UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine — Attraction in Davis

My 12 lb., 7 year old dog was suddenly experiencing kidney failure - with worse markers of kidney function that my dog who has had kidney failure for the past year. My regular vet (who used to work at UC Davis School of Vet Med) said that in a perfect world, if money wasn't an issue, I would bring my dog here or to Vista Veterinary Specialists in Sacramento, to be put on IV fluids for about 3 days. There was a possibility my dog had eaten something, and IV fluids could flush it out of her system and her kidneys could go back to a healthy functioning. If I didn't do the IV fluids, she would definitely have some sort of kidney problems for the rest of her life. She warned us that it would probably cost around $3,000. We decided to take the gamble, and we are so glad that we did! Within 2 1/2 days my dog's kidney function levels were back to where they had been 2 years prior, and after 5 days in the hospital she was ready to come home. Dr. Lucy Kopecny was my dog's Internal Medicine Resident for the first 3 days, and my dog LOVED her. We got a call every morning from the veterinary student in charge of her, and every evening we came to visit with our dog for 1-2 hours. Dr. Kopecny came in to talk with us 2 of the 3 evenings to give us an update. The first evening we came, I was sitting on the floor with my dog in my lap, and when Dr. Kopecny came in and sat on the floor, my dog quickly went over to her, climbed into her lap, and kissed her face. When Dr. Kopecny left, my dog whined a little. The Senior Student in charge of my dog, Katy Tomalty was great. My dog was the only one she was taking care of for the long weekend, and she clearly spent time with my dog and cared. I found out from my dog's next Senior Student that one of the vet techs really liked my dog and was often found walking through the halls with my dog in her arms. I don't think my dog could have had better care. She is back to her normal self and I am so glad that I took the chance!

We had to pay $1,000 the day we dropped her off, $400 deposit 2 days later, and a discharge payment of $1,121.30... coming to a total of $2,521.30. We were given the option of coming back for a check up in 10 days or going to her normal vet, and we chose to come back 10 days later. That visit cost $340 ($80 for the visit, and the...

They OVERDOSED my cat with FOUR TIMES the dose of a medicine that was never authorized by the FDA in animals AND should not be given to humans with my cat's condition ( according to the FDA's file on humans). My cat was there referred to UCD for a basic procedure for a manageable and stabilized condition. Not only did they overdosed him but the way they "managed" the aftermath with just the minimum to not have him die on the spot because of their malpractice (oxygen but no nutritional management) was a scandal. He did not ingest a calorie in 4 days they released him into our care straight from the ICU he was a real skeleton, having lost 1.5lb in 4 days ( assessed by my own vet) but UCD denies it ( of course) He never recovered from the overdose and I had to put him to sleep yesterday, 11 days after I got him back. The culprits are: Dr Zacuto ( she overdosed him) Dr Sykes head of service who has not enough honor to handle the consequences of her team's lame job with the slightest decency, the cardiologist Dr Stern who does not hesitate to manipulate information and call referring vets to get his way, the entire Emergency service ( do NOT go there, they don't even know what they are doing and will more likely damage your pet further) with its head of service Dr Hohareau, plus the dean Dr Lairmore & UC Davis chancellor Katehi who are 100% aware of the situation - I wrote to them - and who turned a blind eye to all that. Both of the latter did not have enough honor and decency to clean the mess caused by their unprofessional subordinates. Another proof that "Birds of same feather flock together" For the love of your pet PLEASE, I am begging you: go elsewhere! Look at the picture of my cat's UC Davis medical file here attached. The overdose is mentioned on it and if by the way you want more proofs of what is written above, or if you don't trust what you see, contact me, I will forward you the paperwork with Dr Zacuto's own acknowledgement of the overdose. Supplemental note to pet owners: UC Davis had the nerves to refuse to pay for the palliative care after my cat was released and they even billed me with 182$ each time Dr Zacuto ( who overdosed him) was checking my cat, at times 3...

Our dog was admitted to UCDVTH in October, 2015. When we brought her home after a week of no answers, we found that she had numerous surgical incisions and seeping puncture wounds. We did not consent to these procedures. Our beloved Lab died a mere 24 hours after being discharged. I am horrified to think of what she went through there, without our knowledge or consent.

Upon researching this hospital, I learned that UC Davis Veterinarians and the hospital are exempt from all the rules under the California Medical Veterinary Practices Act. And their veterinarians do not have to be licensed in the state of California (see CA Business and Professional Code Section 4830). Unbelievable, but true. This means, UC Davis can give substandard care, alter records, perform unnecessary surgical procedures or experiments, and do not have to seek any informed consent prior. This leaves the customer with little recourse or remedy if something bad happens.

We learned later that our veterinarian, Lynelle Johnson, is not licensed in the state of California. Something not disclosed to us prior to admittance. How can this be? I would have never brought our beloved dog to be treated by a non-CA licensed vet! I don't think I'm alone in assuming that by paying such outrageous fees, and being treated at "the best" that the standard of care would be as good as--or better than--any other vet hospital. But that simply is not true.

Further, none of this information is readily available to the public, nor disclosed to you as a potential client prior to admitting your beloved animal to their facility. It appears UC Davis does not want this information made public.

Run, do not walk from this "hospital". Your pet may very well be experimented on or undergo unnecessary procedures in order to "teach". And there will be nothing you can do about but pay their...