My bulldog came out of Panorama with a SEVERE injury that has drastically changed his life and ours

If I have one regret in life it is taking my bulldog, Higgins, to Dr. Michael (first name) at Panorama for an airway operation in January 2023.

Prior to the operation, Higgins used to go for 45 minute to 1 hour nature trail walks every day. Now, 5 months later, he is confined to walking 10 minutes at most at a time, and even then, he comes away limping. The lameness only temporarily subsides if I spend 15 minutes at least a couple of times a day icing him.

Since the operation that led to his SEVERE limp, Higgins has been to Acuvet (Dr Barry - first name), TAH Belleville (Dr Ian - first name) and Vetscape (Dr Charlie - first name). They all concluded that it was an injury.

Dr. Barry had treated Higgins with his laser machine (for arthritis) a mere *2 days* before the airway operation at Panorama and he was happy with the way Higgins was moving. Said we didn't need to see each other for another 5 weeks.

Dr. Ian (head of surgery) took x-rays and did an ultrasound and manipulation. He stated that he suspected a "tear of / damage to the medial joint capsule and the medial glenohumeral ligaments."

Dr. Charlie filled in the insurance form as an accident after seeing videos of Higgins on his nature walk merely 2 days prior to the operation and then seeing him the night he got back home. Dr. Charlie had also conducted a full assessment on Higgins.

On the other hand, when I confronted Dr. Michael and tried to hold him/his veterinary practice accountable and I warned him that I would be reporting him to Vet Council, he clearly had his lawyers write me a letter. I quote his email to me: "I would have liked to help. However, your spurious allegations sadden me as they are patently and intentionally fallacious, inflammatory, unfair on me and my dedicated staff, and not helpful for Higgins."

Warning to anyone who tries to hold this vet accountable. He takes responsibility for nothing! You trust this vet with your loved ones at your own risk. My experience: Panorama really doesn't care about your beloved pet.

I should have turned and walked out the door when I saw with my very own eyes during the consultation, Dr. Michael pull Higgins towards him by the front leg. Huh? Which vet pulls a bulldog (or any dog) towards them by the leg? I then warned him to be careful with his shoulder. Didn't matter. Gone on deaf ears.

A suspected torn shoulder joint while being admitted for a frigging airway operation at Panorama, after he was told to be careful? How???

This young dog (2.5 years old now) has endured so much pain, so many rounds of sedation, anaesthetic, manipulation, injections, catheters, anti-inflammatory meds, icing, Arnica ice gel, change of dog food to get more Omegas, allergic reactions, itchy paws, eczema...because someone at Panorama (ahem, looking at you Dr. Michael) didn't listen to me during the consultation. Worse still, he is bored out of his mind because the life he used to have was taken away from him by someone I entrusted him to.

This weekend, I had to keep him at home all weekend. I had to keep him stimulated by giving him treats that he had to apply his mind to. He has put on 2 kgs and lost muscle mass because of his lack of movement these days. This only exacerbates the effect of the injury.

Higgins will NEVER be the same again. Neither will we while Higgins is in our care. We can barely get out of the house. I had to cancel a planned overseas holiday that we booked in October last year (and pay a penalty) because no-one will be able to take care of him and watch him and monitor his pain levels and know when he needs to have a rest day.

I've spent at least 3 times the cost of the airway operation (and counting) just to try and rehabilitate Higgins after the damage he has suffered. The extent of his shoulder injury is mind boggling.

Panorama doesn't listen, doesn't appear to care and worse still, doesn't care that you know Panorama doesn't care.