If I could give zero stars I would. Yes they are expensive but they almost choked my dog unconscious and I do not have an aggressive dog at all . I took my one year old boxer in for a visit when I noticed his paw looked a little swollen. I thought it would be a quick visit so I had my four month daughter with me as well.
After waiting 20 minutes to be seen for a 9:30 appointment on a Friday the tech finally came to grab us. My daughter is now fussy and hungry. We go in - she tried to take his temperature in his ear but he wouldn't cooperate. Since I was holding my daughter she offered to take him out back to check out his paw and take his temp etc. I thought - sure - this is the vet - I can trust them with my dog.
A little bit later the doctor came in to tell me that they had an "incident". My dog was apparently "stressed", turned blue, and "pee'd and pooped" himself. My dog has been trained to go outside since he was a little puppy. So my first thought is what they hell did they do to my dog and is he alive. She told me his vitals are fine and his nose is back to pink. They are giving him a bath so once that's done they'll bring him back out. She also advised us not to use the prong collar on him for a few days.
I was beside myself.
I did have a prong collar on him but I also had a regular harness. I had assumed that if they had muzzled him there is no need to strangle my dog with the prong collar. I’ve NEVER had an issue with the prong collar. Unfortunately I wasn’t back there to see what actually happened. All I know is my dog was “stressed”, turned blue, and “pee’d and pooped himself”. I was shocked. All I could think of is my poor dog – who is the sweetest dog… is terrified and then being choked by the people who I thought would take care of my dog.
The good news is my dog is fine but I will NEVER go to Woburn Animal hospital again. I’ve never heard of this happening – I’ve talked to other dog owners who have never heard of that happening.. and after they choked my dog they were sure to get my $200 on the way out. I’m not even sure what was wrong with his paw in the end – I just wanted to get my dog and get the hell out of there.
Personally, if you can’t figure out how to control a dog – try a treat, try telling the owner, try sedation – but DO NO pull so hard on the prong color that my dog turns blue and almost goes unconscious.
My husband and I will NOT be returning.