PetSmart

I recently moved to Austell area and was in need of a pet groomer. Since PetSmart Austell was minutes away, I took my one year old puppy there for a bath and haircut. Dropped him off at 3pm. When I went to pick him up by 7:30pm, he was on the grooming table shaking like a leaf. His fur was completely shaved off!



The operations manager Josh was at the table assisting the groomer who had my puppy’s left ear pinched tight in her left hand while scissoring away with the other. He broke the news to me that they had cut the puppy’s left ear. They assured me that it was just a small nip and there should be no cause for alarm. After about thirty minutes of trying to stop the bleeding but to no avail, they wrapped up the puppy’s head with bandage and sent us out of the door.



As soon as we arrived home, my puppy managed to scratch off the bandage and vigorously shook his head in discomfort. Blood splattered all over himself, the carpet, walls, and my duvet cover! I immediately put him into the bathtub, tried to wipe the blood off of him, and rewrapped his head with the same bandage. Knowing the bandage wouldn’t stay up for long, I called the store in despair. An e-collar was given to get us through the night and we would go to their in store Banfield Pet Hospital for treatment in the morning.



The treatment consisted of rebandaging the head, pain meds and antibiotics, and a follow up in a week. All signs indicated that my puppy was suffering. The meds gave him neon green diarrheas. He stopped eating, drinking, or attention seeking. He hid under the sofa and slept. His head and neck was wrapped so tight that when he slept he snored like a Banshee! Half way through the week, he began to whimper in agony. I assumed that the combination of warming weather and tight bandage had increased his discomfort.



Only during the one week follow up, I came to realize the extent of this suffering. I was astonished to be informed by the vet that my puppy had also been suffering a severe ear infection! She knew when I brought him in a week ago but failed to bring it to my attention because she did not think it was a result of the injury, therefore, PetSmart wouldn’t have to pay for the treatment. Of course PetSmart agreed with the vet completely. I felt as if I were in a twilight zone where I took my sweet innocent puppy in for a simple grooming that turned into a ritual humiliation and torture by waterboarding, shaving, and cutting of the flesh!



“Would you like to pay for the tests and treatments for the ear infection?” The vet’s proposition brought me back into reality.



“No, thank you!” I picked up my puppy and bolted.



“Have a nice day!” A cheerful cashier flashed a gleaming smile as I dashed through the front door clutching an injured naked puppy ripe with the stench of a severe ear infection.