I have no doubt in my mind that my dog's death could have been avoided if it wasn't for the unprofessionalism, lack of attention to detail and negligence of the veterinarian team at Pine Banks Animal Hospital. I do not exempt myself from being at fault too, for I should indeed, have been more diligent in finding a more qualified professional to care for my precious dog. I had been taking my dog to Pine Banks since 2007, because it is conveniently located near my house. I originally thought that the place was dirty, the receptionists were somewhat rude and I certainly should have considered the high turnover of veterinarians as a red flag. In 2010, I took my dog for a visit with a chief complain of cough and also appetite loss and lethargy. I specifically expressed my concerns about the coughing, but they told me that small breed dogs have what they call a 'collapsing trachea' and that it is pretty normal for them to cough when excited or when going for a walk. They also informed me that my dog probably had a faulty valve (cardiac), that it was not working properly in preventing the blood from backing up to the upper chambers of the heart (note that they did not explain this in richness of words and details/ this was a result of my own research on the subject). They prescribed heart medication, which I happily administered to my dog, thinking that his health would eventually improve. What a shocking surprise, when a month later, I noticed that my dog was having a real hard time breathing (his mouth was open and he retired to a corner in the house). That same night (around 3am), I took my dog to MSPCA Angell hospital in downtown Boston, only to hear the devastating news that my dog had metastasized end stage lung cancer and that nothing could be done to save him. They showed me his X-rays and both lungs were heavily covered with nodules and masses (approximately 85 percent). Even the doctors at Angell hospital wondered what had happened and why the vets that had cared for my dog for almost three years had not suspected of such serious condition (according to them, my dog had plenty of noticeable signs and symptoms that certainly pointed to the diagnosis of cancer). My husband and I wonder why the vets at Pine Banks weren't more aggressive and more proactive. Why didn't they order more diagnostic tests (besides blood work)? There are X-rays, cat scans, tissue biopsies, ultrasounds and oximeter machines that monitor for blood oxygenation saturation available for pets nowadays. Even if they didn't have this technology available at their office, they had the professional obligation to refer me to someone who did. And although the economy is tough, we pet owners go beyond our financial possibilities in order to care for our pets. In other words, they should have considered many other possible health conditions related to the cough (not only a collapsing trachea). I am truly devastated and I blame myself for trusting Pine Banks and its veterinarians-- I should have done more research. I should have asked around. A couple of months following my dog's death, while talking to one of my neighbors, I listened to her words and I felt knives cutting through my heart. She said, ""You shouldn't have taken your dog there, they have a terrible reputation."" That only added to my feelings of guilt. That is why I urge pet owners to not take their pets there. And even more important, I urge people to check for reviews, credentials and to look for references before trusting the professional caring for their loved pets.
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