Advanced Critical Care

03/25/11

Disgusted in"Spinkles" treatment. May she rest in peace.

by lyzette123 at Citysearch

My name is Jennifer Hernandez I brought a Yorkie to your facility "City of Angels for Animals", by the name of “Sprinkles”. I'm extremely disappointed with the care she received in your facility. I paid $3,700 for two days of ICU treatment and in return you gave me a dying dog. Yes, she had a sodium level that was 131 and yes, it decreased to 128 but it continued at 128 which meant to me that it's her norm. Her difficulty breathing became worse as the day progressed but it didn’t seem to be a issue to you or your staff. She had labor breathing the whole time she was at your facility. Not once did you give her medication to help her breath easier or better nor did you try to make her feel comfortable. You were too busy trying to figure out what was wrong with the sodium levels. I'm a nurse and in my line of duty, ABC (airway, breathing, circulation) are my first reaction to anyone in my care. But in your facility it’s obviously the last thing on your mind. Sprinkles had all exams done on her and they came back negative. Except for the labor breathing which, again, was noticeable on her. She went to your facility with clear lungs and in two days, she was released to me with difficult breathing and her lungs were filled with fluids and an enlarged heart. I voiced my concern time and time again regarding her breathing and pain medication but your staff didn't think it was an issue. I know your body couldn’t breathe that way for a long period of time without giving up. In return you have caused my dog to drown in her fluids and allowed her to die with pain... I not only lost my best friend but I lost my Baby... I'm very disgusted in the treatment I received for Sprinkles. May she rest in peace.

11/18/10

rude, unprofessional, uncaring and rip off

by claudine simha at Citysearch

All I can say is that they are more interested in taking your money than helping you or your pet.

I had brought in my sick cat and I was crying my eyes out since she wasn't eating or drinking.

The receptionist looked at me like I was crazy and did not console me in the least. In fact they didn't care!! She asked me if I wanted some water and I said yes please and she said go get it yourself over there.

I had to wait 1 hour before I could talk to the emergency doctor and when she finally arrived all she could say is negative things about having an endoscophy-your cat might die because of the anesthesia and there may be complications with it. Another doctor told me to have my cat get exploratory surgery and again with the same threats In addtion they told me that they couldn't do the ultra sound that night because my cat was not cooperating. WHAT??????????They should have enough experience on how to take care of cats! Of course I was afraid to do anything. 2,300.00 dollars later I took my cat home and she was still sick.

So I finally took her to ASEC animal hospital on Sepulveda in west los angeles and she had the endoscopy and she survived and now I am waiting for the results. When I asked them about the risks all they said to me that of course there are risks with everything but that my cat is in great hands and they will do everything to help her.

It is a little more expensive but it is worth it. They are professional, caring and genuinely love animals.

02/11/10

RIP OFF and RUDE

by Starrlette at Citysearch

So I rushed my cat in one night because I came home and it was sick. They took my cat in and the vet spoke to me about what could possibly be wrong saying we need to run some tests to rule out pancreatitis. I told her I bought a lily recently (Yes I didnt know its toxic to kitties) and she asked me how recent. At this point I think she knew the reason of the visit as my kitty has not been sick once in 12 years...except for now that 1/3 of the plant was eaten. She said we need to run tests to find out why it had a tummy ache and it would be between $1200-$2000. I couldnt afford $2000 so she suggested I sign up with a credit care card which I agreed to and start with $1200 and should we need ultrasound pay the additional $800 which I had on my card. So I get escorted to the reception to pay for the entire bill...the receptionist gave me a paper to sign with $1200-$2000 on it. I said I wont sign anything with $2000 on it as the vet and I agreed on $1200/ We argued back and forth and I asked to speak with the vet, she retorted without checking "the vet is busy" I told her I agreed only to the $1200 and if those tests did not prove anything we would go with the extra $800 (which I had on my card) So she goes away reluctantly and comes back with just $1200 and it now said "no complications" on it. I asked her what this meant? She replied with "it means what it says: no complications" so I said but I dont know what that means? Does it mean you wont save him if there are complications??? And she said we would have to call you if something came up if it wasnt paid for! I was frazzled but signed it at $1200 and said, fine I will leave my phone on. So she tried to put the care credit card application through but seeing as it was 1:30am they were closed. So she says to me "sorry they are closed, can you pay the balance another way?" I looked at her shocked! Why would I apply for a credit card if I had it already...so I said I dont have it.."what do I do?" I get a blank stare so I said "Please give me my cat back" Then she says..."well how much do you have??" "$800" She dissappears and comes back saying she can put $800 through...and to call in the morning to check up on him. Stupidly I did (at this point I shouldve taken my cat somewhere else) and the next day I rang at 8am and was told he is ok but need to stay further and if I cant afford him to transfer him elsewhere (I appreciate this advice from the vet) so I picked him up and took him to Melrose Animal Hosp...because ACC tried to charge me $600 a day just to keep him there. Oh and when I went to pick him up the vet saw me and didnt say hi or even acknowledge me. Furthermore. there was another lady there complaining at the reception about having already paid $1800 which she thought included meds, yes they were trying to charge her more.....this place is a rip-off. In the end they charged me $787 (gave me a $13 refund when I picked him up) for my cat and he stayed there 8 hours and received in- house blood test and an IV. I am no vet but I feel that this is a rip-off...funny how they charged me almost $800 exact because they knew that was my limit!!

• Pros: Looks like the cedars-sinai for animals
• Cons: rip off and heartless