FORREST AVENUE ANIMAL HOSPITAL

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We had been clients on Forrest Avenue for 3-4 years, switching only due to distance. I was very pleased with the vets, especially Dr. Kim Gaines.

On his first time for his full day stay he was stressed and the staff suggested that if possible I should bring him in every two hours for this blood test to lower his stress level. To be honest Oscar is very much a home boy and being away from us bothers him very much. I was happy that the staff recognized the problem and offered such a solution which worked out perfect for Oscar, he did so much better and I had no problem getting him to go back with me for his 5 blood tests.

On November 29, 2011, I noticed my 13-year old cat was not eating, was drooling and had bad breath. I took him to Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital on 11/30/11 to have his mouth and teeth examined. I requested that they do a complete dental cleaning and tooth extractions, as necessary, a procedure that is done under anesthesia. They started him on oral antibiotics, did a geriatric blood panel and scheduled him for the cleaning the following morning, 12/1/11.

They performed the cleaning, extracted two teeth and sent him home the same day with instructions to continue the course of antibiotics previously prescribed. I was told he had a little diarrhea while at the hospital and to monitor his stools. No radiograph (x-ray) was taken while he was sedated, even though it is a usual and customary test that provides information about the general health of the mouth and ensures teeth will be fully and correctly extracted. Additionally, he was not given any pain medication upon discharge. Total cost for the initial exam, blood work, medications and cleaning/extractions was around $480.00.

Over the weekend he seemed to improve, but still lacked interest in food. On 12/5/11, I called to report his continued inappetence and that he had had more diarrhea. I asked if the diarrhea could be related to the antibiotics. The doctor returned my call an hour later and said the antibiotics could be the reason for his lack of appetite and diarrhea and told me to discontinue the antibiotics.

On 12/6/11 he still didn't eat. I thought he might be in pain or discomfort from having his teeth pulled, and asked that they prescribe some pain medication. They told me they could give me medication for him, but suggested I bring him in. I brought him in around noon on 12/6/11. I asked if they could x-ray his mouth to see if there was anything else wrong with his teeth. They said they prefer to treat the symptoms as opposed to doing anything invasive, and an x-ray might not show an underlying cause for his discomfort.

They gave him a brief exam and he yelled when they looked in his mouth. They noticed a lump on his cheek in the area where a tooth had been pulled. I asked if it might be an infection or from trauma. They did not know the cause of the lump, but said they would keep him overnight, give him strong pain killers, fluids and antibiotics. They said if they determined the reason for the readmission was a result of the dental procedure, they wouldn't charge me any additional fees.

They called the following day, Wednesday, and told me my cat was 100% better, that he was like his old self again. I picked him up around noon on 12/7/11 with prescription food for digestive issues (They told me that was the only food they had that he liked.), prescription pain medicine - morphine and steroids - and a different antibiotic. All were to be administered orally. There was no mention of the lump and I assumed it would be treated and cured by whatever they prescribed. Total cost of this visit was around $500.00.

By the weekend, he had stopped eating again. I took him to a different vet on Monday, 12/12/11, and explained what had been going on over the past several weeks based on detailed records/notes I had made. She saw the lump on the side of his face and tried to look in his mouth. He yelled again. She said that in order to look at the inside of his mouth he would need to be sedated. She used a cotton swab to part his lips and look at his gum line, but all she saw was inflammation. She said he would also need to be sedated to get a proper x-ray. She told me the main objective at that time was to get him eating regularly again, and that I could get the x-ray done after he was back on his regular feed. They gave him a more palatable prescription food, one that he ate while on the exam table.

Although he ate the prescription food at home, he needed a lot of coaxing to finish each meal. By Saturday, 12/17/11, his appetite had completely diminished and I considered the option of euthanasia. He ate only a few teaspoons worth of food the morning of 12/18/11 and I decided that further treatment or even diagnostics would only serve to torment him. On Monday morning, 12/19/11, I had him put to sleep. The doctor asked if it would be okay to examine him more fully after he was gone, and I agreed. Shortly after he passed, she looked in his mouth and saw a huge mass, oral cancer. I asked why it wasn't apparent to the vet who did his dental cleaning and extractions. She said that sometimes tumors respond to trauma, etc., by explosive growth.

Be that as it may, I truly believe that had a simple x-ray been taken prior to the cleaning/extractions, even a small tumor would have been visible. Moreover, Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital did not follow generally accepted criteria when performing the initial cleaning and extractions. It is protocol for a full oral exam to be performed and radiographs (x-rays) to be taken while the cat is sedated and prior to any extraction to ensure a correct diagnosis is made and the appropriate procedure is done.

It is reasonable to assume that, had the proper procedures been implemented, the underlying cause of my cat's dental problems would have been identified. Forrest Avenue Animal Hospital did not apply common veterinary procedures, which led to additional financial and emotional expense on my part and an extended period of pain and suffering for my cat. Had I had the luxury of a correct and early diagnosis, my cat would have been relieved of this excruciating condition a lot sooner. I will never use their services again, and hope that anyone who reads this will find a more competent veterinarian in Dover, DE. I am also considering contacting the state licensing board.