March 5, 2007

Family Pet clinic Group of Hospitals

6724 Mid-Cities Blvd.

North Richland Hills, Texas 76180

www.familypetclinicofnrh.com

817-788-2525 Phone

817-788-5575 Fax

Mr. Billy Johnson,

On February the 28^th at 7:50 AM I called your clinic in NRH, I first spoke with Pam the receptionist who promptly connected me with your senior veterinarian technician Jason. I spoke with Jason in length regarding Charlotte’s gestation day of 65 and counting. Jason gave me pricing on a caesarian section, IV fluids with anesthesia, hospital care, recovery and antibiotics for a total of $433.71. Jason wanted me to bring in Charlotte at 8:15, which was right after I hung up the phone. I arrived at 8:15 promptly waited until 9:00 when I was introduced to Dr. Donna Bell. Attempting to examine Charlotte Dr. Bell was concerned she was putting Charlotte in undo stress and stopped the exam (only a rectal temperature was performed). I was instructed to take Charlotte home and watch her for signs of active labor.

On March 01^st I arrived at the clinic at 07:30 at which time I waited patiently for the senior veterinarian technician to arrive. Jason informed me at 7:50 that Dr. Bell had an emergency with her son and would not be in until 11:30 that afternoon. I was concerned that charlotte would need attention before the arrival of Dr. Bell at 11:30. Jason assured me that the other doctors on staff would be helping out during Dr. Bell’s absence.  At noon I left work to visit Charlotte at the veterinarian clinic during my lunch hour. Dr. Bell was still not at the clinic. I did visit with my Chihuahua Charlotte and Jason for about 20 minutes. Jason told me that Dr. Bell would call me before the caesarian section surgery. At 2:40 Dr. Bell called me with pricing of 800.00 I told her that was not the price I had discussed with Jason yesterday. Dr. Bell told me that the price she was giving me included the hysterectomy of my Chihuahua Charlotte. I explained to Dr. Bell that I didn’t have that amount and we agreed to spay Charlotte at a later date. Dr. Bell assured me that she would call be immediately after the surgery.

At approximately 4:00PM I received a call from Dr. Bell and Jason that Charlotte was doing well and to come pick her up.  I arrived at 4:45 at which time Dr. Bell wanted to review the Invoice priced at a grand total $696.97. I looked at the Invoice and was speechless. I explained to Dr. Bell that these charges were not approved prior to treatment. Dr. Bell explained to me that she would be a negligent veterinarian not to perform all the testing that was done and that everything that was done was necessary. I again told Dr. Bell that these charges were not approved prior to the care of Charlotte.

1.     Exam/Office Call 33.64

2.     Complete blood count CBC 30.07

3.     Chem. 12 Biochemistry profile 60.41

4.     Propofoll injection 47.16

5.     Sevoflurane Maintenance 56.18

6.     Canine caesarian section 298.20

7.     Injectable Buprenex 25.35

8.     pulse oximeter monitoring 31.45

9.     IV fluid 35.00

10. EKG 36.81

11. Hospital professional care 12.27

12.  Hospital nursing care 10.59

13. Day Hospital care9.87

14.  Rimadyl 25 mg 13.00

My invoice grand total was 696.97 payable at time of services rendered. I had already provided a credit card number to the receptionist Pam prior to the pick up of Charlotte earlier that day. The amount permitted was $433.71 to be charged this total was discussed with Jason on February the 28^th at 7:50 AM.  When I was informed by Dr. Bell that no adjustment was going to be made on the Invoice, I wanted to break up the charges on two separate cards. This would be done after I left because the other card I was talking about was at my home. The administrator said that if I did not give him permission to change the original card that he was going to call the police for theft of services.

I was so upset when I left the veterinarian’s office I left without Charlotte’s bed, toys and medication. I have yet to receive a call as to how my Chihuahua Charlotte and her babies are doing. I did receive a letter in the mail that Charlotte is no longer welcome as a patient. As for Charlotte’s post op care I guess I will need to retain another veterinarian. It has always been my understanding that when you have surgery that post-op care is all-inclusive.

Charlotte has had trauma from her care at ‘The pet clinic” She is suffering from multiple ligature marks from under her neck which no one has had an explanation for. Charlotte hasn’t been the same little girl since I brought her home. I have always given her kisses on the face and neck now she is terrified someone is going to restrain her by her neck. I have taken several pictures of my three pound Chihuahua Charlotte’s neck for your review.

Thank you,

Bianca M.  Marcuccino

817-503-0008

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