This is the letter that I wrote to Banfeild home office the evening that my furbaby died.
This letter probably wont have any affect on them, but it felt better to let someone know that I place the blame on them for the death of my furbaby.

To whom it may concern:

I am very unhappy about the service we recieved today at your Webster/Friendswood location across the street from Baybrook mall. My husband and I arrived at 1:30 to talk to a vet about our 7 lb pomeranian dog, Kamikazi, who had eaten some chicken bones out of the garbage and was now lethargic. We assumed he had a belly ache and thus was just not very active due to not feeling well. We were told that both vets had gone to lunch at the same time. It does not make sense not to have a vet on duty during operating hours since you have two vets. Their lunches could be taken at different times so that there is a vet available when something comes up. They returned from lunch 30 minutes later. It was not until that time we were even brought into an exam room.

Then the doctor came in. My dog was not bleeding, and he did not appear to have any outward signs of injury that would have lead my husband and I to believe that his case was as critical as it was. However, the vet should have been able to tell he was in pretty desperate measure. After a VERY quick physical exam, the vet told us at the least he would need xrays and labs... my husband and I did not put up any objection to it.... at all....... that would have lead them to believe that we would not consider doing what ever it took to help my dog. My husband asked the chance of total recovery. The vet did not offer a guarenttee that he would live, but gave a positive prospective that if given treatment we should be able to survive. This would lead me to believe he understood that the dog was in critical condition and that time was of the essence. We were told that they would come back in with an estimate of how much it would cost. I was fine with that assuming that they were going to come to take my dog to do what he needed and get care started.

My husband and I waited in the room for an additional 20-30 minutes while waiting on someone to come get him. He was getting more lethargic. Meanwhile... not only had the family behind us... that arrived after us.... and was seen after us..... given their estimate.... but had already left by the time anyone had come to see us. Their dog was apparently not in as critical condition as my dog was. I overheard the entire conversation since he went over thier estimate in the waiting area, another thing that I feel was very unprofessional of your staff. That should have been handled in the exam room. My dog had started to display signs of shock. He began shaking. Finally when I had waited all I could handle waiting.... I asked about someone treating our dog.

At that time the tech comes in.... and instead of treating the dog, who has now waited over an hour to be relived of the pain he is in, she starts to explain about the cost.... and what have you. I was not at all concerned about payment. We had recently just paid 1400 dollars for our cat that had gone into renal failure from a blockage. Money was not a problem. The doctor had mentioned the wellness plan and we were all ready to do that since it would have covered a great deal of the expense that we were going to incurr. We had to tell the tech the Dr. had offered the plan. She had only figured out the cost without the wellness plan. The doctor could I am sure have easily given a ball park estimate of somewhere between 200-400 dollars and we could have said.... by all means... do what ever it takes to make him well. Even without that... we would have still done what it took to save him. We would not have even brought him in if we did not want him well again.As a matter of fact as soon as we were given a number... I started to write out the check. I wanted him well what ever it took.

They had not even finished determining what the problem was and they were giving me scenarios. Wasting precious time. They had barely begun to even see what the problem was with Kamikazi before they started worrying about if they were going to get paid. If they had taken even one initial xray , they would have noticed he was blocked... apparently severely.... and told us then this is what we were looking at. So instead of treating my dog and taking a risk 20 dollar xray they drew up scenarios...... wasting valuable time that they could be working on relieveing my dogs pain. The office visit was more than that, why would we not consent.

Finally they took the dog out. They took one xray and saw the blockage. When the guy finally came in to tell us we were going to need surgery, he opened the door... and was immediately called back by the doctor. Apparently my dog had crashed. Less than 5 minutes later the doctor came in to tell us he had passed. They had tried to revive him, but to no avail.

Now.... my question... problem is.... had a doctor treated him more quickly instead of fussing with scenarios... would he have made it? If a doctor had been on duty when we arrived... would he have made it? I know that you can not answer what if scenarios. I realize that you are not an emergency vet clinic, but as someone not schooled in veteranarian skills, we were unaware of the severity of his case until after we were their. I had even brought stool samples and the vomit so they could see what he had done. That is why we took the dog to you. So you could tell me what he needed. Your doctor should have reacted more quickly in such a severe case and began treatment as soon as he saw the dog was not standing up and was exhibiting signs of shock.

I understand that you have to get paid... and you want to make sure you do. But 269 dollars is what my dog died for. I paid that much for him just to get his full battery of tests done and be spayed and neutered. It was not a problem and I would assume that many of the people in this area would not bat an eyelash at that figure if it meant life or death of a family member.

We are now greiving the loss of this family member. On a holiday weekend at that. A loss that I really feel could have been avoided with some more care on the part of your "team" of doctors. I also had a 110 dollar bill to pay at the end of it all. Which we paid with no objections. Almost half of what his care would have cost. We paid this with no objections for a dog we had already lost. We would have paid much more if would could have taken him home alive

To say the least, your clinics will no longer get my patronage with any of my other pets. I feel your staff seemed more concerned with the dollar bill than the actual ethical treatment of my pet. During my 30 minute wait in the waiting area, one of the techs, I think her name was Tabitha, was asked what the difference was between frontline and advantage is, and she could not answer that question. It is sad to see that I have more knowledge of your feild than she seemed to. I will also tell all of my friends about your clinic and suggest they also refrain from using them. My husband has suggested a law suit for negligence. I really do feel that his death could have been avoided with some proper care on your part.

Please excuse any grammatical, typing or punctuation errors. I am mourning my loss and am not thinking at 100% at this time.

Cindy Medford

I am glad you wrote that letter to them they should be made aware of the tragedy your precious little Kamikazi, since he was made to wait so long for any kind of tests or treament. It is tragic enough when all their skills are used to save an animal and they still can't save them. But it is even more heart breaking and devastating when they are not quick with their actions when it is an emergency.

I feel so sad that Kamikazi could not be saved after eating the chicken bones. I know how hard it must be for you when you did all you could to try to save him. You are so right many of them are just in it for the money. That's why I gladly drive 80 miles one way to take my babies to a very good vet. His care, concern and compassion for our babies are worth the drive.

I am so sorry you had to lose your darling Kamikazi. What a wonderful picture of him.
Ann

This letter is empowered with truth ~ I hope that you are able to get retribution for this totally sensless loss of your sweet Kamikazi ~ Please keep us posted ~ Again so sorry for your loss ~ Kathryn

Wow, the hospital I took Felix to was also a Banfield one. I also felt like they only cared about the money. They barely examined him and the check-up sheet was only filled out with the information that I had given them, not any of their own findings. I don't even know if they bothered to take his temperature. He was there sitting in a cage for over 3 hours (they made me drop him off because the vets were out to lunch!!) while I scrambled to try and come up with the money they were requesting of me. I sobbed and begged the vet to work with me but all she said was "Maybe you can borrow the money? We'll give you some time to think and you call us back." Where's the compassion? Would they let a human being die because they hadn't first agreed to the payment? No way. Treat first, ask questions later. They ended up taking my $40 and sending me home with a feline who was just as ill as when I dropped him off 4 hours before. No, scratch that- worse off.

I suspected that Felix might have had a blockage due to some string I found him playing with. If that would have been found and taken care of on Saturday, I doubt he would have died on Tuesday. Yes, blaming is futile at this point. But-- I really do feel like Banfield Animal Hospital could have given two ~~s whether my precious baby lived or died. Why even become a vet if you don't care?

Sorry to fuel your fire, Cindy. I had to get that out. I wish I had gone anywhere else but Banfield. Unfortunately, it was the only thing I could find open on a Saturday.

*hugs*
Hang in there.

Cindy,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your story is so shocking, I'm almost at a loss for words! And the fact that Krystal had a similar experience with the same company!?? Perhaps a "higher" letter of complaint is needed...the Better Business Bureau or something, from many people who have had the same experiences.
But I digress away from what's more important right now....your loss. These first few days are so hard, I know. We all understand. Love your other little one, for he will need you very much right now. Draw strength from that love to help you through. We're here for you...
Audrey

Thank you everyone for you kind words. We are looking into filing a law suit and making a claim with the BBB. Thank you for the BBB suggestion. We went over the events over and over and really felt that if they were the animal hospital they claim to be.... they could have helped him. I told them I was willing to pay...... they could have started treatment right away and then told me... I could save money on the treatment if we do this. At that point I would have been so very greatful. I probably would have signed up Kamikazi.... and Cinnamon, my other dog.... and my three cats. They would have made their money and then some. In fact... they would have gotten almost 200 of my dollars every month. But instead..... they worried about the pocketbook. I am planning on making it my mission to hit them where it hurts the most.... in the pocketbook. I dont know about other states... but I believe Texas puts a limit on animal lawsuits to 5k..... a small claims civil lawsuit. But instead of having my 110 dollars..... I will get their 5k. Enough people do this... and they will have to start rethinking their business strategy. Also.... enough complaints to the BBB... and they will loose the business of those.... like me who were willing to pay what ever it takes to make them well. I had a decent experience with them one time 2 months ago when Kamikazi caught a cold. So this time I thought I would have the same experience. I was so wrong.

I will hit them as hard as I can where it will hurt them the most. No amount of money will make up for the loss of my baby.... but I want them to know that this kind of treatment is not going to be accepted.

*climbing off of my soap box* I feel better for having said this. Keep me in your prayers.
I will keep you all posted

Dear Cindy & Family:

Hi! I was just about to get relaxed and go to bed.............that was.....until I read your awful post, and it got me
so damn angry!!!!!!!!!!! Really, I'm very pissed off, and.......I am very, very sorry that you had to go through all of that FOR NO REASON AT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Money....Money.....Money..............THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL IT COMES DOWN TO!!!! "THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR!!!!!!"

I think that your idea of going to the Better Business Bureau is a great idea...............
Also...........I DEFINITELY WOULD NOT LET THEM OFF THE HOOK WITHOUT CONTACTING THE """"American Veterinary Association"""".
I know that there is an "American Medical Association", so I am assuming that there is something kind of like that for Veterinarians............., though there are several names it could be under.....
?? "American College of Veterinarians".........

You might even want to contact this same Vet's office (if they can even call themselves that), and tell them that
you are in the process of writing several letters............and, you would like to know if there is an "American Vet
Association" (AVA)...........And, IF NOT...........Ask them "Who can I write to, to file a complaint about the TERRIBLE CARE THAT MY PRECIOUS, BEAUTIFUL, KAMIKAZI finally received after ______________mins/hours.

If they say they'll have the vet call you ASAP..............just say, "I don't have that much time, I want this information now".......

I feel soooooooooooooooo bad that all of this horrible stuff resulted in the death of our poor boy!!!!!!!


Please, know that my thoughts and prayers and (hugs) are with {{{{{{{{{{Cindy & Family}}}}}}}}}}..... I just feel
soooooooo very awful --- I wish there is something that I could've done to help!!!!

God Bless You!!!

Love, Denise xo

Cindy, you were so right in making the decision to write the letter and send it to them. They need to know. Obviously, money was not an issue, and treatment should have been given sooner than what they gave you.

I am so sorry for you loss of Kamikazi. No one knows if things would have ended differently or not, but, knowing there was a serious problem to begin with, they should have started treatment earlier.

I commend you for sending the letter, and my heart goes out for Kamikazi.

Dear Cindy,

Your story is horrifying. How awful..I'm truly sorry. I think you should send your letter to Banfield Headquarters and yes even your local newspaper (see if they will post it in the editorial section). Get the word out there that these people are incompetant and unethical!

I blame Punky's cancer also on Banfield. I wasted two months of precious time giving him stupid anti-biotics. The Banfield vet there just said that he must have bit his lip and it got infected. In the meantime it grew and grew. became more infected. Finally I forced them - I had to demand! - to do a biopsy, and then it took another several weeks to get the results...calling in every few days..the freaking techs didn't know where the results were. Finally, after more than two months, I learn he has Cancer. In that span of time, the growth went from the size of a dime to the size of a silver dollar. His chances of full recovery could have been considerable if BANFIELD had not sat on their asses - if we did a biobsy right away and had the cancer removed back when it was small and manageable. I hate that vet. I hate your vet. I hate all those techs at Banfield who walk around in slow motion stupidity. I also hate the vet who performed the botched euthanasia on Punky. I'd like to tie her down and to perform a slow euthanasia on her. What the hell is wrong with people these days?? I'm outraged at what Banfield did to you. I hope you find justice.

-Punky's Mom

That is just totally beyond pitiful. I am so, so sorry. Here is a site that might help you and Punky's Mommy and others who need it. --
http://www.all-creatures.org/aip/nl-20040811-vet.html

Punkys mom... I will keep everyone posted... I did write a complaint to the BBB about them.... they get a lot of them.... if I had known that... I would not have brought him there.

I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of your precious Kamikaze. I know it must have been a very upsetting way to lose a loved one. Please know that no matter what, Kamikaze knew you loved him. Nothing could change that, not the poor quality of pet care, nothing. He knows you did your best. Don't ever forget that. Hang in there...I think you did the right thing by filing a complaint so that this doesn't happen to another family. You are honoring Kamikaze's memory by doing that...

Caroline