South Texas Veterinary Specialists

The following is a response to the complaint that was filed 1/21/2016, ID [redacted] , against South Texas Veterinary Specialists 0in;">As one might expect it is a very stressful and trying time when entering our facility, because it means that your furry family member is ill and needs medical attentionOur goal as a practice is to make sure that we are providing a thorough explanation of diagnosis and a treatment planWe also provide a written estimate amount for the proposed treatment, as well as, including any possible complicationsWith any abdominal surgery we are always uncertain what we will find until we are actually involvedA thorough exploratory was performed and in this case it was actually fortunate that the major complication had reduced on its own, just leaving the need for biopsiesThe patient was spayed after the exploratory and biopsies were taken, at the request of the ownerThe doctor did not charge anything further for this service since she was already in surgery and did not have to spend time performing a resection and anastomosisSurgery was still performed, an abdominal exploratory and biopsies were done, all the same instruments and surgical equipment were used, which is the cost that was incurred within the written estimatePlease let me know if there is anything else you need or further requirements needed from usThank you very much for your patience regarding this matter

DrG***s talent and skills are nothing short of miraculousMax, our cherished Boston Terrier & most favored family member, is making an amazing recovery following a Gunderson flap procedurePrior to DrG*** fine work, Max's eyesight was seriously at riskWe appreciate the exemplary care provided by Andrew, and his staffWithout reservation or hesitation, I strongly recommend his services to anyone requiring serious solutions to serious (pet vision) problemsTHANK YOU!

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: Our original estimate included a sonogram, cutting of intestine, and 2-3 days of patient care.  You quoted that at $2-3k. Our puppy was there for less then 24 hours.  You made no cut off intestine so, no re-attaching of intestine, and no second or third days of care.  You billed us 2513.00 of the proposed $2-3k. After looking at your billing, we don't see where you had room to fit in what you didn't do. We feel that because you didn't perform your original diagnosis, you nickled and dimed us to get the bill up to the estimate. Our puppy, though sick, was playing and not in need of the immediate surgery that we were scared/pressured into.  We have already paid you 2000.00 for the misdiagnosess of our pet.  The least you could do is drop the $513.00 of bogus charges for the things that you didn't do and we're not needed, even though you said they were. 
Regards,
[redacted]

The following is a response to the complaint that was filed 1/21/2016, ID [redacted], against South Texas Veterinary Specialists.
0in;">As one might expect it is a very stressful and trying time when entering our facility, because it means that your furry family member is ill and needs medical attention. Our goal as a practice is to make sure that we are providing a thorough explanation of diagnosis and a treatment plan. We also provide a written estimate amount for the proposed treatment, as well as, including any possible complications. With any abdominal surgery we are always uncertain what we will find until we are actually involved. A thorough exploratory was performed and in this case it was actually fortunate that the major complication had reduced on its own, just leaving the need for biopsies. The patient was spayed after the exploratory and biopsies were taken, at the request of the owner. The doctor did not charge anything further for this service since she was already in surgery and did not have to spend time performing a resection and anastomosis. Surgery was still performed, an abdominal exploratory and biopsies were done, all the same instruments and surgical equipment were used, which is the cost that was incurred within the written estimate. Please let me know if there is anything else you need or further requirements needed from us. Thank you very much for your patience regarding this matter.

Complaint: [redacted]
I am rejecting this response because: Our original estimate included a sonogram, cutting of intestine, and 2-3 days of patient care.  You quoted that at $2-3k. Our puppy was there for less then 24 hours.  You made no cut off intestine so, no re-attaching of intestine, and no second or third days of care.  You billed us 2513.00 of the proposed $2-3k. After looking at your billing, we don't see where you had room to fit in what you didn't do. We feel that because you didn't perform your original diagnosis, you nickled and dimed us to get the bill up to the estimate. 
Our puppy, though sick, was playing and not in need of the immediate surgery that we were scared/pressured into.  We have already paid you 2000.00 for the misdiagnosess of our pet.  The least you could do is drop the $513.00 of bogus charges for the things that you didn't do and we're not needed, even though you said they were. 
Regards,
[redacted]

Reading through the other negative reviews I see many parallels and am truly saddened. I hope to save a family the pain and suffering we have experienced.
Sadly, I feel as though the doctor used false hope to prolong the suffering our beloved 13y/o shiba-inu Oki at the expense of business income. In the end he request an additional 24 more hours of treatments that had not been working and told us we were too quick to bring up euthanization. Seven days, and over $5,500 the doctor was conveniently out of the office after those 24 hours were up.
After an ultrasound and a scope the treatment was supposed to work within two days. After two days he said Oki's condition was worse than he previously thought and would try something different. Seven days of exams and treatments had not worked. We felt as though it was time to say good bye but the doctor made us feel as though we were rushing and told us it was too soon. The doctor then requested the additional 24hrs.
Additionally it appeared as though the staffing over the weekend is limited as well as the visiting hours. Unfortunately we were not informed and missed our Saturday visit. Her condition only worsened over the weekend and on Monday she appeared to have severe sores from where she had laid in her own feces.
Those last days of visits were extremely painful. Our poor Oki had not eaten since she got there. She could not get up on her own, shook constantly and her eyes looked very distant.

The following is a response to the complaint that was filed 1/21/2016, ID [redacted], against South Texas Veterinary Specialists. As one might expect it is a very stressful and trying time when entering our facility, because it means that your furry family member is ill and needs medical attention....

Our goal as a practice is to make sure that we are providing a thorough explanation of diagnosis and a treatment plan. We also provide a written estimate amount for the proposed treatment, as well as, including any possible complications. With any abdominal surgery we are always uncertain what we will find until we are actually involved. A thorough exploratory was performed and in this case it was actually fortunate that the major complication had reduced on its own, just leaving the need for biopsies. The patient was spayed after the exploratory and biopsies were taken, at the request of the owner. The doctor did not charge anything further for this service since she was already in surgery and did not have to spend time performing a resection and anastomosis. Surgery was still performed, an abdominal exploratory and biopsies were done, all the same instruments and surgical equipment were used, which is the cost that was incurred within the written estimate. Please let me know if there is anything else you need or further requirements needed from us. Thank you very much for your patience regarding this matter.