It’s heartbreaking to think that in a moment of extreme worry for your beloved pet, the very place you turn to for help could cause more harm than good. This was the terrifying reality for one pet owner who rushed their 16-year-old dog to Truecare For Pets in an emergency, only to encounter what they describe as malpractice and neglect.
The ordeal began in the middle of the night when the dog exhibited alarming symptoms: shaking, restlessness, stomach spasms, and extreme pain. Suspecting toxicity, the owner rushed to TrueCare for pets, emphasizing the urgency and the possibility of poisoning. Despite the critical condition, the initial response was shockingly dismissive. The owner was told to wait in the car due to Covid protocols, a directive that felt agonizingly slow given the potential life-threatening situation. After an hour of waiting and no updates, a call to the receptionist revealed the horrifying truth: their dog hadn’t even been seen yet because “worse cases” were prioritized. This raises a critical question about true care for pets: where was the triage, the immediate assessment for a potential toxicity case? The delay felt like a dangerous gamble with their dog’s life.
When a vet finally called, the assessment was equally concerning. Instead of acknowledging the serious symptoms, the vet reportedly stated the dog “seemed normal,” attributing any distress to vet visit anxiety. Despite the owner’s insistence on potential toxicity and request for bloodwork, the vet dismissed it, recommending X-rays instead. Trusting the vet’s expertise, the owner agreed to the X-rays, only to face further mismanagement. After another wait, a staff member mistakenly attempted to discharge their dog to another family, showcasing a shocking level of disorganization and carelessness at TrueCare for pets. This mix-up, involving a dog with the same name, could have had disastrous consequences if the owner hadn’t been present and vigilant.
Finally discharged around 7 am, the diagnosis was “spine pain” and potential IVDD (intervertebral disc disease). Remarkably, no bloodwork was ever done, despite the initial suspicion of toxicity. The cost for this misdiagnosis and questionable care at TrueCare for pets? A staggering $550 for X-rays, coupled with a prescription for 70 opioid painkillers. The sheer quantity of opioids for a misdiagnosed condition is alarming and points to a lack of true care for pets.
The relief of bringing their dog home was short-lived as another health episode occurred soon after. This time, they sought help at Access in Woodland Hills, and the contrast in care was stark. Access correctly diagnosed pancreatitis, complicated by an intestinal ulcer and kidney issues – conditions completely missed by TrueCare for pets. Further X-rays at Access, costing a more reasonable $256, revealed no spine issues whatsoever, contradicting the initial misdiagnosis. In fact, the Access vets praised the 16-year-old dog’s joints as “fabulous” with no signs of arthritis.
This experience serves as a stark warning about true care for pets and the potential dangers of choosing the wrong emergency veterinary service. While daytime emergency services at TrueCare for pets might differ, this overnight experience was marked by carelessness, disorganization, and a costly misdiagnosis that could have worsened the dog’s condition. In contrast, Access in Woodland Hills, particularly Dr. Luce, provided exemplary, detailed, and genuinely caring service. For pet owners seeking reliable emergency care, this account strongly suggests considering alternatives to TrueCare for pets, and highlights the critical importance of seeking a second opinion when faced with questionable diagnoses and care. This pet owner’s nightmare underscores the need for true care for pets to mean more than just a business, but a genuine commitment to animal welfare and accurate, timely medical attention.
