In the past 11 years, we have tried every vet around Columbia. We rescue all kinds of animals, and…read morea caring, helpful, and honest vet is essential to us - always has been. Finding Dr. Zavarro at Healthy Petz was wonderful, but then it wasn't. I had to have my 200+ lbs English Mastiff seen. The vet seeing him was a smaller woman, and she had a vet tech in with her. Now, the clinic had been told on occasions in the past that my dog does not like feeling pinned down, but I can safely assume poor notes were taken. I was holding him steady from one side, and the vet was examining him from the other side when the vet tech decided to climb on his haunches.
Needless to say, he snapped at the vet, who was closest to his face. There was no injury, but I find out today that the notes about the incident say that he lunged at her neck and the trigger was "unknown." Thus, she won't see him anymore. This was some time ago, and he's been seen there since. However, he was recently attacked by another dog, and he had injuries that needed medical attention. I knew he would need sedation, and explained that when I made the appointment.
When I took him to drop him off today, I was asked to put a muzzle on him before leaving. I reluctantly agreed, only to find out that they don't have any muzzles that will fit him. I wasn't even certain what the muzzle was for, as this had never been necessary, even after the "incident." They told me that I could go buy one and bring him back. I explained that I wasn't buying a muzzle for a dog that didn't need one, and I asked if I needed to find a new vet. They said I did not, but still had no solution. The vet (not the same one from before) would not even allow me to bring my dog close enough for her to see the injury; I wasn't even allowed on her side of the room and had to maintain control of his leash at all times. She was terrified.
I explained that this entire scenario was ridiculous, and that if all of this had changed, and this was now a necessity, they should have informed me over the phone when I made the appointment, and they could have informed me that they did not have the necessary equipment to treat my dog. The vet then claimed it wasn't her fault, as this was only the third dog over 200 lbs that she had ever seen. I explained to her that her lack of experience with these dogs did not excuse her lack of equipment. And if the lack of familiarity with the breed was a problem, then she could have looked at his records beforehand and recused herself.
My entire world was turned upside down this morning, and I'm trying to find a good vet again that can treat my dog's injuries ASAP. But, I will NEVER go back to this place, and I would do my absolute best to steer you away as well.