decision to treat rather than request euthanasia for his dog, and offer my condolences for the loss of his dog.

Sincerely,

Paula Mack, DVM
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#3 Consumer Comment

There really is nothing you can do.

AUTHOR: Ppatty - Houston (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Friday, June 27, 2008

I recently had a similar experience with a vet who pressured me into approving a procedure I did not want. However, in my case, the vet was not promising to save my pet's life. Instead, the vet repeatedly told me my pet would die if I did not allow the procedure that second. I told the vet I wanted to take my pet somewhere else for a second opinion. The procedure? Extracting teeth. Have you ever in your life heard of an animal dying because it's teeth weren't extracted at precisely the second the vet decided to extract the teeth? A routine teeth cleaning turned into an emotional nightmare because the vet wanted to line her pockets.

I was coerced into allowing the procedure. No, the vet didn't hold a gun to my head, but she did lead me to believe my pet would die. I wasn't worried my pet would die from bad teeth. I was worried that my pet might die as the result of a little too much anesthesia from a pissed off vet and I was too far away to do anything about it because my pet was already in the process of having it's teeth cleaned and I was at work. I complained to the state licensing board. The rep said there is nothing the board can do about the vet's beside manner.

I know they teach "bedside manner" in vet school, but they might as well call it extortion 101. Some vets don't care what you can afford or about the welfare of your pet. They care about the limit on your credit card.
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#4 Consumer Comment

Dr. Mack saved my cat's life

AUTHOR: Kelly - Flagstaff (U.S.A.)

SUBMITTED: Sunday, August 03, 2008

I just want to lend my support for Dr. Mack. Dr. Mack is indeed pricey, but I was rewarded with my cat's life in the end. I firmly believe any other vet would not have been able to save my cat, but Dr. Mack did. He is now alive and well 2+ years after she performed surgery on him and is the happiest I have ever seen him. She presented the options to me very clearly. I think the hardest part is that she did leave the decision totally up to me on what to do - and that is a hard decision to make.

I have another cat which she euthanized about four years ago. In that case she also explained the options to me - from euthanasia to expensive treatment and what the odds were.

I actually was doing an on-line search for her to thank her for saving Oscar's life when I came across this complaint.

I think being a vet must be extremely challenging work; especially when pets are our family members, rather than just pets.

I greatly miss have her here in our community - she was worth every penny of care she gave to all my animals.

Kelly B
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#5 Consumer Comment

Never had anything but superior service from AMSC

AUTHOR: T Layshock - (USA)

SUBMITTED: Friday, October 09, 2009

My cats have been seen by all of the vets at AMSC and  I cannot fathom this kind of experience. I have always recommended AMSC to anyone I know and will continue to do so. We have had nothing but positive experiences and everyone that works there is extremely knowledgable and professional. They have extended hours and are open on the weekends which is wonderful for those who work M-F. The facility is state of the art, nothing like other vets offices I have been to. I have always been impressed with the concern and care that my cats and my parents dog receive when they are treated there. You can always expect a follow up call a day or two later and if you have any questions, someone is there to answer them or will call you back promptly when they find out.

My cats have been seen by Dr. Mack and I found her to be very kind and knowledgable. She didn't rush the exam and gave detailed explanations to everything that needed to be done. She has a great demeanor towards both pets and their owners which I appreciate, as my anxiety level is always sky high when one of the girls is sick. I would highly recommend her or any of the vets at AMSC.

 

 


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