Stratham-Newfields Veterinary Hospital

In July, I had my dog tested for anaplasma, lyme, and another tick borne illness. He came back negative for anaplasma. He tested positive for lyme. I told them I wanted to start antibiotics as I had in the past. Erica told me an additional test would have to determine if it was an old or new infection in order to treat him. I was told there was only 1 med. that he could take, and that it was incredibly difficult to get and very expensive. That was a bold faced lie. There were other generic forms of Doxycycline, yet they wanted me to invest more money in the tests. 2 weeks later I took Diego for his 6 mo. fecal test. He was weighed and the technician made a comment about his weight loss. Her experience should have told her something was off since it was a significant change, especially since less than 2 weeks prior he had tested positive for lyme. I telephoned SNVH and spoke with Erica 2 if not 3 times, to reassure myself that he was OK. She assured me that since he had not tested positive for anaplasma as he had in the past (and recovered quickly), I need not worry. If he had, I should IMMEDIATELY start treatment. I trusted her, and she told me to wait. After a couple weeks, my dog got sick. Since I was concerned I E-mailed them as they hadn't returned my calls, but I never got a response. So, I got his records and took my 5 yr old Black Lab to North Hampton Animal Hospital and they immediately determined he was critically ill. They referred me to Port. City and found he did in fact have lyme, anaplasma, and rocky mountain spotted fever, which had led to an incredibly serious case of anemia, dangerously low levels of platelets, and red blood cells that were not regenerating. Port City immediately started him on a generic form of Doxycycline, and other medications, and were able to bring his platelets back up enough for me to bring him home, but his red blood cells still remained a huge concern. He was put on various meds. to suppress his immune system in an attempt to stop his body from attacking itself. My dog fought for his life for the next 3 weeks. As he finished the Minocycline, his numbers began to rise. He was getting better. That same day, however, he somehow contracted a random fungal infection, and as his immune system was so suppressed he ended up being unable to breathe and was suffering, and I had to make the hardest decision of my life. I would have done anything to save him, he was my life, my love, my everything. My only source of happiness after just losing my mother. Had SNVH's tests been accurate, had their staff been more observant, quicker to get back to me, and had they not lied to be about treatment options for his lyme, I could have begun treatment for him sooner, and I know without a shred of a doubt he would have survived. SNVH is a business, they do not care about you/your pet. I tried to post comments to their Facebook page, which they deleted immediately. How sad that instead of trying to rectify the situation, they acted as if it never happened. They are so terrified of the truth getting out, when their concern should be trying to resolve their issues with their clients and better themselves as the business they claim to be- helping to save animals. After a month long battle at Port. City, my beloved Diego died. I called SNVH to inform them and that I was extremely upset, and wanted to be sure this never happened to anyone else, and they never even had the decency to call me back, let alone send a card. I had been with them for 5 years, and trusted them, and I will regret that decision every day for the rest of my life. Had they correctly diagnosed Diego with anaplasma, and had they not lied to me and told me that only 1 medication was available, or had they let me begin treatment immediately, I truly believe he would have survived the anaplasma, as he had in the past, but by the time he got to Port. City and began showing serious symptoms, he was too far gone.