Rescued Heart Animal Hospital

I have never in my life been laughed at while I had tears coming down my face. I would love to go into detail about our entire 2+ year experience with Rescued Heart, but I’m sure I’ll be limited with space. We have a senior Pug with back problems that has difficulty walking. Brought her to Rescued Heart because last vet wasn’t treating her properly, and Dr. Rytter figured out correct meds and got her back on track. At that time, Dr. Rytter was told that we’re on a limited income because my husband recently became disabled. She worked with us and was so understanding. A year later, we took our Beagle in on a Saturday in an emergency. Couldn’t get through on the phone and it was a dire situation, so we took her right in. Was assured by vet/vet tech that she would be fine. Just needed some fluids. They’d see if she had a blockage, but they were almost certain it wasn’t but they’d keep her overnight to get her to stop throwing up and not become dehydrated. The phone call that night from the vet tech was less than pleasant. She seemed annoyed and wanted off the phone. Next phone call we got was a voicemail the next morning from Dr. Newcomb stating that our dog had died in the night when no one was there. Really?!?! However, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and believed everything she said. Why? I now question that myself. We took our Lab there to be put down in July and had to schedule it three three days out. I didn’t know that most vets say don’t even call just come in because it’s so traumatic to make that decision and have to sit and wait. Yet, I still gave them a chance. Took our Pug in with recurring bladder infections. They treated the first two, at my request, without X-rays because, once again, my husband is on disability and we have a very limited income. We go in Monday prepared to pay a little more because I knew X-rays were eminent. They came back with bladder stones. However, now that I think a out it, I never saw the X-rays. I was told that surgery is a must. They send in a vet tech to give us the estimate and I can’t believe it. Low was $667.51. High was $830.66. I was in a panic because I don’t have that kind of money, but I want my dog not to suffer. When we explored just putting her down, Dr. Rytter encouraged us to consider the surgery because she’s going to be a different dog after surgery and could live many more happy years. As I️ was looking at the bill I️ was considering what could be eliminated to make it affordable. I️ asked about donating sutures as my brother is a surgical nurse and donates them to vets in his area that gladly accept them. And, I️ said that it would save me at least $31.10. I️ was told no. I️ also said I️ wouldn’t be buying the food as that is money that I️ could save on the bill. We left that appointment paying a little over $180 and not scheduling surgery at that time. However, a very good friend stepped up and gave us a tremendous chunk of the $667, so I called the next day to schedule the surgery. They got her in the next morning. My husband took her in this morning for surgery. He doesn’t do anything with money in our house. It’s always me. He didn’t even look over the estimate, because I had taken care of it and talked to those necessary. We go to pick her up this evening and the bill is $850.57! I started crying. Of course it’s OVER the high end of estimate, along with some pre surgical blood test that wasn’t on the estimate. They called for the vet tech to come out to explain the charges. I told her that I️ didn’t want the food on there because it’s too expensive. She just smirked. This is while tears are rolling down my face. Then I said that I️ didn’t know anything about a blood test to which she replied, “If you would’ve listened to me the other day when I explained this.” I could not believe it! My husband went off and told her to get our dog. She just smirked and laughed and taunted the whole situation. Dr. Newcomb came out and said to go into a room to talk about it. At this point, my husband was mad and not using nice words; however, I never once was yelling at her or saying anything offensive. After it was just she and I in the room, she still would not even listen to what I had to say. She couldn’t have cared less that I didn’t have that kind of money. She said I had been difficult about the bill since I brought my dog in on Monday by asking about the sutures, which I didn’t know it was wrong to ask a question. She said that Dr. Rytter even said I was being difficult on Monday, which I didn’t even know there was a problem when I left there on Monday. If I had known that these people had been talking about me behind my back after the appointment Monday, I certainly wouldn’t have dropped off my dog for them to do surgery on. I don’t trust them. I was under the impression that we were good Monday. I had no idea that that’s the way they felt about me. Now, that makes me wonder if they took it out on my dog.