Harbor Springs Vet
Address |
31201 Us Hwy 19 N Ste 2, Palm Harbor, FL, 34684 |
Veterinarian Reviews Add Review
Vet Name | Dr. Billy Kowlaski |
Mark |
|
Pet Name | Grace |
Owner Name | Kara |
11.22.2023
In just 10 weeks of my dog being a patient here, this review went from a 5 star to a 1 star sadly, so I do hope you read this when considering choosing this vet. I do think they have great marketing tools to make you feel special and welcome upon your first visit…a personalized letter board, a savvy app and social media presence…it would be an amazing and fun vet if you only needed tune ups. That being said, I began by coming in because my dog wasn’t eating and was getting dehydrated. During her exam, he mentioned she had gingival hyperplasia. That was all that was said about it and I assumed it was a deformity. I googled it at home and found out it needs to be surgically taken care of. He apologized for his lack of communication about it and we moved forward with scheduling the surgery. Dr. Billy suggested I have the small mass my dog has had for 5 years on her side removed while she was already going to be under anesthesia and with up to date blood work. I trusted his opinion and added that on to the cost (upwards of $1700 after procedure and blood work). The tech Ashley took my dog back without even allowing me to give her a proper goodbye and then asked me about a DNR. I asked why someone would choose to not resuscitate their dog as I’ve never experienced any big procedures like this, and I quote “we’d probably have to break her ribs doing CPR and then she’d probably just code again”….talk about pre-surgery etiquette.
Her <1” mass turned into a 2 1/2” incision and was stitched up and her gums were operated on too. Their week 1 follow up (during business hours) was great which led to the weekend when her stitches started stretching open and was told “it looks fine, just go take her to an emergency vet…for peace of mind. It’s ONLY A HUNDRED DOLLARS” and that’s not the reality of many peoples budgets. So I waited until Monday and we were back first thing in the morning and lo and behold, I wasn’t losing my mind and she needed 6 staples. I follow up a week later, and they weren’t healed enough. So we follow up after another week and then they were too healed and removing the staples reopened her wound (and upon going through my invoices, I now see that Dr. Billy, nor any of his regular employees, is who removed her staples and had to then glue her incision because it was bleeding again). I also explained she still wasn’t eating her meals and seemed in pain when chewing and was told “weird! Maybe she’s playing you. You can schedule a consultation”???? Then that leads us to this week where it’s still not healed and the incision is still bleeding. 29 days later. I understand it’s a spot that movement just can’t be 100% avoided, but was following every direction exactly as I was told to do. Again, I was told I can come in for “peace of mind” but would be charged a $47 exam fee. Absurd. While taking her vitals, they asked if she’s eating and I said not really and that I can only get her to eat 1/2 of her meals and she STILL seems in pain…like I kept telling them after surgery.
That being said, upon vocalizing my frustration with another exam fee when he still hasn’t seen THIS procedure to the end, he waived the fee and then charged me $111 for an ointment and a prescription….THAT SHE NEEDS TO TAKE WITH FOOD…which just about summarizes their overall carelessness. I will NEVER be back and this is the first time in 7 years that I feel like I failed my dog.
Expand
Vet Name | Billy Kowalski |
Mark |
|
Pet Name | Riley |
Owner Name | zoe |
3.27.2022
Truely cares about animals healthy treats you like family doesnt give you any tests that aren't needed!