The Newport Beach Veterinary Hospital

Our primary vet told us our 20-month old Golden Retriever, had hip dysplasia.

She had the images sent out to two separate radiologists, whom also confirmed the diagnosis. Even more troubling while the hip dysplasia was mild, there were indications of arthritis.

I immediately told our breeder, who promptly told me that I had wasted our money and time by going to our vet because he probably wasn't x-rayed correctly (I had also sent her copies of the xrays). She told me I needed to bring Hammy to Newport Beach Veterinarian Clinic to see the "OFA radiologist" Deb Cohen (I have the text messages to prove this), that the Golden Retriever world trusts. She asked if we would bring Hammy down to see the radiologist, and of course, we agreed.

I called to make the appointment with Dr. Deborah Cohen, not her husband, the vet that runs the practice, Dr. Jeffrey Cohen. When speaking to the receptionist, I said multiple times, "we need the appointment with Dr. Deborah Cohen" and was never corrected.

We arrived with Hammy and our breeder arrived a little bit after the x-rays had begun .The xrays were completed and we were brought into the exam room to review the x-rays with Dr. Deborah Cohen, and our breeder. We were THRILLED as we were told that Hammy didn't have hip dysplasia and there was NO arthritis. I was in tears, so relieved that our boy didn't have it.

When we first entered the room I said, "Thank you Dr. Cohen for taking the time to squeeze us in," and she responded, "No, please, call me Deb."

My husband, a retired cardiologist, began asking extremely technical questions about the anatomy, angles, and when HER official report would be ready. He then asked, "Where did you go to vet school?" Deb answered, "Oh, I'm not a vet, that is my husband." Wait, what?!

"I have been taking x-rays for over 30 years, have taken 46,000, and have taught classes to students," Deb, the non-radiologist, non-vet who had JUST DIAGNOSED OUR DOG WITH NOT HAVING HIP DYSPLASIA SAID.

I was trying to wrap my head around what was going on, "So what is your official title here," I asked.

"I'm a registered veterinary technician," Deb THE FRAUD SAID.

In California, vet tech's aren't allowed to https://cvma.net/government/veterina...ant-job-tasks/ "2036. Animal Hospital Health Care Tasks for R.V.T.

(a) Unless specifically so provided by regulation, a R.V.T. shall not perform the following functions or any other activity which represents the practice of veterinary medicine or requires the knowledge, skill and training of a licensed veterinarian:

(1) Surgery;

(2) Diagnosis and prognosis of animal diseases;

(3) Prescription of drugs, medicines or appliances."

Our breeder listened to us refer to Deb as Dr. Cohen, multiple times, she only corrected me to call her Deb, to make it seem as if we were friendly. At NO TIME, until further grilling, did she finally admit, that she wasn't a vet.

Pardon my French, but what in the f**K were we doing in a vet exam room with her telling us our dog doesn't have hip dysplasia?! We NEVER SAW HER HUSBAND, THE ACTUAL VET at any time that day.

Facebook and Yelp reviews confirm Dr. Fake Deb has done this with others.

Driving home, we were just shocked....We took the xrays that Fake Dr Deb had taken to our vet, and she was just stunned. "These are the exact same xrays I took! Was he sedated or given a sedative for this? I thought she was a radiologist! She could have really hurt Hammy since he does have hip dysplasia and extra care needs to be given for him." I burst into tears, and started researching this scam Dr. Fake Deb has.

How can her husband, the actual vet, allow her to do this?! We have filed an official complaint with the state of California because this can't be allowed to continue. We demanded that the xrays be sent to OFA, and I signed the release box allowing negative results to be made public.

I learned through this process that ANY vet can submit xrays to OFA for hips and elbows, no special license is needed.

Hammy is having a PennHipp evaluation to determine difinitevely if he does indeed have hip dysplasia. I told our breeder at the beginning of this there was no blame if he did have it. The best clearances are no guarantee.

I'm not upset about the hip dysplasia diagnosis...we have insurance for Hammy, I hate that he may have to go through surgerie(s), but I'm DISGUSTED that we were blatantly misled, and it needs to stop.

Hammy's PennHip results will also be submitted to OFA, with negative results made public. In another lifetime, I was a certified nursing assistant, and worked in a hospital. I was often mistaken for a nurse, and I ALWAYS immediately said, "No, I'm not a nurse, I'm a certified nursing assistant."

Dr. Cohen is the best vet I have ever been to. He saved my dog from near death. He is super attentive and stays in the hospital all night long, you can tell he really loves animals and is not just doing this for money. I think cassie's review is extremely unreasonable, dumb and should totally be ignored. Prescription diets require a prescription, you cannot just purchase them. I think someone should stop being a dumb, blond biatch.

REVISION
I think its kind of funny how people are complaining about the prices...i am pretty sure they let you know the prices beforehand and also...wth do you expect...this is Newport Beach not Santa Ana...if you do not have the money then it is really really logical to go to some other vet. There are TONS of vets out there...they may not be as good....but you get what you pay that is how the world works...