Hardwick Pond Veterinary Center

My wife and I brought our new kitten to the Hardwick Pond Vet Center last week for routine vaccinations. We had stated that she had been sneezing a lot, had diarrhea and also that her eyes were ‘gunky’. The husband/wife team gave her the required vaccinations, some ointment for her conjunctivitis and an otherwise healthy overview. “A healthy kitten.” Less than a week later, she spent all day vomiting. Sunday morning it continued so we brought her to the emergency veterinary clinic in North Grafton, MA(Tufts/Cummings). The veterinarians there said she had a viral infection and sent us home with some medications. Tuesday morning our kitten died in my arms on my way back to Tufts. Why wasn’t the ‘professionals’ at Hardwick Pond able to recognize that she was sick in the first place? How does a kitten go from “a healthy kitten” to dead in my arms in a week? It just doesn’t make sense. As long-standing veterinarians, I would think that they’d be able to see any and all red flags regarding the health of an animal. We will NEVER return to this establishment again. Nor will we ever recommend that anyone else that loves their fur babies bring their loved ones to these people. I had to sit and watch my baby-girl kitten take her last breath in my lap. There was nothing I could do. But I truly believe there was something that Hardwick Pond could’ve done, but either chose not to or didn’t have the capability to recognize that she was sick in the first place. We are beyond heartbroken.

Couldn't agree more with Darlene! I can't believe they are still open. Brought my cat in for "asthma" and was told he was fine, but he still couldn't breath right. After 10 different pills a day (all prescribed by the "vet") he was worse than ever. He passed away two months after being seen by him. I will never bring any animal here again what so ever! His staff contradicts themselves and they know absolutely nothing. Also, I know other people who have brought their animals to him with the same outcome that I had.

Paula, are you really shaming Darlene for wanting her pet to feel better and live a long life? If you had a child that was paralyzed would you just give up? Shame on you Paula. You should not own an animal if you will not do everything in your power to protect and care for it. Once again I say shame on you for mentioning the monetary aspect of your dog's life. I hope that you are a better parent to your biological children than your fur children. You disgust me.

Dr. V and his staff have cared for my pets for 30 years. They are fantastic. Came to the house so that my old and terminally ill dog didn't have to make that last trip to the vet. Always both professional and compassionate.

Dr. Van der Velden is fantastic. He's taken care of five cats from my family. Thanks to him they've had long, healthy lives.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience there Darlene, but I just took my dog in and they were very friendly and knowledgeable. They did not try to convince me my dog needed unnecessary tests or blood work. They were very thorough and clearly cared about all of my concerns. They even took the time to follow up on the phone when I called later that day. I would recommend this vet to everyone. I would even consider making the extra drive if we move from the area just to come back here!

In response to Darlene S...

Who's quality of life are you referring to? Yours or the dog's? Do you really think the quality of life for a dog is to be in pain, maybe being strapped to a brace? Just to be around to make you smile? Shame on you! You should not own an animal if you can not respect the quality of life for a dog. Being able to run around outside...play with toys freely, jump up to snuggle with you... That's quality of life for a dog.

Don't fault the vet for doing his job and recognizing what was best for the dog and not YOU.

I have been using Hardwick Pond Vet for over 20 years. They have been so sensitive to my dogs, helped me through many painful times that included my dog being hit and paralyzed. We had her at an animal hospital for 36 hours and they put a cone on her and gave her an iv with painkillers and charged us $2000. They couldn't tell us the outcome without it costing us $6000. but they did say she would have to be carried in and out just to go to the bathroom and probably have lots of accidents. My beautiful dog who loved the outside and running and swimming.

Hardwick Pond called the hospital, got the answers and told me everything. They DID NOT tell me to put her down. They told me my options but more importantly, my dog's future life.

I loved her too much to do that to her.

Again I say, shame on you.

This is a wonderful, warm old fashioned animal vet that respects an animals natural life. They have a lot of wisdom and experience.

I normally do not write reviews, but my latest experience with this vet has prompted me to write in order to warn others. My small dog got hit by a car and was paralyzed from the waist down. Frantic, I raced him over to the vet where I was told there was nothing I could do, but euthanize him. I pleaded and stated, “I will do anything for this animal” and even then the vet continued to tell me there was nothing I could do for him. I even specifically asked about obtaining a wheelchair and the necessary care that having a paralyzed dog would entail, but again was told there was no hope. After several hours of holding him I finally gave in and my poor dog was put to sleep.

Over the next few days I did extensive research (and I now wish I had gotten a second opinion before making such a decision) online and found out that the vet did not conduct all the necessary tests to tell if my dog really had a severed spine. Further, I have now read about so many cases where paralyzed dogs live happy lives. If I could do it again I would never go back to this vet. This vet made the unilateral decision that my dogs’ quality of life would be lessened and therefore he needed to be put to sleep, but never offered me a glimpse of hope that the animal would survive. If I had been told that there was even a 1% chance that my dog would survive, I would have taken him home and worked tirelessly to provide for him. After doing some research and seeking other opinions from other vets I know that there was a chance my dog could have been alive today.

I hope that this review will at least convince some pet owners to seek a second opinion before relying on this particular vets “expertise.” It should not have been this vets’ choice to decide if my dog lived or died, it should have been mine based on an informed decision. The misinformation that was provided to me will haunt me for the rest of my life, but I hope that this vet will at least read this review and decide to provide clients will ALL the options, not necessarily what he deems to be the right choice. Had I been given the actual options for my pet, my dog would still be alive today. So please if you truly care about your animal and it is a life or death situation DO NOT rely on this vet’s sole opinion as to the condition of your pet or you might end up making a HUGE mistake.