Veterinary Emergency Group Review
On a harrowing day, my 15-year-old dog Charlie, who is incredibly gentle and never bites, suffered a traumatic eye injury. After hitting his head on a railing, his eye began to protrude, and he was in obvious pain. I rushed him to the Veterinary Emergency Group in Falls Church, VA, around 3 PM.
Stop #1: Veterinary Emergency Group - Falls Church Location (7500 Leesburg Pike, Suite 11, Falls Church, VA 22043)
Despite Charlie's severe condition, the staff did not prioritize his injury. After waiting for two hours (8 PM to 10 PM), they referred us to their Georgetown location, a 20-minute drive away, failing to see the urgency of an eye injury.
Stop #2: Veterinary Emergency Group - Georgetown Location (2311 M Street NW, Washington, DC 20037)
Upon arrival, Charlie and I were placed in a room where vitals were taken, and then we were left unattended for two hours. After raising my concerns, a doctor finally arrived, stating that talking to me was delaying care for my dog. She ordered tests, which I had to prepay before any action was taken.
They sedated Charlie only to discover they lacked the equipment for the necessary eye pressure test. I was told other locations had the equipment but were unwilling to share. Hours later, the vet suggested returning on Monday for an eye pressure test, diagnosing "dry eye" instead of addressing the obvious injury.
The vet admitted she had not conducted the appropriate tests, yet prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs without a proper diagnosis. She refused to refund the charges for the unperformed services and showed no empathy or urgency regarding Charlie's severe condition.
During our wait, several other patients were attended to, seemingly due to preferential treatment, while Charlie's critical injury was ignored.
Stop #3: Friendship Hospital for Animals
At 4:15 AM, I arrived at Friendship Hospital for Animals, the only other 24-hour facility available. They immediately took Charlie in and started treatment. Within an hour, I had a diagnosis and treatment plan. Although they couldn't save Charlie's eye due to the delay, they quickly alleviated his pain and suffering, demonstrating genuine care and respect for both him and my time.
Conclusion
The Veterinary Emergency Group's handling of Charlie's emergency was unacceptable, reflecting a lack of priority for urgent cases, insufficient equipment, poor communication, and a disregard for patient well-being. I strongly recommend reconsidering this establishment for emergency care. I am exploring legal actions, disputing charges, and sharing this review to prevent others from experiencing similar neglect, any suggestions?