Arizona Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Center

Sheila Majidi _{on Google}

Apr 7th, 2024

Front desk lady was unkind and kept getting annoyed when I asked her questions. She kept saying I need to bring my dog in and would not offer any answers regarding anything. I asked if I should watch out for any signs, her answer I cant tell you that, you need to bring him in well how much can I expect to pay? What is the worse case scenario? I dont know I cant tell you, just come in well what if I cant afford it? My vet tech said you have to just come in if you want answers well can you at least tell me if hes going to die if I cant come in right now?? How long does he have? I work all day and night do I need to call off work? Couldnt say, you have to just come in . I understand you have to see the dog first but she could have been nicer and offered some kind advice or asked me some questions to see if it was necessary like how long ago did he swallow it or has he been acting funny? Look for these symptoms, and call us. Nope. She just kept acting annoyed and saying cant answer that, come in and we will tell you so I told her Id just google it and Id probably find more information and direction and I did. So thank you to the rude lady who answered my call about my bloodhound who eat a piece of fabric. Just so you are aware, your tone of voice is not made for hospitality and service places, especially in those who care for animals. You were not only rude but you had zero information, guidance, or compassion for my situation to the point that me (a trained therapist) just gave up on speaking with you for the purpose of setting my mind at ease. Please re-evaluate who you hire to answer your phones because due to her lack of empathy and kindness she has not only lost a previous customer but this company has lost a family with 4 animals. I will never come to this facility again. I thought about it but this is the second situation I have had with this company. The first time they wanted to amputate my dogs leg and kept trying to force me into going that route. I ended up saving his leg. Youre better off going somewhere else, even if its more expensive its worth it to not be treated and talked to in those ways.

Wendy Scalpone _{on Google}

Apr 7th, 2024

Worst experience I have ever had. I took my poor puppy in with what I thought,researched and had literally hundreds of people tell me, although they're not vets was an anal gland issue. They looked at it and immediately went into cancer and the woman who came in and handed me the $2000 estimate of work they wanted to perform was the most callous and uncaring person I think I've ever spoke to. Needless to say, with a second opinion, it was exactly an anal gland issue which was addressed for under $300, so I paid $195 to walk in the door and walk out in tears with absolutely nothing being done to relieve my poor puppy. I wouldn't even give them one star, but I had to in order to place this review. Beware!!

Dianne Sullivan _{on Google}

Mar 31st, 2024

If you love your animal, take them elsewhere. This establishment is truly awful. My beloved service dog, Rex, was discharged to their care by another vet after a routine surgery. He was extremely healthy. He never came home. After billing me almost $10,000, I received a call that his heart had stopped. I was never told exactly what happened. To add insult to injury, they over billed me $1200 which took multiple phone calls to rectify.

Milo Johnson _{on Google}

Apr 10th, 2024

My dog was alive when we arrived, dead dog walking 12 minutes later..
So my 8 year old French Bulldog has a specific heart condition wherein fluid builds around his heart making it difficult for him to breathe, which in turn causes coughing in an effort to get oxygen. Hes been to a different emergency vet in Gilbert 3 times the last 18 months with the same issue, shortness of breath, labored breathing. The solution has been to put him in an oxygen chamber, give him a shot of a mediation to reduce fluids around his heart, then an hour later, we are home. Today his symptoms were the same, we should have left together.
Instead, this is what happened. I called the office 20 minutes prior to arrival to tell them my dogs condition and that I was coming in. I walked in calmly holding my dog, he was exhibiting the same shortness of breath he had been for several hours. The following took place over a time frame of about 12 minutes.
First, I began to explain the situation.. again.to make sure they understood he needed to be put in oxygen chamber, given a a shot of a certain medicine to help remove fluid around his heart, and be given an IV he would stabilize. However a worried employee took my dog from my arms in 30 seconds. So I asked is he going into an ICU cage. However, the front office medical assistant interrupted me, started with the forms to sign. The significant form was consent for a $625 treatment plan that included the initial emergency care, blood test, EKG, it had around 6 possible steps, procedures, and medications. The cost was $625. I calmly reviewed each item and I asked if a chest scan was included. Thats how calm I was. After I signed the form, I tried to explain to them again my Vetenarians name and the previous emergency facility I went to so they could get his charts (minute 2), they chattered through their devices talking asking if I had some the form, not yet, hes about to now. The second I finished signing I turned around to go get my coffee out of my Truck and had a panicked veterinarian in my face telling me she needed to talk to me (minute 4), I said I just want to grab my coffee really quick, she told me she just needed to talk quickly, so I went to room 6, she asked me if it was ok if they put a breathing apparatus down his throat to help him breathe. As I asked a couple questions, I quickly caught on that she already started that procedure, and that he would he would not be waking up again unless I forked out $4-5k a night (minute 6). She said just putting him under and tube down to breathe for him would be $195. I said noooo.. nooo he doesnt need that, he only needs the ICU cage, the shot, the IV. The doctor nervously said she thinks they already started to do the procedure and that he was um, turning blue, and um probably going to die if they didnt do that procedure. I said we will never know will we? Hes had these exact same symptom for serval hours this morning and only needed treatment. (Minute 8).
So he had the tube in him, only choice was to kill him or pay $5000 a night.
So basically, I came to an emergency room, they made me sign for procedures under duress, then before the ink dried theyre putting my dog under so I had choose to pay or or kill him.
Needless to say, they were all very friendly while they teetered on the gray area of malpractice and common sense.