I waited several weeks before writing this review so I could evaluate the experience as objectively…read moreas possible.
Summary
I brought a pregnant dam to this clinic for an emergency C-section after labor stalled. The initial surgery resulted in severe internal bleeding that required a second emergency surgery later the same day by a different surgeon to save her life. Communication throughout the process was poor, and my dam and puppies were kept at the clinic for more than 24 hours. After discharge, the puppies were significantly underweight, dehydrated, and in poor condition. All puppies contracted canine parvovirus despite the dam being fully vaccinated.
Full Experience
We recently relocated our kennel to the area and had a large-breed dam whose labor stalled approximately three hours after delivering her first puppy. The emergency clinic we had previously vetted was closed, so out of necessity I brought her to NVC at approximately 4:00 a.m. on 5/5/2026.
After the initial examination, bloodwork, radiographs, and ultrasound, Dr. James Longoria recommended proceeding with a C-section. He assured me that he routinely performed C-sections and spays and advised that spaying during the final C-section would be more cost-effective.
Before surgery, I specifically asked whether oxytocin would be administered in an attempt to stimulate labor before performing surgery. I was told it would be. However, the medical records I later received contain no indication that oxytocin was ever administered.
I was also told my dog would be seen immediately. Instead, the surgery began significantly later than I was led to expect.
Around the time I had been told discharge would occur, I returned to the clinic and was informed that my dog was still in surgery. When I questioned the delay, I was told the procedure was taking longer because of the size of the blood vessels that needed to be closed.
During this time, staff asked me to bring in the puppy that had already been delivered at home so it could nurse with the dam and litter. Believing this would be in the puppies' best interest, I agreed.
Several hours later, after repeated attempts to obtain updates, I received a call from lead surgeon Dr. Brady Hanson requesting permission to take my dog back into surgery because she was not doing well. I immediately consented.
Dr. Hanson later informed me that he had found multiple sites of internal bleeding and had to perform emergency corrective surgery. He also administered multiple blood transfusions. In my opinion, Dr. Hanson saved my dog's life. He communicated clearly, acted decisively, and was transparent about what had occurred. For that, I am genuinely grateful.
Unfortunately, communication from the clinic as a whole remained poor throughout the remainder of the hospitalization. I repeatedly called seeking updates and was consistently told that the puppies were doing well and nursing normally. I specifically asked whether puppy weights were being monitored to ensure proper neonatal development and was told that they were.
On 5/6/2026, I was finally told I could pick up the dam and puppies.
Upon discharge, I was shocked by the condition of the puppies. They were significantly underweight, dehydrated, and appeared to have received inadequate care during their first 32 hours of life. When I requested their birth weights, I was informed that puppy weights were not recorded because only the dam was considered the patient. This directly contradicted what I had previously been told when I specifically asked whether weights were being monitored.
Every puppy developed canine parvovirus. Because the dam was fully vaccinated and we've never had parvo in our program, I can only speculate as to how this occurred. My concern is that the puppies may not have received adequate nursing and colostrum during their critical first hours of life, especially given the dam's medical complications and need for a second surgery. Regardless of the cause, I spent the next three weeks providing around-the-clock intensive care to save the litter. Thankfully, all puppies survived with the guidance and treatment provided by my regular veterinarian.
Final Thoughts
My total bill was $5,212. The clinic did not charge me for the second surgery that was required to correct the complications from the first procedure.
The financial cost, however, pales in comparison to the time, emotional stress, and ongoing expense of managing a parvovirus outbreak and decontaminating our home and kennel property.
While I am thankful to Dr. Hanson for saving my dog's life, my overall experience with this clinic was deeply disappointing. Between the surgical complications, inconsistent communication, conflicting information regarding puppy care, and the condition of the puppies at discharge, I cannot recommend this facility.
If faced with another emergency, I would choose to drive to Houston or to a 24-hour clinic across the Louisiana border rather than return here.
