Emerald Hills Animal Hospital Gave false information, Charged for Shots/Vaccines he already has, $250 for what should have cost $0 Hollywood Florida

As the founder and owner of Emerald Hills Animal Hospital, I have had the privilege to provide excellent veterinary care to our community for over 20 years. In the modern era of internet blogging, people are free to make public statements without any confirmation of the truth or real consequences. Therefore, I have decided to enter the realm of free public statements to give the other side of the story.

Emerald Hills Animal Hospital has done non-profit veterinary care for animal rescue groups since 1984. Often times, rescue group records are not accurate, volunteers are doing vaccinations with improperly handled vaccines, and the animals are in poor health do to living in overcrowded environments. When an animal is adopted to a new home, often we recommend the animal be started out on a new beginning with a complete physical and a set of vaccinations which we know are being administered properly, purchased and stored properly, and create a new set of records which will be properly maintained. We also recommend a blood parasite test and an internal parasite exam. No assumptions and therefore no surprises later with a sick animal that an owner is now in love with. We do not require this, just recommend it.

As to "Anonymous.'s" complaint, he was never in our office. His girl friend dropped off the dog and picked it up. She chose of her own free will to provide a responsible level of care for her dog. She very pleasantly paid the bill and took the dog home. She never complained nor did we refuse to release the dog. She appeared pleased with our services. When I became aware there was even an issue, I called Anonymous to discuss the case and he has chosen to not return my calls. Anonymous, if you look at your invoice, you will see that a very small part of the $250 actually was for vaccinations. $32 was for heartworm prevention which your girlfriend took home, $15 was for a Broward County Rabies License required by law, $43 for a blood parasite test which was also requested and would have been required to have on file to be able to sell you heartworm prevention for your dog.

We performed an abdominal surgery for a retain t******e on your new dog, which was paid for at a non-profit rate by the rescue group. Just ask any person who has had to have a midline abdominal surgery and they will tell you it is far from routine. Therefore, we recommend to any owner a few basic procedures to help make this as safe and pain free as possible. Tom P., your girl friend elected to have us place an IV catheter ($45) to provide a higher level of safety and a post-op pain injection ($29). These are corners the rescue organizations are forced to cut to due economic constrains. We also sent home post-op antibiotics (15.75), post-op pain medication (12.15), and post-op antibiotic ointment (18.35) to apply to the incision. None of these were required and we would have gladly removed from your invoice if your girl friend would have let us know you could not afford them. However, it was not an issue at that time. However, what may have been an issue is if we had not sent these items home and your dog developed an infection or was crying in pain, you may have said, How can you do major surgery on a dog and not give it similar care as you would a person undergoing the same major abdominal surgery. Our goal is to provide the best care possible for all animals, rescue or not, and then work backwards to fit the desired level of care to the owners budget.

We work with people every day to find a balance between desired level of care and personal budgets. At times it can be challenging, but as long as people communicate, it can be worked out. The rescue group volunteer was very generous in writing a personal check for $100 without even attempting to find out the rest of the story. Rescue volunteers are often people with big hearts and apparently it does not end just with the animals they help to rescue.

I feel that part of your complaint against us started with communication issues you have with your girlfriend. She chose to provide the best possible care. Obviously, you did not agree with her decisions, after the fact. Owning a pet comes with tremendous responsibility, and part of that responsibility is being in a financial position to take care of your pet. If spending $150 on your new dog put you into a financial crisis that you could not make rent, are you sure you are in a financial position to even own and provide properly for a pet? What will you do if he becomes ill and needs veterinary care? Will you be able to provide properly for your new family member?

Once again "Anonymous", I would be more than happy to discuss the treatment your pet received at our hospital. I will also continue to provide non-profit animal care to rescue groups in our community. A donation only a few veterinarians are willing to provide in today's difficult economic times

Ronald A Tapper, DVM

Were there charges for anything else? Or JUST vaccines? Yes, some vets are outrageous in their pricing. But here's a lesson for anyone who is about to find themselves in a similar situation.
Have the rescue or whatever, actually give you a coupon or receipt, or verify in writing someway, somehow if there is a free procedure or anything else involved. Especially if the service is provided at a later date or on a different premises.
Most clinics require proof of what they consider to be up to date vaccinations when providing any sort of service. Get a shot record in hand at the time of transfer. It is not actually a clinic's responsibility to call around and find a record. It can also take a long time to GET the record. If you arrive with no shot history, expect them to give them. Even if you tell them 2 weeks ago, they want to see verification in writing. They won't usually consider it to be done unless you have a history with them, and they know you do your own vaccines and do them properly. There was no record of any shot history on this dog in their possession, regardless of what everyone thinks they should have known or done. No shot record = no shots in most cases. Note: Vaccines and their protocol are now being widely debated. It might be wise to research and consult with your vet which vaccines may be legally required in your state, and to figure out which vaccines you believe your pet should be given and when after the initial higher immune response has been established.
Never go on what someone tells you. Always get it in writing, and make sure everything is clear. Make sure you uphold your obligations which you agree to as well. No, not all vets are good ones, but if everything here had been in writing, there wouldn't have been so many problems with this situation. If the rescue does not have an actual contract with the clinic to provide certain services for certain people for certain fees, the clinic can change their mind or their procedures at any time, about anything. The suture removal itself after a surgery is usually free, did they charge? *just my opinions*

Were there charges for anything else? Or JUST vaccines? Yes, some vets are outrageous in their pricing. But here's a lesson for anyone who is about to find themselves in a similar situation.
Have the rescue or whatever, actually give you a coupon or receipt, or verify in writing someway, somehow if there is a free procedure or anything else involved. Especially if the service is provided at a later date or on a different premises.
Most clinics require proof of what they consider to be up to date vaccinations when providing any sort of service. Get a shot record in hand at the time of transfer. It is not actually a clinic's responsibility to call around and find a record. It can also take a long time to GET the record. If you arrive with no shot history, expect them to give them. Even if you tell them 2 weeks ago, they want to see verification in writing. They won't usually consider it to be done unless you have a history with them, and they know you do your own vaccines and do them properly. There was no record of any shot history on this dog in their possession, regardless of what everyone thinks they should have known or done. No shot record = no shots in most cases. Note: Vaccines and their protocol are now being widely debated. It might be wise to research and consult with your vet which vaccines may be legally required in your state, and to figure out which vaccines you believe your pet should be given and when after the initial higher immune response has been established.
Never go on what someone tells you. Always get it in writing, and make sure everything is clear. Make sure you uphold your obligations which you agree to as well. No, not all vets are good ones, but if everything here had been in writing, there wouldn't have been so many problems with this situation. If the rescue does not have an actual contract with the clinic to provide certain services for certain people for certain fees, the clinic can change their mind or their procedures at any time, about anything. The suture removal itself after a surgery is usually free, did they charge? *just my opinions*

Were there charges for anything else? Or JUST vaccines? Yes, some vets are outrageous in their pricing. But here's a lesson for anyone who is about to find themselves in a similar situation.
Have the rescue or whatever, actually give you a coupon or receipt, or verify in writing someway, somehow if there is a free procedure or anything else involved. Especially if the service is provided at a later date or on a different premises.
Most clinics require proof of what they consider to be up to date vaccinations when providing any sort of service. Get a shot record in hand at the time of transfer. It is not actually a clinic's responsibility to call around and find a record. It can also take a long time to GET the record. If you arrive with no shot history, expect them to give them. Even if you tell them 2 weeks ago, they want to see verification in writing. They won't usually consider it to be done unless you have a history with them, and they know you do your own vaccines and do them properly. There was no record of any shot history on this dog in their possession, regardless of what everyone thinks they should have known or done. No shot record = no shots in most cases. Note: Vaccines and their protocol are now being widely debated. It might be wise to research and consult with your vet which vaccines may be legally required in your state, and to figure out which vaccines you believe your pet should be given and when after the initial higher immune response has been established.
Never go on what someone tells you. Always get it in writing, and make sure everything is clear. Make sure you uphold your obligations which you agree to as well. No, not all vets are good ones, but if everything here had been in writing, there wouldn't have been so many problems with this situation. If the rescue does not have an actual contract with the clinic to provide certain services for certain people for certain fees, the clinic can change their mind or their procedures at any time, about anything. The suture removal itself after a surgery is usually free, did they charge? *just my opinions*

I am an ex-employee of Emerald Hills Animal Hospital and I have seen this happen many times before. You addopt a pet instead of purchasing one at a pet store, because you want to save a life. When you adopt an animal from a shelter they are vaccinated before they leave. Sometimes they will require a booster shot, but not for $250.00!!!! Everyone working at the front desk and in the surgery area knows that they are vaccinated and if they are unsure they are supposed to call the new owners or animal shelter to get the vaccine history! This animal hospital is all about the money they can make and not about the love of the animals!!!! Its not just about the money, what about the animal? Does it harm them to be vaccinated again? These are only to be given once a year!!!!!! Its not about loving the animals anymore Its all about the MONEY at Emerald Hills Animal Hospital!

I am an ex-employee of Emerald Hills Animal Hospital and I have seen this happen many times before. You addopt a pet instead of purchasing one at a pet store, because you want to save a life. When you adopt an animal from a shelter they are vaccinated before they leave. Sometimes they will require a booster shot, but not for $250.00!!!! Everyone working at the front desk and in the surgery area knows that they are vaccinated and if they are unsure they are supposed to call the new owners or animal shelter to get the vaccine history! This animal hospital is all about the money they can make and not about the love of the animals!!!! Its not just about the money, what about the animal? Does it harm them to be vaccinated again? These are only to be given once a year!!!!!! Its not about loving the animals anymore Its all about the MONEY at Emerald Hills Animal Hospital!

I am an ex-employee of Emerald Hills Animal Hospital and I have seen this happen many times before. You addopt a pet instead of purchasing one at a pet store, because you want to save a life. When you adopt an animal from a shelter they are vaccinated before they leave. Sometimes they will require a booster shot, but not for $250.00!!!! Everyone working at the front desk and in the surgery area knows that they are vaccinated and if they are unsure they are supposed to call the new owners or animal shelter to get the vaccine history! This animal hospital is all about the money they can make and not about the love of the animals!!!! Its not just about the money, what about the animal? Does it harm them to be vaccinated again? These are only to be given once a year!!!!!! Its not about loving the animals anymore Its all about the MONEY at Emerald Hills Animal Hospital!

I am an ex-employee of Emerald Hills Animal Hospital and I have seen this happen many times before. You addopt a pet instead of purchasing one at a pet store, because you want to save a life. When you adopt an animal from a shelter they are vaccinated before they leave. Sometimes they will require a booster shot, but not for $250.00!!!! Everyone working at the front desk and in the surgery area knows that they are vaccinated and if they are unsure they are supposed to call the new owners or animal shelter to get the vaccine history! This animal hospital is all about the money they can make and not about the love of the animals!!!! Its not just about the money, what about the animal? Does it harm them to be vaccinated again? These are only to be given once a year!!!!!! Its not about loving the animals anymore Its all about the MONEY at Emerald Hills Animal Hospital!