Banfield Pet Hospital review: Dental surgery followed by decline in health and euthanasia offered as possible solution

We found our cat Tom in a flower pot when he was a tiny baby. He has had a healthy and happy life up until about 6 months ago when we started to move some symptoms consistent with dental pain and bleeding around the mouth. We took him to a local emergency vet and they treated him for pain and infection and recommended we find a vet and schedule a dental procedure as soon as possible. We signed him up at Banfield and scheduled the dental. During the dental procedure we were called regarding extractions which we were expecting and approved all extractions suggested. We came home and he was great for about 5 weeks. A week ago I heard him screaming in pain. I called Banfield but they were not able to schedule him until 11 days later. After 7 days he was lethargic and peeing on himself in his bed, very unusual. I called Banfield again and said he had to be seen right away. I dropped him off at 11 am and at 3:45 pm they finally called. They had just done the check up. She proposed $600 worth of items just to diagnose and treat the dehydration. (Which I later learned he did not have)

After telling her that we were not expecting to spend that much and were there any options to treat him first for pain and infection and then see how he feels. She went on yo say that while we could treat the pain he could possibly be in organ failure but she wouldn’t know until she ran blood and urine for $200. I asked kg there was one test or the other that could help diagnose instead of both to save money and she said not really. She then said he was a really sick cat and euthanasia would be an option. I asked for something for pain so I could take him home to say good bye to our family. Tom is not even 3 years old. She gave a topical pain gel

For his gums.

After I left, I decided to go back to urgent vet for a second opinion.

They gave him real pain management. Hydration. Antibiotic. Ran a cbc which other than elevated white blood cell count which is consistent with the mouth infection, it was normal. No hydration numbers.

The doctor said his teeth were much worse than the first time I brought him in. I told him that Tom

Had recently had a dental and extractions and he was shocked. He said they left roots exposed. He said they should have taken a lot more.

Tom is home. He is going to be ok. I have to call and cancel his euthanasia appt tomorrow and find a new vet to repeat the dental

And get the teeth with exposed roots extracted.

I feel so betrayed by Banfield. I am furious that Tom was not care for appropriately and has been in pain. I cannot believe she sent a cat that she believed would be euthanized the next day home with a topical pain gel instead of a real pain treatment.

I don’t trust this vet and I want to cancel my plan and I’d like my money back for the improper treatment leading is to further issues.

Also the urgent vet was $350, and that included a $105 emergency exam.