The Hoormans called asking if we could see their sick dog, but would not be able to pay anything for days. We advised that we can delay payment for the consult only, but anything else does need to be paid, so please be aware of that before seeking our help.

They agreed. Upon consultation late at night, their pet was very sick, with a temperature of 40.6 (having been advised that it was 40.1 the previous day when attending their first clinic), and needed a lot of work, but the Hoormans were not able to pay (as previously advised). They did ask if they could use an amount of credit they had left over from a finance company from a previous case. Although well short of the amount needed, and not knowing if this finance company would allow this, we did look into the possibility for them by calling the finance company. However, the finance company was not taking calls (having to leave a message, but we were already beyond our normal closing time so could not wait to hear back), and the account this money was in was not in the Hoormans name, but another person. Hence we advised the Hoormans that we could not accept this as security. However, we recommended they immediately attend Lort Smith (a charity backed practice that can allow cheaper fees and accounts. Private practices are not charity backed).

With the above advice, for reasons that were not given to us by the Hoormans, they refused to go to Lort Smith for help. They merely shouted that they had no interest in our recommendations of Lort Smith, and entered into a tirade of aggressive and abusive language, using the F word multiple times, leaving both our nurse and veterinarian extremely distressed.

Veterinary clinics always go through advice such as the above, for clients who are unable to pay for services. However, on occasion at SAH, when long standing clients are respectful and understanding, we may in fact go outside the norm to see if we can arrange something to help. However, when a client immediately becomes aggressive and abusive as the Hoormans were, we cannot help such clients further. We believe this is reasonable.

Despite this, our veterinarian still gave an opioid analgesic pain killer, for no charge, as we were concerned that the Hoormans may not seek the immediate attention Diesel needed. We re-iterated our strong advice to take Diesel immediately to The Lort Smith, having already left a febrile, inappetant dog for over 3 days.

Our understanding is that they did not immediately take Diesel to Lort Smith, instead they waited another full day before eventually taking Diesel to a third clinic the following afternoon.

My Hoorman questions SAHs care for Diesel, but we note the following:

It was the Hoorman's who waited 3 days to present their febrile sick dog to us, last consultion late at night. They had attended another clinic 24 hours earlier, being told that Diesel had a temperature of 40.1 and needed immediate attention, that the Hoormans did not seek.

It was SAH who tried to accept funds well short of that needed, but the finance company was not contactable that night, nor were the available funds in Mr Hoormans name, nor did we know whether the company would allow these funds to be used for a separate case.

It was SAH that gave a very precise explanation, and viable option, to get immediate treatment for Diesel, on account, at The Lort Smith.

It was Mr Hoorman who refused to go to The Lort Smith immediately, giving no reason why they would not.

It was SAH who treated Diesel for no charge.

It was the Hoorman's who then left this poor febrile dog another full day before trying another clinic, when Diesel could have received the treatment needed, with an account, at The Lort Smith just 20 minutes after our advice the night before.

When it comes to the question of who had Diesels welfare in mind and who didnt, the above facts are unambiguous.

I had the same experience zaram744. They spend a lot of energy responding to bad reviews and very little caring when theyve treated ppl badly. And so so costly.

Completely agree Mikec891. Pet Medical Crisis Charity also deal with Southern Animal Health on many occasions each year. Their ethics and standard of care is inspirational. Clients have unanimously been happy with the care and professionalism afforded them at SAH.