R.I.P. RUSTY

Hoping for time to ease the pain of suddenly losing my most wonderful boy, Rusty, I waited 12 months to write this. Time has not diminished the pain and heartbreak I feel every day. I know my review will be responded to with a lengthy criticism of how I am wrong, and my review is libelous, and they will take the appropriate action against me. I have never read reviews about any other business where showing displeasure, 100% of the time results in threats of actions being taken against the person or claiming there is no proof the person ever was a client.
Well, I have proof Rusty was a patient of Dr. Heinen. Rusty was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure, and I wanted the best treatment for him. I did some looking and found Dr. Heinen and was able to get Rusty in quickly. No expense was spared and lots of time spent going back and forth from Lakeland to Gandy, but it was all worth it. Dr. Heinen made such a difference in Rusty. The last follow up appointment, I requested his cardiac bloodwork be run, even though it was too soon, and Dr. Heinen was amazed how good his results were.
It was mid-December 2018, and Rusty started to get fussy about eating. I could get him to eat if I felt it was necessary, but would let him miss a couple of meals in a row if that is what he wanted. He was still hit and miss on eating in January, had loose stools now and then and threw up twice in a month. I read where his CHF can cause this, so I made an appointment and took him in to see Dr. Heinen on 2/9/19. Rusty was acting himself, very loving wanting attention. I requested a complete blood workup and authorized any other test necessary. I left him there for the test to be done and would pick him up afterward. Before I could get home, they called and said he had acute pancreatitis, and he needed to be kept. I trusted Dr. Heinen, so I let them keep him. I received copies of his blood work the following evening, and it didn't back up the diagnosis and was told they would force-feed him if he didn't eat on his own. Anyone who's had a pet with pancreatitis knows making an animal eat is not appropriate. I decided then; I was going to get Rusty in the morning.
In the morning, before I could leave to get him, I received the call he had died a little before they arrived. I was devastated and still am a year later. When I went to pick up his body, it was apparent I was angry. Dr. Heinen did not want me to leave until I agreed that it was out of their control, which I did after 30 minutes of repeated stories. After taking Rusty to be cremated, I had my vet request copies of the records from Gandy. It took ten phone calls, five days, and my vet signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement before they received them. Who does this if everything was done appropriately? I will never forgive myself for letting this happen: Dr. Heinen A+ with CHF & F- with anything else, in my opinion.

Feb. 03, 2020