Tempe lake vet clinic Dr Lockhart Animal endangerment neglect Tempe AZ

We dropped off our dog for a dental cleaning and when we picked him up he was almost dead. I have loved Dr Lockhart for years and it seems since he went on his own, greed has taken over. Our 7 year old Yorkie has a collapsing trachea. The vet was very aware of his condition.

I spoke to the office manager and the girls at the front desk again upon arrival. Our dog was calm and perfectly fine. I again reminded them of his condition and they assured me he would be treated first and that he was in good care and they would not do anything if for any reason his breathing seemed labored.

I called 5 times throughout the day speaking to the manager and the Dr. I was assured by both that he was resting peacefully but that they didn't want to treat him that day as they felt he was a bit overweight. Since it was elective and not a necessity dental cleaning we agreed to wait. I said I would have my Dad pick him up then and they said he wasn't ready yet they had to get his discharge paperwork but he was calm and fine.

I was assured the dog was fine, and that they hadn't treated him repeatedly. When my husband picked him up that late afternoon when we were finally told he was ready to go (they were definitely hiding something) he was literally gasping for air.

Both of his front arms were shaved with bandages and we weren't allowed his medical records. The vet who saved his life thinks they tried to intubate him and punctured something. Otherwise why would he have shaved arms for an IV. I called back and was told that the Dr had left early as he was putting his own dog down that evening.

Dr Lockhart and his team did something to our dog it was clear by his shaven arms, bandages and his condition. We took him to Blue Pearl vet and after a huge vet bill and 48 hours on oxygen and meds he made it. He goes to daycare at Oh my Dog, has been groomed and had teeth cleaning regularly and we have NEVER had a problem.

Something very shady happened under their care. They still never released records, never treated or tried to help Leo at their office and won't help with the the thousands of dollars in bills we have been charged as a result of their negligence. It was the worst 48 hours of my life. I am sick that any vet could do this to an innocent animal.

NO ONE should go to this clinic. My groomer, blue pearl, daycare and many others have said they have heard the same thing and that he has never had problems in their care. The negligence, shady behavior and lack of empathy is disturbing and I don't want this to ever happen to another animal. It takes a lot for write negative reviews and I tried repeatedly to rectify this with no avail.