Charlotte Valentine
I visited Tone Vets on 5th July 2024 with concerns for my elderly dog, Mungo, who was weeing blood and showing signs of a possible UTI. This was our first visit after moving to the area and transferring from our previous vets, with whom we had always had a brilliant and compassionate relationship. We saw Kelly Foden, whose advice was to immediately “do what was right” and have Mungo put to sleep. I was taken aback by how strongly this was suggested and how I was made to feel selfish for questioning it. I explained that I wanted to try antibiotics first, and that if the infection didn’t clear or became recurrent, I would of course reconsider. I found Kelly’s attitude dismissive and lacking in compassion. It was extremely upsetting to feel pressured into such a serious decision when Mungo was otherwise a happy, loved, and well-cared-for dog. I was even sent a “quality of life” questionnaire afterwards, despite explaining several times that he still enjoyed his meals, walks, playtime and cuddles. I would never put my own emotions above my animal’s welfare, and being made to feel like I was being selfish for not wanting to euthanise him at that stage was completely unacceptable. When the time does come to say goodbye, it will be a decision made with him in mind, out of love and compassion — not pressure. Thankfully, after one course of antibiotics — and even by the next day — Mungo was back to his usual self. He has since had no further issues, and more than a year later, he is still happy and healthy. I sent an email a month after the appointment to express my concerns and received a reply back from Kobus Engelbrecht which essentially said he trusted Kelly’s professional opinion. We have since moved to a different practice. Had I followed the vet’s advice that day, my dog would have been unnecessarily put to sleep for what turned out to be a simple, treatable UTI.
