Alastair Wescott, I'm following your career as you move from clinic to clinic. You're a terrible veterinarian and I'll keep telling my story about your poor service.
I brought my dog, Kona, to Alastair when he was at Bowen Veterinary Services (Bowen Island, BC) years ago because she suffered a spinal injury. Kona was able to walk into the clinic by herself. Alastair attempted to take x-rays of Kona, but in doing so, wrestled her to the table while she howled in pain and resisted him. I offered to make Kona sit and lay down for the procedure (she would have followed my commands), but Alastair ordered me out of the room. I watched through the glass window as his assistant layed on top of Kona to take the x-ray, and Kona kept resisting and was terrified, likely aching more from spinal compression. They never completed the x-ray, but had they let me assist, we could have successfully gotten it done. It was upsetting to watch my dog be handled so brutally, and I couldn't understand why Alastair wouldn't allow me to assist. He's a man with few words and no negotiation.
Alastair wasn't able to determine the problem and suggested I leave Kona overnight for observation, so she stayed there awhile. Alastair promised to phone me with an update, but that didn't happen, so I phoned him after a few hours. While we were talking on the phone, I could hear my dog crying with distress in the background, so I told Alastair I wanted to get Kona that night so I could bring her to Canada West Veterinary Specialists in the morning. I correctly suspected spinal injury and didn't see any benefit in leaving Kona with him the entire night. Alastair insisted I leave Kona, but I insisted otherwise. Before hanging up, he said, "Bring your credit card or I won't release her to you. And, I won't make a referral for Canada West either -- you're going to need one to go there." I paid the bill that night -- about $2,000. When I protested over the cost, he told me to go "f*ck myself" and said I had not choice - - arrogant smirk. Very unprofessional and threatening manner.
I had to carry Kona from the clinic because she now couldn't walk on her own. She was quiet for the rest of the night - - with me at home. In the morning, I took the first ferry from Bowen Island and brought Kona to Canada West where she was immediately admitted, placed on life support because her health deteriorated quickly. She needed surgery to repair two ruptured discs and the procedure was successful, thanks to the professionals at Canada West Specialists. Had I followed Alastair's advice, my dog would likely have died in his care. She required life-support services by the time I got her to Canada West. His angry temper and his careless approach with my dog was unprofessional, and his rude demeanour towarId me was shockingly unprofessional.
I am posting this feedback years after my encounter with Alastair as a warning to potential clients: insist on another veterinarian at Coombs Veterinary Hospital. He should be fired for unprofessionalism and poor animal care. If he really cared, he would have protected Kona and had been more kind toward me. I paid Alistair $2,000 to wrestle with my dog and lock her in a kennel for a few hours. Unforgiveable.
Rodney Beaulieu read more
