As a new pet owner, I brought my puppies to Banfield Pet Hospital and bought into their whole "Wellness Plan" for all 3 puppies.in hindsight, I wish I would have done some research on this corporation. Apparently gone are the days where you can trust "the experts". It appears that their big corporate attorneys have figured out a way to take as much of your money as possible, and keep it, even if they perform unneccesary procedures.
On or about October 23rd, one of my puppies became ill, throwing up. I brought him to Banfield where they conducted tests. They instructed me to replace his normal food with rice and hamburger for the next 10 days until his stomach settled down and gave me some type of anti-biotic along with a $200.00 bill.
3 days later, my second puppy also began throwing up. When I brought her into Banfield, they wanted to do over $300 worth of tests on her — which after arguing with the receptionist and then the vet — I declined, assuming it was probably the same issue the first puppy had. I was instructed to change her diet to the rice and hamburger mixture also, and given the same medication. Specifically for feeding, I was instructed to use a 4 to 1 mixture: 4 parts rice to 1 part hamburger. Which I did.
As of November 1st, the first puppy became constipated. When I returned to Banfield, they did x-rays and decided they needed to do surgery in case he had swallowed something that was blocking him. I agreed to the $1200.00 surgery. After the surgery, they told me they removed an M&M wrapper from his stomach. It was only later (after the 2nd surgery as detailed below) that I was told the size of the wrapper was only 1 inch in diameter...
3 days later, the second puppy began displaying the same symptoms as the other. After all the same tests and x-rays, the vet told me the second puppy also needed surgery because it appeared something was blockin her. This time I asked her to save whatever they found. After the surgery, the vet called and asked if I had been feeding the dog rice. (This is the same vet who had instructed me to feed the dogs that only 10 days earlier) She told me that these dogs are "slow digesters" and that the rice was getting stuck in her system. Again, I paid for the $1200.00 surgery, and her mistake. But this time, I was very upset. The diet they prescribed had caused the problem in both dogs - I was certain. Not only did they get me for 1 surgery, but 2!
At the same time, the vet actually asked me to bring in my 3rd puppy to undergo the same testing and possible surgery as he now was also constipated. I told them they would never touch my dogs again and I wanted to cancel all three plans due to their incompetency. At that point the Vet said, "Well, just don't feed him for 24 hours and the problem will most likely be resolved." "And, we'll cancel all 3 Wellness Plans for a $159.00 cancellation fee."
I called their corporate office asking for a refund for the 2nd surgery. They were no help. It took the vet 3 weeks to call me back, arrogantly stating, "That ain't gonna happen". I informed her that I wanted the X-Rays for a 2nd opinion and that I intended on pursuing this. Her reply was that they would agree to cancel all three plans at no additional charge, but I would have to come in and sign a waiver to not pursue any further action against them.
Since then, I have check with several other Vet clinics. I have found that the prices Banfield charges are almost double that of
anywhere else. Don't let them fool you with the Wellness Program. Trust me, you stand to pay far more... Not only monetarily, but also in what they put these poor animals through in order to ring up their cash register and line their pockets.
I hope someday this company will be investigated and exposed.
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