Animal Emergency & Referral Associates

User Rating: 1 out of 5 stars

If I could rate them less than awful, I would! I brought my dog here for an emergency euthanasia after he had a massive hemorrhage. Less than two months before, Apollo was diagnosed there as having an inoperable nasal tumor.I paid well over $2,000.00 and assumed they would have his records and the procedure would be dome in a sense of compassion. I rushed him there to have him put down. When I ran in two receptionists were chatting on their phones and didn't even look up. My dog's chest, face, and front legs were saturated with blood. Only after other people who were in the waiting room complained to them, did they acknowledge our existence.
They put us in a side room where I waited for 20 minutes with a half-dead dog, while they tried to find his records and then process my credit card.
Then a Dr. Coogan came in and said she had to take Apollo to prepare him without explaining what she meant.
For another 20 minutes I waited alone in the room for Apollo. During the course of the wait, I was subjected to hearing workers in the backroom where Apollo was taken, LAUGHING with one another. Then Apollo wailed out in excruciating pain. Still the chatter and laughter did not stop. My dog continued to cry and they kept laughing in the same room.
When Dr. Coogan finally came back in with Apollo, there was a cathar sticking out of him. This was totally unnecessary and my permission was not asked to open one of his veins to stick it in. Apollo was a Saluki, a breed very similar in build as a Greyhound. Anyone could have easily seen his vein. He was extremely skinny and short haired. Dr. Coogan insisted it was NJ State Law. It is NOT. They did it for the additional fee. That is why he cried in pain.
After she administered the shot to Apollo, I asked for his collar to donate to a rescue group. She had difficulty getting it off and just kept jerking his dead head around, back and forth, in front of me, like a piece of garbage.
I wrote a letter to AE&RA in greater detail explainning what happened. I received a snotty letter back from a Dr. Palescandolo. To the charge of the receptionists not helping, he wrote "the people there give up their nights, weekends, and holidays to care for pets". They are all salaried employees, NOT volunteers. This is an insult to anyone who does rescue work. To the charge of the gross laughter by the technicians who were in the same room while Apollo was crying, "It is not possible to restrict laughter". To the charge of Apollo crying, "Apollo was serene throughout the whole catheter placement". Like to see if he would feel the same if someone stuck one in him! In fact, according to Dr. Palescandolo, it had to be another dog I heard. What person doesn't know their pet's cries from others? Plus, Salukis are a rare breed and known for their distinctive howls.
The Animal Emergency & Referral Ass. does not have a staff or owners who understand the unique bond of love and trust between a person and their pet. My dog was forced to endure unnecessary pain for their financial greed. Besides what Apollo suffered, I have to live with knowing I failed him at his last moments because I trusted in this place. Only go there if you're willing to hear workers laughing as your dog is being subjected to pain.

Comment on Review

Y! Updates An Update about your review will be shared via Yahoo! Updates Manage who sees your Updates

Post CommentCancel

User Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

I had to take my dog in over the weekend and she ended up needing emergency surgery. Like it's been said- they are VERY expensive here- my total cost was $3600. However, they did save her life. I would take her here again if I had to go through the same situation. They definitely know what they are doing, just be prepared to pay for a high level of medical care. Also, every time I called for a check-in it took about an hour for the Vet to call back. I understand they are busy, but that is something else to keep in mind if you have to get in touch with them.

Comment on Review

Y! Updates An Update about your review will be shared via Yahoo! Updates Manage who sees your Updates

Post CommentCancel

User Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Ican only speak for the orthopedic specialists. So far, the service has been excellent. yes, pricey, but worth it. Dr. Hunt performed tta surgery on my dog. I don't know how his knee will be months from now, but I felt very comfortable with him. My fur baby is doing well and he had the surgery 4 days ago. He is putting weight on his leg and so far everything looks good. Dr. Hunt has extensive experience with both the tplo and tta surgery. They give you a number to call on the weekends just in case you have any questions. One of the surgeons calls you back within 30 minutes. It is nice to speak with the surgeon directly instead of the surgeon tech. If your dogs needs to repair his acl this is the place to go.

Comment on Review

Y! Updates An Update about your review will be shared via Yahoo! Updates Manage who sees your Updates

Post CommentCancel