I'm assuming then you're going to see Dr. H....not his partner.
Dr. H is very confident! I'll tell you the truth, first time I met him I disliked him greatly (and that's an understatement!) Felt he was arrogant and very short with us. Of course it wasn't the best circumstances....I was there with my maltese, Grade 4 due to injury and we had waited the weekend to see him. I was literally sick with worry and it certainly wasn't a great time to "judge" someone.
By the time we went back for Chan's 8 week final check up and Dr. H came in the room and basically spoke to Chan I felt a little better. I believe he truly cares about his patients.
Little did I know 3 weeks later Chan's other knee would also give out and Dr. H would be operating again. This time we had to bring him in at 11 pm and obviously Dr. H is not there, the emergency hospital Vet admitted him and kept him until the following morning until Dr. H could examine him. I only agreed to leave Chan because I felt he was in so much pain and would do better with IV pain meds.
The emergency Vet was so nice and I was sooo hysterical, he called down one of Dr. H's night nurses, June and she kept Chan upstairs in the surgical ward instead of the busy ER. Speaking of June, she is the night time nurse that you can call ANYTIME during that first night Cali is there. She is the kindest, most reassuring woman I have ever met. I could never thank her enough for taking care of my babies.
Anyhow, the following morning Dr. H called and said he had examined Chan and yes he most definitely needed another surgery. I was beyond hysterical and he was kind, comforting and told me he would take care of Chan and he'd be as good as new.
Chan's first surgery was April 06 and his second was June 06.
Just this past December, my yorkie Phoebi was attacked by a neighbor's pitbull. Long story short I was told by my regular Vet that both her Grade 1 knees were now Grade 4's.
I waited almost 2 weeks, until January 2 for Dr. H to come back from vacation. I could have used his partner, whom I've heard is equally as wonderful but since we could keep Phoebi comfortable I chose to wait. My husband and I figured he did such a wonderful job with Chan that we didn't want to risk a different surgeon.
So just this past January 2 we brought Phoebi in and upon examination he felt only the right knee needed to be done. I never doubted his "grading" one bit. You'll be shocked....he literally moves the knee and in less than 5 seconds he's made his diagnosis.
Her surgery was done that day and again I can't speak highly enough of the entire staff. Right down to the receptionists.....everyone is lovely and caring. I did have the opportunity to meet Kalina for a few minutes at Phoebi's final check up. (she was a sweetheart)
Now I will tell you the surgery is expensive BUT when I take into account the care she received by a Board Certified Surgeon I somehow can justify the price. In actuality when I break down the bill to "his" cost it's right in-line with some of these "so called" surgeons who operate with no additional training on their part.
Part of the expense is the overall care Cali will receive. There is a fee for the overnight nursing care and room and board. My thoughts were I'd rather have someone watching my babies overnight rather than some other Vet who goes home. Dr. H's patients are very comfortable after surgery....they give some good drugs!
When it's time to discharge and go home, a Vet Tech will spend considerable time with you reviewing all medications and rehab instructions. That in itself is very comforting! I will tell you also that he's a nut about following his instructions but in the same breath, thanked me when both Chan and Phoebi went in for their final check ups. He told me it was apparent in their condition that I had followed his instructions to a "T"! (and I had!)
If there's anything else I can answer don't hesitate to ask. I don't think there's anyone (human or furry Dr.) that I would recommend more highly.
Oh....I'm close by, if you need anything just call!
Kim