DS
DJ S
Active since Jan 2024
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7 reviews3 months ago
Hilton Veterinary Hospital – Lies, Greed & Cruelty
Disclaimer: The facts set out below reflect our personal experience with Hilton Veterinary Hospital. They are true to the best of our knowledge and supported by records in our possession. We share this account in line with our constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression, so that other families may be informed and protect their animals. It has now been two years since we lost our beloved Zeus following our horrific experience with Hilton Veterinary Hospital. To this day, not a single condolence or phone call has been received from Dr. Sara Boyd, the orthopedic specialist who operated on him. For doctors who took an oath, such conduct is nothing short of disgraceful. On December 23, 2023, Zeus developed severe pain in his right hind limb. We contacted HVH, receptionist Kelly Santowski coldly informed us that Dr. Boyd was going on leave. When we asked Dr. Sara Halgreen if Dr. Boyd could assess Zeus before leaving, she accused us of “demanding” services. Eventually, Kelly told us Dr. Boyd agreed to see Zeus on December 24. We traveled from Durban to Hilton for the appointment. In the presence of my family and I, Dr. Boyd conducted a neurological exam and scans, ruling out spinal issues and identifying instability in Zeus’s right cruciate ligament. She performed surgery later that day and informed us that Zeus was urinating independently and even walking, statements that did not match what we witnessed during visiting hours. Upon visiting Zeus, I’ve noticed he was drowsy, bleeding from his lip, and immobile. On December 25, Dr. Boyd again insisted Zeus was walking and urinating independently, even claiming nurse Mekayla Govender had taken a video. Yet Zeus remained paralyzed, unable to move his hind limbs, and had not eaten or drunk for two days. When inquired, Mekayla denied the existence of the video, directly contradicting Dr. Boyd’s claims. During discharge on December 26, nurse Mekayla attempted to catheterize Zeus while he was awake, causing him to scream in pain. she fumbled dosages and administered anesthesia twice. Dr. Arina Pimosenco heard the screams and came in concerned. This is unacceptable. We then took Zeus home. His condition worsened. We contacted Dr. De Scally, the hospital owner, requesting urgent help as Zeus was not urinating or defecating and was in a critical state. His response was dismissive: “Come back when Dr. Boyd is back from holiday.” When he eventually told us to come through, we drove an hour with Zeus only to be told to wait behind other patients despite having an appointment. Zeus could not wait; his catheter was bleeding. We were mistreated. Dr. De Scally did not respond with professionalism or compassion. Instead, he threw a tantrum in front of many witnesses, speaking to us in an abrupt and ****** manner, despite Zeus’s condition being the direct result of their negligence. He claimed Zeus could not be treated due to his temperament, despite having treated him before and charging us excessively. Rather than acknowledging failures, he deflected blame and demeaned us, compounding the cruelty of the situation. The SAVC has been equally complicit, protecting this behavior instead of holding veterinarians accountable. South Africa lacks a proper council or legal system for animals. When we finally obtained the medical records and reports, they were riddled with contradictions and dishonesty. Lies upon lies, all to protect themselves and their profits. This hospital is not driven by compassion or integrity, but by greed. Every name mentioned here; Dr. Sara Boyd, Dr. Sara Halgreen, Dr. Arina Pimosenco, Nurse Mekayla Govender, Receptionist Kelly Santowski, and Dr. De Scally has shown themselves to be a disgrace to the veterinary profession. We understand that surgeries can have uncertain outcomes, but what cannot be excused is deceit, lack of professionalism, and disregard for both animal and human suffering. I am committed to holding Hilton Vet Hospital accountable until justice or karma is served on every single person who caused harm to Zeus.
0 replies
3 months ago
Hilton Veterinary Hospital – A Disgrace to the Profession (Negligence, Lies, Greed & Cruelty)
Two years ago we lost our beloved Zeus due to the negligence and dishonesty of Hilton Veterinary Hospital. To this day, not a single condolence or phone call has been received from Dr. Sara Boyd, the orthopedic specialist who operated on him. For doctors who took an oath, their conduct is nothing short of disgraceful. On December 23, 2023, he developed severe pain in his right hind limb. We contacted Hilton Vet Hospital urgently, but receptionist Kelly Santowski coldly informed us that Dr. Boyd was going on leave. When we asked Dr. Sara Halgreen if Dr. Boyd could assess Zeus before leaving, she dismissively accused us of “demanding” services. We clarified we were simply asking for help, otherwise we would consult another surgeon. Eventually, Kelly told us Dr. Boyd agreed to see Zeus on December 24. We traveled from Durban to Hilton for the appointment. Dr. Boyd conducted a neurological exam and scans, ruling out spinal issues and identifying instability in Zeus’s right cruciate ligament. She then performed surgery, claiming afterward that Zeus was urinating independently and even walking, statements that were blatantly false. On December 24, Zeus was drowsy, bleeding from his lip, and immobile. On December 25, Dr. Boyd insisted Zeus was walking and urinating independently, even claiming nurse Mekayla Govender had taken a video. Yet Zeus was paralyzed, unable to move his hind limbs, and had not eaten or drunk for two days. Upon inquiry, Mekayla denied the existence of the video, directly contradicting Dr. Boyd’s claims. During discharge on December 26, Mekayla attempted to catheterize Zeus without supervision, fumbling dosages and injecting anesthetics twice. She even tried to catheterize him while awake, causing him to scream in agony. This was cruelty disguised as care. Dr. Arina Pimosenco was also concerned in that moment. Later, when Zeus’s condition worsened, we contacted Dr. De Scally, the hospital owner, and requested urgent help as Zeus was not urinating or defecating and was in a critical state. His response was dismissive: “Come back when Dr. Boyd is back from holiday.” The truth is, she never left the hospital and was in full contact with him. When he finally told us to come through, we drove an hour with a sick dog only to be told we had to wait for other patients first despite having an appointment. Zeus could not wait; his catheter was bleeding. We were mistreated. Dr. De Scally did not respond with professionalism or compassion. Instead, he threw a tantrum, speaking to us in an extremely abrupt and ****** manner, despite Zeus’s condition being the direct result of their incompetence and negligence. He falsely claimed Zeus could not be treated due to his temperament, despite having treated him before and charging us exorbitantly (over R80,000). Rather than acknowledging their failures, he attempted to deflect blame and demean us, compounding the cruelty of the situation. The SAVC is equally complicit, protecting this behavior instead of holding veterinarians accountable. South Africa lacks any proper council or proper legal system for animals; nothing but *******ion. When we finally obtained the medical records and reports, they were riddled with dishonesty and clearly parts falsified. Lies upon lies, all to protect themselves and their profits. This hospital is not driven by compassion or integrity, but by greed. Every name mentioned here Dr. Sara Boyd, Dr. Sara Halgreen, Dr. Arina Pimosenco, Nurse Mekayla Govender, Receptionist Kelly Santowski, and Dr. De Scally has shown themselves to be a disgrace to the veterinary profession. We understand that surgeries can have uncertain outcomes, but what cannot be excused is the deceit, lack of professionalism, and utter disregard for both animal and human suffering. Hilton Veterinary Hospital has failed miserably at covering their tracks, and their dishonesty speaks louder than their actions. I will continue to tell this story publicly. No amount of **** positive reviews will ever come close to the truth about this place and its people. In fact, their Google reviews say it all. There is shared sadness surrounding this place. I am committed to holding Hilton Vet Hospital accountable until justice or karma is served on every single person who caused harm to Zeus.
0 replies
14 months ago
Boston City Campus – A Money-Driven Institution with Subpar Student and Academic Support
I am writing this complaint to share my deeply frustrating and disappointing experiences with Boston City Campus. After years of putting up with poor service, I feel obligated to warn prospective students about the many issues that make this institution not worth the time, effort, or money. Despite my hesitations to post this in 2023, it has become abundantly clear that Boston City Campus cares more about generating revenue than providing quality education or valuing its students. In 2020, I graduated with honors from another private college and enrolled at Boston City Campus to pursue my undergraduate degree (NQF Level 7). Given that I had already completed an NQF Level 5 Higher Certificate with another institution, I transferred relevant credits, which were approved by the institution’s committee after disputes due to the modules’ overlap and equivalent NQF level. This was my first of many negative experiences with BCC. 1. Unacceptable Communication & Poor Online Infrastructure: As a distance education student, I rely on the institution to maintain strong communication and effective online infrastructure. Boston City Campus failed in both areas. Emails, whether for simple queries, appeals, academic concerns, or requests for clarification, were met with frustratingly slow responses—sometimes taking several hours or even days. Phone calls often went unanswered or were met with empty promises of a return call that never happens. For students who are juggling work, family, and studies, this lack of responsiveness is inexcusable and incredibly stressful. 2. Textbook Delays and Unprofessionalism: Some students pay for their semester upfront, including the cost of textbooks. However, textbooks were almost always delivered only a few days before the semester began—an entirely unacceptable delay given that payments were made in advance. The excuses provided, "books are still in the warehouse or books could change" are insulting and show a lack of regard for students' time and financial commitments. 3. E-Learning Platform and Inadequate Academic Support: The e-learning platform, which is supposed to support distance education students, is severely lacking. The pre-recorded videos were essentially just someone reading a section or meaning of a word from the textbook, offering no additional value or insights beyond what is already available in print. Additionally, while “tutors” are supposedly available via email, their responses are devoid of meaningful teaching. They merely tell you what to read, which you can already figure out from the course material. They do not actively engage with students' work, making the whole concept of “tutoring” essentially pointless. Furthermore, the grading system is another significant problem. Boston City Campus outsources grading to external markers who are disconnected from the course and students. These external graders often mark assignments based solely on rigid memos, disregarding any academic nuance. I repeatedly encountered inaccurate grading and missing sections of my work, which required me to go through the exhausting process of appealing for corrections. For instance, initially receiving a surprising 62%, but after an appeal to remark, it jumps to 85%. This is drastic and unacceptable. For a working professional, or anyone really, this constant back-and-forth over avoidable grading errors is both time-consuming and deeply frustrating. 4. Graduation Ceremony – A Complete Disappointment: After completing my degree, I was pleased to see that my transcript indicated I had graduated with honors. However, the graduation ceremony itself was a complete disaster, and the experience was nothing short of disappointing. Communication regarding the ceremony was abysmal. Students were told the event would take place in Johannesburg, only to later find out it was actually being held in Durban. Those who had already booked flights were left scrambling to make alternative arrangements. The venue itself lacked basic amenities, including air conditioning, in 35-degree heat. If loadshedding is going to be a response, you’re not new to South Africa, plan for it. We have apps to inform us of the schedules. One student even fainted due to the sweltering conditions and us standing for hours. The ceremony itself was rushed, with no real acknowledgment of students' achievements. When I went to collect my degree certificate a week after graduation as it was not ready on the day, I was handed it carelessly without any envelope or protective cover. It was a shocking display of disrespect. 5. Credit Transfer Query – Unprofessional and Dismissive Response: Fast forward to 2025, I was contacted about a new program by the original advisor and was told that he would help me with all my credit transfers to avoid redoing modules and additional costs, it has nothing to do with “fast tracking” but rather a logical process for many students around the world. Given that I had completed the same modules with distinction, I expected a straightforward response. Instead, I received an abrupt and dismissive reply from the program coordinator, Gretchen, and the registrar, Ruan, who rep**** with the SAQA and CHE policies which I already read and hence my request for credits and was later informed that it is at the discretion of the institute whether to be awarded the credit. This is ironic as stating the policies and actually following them are two different things which I will bring to the relevant governing bodies’ attention. This response not only lacked professionalism but was also misleading. It is clear that the institution does not care about its students’ academic progress or the integrity of its programs. If they were unwilling to grant credit transfers even based on the same NQF as stated in the CHE on NQF guidelines, they should have simply stated that upfront, rather than hiding behind nonsensical excuses. 6. Conclusion – A Business, Not an Educational Institution: Boston City Campus clearly values financial gain over providing quality education, proper student support and student retention. This is evident. As someone who has spent countless hours battling bureaucratic inefficiencies and subpar academic practices, I can confidently say that Boston City Campus is not an institution that truly cares about its students. Be advised BCC that I have everything on email. If Boston City Campus truly valued its students, they would take immediate steps to address these issues and many students complaints, including improving communication, ensuring that grading is accurate and fair, providing genuine academic support, and treating students with respect—especially those who have worked hard and achieved academic excellence. I strongly advise anyone considering enrollment at Boston City Campus to think carefully. Based on my experience, this institution is more interested in making money than in providing a meaningful, rewarding education. Proceed with caution.
106 replies
17 months ago
Negligence, Falsified Doctor and Staff Reports, and Money-Driven Care at Hilton Vet Hospital
Almost a year ago, we lost our baby to negligence of Hilton Vet Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. To-date, we have not received any condolences or even a phone call from Dr. Sara Boyd, the orthopedic specialist who operated on him. Zeus had a successful Cruciate Ligament surgery on his left hind limb by Dr. Sara Boyd in October 2022. However, on December 23, 2023, he experienced severe pain in his right hind limb, indicating a possible issue with his right Cruciate Ligament. We contacted Hilton Vet Hospital to consult Dr. Boyd, but the receptionist, Kelly Santowski, informed us that Dr. Boyd was going on leave and wouldn't be available until the new year. We spoke to Dr. Sara Halgreen, a GP at the clinic, and asked if Dr. Boyd could assess Zeus before her leave due to the severity of his condition. Dr. Halgreen responded dismissively, accusing us of "demanding" Dr. Boyd's services. We clarified that we were simply asking if Dr. Boyd could see Zeus before her leave; otherwise, we were prepared to consult another surgeon. Kelly later informed us that Dr. Boyd had agreed to see Zeus at 9 a.m. on December 24, 2023. We traveled from Durban to Hilton Veterinary Hospital in Pietermaritzburg for the appointment. Dr. Boyd performed a neurological examination in the presence of my family and me, ruling out nerve issues or wobbly syndrome. X-rays and scans were conducted to assess Zeus’s condition. Dr. Boyd found no significant spinal issues, noting all discs were intact except for a minor spondylosis spur. She identified instability in Zeus’s right cruciate ligament as the cause of his pain. This is where it gets sketchy; Post-surgery, Dr. Boyd reported that the procedure went well, mentioning the use of a spinal block and epidural (which we hadn't requested). She claimed Zeus began urinating independently after catheter placement. During my first post-op visit on December 24, Zeus appeared drowsy with a bleeding lip. On December 25, Dr. Boyd stated that Zeus was walking and urinating independently, and a nurse, Mekayla, had taken a video of him walking. We were skeptical since Zeus showed no mobility during our previous visit, and it had been raining heavily. Dr. Boyd went on leave, leaving Zeus under the care of other staff. On December 25, another doctor, Dr. Arina Pimosenco, instructed us to take Zeus outside in wet conditions to urinate and defecate, despite his lack of mobility. Zeus was completely unable to use his hind limbs and required a sling to move. His food and water were placed out of reach, and he hadn't eaten or drunk for nearly two days. At this point, we doubted the operation's success, as Dr. Boyd's claim that Zeus walked and urinated independently seemed impossible given his paralysis. On December 26, we returned to discharge Zeus. Nurse Mekayla Govender attempted to catheterize Zeus but mishandled the procedure, fumbling dosages and administering two anesthetic injections without supervision. She tried to catheterize Zeus while he was awake, causing him to scream in pain. We of course, requested her to stop and we would do this procedure in Durban with a professional doctor. Dr. De Scally ***ner of hospital) was completely rude to us and claiming Zeus couldn't be treated due to his temperament, despite having treated him before and charging us significantly (over R80,***.00. Other doctors that had seen to Zeus in Durban later indicated it was highly likely a botched operation. Before leaving Hilton Vet Hospital, we asked for the video of Zeus walking and urinating, Mekayla denied its existence, contradicting Dr. Boyd’s earlier claims. We also requested footage from the hospital's cameras and Zeus's medical records, which were initially denied, forcing us to involve attorneys. After months of delays, they finally released the records. Of course, they should have known their own rules: The Rules for the Veterinary Profession (2015) and the Disciplinary Rules for all Professions (2022) both emphasize the importance of maintaining accurate medical records and making them accessible to owners upon request. Specifically, Rule 1082 (2015) and Rule 1490 (2022) require veterinarians to provide medical records to pet owners upon request. Yet, they refused, making our lives difficult, as if neglecting our furbaby wasn't enough. We just wanted closure. Upon reviewing the documents, we discovered that the Doctors and Staff Report contained falsified information. They falsely accused us of being afraid of our own dog among other absurd accusations. Zeus was a cherished family member, sleeping between my parents and loved dearly. It’s just lies upon lies. If they weren’t trying to look guilty, they failed miserably at it. We understand surgeries can have uncertain outcomes, but the lack of integrity, compassion and professionalism is the real issue. This is just part of the story, and I'll be exposing more. I am committed to holding Hilton Vet Hospital accountable until justice or rather Karma is served on every single person who caused harm to Zeus. The truth will prevail.
0 replies
17 months ago
Negligence, Falsified Records, and Money-Driven Care at Hilton Vet Hospital
Almost a year ago, we lost our baby to negligence of Hilton Vet Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. To-date, we have not received any condolences or even a phone call from Dr. Sara Boyd, the orthopedic specialist who operated on him. Zeus had a successful Cruciate Ligament surgery on his left hind limb by Dr. Sara Boyd in October 2022. However, on December 23, 2023, he experienced severe pain in his right hind limb, indicating a possible issue with his right Cruciate Ligament. We contacted Hilton Vet Hospital to consult Dr. Boyd, but the receptionist, Kelly Santowski, informed us that Dr. Boyd was going on leave and wouldn't be available until the new year. We spoke to Dr. Sara Halgreen, a GP at the clinic, and asked if Dr. Boyd could assess Zeus before her leave due to the severity of his condition. Dr. Halgreen responded dismissively, accusing us of "demanding" Dr. Boyd's services. We clarified that we were simply asking if Dr. Boyd could see Zeus before her leave; otherwise, we were prepared to consult another surgeon. Kelly later informed us that Dr. Boyd had agreed to see Zeus at 9 a.m. on December 24, 2023. We traveled from Durban to Hilton Veterinary Hospital in Pietermaritzburg for the appointment. Dr. Boyd performed a neurological examination in the presence of my family and me, ruling out nerve issues or wobbly syndrome. X-rays and scans were conducted to assess Zeus’s condition. Dr. Boyd found no significant spinal issues, noting all discs were intact except for a minor spondylosis spur. She identified instability in Zeus’s right cruciate ligament as the cause of his pain. This is where it gets sketchy; Post-surgery, Dr. Boyd reported that the procedure went well, mentioning the use of a spinal block and epidural (which we hadn't requested). She claimed Zeus began urinating independently after catheter placement. During my first post-op visit on December 24, Zeus appeared drowsy with a bleeding lip. On December 25, Dr. Boyd stated that Zeus was walking and urinating independently, and a nurse, Mekayla, had taken a video of him walking. We were skeptical since Zeus showed no mobility during our previous visit, and it had been raining heavily. Dr. Boyd went on leave, leaving Zeus under the care of other staff. On December 25, another doctor, Dr. Arina Pimosenco, instructed us to take Zeus outside in wet conditions to urinate and defecate, despite his lack of mobility. Zeus was completely unable to use his hind limbs and required a sling to move. His food and water were placed out of reach, and he hadn't eaten or drunk for nearly two days. At this point, we doubted the operation's success, as Dr. Boyd's claim that Zeus walked and urinated independently seemed impossible given his paralysis. On December 26, we returned to discharge Zeus. Nurse Mekayla Govender attempted to catheterize Zeus but mishandled the procedure, fumbling dosages and administering two anesthetic injections without supervision. She tried to catheterize Zeus while he was awake, causing him to scream in pain. We of course, requested her to stop and we would do this procedure in Durban with a professional doctor. Dr. De Scally ***ner of hospital) was completely rude to us and claiming Zeus couldn't be treated due to his temperament, despite having treated him before and charging us significantly (over R80,***.00. Other doctors that had seen to Zeus in Durban later indicated it was highly likely a botched operation. Before leaving Hilton Vet Hospital, we asked for the video of Zeus walking and urinating, Mekayla denied its existence, contradicting Dr. Boyd’s earlier claims. We also requested footage from the hospital's cameras and Zeus's medical records, which were initially denied, forcing us to involve attorneys. After months of delays, they finally released the records. Of course, they should have known their own rules: The Rules for the Veterinary Profession (2015) and the Disciplinary Rules for all Professions (2022) both emphasize the importance of maintaining accurate medical records and making them accessible to owners upon request. Specifically, Rule 1082 (2015) and Rule 1490 (2022) require veterinarians to provide medical records to pet owners upon request. Yet, they refused, making our lives difficult, as if neglecting our furbaby wasn't enough. We just wanted closure. Upon reviewing everything, we discovered that the documents contained falsified information and misinformation from the doctor and staff. They falsely accused us of being afraid of our own dog among other absurd accusations. Zeus was a cherished family member, sleeping between my parents and loved dearly. It’s just lies upon lies. If they weren’t trying to look guilty, they failed miserably at it. We understand surgeries can have uncertain outcomes, but the lack of integrity, compassion and professionalism is the real issue. This is just part of the story, and I'll be exposing more. I am committed to holding Hilton Vet Hospital accountable until justice or rather Karma is served on every single person who caused harm to Zeus. The truth will prevail.
0 replies
18 months ago
Disappointing and Misleading Recruitment Experience with LexisNexis/RELX
My review is based on their recruitment process and lack of professionalism displayed by management. The first concern was regarding their job board. Most of my applications were stuck on the “Application Submitted” stage, and it had never progressed onto the “in progress” to be reviewed. Over several weeks, I received only two responses, which left a bitter taste in my mouth. The First Instance: Last-Minute Cancellation Due to Miscommunication For the first Paralegal role, I was contacted by Maria Clementina Andres, who was happy with my application and requested additional information ahead of an interview. I promptly provided the details, and we scheduled an interview for the following week. Yet just 30 minutes before the interview, Maria had emailed me that she had not fully reviewed my email responses and that this role was actually a temporary contract, which was a complete surprise, as I had explicitly indicated I was seeking a full-time position. This last-minute cancellation disrupted my entire week of interviews, leaving me frustrated and confused. Nonetheless, I continued to apply for other roles, still hoping for a more positive experience. The Second Instance: Contradictory Communication on Role Location In the second instance, I app**** for another Paralegal position. After an unusually long wait, I received an unexpected call from another recruiter, Kutu Mpho, who conducted an on-the-spot interview and confirmed that I had passed. During the call, I made it clear that I was based in Durban, South Africa, and Kutu assured me that the position was open to applicants from Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town, and boasts its “work in a way that works for you - flexible and remote options” slogan stated in the job listing. Following this, I interviewed with the legal hiring manager, Sithulileanele Oliphant, who reiterated that the position was available for Durban as well. We even discussed my need to work from home for the first few weeks due to personal reasons, which she confirmed would not be an issue as she rarely visits the office herself. After waiting two weeks for an update, I reached out only to be informed that the role went to a candidate based in Johannesburg. This contradicted everything I’d been told during the hiring process and made it clear that there was either a significant breakdown in communication or that the process was intentionally misleading. Escalation to Management and Disappointing Response: After this second experience, I reached out to Jan Patricia Makasakit, Recruitment Team Lead (EMEA), hoping to gain clarity and resolution. She directed me to Sarah Mattinson, Talent Acquisition Team Lead for LexisNexis South Africa & UK. I sent Sarah evidence of my conversations, including emails and screenshots from the job ad that clearly promoted flexible, remote options across South Africa. While Sarah did investigate, her final response was incredibly disappointing and did not address any of my concerns: she suggested I should inform recruiters earlier in the process about my location and preferences (which I had done and have this on email) and stated that job ads may not always match the hiring manager’s actual needs! This response felt like an excuse rather than accountability. If a position is genuinely limited to one location, why advertise it as open to the entire country? Claiming “flexible, hybrid and remote work across South Africa” when the preference is Johannesburg only is both misleading and unprofessional. Concerns for Candidate Safety and Lack of Regional Awareness: To make matters worse, Sarah informed me that she is working remotely in the UK overseeing talent acquisition for South Africa but demonstrated a troubling lack of awareness regarding South Africa’s challenges and safety concerns. For candidates in South Africa, risks associated with taxis and Uber are very real, particularly during national taxi strikes that intensify these dangers. This disconnect from LexisNexis—especially as a global company with ample resources to grasp regional nuances—feels dismissive of both employee and candidate well-being. Final Thoughts: LexisNexis markets itself as a global, socially responsible company, but my experience shows a very different reality. The recruitment process felt opaque, dismissive, and poorly aligned with advertised job requirements. This lack of accountability and disregard for regional specifics has been deeply disappointing. I expected better from a company of LexisNexis/Relx reputation, but it’s clear that, to them, candidates are disposable, and transparency is optional. To date, I did not receive a response after calling out the relevant people on the misinformation and ********* behavior.
71 replies
28 months ago
HILTON VET HOSPITAL MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE
I write this with a heavy heart, as our furbaby son Zeus Singh had to be euthanized today due to negligence of Hilton Vet Hospital pietermaritzburg. I am beyond disappointed and angry at the service that my family and I have received, leave alone our furbaby son. I want to also save other furbaby owners from the heart ache we endured... We are absolutely crushed💔💔💔💔 Prior to our furbaby son presenting with knee pain, he had no issues walking until the 23rd of December 2023, which is why we went to the only specialist orthopedic surgeon in KwaZulu-Natal Dr Sara Boyd, who also had performed his left TPLO surgery a year ago. On the 23rd of December 2023 we were very badly treated when we requested Dr Boyd to please attend to him as we were told that we demanded her time when she was on holiday. After pleading, it was agreed that she would see him on the 24th of December 2023 and only proceed with his surgery after she checks his spine, which she did. Zeus went in for a right knee operation (TPLO) on the 24th of December 2023. Post-Op Zeus could not stand on his hind legs, urinate and defecate. Zeus’s X-rays and scans showed no herniated disc nor nerve being pinched prior to the surgery. Dr Boyd had given him an epidural for the TPLO and only informed us after the operation was done that he had been given an epidural. This was the first time we heard that an epidural was necessary, however upon asking for second opinions many doctors stated that an epidural for a TPLO surgery was risky. Upon discharge on the 26th of December 2023, we had to carry him to the car, which was concerning as with the previous operation for his left TPLO, he walked out by himself using both legs successfully. No epidural was administered for the first TPLO surgery in 2022. Two days after the 26th of December 2023, Zeus was still not able to walk by himself or with aid, let alone urinate or defecate. We had to actually take him to another vet in Durban Dr Shanil Singh from Vet Care Sherwood to get him catheterized, as well as to give him enema, as the nurse at Hilton Vet Hospital failed to catheterize him before being discharged. 8 days post-op, Zeus is/was still not able to walk, defecate or urinate. We had informed Hilton Vet Hospital and had no solution except being told that Dr Boyd shall only return on the 8th of January 2024. Our question to them was were we supposed to leave him in that condition, deteriorating until she returns? The answer was that we should bring him for Dr Helen to assess him so she could report to Dr Boyd, which we did do on the 30th of December 2023. We did the 'great trek' with Zeus and came back home. From then until the 2nd of January 2024 we have been back and forth and Dr Boyd never called to check up on her patient, which is very disappointing and shocking. Zeus's quality of life had deteriorated drastically. Hilton Vet Hospital stated that they had video proof that Zeus was able to walk on the 25th of December 2023 before being discharged, which we still await proof thereof more so because we were present throughout. We also tried to walk him in the presence of Dr Arina and Mikayla from Hilton Vet Hospital and it was impossible for him to walk. He had no feeling in his feet and no strength in his back legs whatsoever which was a real concern as prior to the 23rd of December 2023 he was completely fit, running around. He came in to Hilton Vet Hospital due to pain in his knee and struggle walking on the right leg and after the surgery he was not mobile on both legs. Yesterday being the 2nd of January 2024, we were told that we needed to go back to Hilton Vet Hospital for Dr De Scally who owns the hospital to assess him. How many assessments was he supposed to undergo? Upon arrival to Hilton Vet Hospital on the 3rd of January 2024, Martin De Scally was a completely rude person and definitely not meant to work in the animal health care profession. We had asked him how many more days do we have to go back and forth from Durban to Pietermaritzburg with Zeus being in pain and still we have to wait till the last appointment to see the doctor, especially because of his condition. He then said that we are abusing and demanding that his staff see to Zeus immediately. He conveniently forgot that Zeus has been in a state of paralysis for 8 days and therefore should have been a priority. Furthermore, we not only reside almost 2 hours away, but also we are being financially inconvenienced and drained by the practice by this back and forth which was very uncomfortable for Zeus and stressed him out. Over a R****** in bills only to have Zeus in a condition that was unacceptable and inhumane. Leaving his condition unattended by the person who could actually rectify his condition was not only life threatening for him but torturous. Today we also learnt that nurses administer anesthetic and we are yet to find out who administered his anesthetic especially because the nurse who tried to give him anesthetic to catherize him, failed dismally and at that point, we did not know that person was a nurse. We had to even spend a further R***xx for Dr Helen to put an external catheter, which could have been avoided if he was able to walk properly after surgery which according to Dr Helen, Dr Boyd and Dr Sujatha he was suppose to walk post-op. What is also shocking is that the same catheterization costs R***x at our local Vet clinic but unfortunately they were closed and we had to pay almost 10x the amount for the same procedure. Other vet hospitals advised us to go back to where he had the operation as they need to fix the problem they had created. Today Hilton vet also expected us to send him for an MRI to try to pass the buck but Dr Boyd had taken radiographs prior to his surgery and showed us his spine had no herniated discs. We had to decide if it was in the best interest of Zeus to allow the Dr's of Hilton vet to administer anesthetic especially with the owner's disgusting behaviour towards us and history of them administering anesthetic as well as when we advised that Zeus cannot wait any longer, he stormed out and asked us to take Zeus elsewhere if we can't wait.... He conveniently forgets that it was Zeus who could not wait, as he was patient for 8 days..... If it were a human, would the human be treated differently? I think we need to remind people of why we choose our careers, veterinarians are in the business of ensuring animal health, which is the oath that they take and they need to act accordingly. We have to speak for those who don’t necessarily have a voice. Medical negligence whether human or animal occurs everyday and we must all speak up for those who can't. Veterinary health has become very commercialized and we need to stand firm against animal cruelty. The bigger problem is that Kzn only has one Orthopedic/Neuro surgeon..... Something has to be drastically done about this KZN!!!
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3 Star
0 (0%)
2 Star
0 (0%)
1 Star
7 (100%)