Charisa K

Extremely unhappy with services provided by Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic

Extremely unhappy with the services provided by Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic. On the 3rd of February 2023, I took my cat to Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic to get stitches done, today on the 5th of March 2023 after having redone the stitches about 5 times by this place, the problem has still not been solved.  I have paid more than R4000 to Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic, but I am still sitting with a cat that needs stitches done.  Yesterday his stitches had to come out, I took him in , the lady took his stitches out and sent him home, after a few hours the skin went open... If you knew that this cat has been to your practice 5 times to redo stitches, would it not be safe to say that maybe we should have left the stitches in a bit longer to make sure that the skin binds properly?  I have taken my cat back numerous times to redo stitches.   The first time the stitches were done very poorly. After his first check up, I went back and they did the stitches for a second time but this time tighter. (The cost about R2800).  When the stitches had to come off, the skin did not bind properly (probably because the stitches weren't done properly the first time).  The vet had to then for a third time cut the wound open and start from scratch.   They put a cone on his head and sent him home.  After 2 days at home the stitches went open again (they did not wrap the stitches with bandages or take any precautionary measures knowing that this was the third time the stitches were done).   I took him back again.  A very rude lady assisted me and told me that if she does the stitches it won't happen again.  She also told me that he needs to be tested for Aids because that might be the reason why his skin didn't bind.   He was tested for Aids and Lukemia and both were negative.  The stitches were done again and he had to sleep over.  Monday morning - phone call - the stitches are out again but on the vets watch so I don't have to pay extra fees.   They do stitches AGAIN... Tuesday I am allowed to fetch him.  (Pay another R700). Now he is wrapped with bandaid.  5 minutes after I get home I realise that the bandaid does not cover the stitches properly and they have sent him home without a cone. By this point I am furious.  I call the Vet very upset about the whole situation and ask to speak to the owner. I drive back once again...    The owner eventually walks in, talks to his staff , comes back to me and tells me that it is not their fault and he doesn't understand why they haven't charged me for all the times they had to redo the stitches.   I never once asked for a refund,  all I wanted from them is to do what is necessary to get the cat to a point where he starts healing.  The only assistance that the owner could provide was one poor excuse after the other, defending his staff.  Well done Sir,  you are great boss but as far as business owner... I was told by Mr. du Plessis that they didn't send the cat home with a cone because he did not lick himself while he was there for two days under observation.   I know my cat and every cat owner will tell you - CATS LICK THEMSELVES.  Secondly I was told that they can not wrap a bandaid over the top stitches because it is too close to the neck area and he won't eat, guess what Sir,  he is eating just fine.   I was also told that they can't put something on his feet because it is very bad for them.  Now tell me Sir.... you told me to leave him there for 10 days under your care but after the first day under your care he scratched open his stitches? You have been working with cats for how many years now but after the first time his stitches came out you did not think of trying something else?   Did this have to happen 4/5 times before you realised maybe we should put some bandages on? And THEN you have the audacity to make it about... MONEY? Sir , have I once asked for a refund? Have I ever mentioned that I will not pay? No every time the bill comes I smile and pay.   It has been more than a month now that I have been to this vet,  trying to get my cat to a point of healing,  he has been through so much trauma.  Yesterday (04/03/2023)  after I took him in to get his stitches taken out , just for the skin to tear open again I decided that I would rather find another vet.  I took him to the West Rand Emergency Vet last night to redo stitches for about the 6th time now.  I would not recommend Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic to anyone and my cat will never go back there. Thank you for taking my money and leaving me exactly at the same place we started on the 3rd of Feb.   Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic