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Southpaws

Fairfax, Va.

Cheri of Washington, DC January 22, 2010

After my vet took x-rays of my 15 1/2 year-old cat's hind leg, she said it could be bone cancer and so I should have it biiopsied. I took her to SouthPaw that day and they did a 465 full body x-ray to see if any cancer was elsewhere and it was all clear. They recommended a biopsy but didn't have time that day so I made an appt for 2 days later. I was told the cost was anywhere from 1200 to 1400 but they need full payment of the high-end up front. when I picked up my cat, they said they needed another 50 from me.

They did not call me with results, so I finally called them and was told that the doctor who did the biopsy was now on leave for several weeks and that the biopsy results were sitting on another doctors desk and they would try to get him moving on this. I said that I am keeping my cat drugged up just waiting for this so I could decided between amputation and euthanasia and had an amputation surgery scheduled with my own vet because they were 1000-1500 and Southpaws charges 3500 to 4000 for the same surgery.

A doctor I had never met or spoken to called me that night and said the biopsy results were inconclusive! He seemd defensive and said the other doctor had done the biopsy right and that it "probably" was bone cancer and the leg should come off because even if it was a benign tumor that they couldn't find in the biopsy, the bone was probably weak and could fracture.

So the ONLY information they were going on was from the x-ray. He said the only way to get a diognosis was to amputate the leg and then look at it again (another 300 for me to pay). I asked if they should do another biopsy and he said I would have to pay for another one! So I am left with them botching a biopsy, not doing another one unless I pay another 1400, and telling to have the cat's leg amputated.

This, by the way, after 2 years ago when another cat of mine had a seizure and I took him there. Even though he had a heart murmur, they had him put under anesthesia for a CAT scan/MRI and his heart went haywire and he died while under, was revived but his heart was so damaged he died a couple of months later after thousands of dollars spent by me. They gave me a refund for the MRI (I think they were hoping I wouldn't sue them for malpractice for being so careless as to put a cat with a heart murmur under anesthesia -- something I have since learned is a big 'no-no')

Southpaws has this cute waiting room lobby and you think it must be a great place, but I am apalled and even frightened to take a pet there or recommend them to anyone. They are very concerned to the point of being tacky of payment and do not seem informed about the animal being treated. But the main thing is, I've had two situations where the result is horrible to the point of malpractice.

One cat died and I spent nearly 5000 trying to keep him alive after SouthPaws messed up. And now I have another cat that they recommend limb amputation even though they failed to get me a cancer diagnosis because of an "inconclusive" biopsy where they had x-rays to go on and the cat was put under anasthesia for the procedure and strong pain medicine afterwards for several days.

So far, just with this cat at Southpaws (not counting the initial visit and x-rays to my regular vet) they have gotten 1865 from me for their own x-rays and biopsy where apparently they went into the bone with the needle but failed to "hit" the tumor or dark spot that was clearly visible in the x-ray. They won't do another one and really seem like they could care less as long as they have my money and since I can't afford to do the amputation with them anyway.

Terrible, too that the vet who first treated the cat did not call me back and they seemed to have forgotten about me and getting me ANY biopsy results, again, once they had my payment. I am angry, but I am also afraid of these people and am close to considering them a danger to pets and their vulnerable owners.

Mary of Washington, DC April 28, 2009

I took my cat in several weeks ago because she had suddenly developed signs of disorientatin and staggering. Took her to my vet, who suggested I take her to South Paws (warning that it would be expensive). Spent two days there with her...tota;l cost, including MRI about 2,500...gladly paid it,love the cat....turned out she had had a stroke, for which they could do nothing...luckily she recovered for the most part.

Then I got a call todday from South Paws asking 1) HOW IS YOUR CAT DOING??; 2) YOU OWE US 309 for a spinal tap we performed after the cat was given the MRI (doc had said NOTING about how much it would cost)...left a sour taste in my mouth...the care there is good, BUT they pad the bill with so many extras...the person who called said the vet shoud have told me the xtra cost and apologized....ended up costing me an extra 300.... love the cA, BUT would not recommend this place to others.....

Charles of Silver Spring, MD October 1, 2006

Charles of Silver Spring MD (10/01/06)
When my beloved pet dog needed emergency surgery, I brought him to SouthPaws Veterinary Specialists & Emergency Center. This hospital touts itself as providing the finest care with its large staff of certifed veterinary specialists. Because of its reputation as a referral hospital for difficult mdecial and surgical cases as well as emergencies, I brought my mastiff there in February, 2006 when he developed symptoms of an intestinal obstruction. He was operated on by a board certified surgeon who removed a piece of rubber that my dog had swallowed. The surgery was described as routine.

When he almost died ten days later of an abdominal abscess, it became clear that mistakes were made. The surgical report (which I later obtained) did not document that the abdomen was cleaned as is necessary for this procedure. The hospital also would not prescribe post-operative antibiotics (which I questioned but was told he did not need). These two mistakes almost killed my pet and caused him weeks of pain and suffering. Ther first surgery cost around 3500; the second around 7500.00

One might believe that given the big league charges by SouthPaws, there would also be big league accountability for the work they do. Guess what? The hospital never addressed these issues with me directly. They did however, delay, cover up, deceive, and blame my pet for their errors and sloppiness. When a veterinary hospital brushes you off in a condecending manner and appears totally indifferent to concerns involving life threatening issues take heed.

As a physician, I've taken surgical training so I think I know a bit about this as well. I'm posting this to let you know what you can do if you suspect veterinary malpractice. First, try to talk to your veterinary hospital. Most really care about you and your pet and will be willing to admit that will they try but they are only human and do make mistakes and correct them. If this does not work and the hospital is as uncaring and arrogant as SouthPaws, file a complaint with the State Veterinary Board, consult an attorney, and give serious thought to having your day in court. 

My pet sufferred for weeks. My wife and I worried about him constantly often at the expense of losing days from work and being preoccupied with his plight. The total direct costs exceeded 12,000.

Southpaws responds:

Charles of Silver Spring alleges that mistakes were made while in the care of SouthPaws post surgery.

This gentleman filed a complaint with the Virginia Board of Veterinary medicine. A Special Conferene Committee reviewed the complaint (same allegations he posted on your website) and based on their review, the Committee found there was no evidence to substantiate his allegations and they took no action on his complaint.

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