I only gave this place 1 star because this review system requires the reviewer to give a star rating. Rather than a star, I really give this veterinary center TOTAL thumbs down! Afterall, bottom line, such an establishment claims to exist to IMPROVE the health/well-being of living beings, vs. KILL THEM!
I feel compelled to WARN ALL about the careless practices at Animal Medical Center in Auburn, CA. When I took my newly adopted beloved bird in simply for a wing check and opinion (no treatment requested, and NO treatment OK'd) regarding the best strategy to maintain her wings, a bill of perfect health was granted by the first vet (Rich Jackson) who examined her. (Please note: she was a completely blind bird -- see cockatiel "Buttercup" on their Facebook page -- and had been for nearly her entire life. She was adopted at an early age by an avian vet who always kept her in tip top health. When this vet passed away, I adopted her. Shortly after, I not only wanted an opinion on her wings and appropriate wing maintenance given her special needs, I also wanted to establish her with a new doctor while she was in good health.)
An exam and opinion are all I requested; However, Dr. Rich Jackson went a step further: when Buttercup struggled and bit him as he held her, he commented repeatedly that her beak hurt him. He said he'll trim it. (He didn't ask, he told!) I replied that she has it just the way she needs it to climb around her cage (remember, she's blind), but before I even realized what was happening, he had taken out a tool and trimmed it! THIS was a SELF-SERVING action! He did NOT listen to (or care about?) my information! At his hand she became critically injured immediately after this exam.
I'd removed all items in her cage that she'd used to climb on and upward with the past 18 or more years, as upon returning home from the vet appt. she proved she could no longer grip onto these items. She had also been very adept at gripping the bars of her cage, but the tip of her beak that was curled enough to grip with, was GONE because Rich Jackson took it off! To put her into a completely different space would be absolutely devastating to her! So I introduced her to the new spot (now on the floor of the cage) where I put her food and water dishes. I observed her for a long time, every few minutes through the course of the day to see if she was OK remaining on the floor. Eventually I had to leave for a bit for an appointment. Someone else in the household agreed to keep a close eye on her. It wasn't long before I got a call stating she'd fallen on her back trying to climb up the bars and appeared to be seriously injured.
I raced back home. She was clearly suffering! She couldn't perch nor even grip my finger with her feet. I called the clinic and Dr. Kent Jackson (Rich's brother) said to bring her back immediately. I rushed her back there (HUGE MISTAKE!). He made it out that he could/would see her in an emergency time frame. First of all, when I got there (takes a minimum of 30 minutes for me to drive there) NO ONE was around, although the front door was unlocked. It didn't look as though anyone had been present since they closed for the day. I began trying to reach someone via my phone. Eventually (about 45 minutes later) a security guard came through the door, but he was just trying to find out whose vehicle was parked in the back. Ultimately it was AT LEAST an hour, AFTER I arrived, before the doctor arrived. (He had told me when I first placed the emergency call that he was close by.) Just after he arrived he disappeared outside with the security guard (for about 10 minutes). When he finally came back in he couldn't get the lights on in the exam area of the building (many minutes spent to take care of that issue). THEN he took a phone call (another 10 or so minutes). THEN, when he finally did examine my bird he shot her up with 2 injections, claiming they're to provide nutrients and antibiotics. They were obviously painful to her (one in her abdomen, the other in her wing). She died within seconds (literally less than a minute) afterward. THIS was a bird they BOTH deemed was in perfect health less than 12 hours prior! According to her behavior at home (BEFORE her 1st vet appt.) she was happy, healthy, and adjusting to her new home wonderfully! After her first trip to the Animal Medical Center in Auburn, CA, SHE SUFFERED GREATLY for HOURS at the hand of Dr. Rich Jackson, and was then KILLED by Dr. Kent Jackson! You decide for yourself if you think you should chance bringing your loved ones to this place. I recommend exercising EXTREME caution in doing so!
by Heartbroken
xxx.xxx.174.121
January 10, 2013
