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NYC Veterinary Specialists failed to make a proper prognosis for my sweet cat that had lymphoma. Dr. Oberthaler spent 3 minutes with my cat (as per their records) before injecting her with a lethal dose of chemo. At 5am in the morning my cat's stomach perforated which they left unattended until 10am, when I came in to visit her. They told me she would die that day. Dr. Davidson recommended a ridiculously expensive "emergency" surgery then waited until 4pm while my poor cat lingered in agony.
I begged to begin the surgery and was told the only surgeon on duty was busy. How is that an emergency room when there is only one surgeon and he is busy? I asked Dr. Davidson three times if this surgery was even was humane and he assured me all was fine - an utter bald-faced lie in order to charge more money. The surgeon himself stopped by to tell me there was little chance of her survival. When I demanded an explanation from Davidson he lied again and painted a picture of recovery and all would be well. A fully manipulative strategy for someone who wants to try and help their loved pet.
I stayed with my suffering cat until she went into surgery 11 hours after she perf'ed only to learn it was a butchering scene. They failed to monitor her vitals, she suffered more, they lied some more, and 3 hours later she was pronounced brain dead.
If that wasn't enough before I was even allowed to euthanize her, they insisted I sign a form to pay for her disposal that had no prices on it, forcing me at a highly emotional time to agree to be charged any amount. It was disgusting.
This group is profit seeking at the expense of your animals well being, health, and life itself. They are abusive, calculating, negligent vets unfit to practice.
For the love of all animals, do not go here.
Dear Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners On August 13 2012 I brought my Lhasa Apso to your clinic on West 55th St. Concerned about an infection in his tail. Expecting that the wound would be cleaned and that an anesthetic would be prescribed I was startled with the cost estimate of 623.00 dollars *(Estimate #110058) Protesting that such cost would incur a hardship I was informed to try Clinton Veterinary Clinic which I did *(invoice #152956) only to be informed that the tissue in my dogs tail was dead and that the infection could induce septic shock and cause his death if not addressed immediately. Reluctantly I returned to Blue Pearl bearing in mind the estimate given minutes earlier. However upon my return and after a more though examination of my pet the estimate of treatment costs had stratospherically climbed to a new estimate of between 3000 and 5000 dollars this staggering assessment was presented after a chat with the Doctors who politely declined to answer my inquires about cost informing me that information would be presented in detail shortly. Stressing the need for immediate surgery I was informed by the billing staff that if it was not performed on that day August 13 the cost would increase 1000 dollars this information added stress to an already stressful situation, at that time I was presented with a itemized bill of the charges without any explanation or breakdown of there necessity. Facing the dilemma of not being able to afford this choice or the death of my dog I reluctantly signed the form in verbal and written protest as evidenced by the written addendum on the consent form. I agreed to pay the low end of the estimate. When I called the next day the charges had increased by about 300 dollars Only to be removed after I protested it was revealed that these were redundant charges an error by Blue Pearl it was removed without apology. I believe it is in the best interest of Blue Pearl to come to compromise that is satisfactory to both of us as to the final cost. Now that I have had the opportunity to examine the itemized charges of which many seem redundant and others baffle me. I am entitled to be informed and provided with a breakdown of all the charges and a explanation as to their medical necessity. This cost compromise will enable us to avoid a protracted contest. In lieu of this solution I request an itemized breakdown Regretfully pending Edward J McCarthy
Unfortunately someone who is considering a malpractice lawsuit against NYC Veterinary Specialists (aka BluePearl) -me- cannot access the "tikothecat" website! And the NYC Bar Association does not refer to any lawyers dealing with 'malpractice': only if one is a victim of a dog bite. THEN there are many, ready to sue for large sums. Pets are considered property in NYState; there is no incentive for legal actions (except at great cost to litigant).
This place (BluePearl) is offering substandard care, and will not even respond to correspondence. Getting away with it in other words; there's NO recourse for the pet owner currently. My advice: go to Animal Medical Center, at least for cancer care with expertise AND compassion. In my HORRIBLE experience, not present at NYC Vet. Specialists/BluePearl. And I have a) a dog dead before her time: and b) the records to prove it.
See my complaint under "Bluepearl" Former Pet Owner.
Lawsuit filed against Blue Pearl Veterinary Partners a/k/a NYC Veterinary Specialists located in New York. See blog: http://tikothecat.wordpress.com/2011/12/13/step-1/ This lawsuit involves the manner in which another cat was treated and the owners' alleged Blue Pearl/NYC Veterinary Specialists couriered they the incorrect medication leading to their cat Tiko's infections, suffering and death. The blog serves as a helpful guide to those pet owners wishing to pursue litigation.
If your pet has been a victim of veterinary negligence or unprofessional conduct at NYC Veterinary Specialists/Blue Pearl or any other veterinarian, it is imperative that you file a formal complaint with the investigative office: Office of the Professionals New York State Education Department, 163 West 125th Street, Room 819, New York, NY 10027 Tel: [protected] Fax: [protected] To download complaint form go to: www.op.nysed.gov/opd/complain.htm Obtain and preserve your pet's medical records from all vet practices that treated your pet. It is your legal right to request from veterinarian(s) a copy of your pet's full medical records, tests, xrays, labs, notes etc. and necropsy report if done. Obtain copies from ALL vets and preserve ALL medical records.
Contact: The Animal Legal Defense Fund or The New York City Bar Association for an attorney referral should you require one.
There have been numerous and very serious complaints about this facility (NYC Veterinary Specialists and it's affiliates Blue Pearl, Florida Veterinary Specialists). Please file a formal complaint with the investigative office: Office of the Professionals New York State Education Department, 163 West 125th Street, Room 819, New York, NY 10027 Tel: [protected] Fax: [protected] To download complaint form go to: www.op.nysed.gov/opd/complain.htm
It is your legal right to request from the hospital and veterinarian(s) a copy of your pet's full medical records, tests, xrays, labs, etc. and necropsy report if done. Preserve all records.
We are very sorry to hear of your experience. In urging others to file complaints, you are helping other animals to avoid the same fate. Multiple complaints are taken more seriously.
My cat suffered a similar fate after Dr. Oberthaler treated him: I entrusted him to her for palliative care, yet he died in considerable pain the morning after she administered her chemotherapy, done with a chest tap that she insisted on. This means that at least two cats, yours and mine, died without warning the day following her chemo. Further, her prognosis and protocols were misleading, and she refused to provide vital updates, follow-up calls, and adequate discharge orders. Initially, she even proposed treating him with a risky and costly canine cancer drug that she was actively promoting, though it was approved only for dogs and considered inappropriate for other species.
Her clinic claims: “Your pet is part of the family.” A heartwarming but meaningless slogan — given that Dr. Oberthaler was singularly indifferent about my cat’s cause of death and interested only in defending her chemo from any queries. Their administrator was also evasive and dismissive, suggesting I should get past it: He argued that my cat was eventually going to die anyway, yet he could not explain why it happened so suddenly, the day after her chemo, nor the fact that her prognosis was for several months of life.
If anyone else is seeking chemo treatment for their cats, they should entrust them to a more competent, more caring, and more ethical veterinarian, at another clinic that values the health of pets as much as its profits. One way to expose the negligent m.o. of this veterinarian is to inform other pet owners online or through Web sites that rate or review veterinarians, e.g., www.vetratingz.com or Citysearch. You can also file a Professional Discipline Complaint with the Office of the Professions, 163 West 125th Street, Room 819, New York, NY 10027. Tel: [protected]. (A complaint form can be downloaded from:
http://www.op.nysed.gov/opd/complain.htm.) If there is a pattern of negligence or abrupt veterinary fatalities, they will investigate those complaints.