ComplaintsforHorizon Veterinary Specialists

• Initial Complaint

  09/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On Friday September 22, 2023 I rushed my dog ****** to the horizon veterinary specialist. It was the only one open 24/7. After the initial examination they handed me a bill for $4,000 which needed to be paid right then or he would be put down. The only other option was to hand my rights over to a business called sparc who would pay everything then adopt him out. They didn't offer payment plans, programs, non profits. Nothing else. They wouldn't proceed with the surgery until they had the payment. To save my dog I had to sign him over. ****** was like our child. We love him and he loves us. Having to see all his toys knowing he's not coming back is tourcher. I felt discriminated against because the bill clearly states the money was due appn discharge. Why not for me? If id had more time even I could have figured something out. I never thought taking my boy to the vet I'd be leaving without him. For good. This is wrong. This is cruel. This is evil. No wonder they aren't bbb accredited.

  Business response

  09/25/2023

  We appreciate you bringing your concerns to our attention.
  
  The information within your complaint is incorrect. We do not demand payment and we did not offer you a bill, what you submitted a picture of was an estimate which reflected the suggested plan of care based on the patients condition. 
  To be clear and direct, you brought this patient to our hospital in critical condition. The patient did not become sick the day of or the day before your arrival to our hospital. In fact, you were aware that the patient ingested a potentially dangerous foreign object more than three days prior to the time you brought the patient to our hospital. Additionally, the patient had been vomiting for several days. The patient had been anorexic and unable to defecate for days before you decided to seek medical care.
  
  The patient was obtunded and on examination, the patient was critically dehydrated, lateral and unwilling to walk, depressed, was vomiting frank blood, was leaking fetid smelling diarrhea, was tachycardic with thready pulses and had pale mucus membranes do to poor profusion. 
  When you declined the estimate alternatives were offered to you such as the payment plan we offer, Care Credit, and when no other option was available it was offered for you to relinquish the patient so necessary care could be provided as appropriate. We cannot force you to sign an animal over, it was just an option presented to you. You made the choice to relinquish the rights to this patient.
  
  Pets, sadly, are legally defined as property. You are responsible for any pet you claim ownership over, this includes providing all necessary care and covering the cost of that care. 
  
  We are sad that this patient was brought to us in such a critical state. 

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