Chickasaw Trail Animal Hospital — Local services in Conway

Letting some things slide, outdated office, cleanliness, bad flow of dogs crossing paths with others, having an appt. First thing, but the staff doesn’t open/show up until that actual time of your appt. So you wait outside…. Staff never being on the same page with each other or the doctors. Even appt. Times, when you make one, and then your confirmation text states 20-30 minutes later thab the time you scheduled, which one is it?? Text time or original appt time? However, having multiple dogs, and sparing no expense, procedure, diagnostics, whatever it takes, I would never return to this vet’s office again and caution others to be warned. Of more severe instances, when a dog is diagnosed with a more complex disease, i.e., kidney, a simple text is unprofessional and inappropriate. Getting results from urine or BW and all is good, fine, a simple text all is OK, even if antibiotics were to be given. But a back and forth regarding treatment plan and food and subQ, etc., and no real conversation other than confusing texts, is, and should be unacceptable for any one. Getting sub Q was a nightmare. My dog was spayed within the last year, and when I got home, and fortunately removed here bandage from IV, noticed the plastic cap from the catheter was still in her arm!! If this had made it’s way in her vein, which it very well could have, she most likely would have died. Of course, brought the piece in and was told “this has never happened before” - well I started realizing that is probably a statement they have made to quite a few clients for various reasons. No dog should have to return the next AM for a quick recheck after any surgery, too stressful as well! Vaccines are also pushed on clients - not suggested - but strongly encouraged all at the same time! 5 or 6 of them incl. Cytopoint! Dog rescued, not much history, how about waiting until after bloodwork to see if there are any issues/concerns before totally compromising their immune system. As of late, last straw, so to speak, concerns with dog getting any vaccines, what may be required, etc., before a neuter of a 6 yr old, so he isn’t turned away the morning of for surgery. Left message with vet 3 times to please call or text me, that was fine, in this case, as to what would be best. 1.5 weeks later, no response. Oh, not ONE staff could actually tell me that Dr. G is on vacation and won’t return until. Blah, blah, blah date. Really? Not too confident in staff, front and techs being on the same page. Worst of all……. Dog scheduled to be neutered, PRIORITY, secondary, his jaw is a little off, so while under FOR NEUTER, to take an x ray of jaw - not primary. Well, after being under for over an hour and 11 x rays later, for whatever reason, no one knows, except Dr. incompetency, found a suspected mass near lung, so decided NOT to neuter, NEUTER should have been first, then maybe an x ray. Please be mindful, our dog had no symptoms, BW all good, NO distress under anesthesia. And DR decided not to neuter, because she ‘freaked out’ - not to mention the invoice well exceeded the maximum amount on the quote, OK, it can happen, however he was NOT neutered!!!!! She chickened out and had him under for over an hour. Wrong on every level! Perhaps you have had no serious issues; lucky for you - however, I have been going there for quite a few years with multiple dogs, and all these little things add up, and then one day - something quite traumatic and a big red flag will alert you - so BEFORE this happens, please do some research and find another vet!!!!! I have pets that see oncologists, holistic vet, both I am very happy with - but this vet office is not to be trusted at all. Please don’t wait until something irresponsible and irreversible happens to you and your beloved pet. And, a little p.s., They are quite expensive, so one would think they are getting premium...

Subject: Complaint Against Dr. Gillespie for Failure to Perform Neuter Surgery

I am writing to bring to your attention a highly concerning incident that occurred during my recent visit to your clinic on 7/10/2024. My dog was scheduled to undergo a routine neuter surgery performed by Dr. Gillespie, as previously arranged. However, to my shock and dismay, Dr. Gillespie failed to carry out the scheduled surgery and instead chose to cancel it altogether due to her findings of a pulmonary mass in the right lung lobe as seen on an X-ray. This was very devastating news enough. It was more devastating to know that my dog was under anesthesia for ONE HOUR for 11 X-RAYS of his entire body and not neutered. As discussed prior, only 2 x-rays were to be taken of his jaw, which was secondary. The neuter was primary. My dog had no signs of distress under anesthesia for there to be a reason to not perform. We were charged the full amount as if surgery was performed. Dr. Gillespie was teaching someone under her wing and running behind schedule. This was her reasoning to not pursue the surgery. Brian, the tech, also stated that they were behind on surgery that day. Liz, another tech, ignorantly stated that due to the “location” of the mass, they could not continue the neuter. Dr. Gillespie was consumed with her personal curiosity of what she might find, and losing sight of the original task - his neuter! There is in no way a need for 11 x-rays to be done under anesthesia for ONE HOUR. I had my dog there ALL DAY. Not recovering from surgery, in which he was suppose to have done. I put my trust in Dr. Gillespie, and she let me down.

This blatant disregard for the agreed-upon medical treatment plan and the well-being of my pet is completely unacceptable and has left me deeply troubled and disgusted. As a responsible pet owner, I entrusted Dr. Gillespie with the care of my beloved pet, expecting her to perform the necessary surgery in a professional and competent manner.

The decision to cancel the neuter surgery in favor of pursuing personal curiosity demonstrates a serious lack of respect for the trust placed in veterinary professionals and raises serious concerns about Dr. Gillespie's judgment and commitment to the welfare of animals under her care.

I am gravely disappointed by this gross misconduct and unprofessional behavior exhibited by Dr. Gillespie during my pet's scheduled surgery. Such actions not only jeopardize the health and safety of animals but also undermine the integrity and reputation of your veterinary clinic.

I urge you to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter and take appropriate disciplinary action against Dr. Gillespie for her misconduct. It is imperative that veterinarians uphold the highest standards of professionalism and prioritize the well-being of animals above...

I debated making this review, primarily due to this hospital’s response to this situation but also… lack of response. On 3/28 my parents received a phone call from this hospital stating that they had lost our family dog due to a hole in their fence. This was devastating to our family as this dog is the dog that was brought home after a devastating loss that we had in our family. By 10 PM (only about an hour and a half after the initial call) it was determined that they were done searching for her and ultimately posted on their social media asking for help from the public. Thankfully she was found by the help of a family friend who found her around 1 AM directly outside the boarding kennel. As grateful as I am for the kennel manager for her being apologetic and going in at 1 AM to secure our dog, there are still many questions that have yet to be answered. I personally DM’d them on Instagram regarding their missing instagram post of our family dog. I asked how they were going to take accountability for this issue to the public, more information regarding how this situation may have occurred (assuming a kennel technician is with our pets the entire time they are outside in the yard), and additionally how I should move forward regarding how I choose to speak about this hospital. After an initial conversation occurred with my parents, who have paid for services for this specific dog, they were told that they had the option to respond to my message or not. Long story short I never received a message or reply back. I do have a dog of my own that I have paid for services there and have debated boarding her there, not anymore. Their lack of response and accountability speaks volumes as to how much they care about their reputation. If I were you, or if you are considering boarding your pet here, I would not. It is apparent that they do not have any interest in taking accountability for when something goes wrong on their side. How am I supposed to know that they are capable of insuring my pet’s safety or health? Not sure, and I am not sure if they are willing to discuss that...