Vca Columbia Animal Hospital At Hickory Ridge

Beginning in 2024, our cat began licking herself excessively, eventually developing sores and skin lesions. Over the next few years, we brought her in for multiple appointments because we were concerned and wanted to understand what was causing it. We were repeatedly told it was allergies and prescribed medications such as Apoquel and Animax ointment. We trusted our veterinarian and believed we were doing everything we could for her. Then we found a mass near her breast area. We immediately brought her in because we were worried and wanted to make sure it was nothing serious. We were told the mass was likely related to her allergies and were prescribed yet another medication. We even took her to a veterinary dermatologist, who expressed concern that what they were seeing was suspicious and warranted further attention. Shortly afterward, she began having difficulty breathing, which sent us to the emergency vet. The emergency veterinarian immediately recognized that the mass was not normal for a cat and began running tests. We were devastated to learn that she had aggressive breast cancer that had progressed too far. What followed were the worst 48 hours of our lives. We went from believing we were dealing with allergies to receiving a devastating cancer diagnosis and ultimately having to make the heartbreaking decision to let her cross the rainbow bridge peacefully. What makes this even harder is knowing that we brought her to our regular vet repeatedly and specifically brought her in when we discovered the mass. The emergency veterinarian immediately recognized that it was abnormal and warranted investigation. We cannot help but wonder why that same level of concern and diagnostic thoroughness was not applied here. We understand that not every cancer can be caught in time and that some conditions are difficult to diagnose. What is heartbreaking is that we did seek help. We brought her in repeatedly, raised concerns, and trusted our veterinarian to investigate further when her symptoms persisted. Instead, we were repeatedly given medications for what we were told were allergies. Even when we discovered a mass and specifically brought her in because we were concerned about it, it was again attributed to allergies rather than investigated further. We will always wonder whether things could have been different had the mass been investigated sooner. There is no way to know whether an earlier diagnosis would have changed the outcome, but we deserved the opportunity to find out. Maybe we could have had more time with her or made different decisions. Instead, we had only 48 hours from diagnosis to saying goodbye. She was not just a pet. She was a beloved member of our family, and losing her so suddenly was one of the most heartbreaking experiences we have ever endured. We are incredibly disappointed by what we feel was a lack of attention to detail, thoroughness, and diagnostic consideration throughout her care. We trusted this practice with her health for years, and it is devastating to feel that something so serious may have been missed until it was too late. Because of this experience, we have made the difficult decision to take our other two cats and two dogs to another veterinarian. We simply cannot risk another beloved member of our family having a similar experience. We are sharing this because we hope the practice takes a serious look at how persistent symptoms and new masses are evaluated. No family should be left wondering whether something could have been caught sooner after repeatedly seeking veterinary care. We miss her terribly and will always wish we had been given more time with her. She deserved better, and we deserved the opportunity to know what was really happening sooner.

Dr. Meh said that my dog had Lichenification, prescribed a powder, and said it would clear up in about 10 days. The powder did nothing. Another vet told me my dog had cancer. I had specifically asked Dr. Meh if it could be cancer or a tumor and was told no, it wasn't that. She needs to go back to vet school.

Dr. Kelso is the best vet I’ve ever had, and Angus loves her.

Fantastic experience for my dog and I, both. The staff are polite and efficient, and the Dr. is top notch! I would recommend the VCA on Hickory Ridge to friends and family.

All personnel are incredibly kind and empathetic - from receptionists on the phone, to walking in, veterinarians, interns, etc. Dr. Myers is especially wonderful with my rats. She gives reasonable diagnoses and often errors on the side of caution as opposed to suggesting xrays or other options that may not be right for my rats. What I love the most is being able to call a concern into the receptionist and they will relay my message to the Dr. I then get a text message, and im supported via text to some of my concerns that may not warrant a full blown visit. Thanks, everyone!!