Savannah Veterinary Emergency Clinic

Avoid at all COSTS

Posted by VictoryChurchLady on 1/22/2009

My dog died at the hands of this practice. We were told that the dog did not have a life- threatening condition, albeit a senior citizen. They kept her for observation. We feel like in our humble opinion that the dog was overmedicated, never regained consciousness when taken to the back. We never got to say goodbye. We thought we would have a few more years. I questioned several times the need to keep her 24 hours, as I am experienced and felt like I could deal with it in the comfort of home and familiar surroundings. I called several times to try to pick her up, without the promised call back. $$$ - We were also promised a call back with a new estimate of adjusted charge increase after they decided to keep her overnight for observation and "possible additional medications needed," but that call never came. After another call they apologized, said they were very busy. Each time I waited 2-4 hours for a call back, and when it did not come, called them back. I was very disappointed, then anxious and then irritated by the team's unresponsiveness and unprofessionalism. Finally it was decided I was to pick the dog up at 7:15 AM to transfer to regular veterinarian's care. I got a call at 7 AM that she died of respiratory arrest, and they could not resuccitate the dog. We never saw the dog after it slipped into the back of the establishment, to be treated for a non-life threatening disease.

Try to avoid at all COSTS

Posted by VictoryChurchLady on 1/22/2009

My dog died at the hands of this practice. We were told that the dog did not have a life- threatening condition, albeit a senior citizen. They kept her for observation. We feel like in our humble opinion that the dog was overmedicated, never regained consciousness when taken to the back. We never got to say goodbye. We thought we would have a few more years. I questioned several times the need to keep her 24 hours, as I am experienced and felt like I could deal with it in the comfort of home and familiar surroundings. I called several times to try to pick her up, without the promised call back. $$$ - We were also promised a call back with a new estimate of adjusted charge increase after they decided to keep her overnight for observation and "possible additional medications needed," but that call never came. After another call they apologized, said they were very busy. Each time I waited 2-4 hours for a call back, and when it did not come, called them back. I was very disappointed, then anxious and then irritated by the team's unresponsiveness and unprofessionalism. Finally it was decided I was to pick the dog up at 7:15 AM to transfer to regular veterinarian's care. I got a call at 7 AM that she died of respiratory arrest, and they could not resuccitate the dog. We never saw the dog after it slipped into the back of the establishment, to be treated for a non-life threatening disease.

Maltreatment of Pet Owner by Vet

Posted by GreyhoundLover on 7/3/2008

Even though we have had several very positive experiences at Savannah Veterinary Emergency Clinic when our pet received excellent care, we experienced incredibly callous and insensitive behavior displayed by the doctor on duty at this clinic the night of June 27, 2008 (at which time an emergent situation necessitated having euthanasia administered to my long-time family dog, one also loved by the residents of a local nursing home where he served as a therapy dog). I shudder to think how many others have also been maltreated by this particular "health professional." As anyone who has ever had to have a beloved pet "put down" knows, it is emotionally stressful and a time when compassion and empathy are appreciated. Complaints are currently being filed against this doctor to the proper authorities. The owner of Savannah Veterinary Emergency Clinic has apologized for the unacceptable treatment we received and assured us action against the doctor on duty would be pursued by her. If it were not for our unfortunate experience on the night of July 27, my rating of this facility would be excellent. It is too bad that one insensitive doctor can adversely affect an entire facility's reputation, especially one owned by such a competent and compassionate owner--a veterinarian who I feel certain will take measures to rectify the situation in an appropriate manner as she assured me would be done. In the meanwhile, anyone who needs to take a beloved pet to this facility, I trust the vet we encountered on the night of July 27th will NOT be the one on duty. She is easily recognized by her curt/abrasive manner and the disrespect/cold insensitivy demonstrated by her to the owners of the pets she is being paid to treat

Response from Savannah Veterinary Emergency Clinic

Posted on 11/10/2009

This vet no longer works for this practice. We sincerely apologize to anyone who had a bad experience at her hands.

Too busy..but helpful

Posted by lagilliam on 7/9/2007

Our dog Freckle got into a bottle of Motrin and had to take a visit to the hospital after hours. They were very busy but they took care of Freckle. The only thing that I did not like was that they did not keep us updated on his condition. We stayed in the waiting area for HOURS before anyone told us anything. He also had to stay over and getting there to transport him to our home vet before 7:30 AM was a task seeing we live almost an hour away. Even with these "little" issues they knew what to do and he is fine now.