When I called for an appointment, the person I talked to took a thorough history and asked if we’d had X-rays done. We hadn’t. We scheduled Jana’s appointment and I was told not to feed her in case Dr. Hay decided to take some X-rays (which requires sedation).
Our visit was impressively efficient and thorough. The reception staff and vet technicians were warm, friendly and professional. I have been to veterinarians who barely touched my dog during an exam. This was not the case here — Dr. Hay spent a full half-hour examining Jana and asking me questions. He was loving and gentle and very engaged with Jana, who is a shameless flirt and enjoyed every minute of her vet visit.
He decided to take some X-rays, so I was sent off and asked to return in an hour. An hour later, Dr. Hay again spent about 20-30 minutes with me, going over his findings and answering my questions. He found some arthritis in Jana’s paw and spine. We talked about medication. He said that I could do additional tests but that he doubted that it would be worth the cost. The fee was, indeed, reasonable.
When I called back a couple of weeks later with concerns about Jana’s continued limping, Dr. Hay advised me to give her some pain medication — but did not ask me to come in for an additional visit. The technician even offered to send me the medication.
I was very pleased to find a top-notch professional with integrity, because, I am sorry to say that this level of service and dedication is the exception, in my experience. I have had too many experiences where vets or their techs and staff pushed tests that, in many cases, seemed unnecessary, and who insisted on an office visit (with its hefty fee) for anything and everything, including prescription refills. Tampa Bay pets with sore paws and other issues needing skilled care or surgery are lucky to have Dr. Hay in the area.
