Boulder's Natural Animal
Reviews and Complaints

I only wish I had been talked to like Dr. Silver spoke to Anonymous about the possibility of doing something BESIDES euthanizing the cat. I had a wonderful dog who I loved completely but she suddenly became violent and attacked my other dogs impulsively and suddenly, often biting me in the process almost biting off a finger. it's a long story but I completely and regretfully asked a vet to put her down since I couldn't handle her violence. Unfortunately, the vet did as i asked and I feel horrible about this to the present time. If the vet had talked to me and explained possible alternatives, possible ways of treatment or further exploration, my baby might have been able to heal and maybe could have lived a healthy happy life. But the vet I saw did nothing like that and she's now gone. I so want to tell this vet --- who is now in a different clinic and is trying to get his own Reality TV show -- how wrong he was and how horrible I still feel about what i did and what he did not do.

Not disagreeing with the content of this reviewers complaint, but would like to point out that since this was written, Boulder's Natural Animal has been sold and the new veterinarians are outstanding. Drs. Brockman and Adams are both wonderful vets and kind, caring people. Dr. Adams has been great with helping us assess the end of life decision for our old, sickly dog. She has done a ton of research on various treatment options, helped get him stabilized for a while and is helping us with recognizing when it is time. While it is ultimately our decision what is best for our beloved dog, Dr. Adams has done everything possible to be informed on his condition, help us understand what is happening and provide treatment options (including no treatment and euthanasia).

I am not surprised by the original review as I have also heard not great feedback on Dr. Silva, but I do not think this should reflect badly on the new owners.

Also I wanted to add that if a vet is fast to put a cat down they are to lazy to treat it do not trust a vet that does not want to help even a very sick cat. My vet was very fast to kill my kitty off where I gave him more time to get better.

I am reading this and I will havr to agree with the vet on this one. I recently HAD to put down a one year old cat due to liver failure he was not eating or drinking and hsi backbnone was showing he had a prior virus where it made him stop eating but I did not know it until it was too late. I force fed him for 2 weeks with no inprovement eventually he started scratching me up and flipping the syringe out of my hand he basicly wanted to die. It was the worset thing I had to go through ever.

I just belive that if any cat is eating and drinking then I would NEVER put it down how can it be suffering so bad that it still is eating and trying to live? Im sorry I just feel that a 12 year old cat could have goton at least a few more years of being healthy with treatment.

It is typical for a doctor to question the reason for euthanasia with any animal they do not have a developed relationship with. Its in the medical oath they take when they become a DVM to do no harm...just like with human doctors.

I will not pretend to know the specifics surrounding the euthanization of your 12 year old cat whom suffered from diebetes. I further want to extend my sincere sympathy. I've had to help a couple of my four legged friends get to their ultimate home as well. It's a painful process that stays with us indefinitely. However, I must also extend my respect to Dr. Silver, who has been invaluable in offering my Ragdoll kitten (with calcium oxalate stones) a normal life. When 4 other vets had nothing more to offer than prescription diets and a possible surgery (perineal urethrostomy) - Dr. Silver offered an alternative. It's been 6 months since we started seeing Dr. Silver and following his advise. Our kitten in now crystal free and thriving. Again, I'm painfully sorry for your loss and would not even begin to judge you or Dr. Silver in such a emotional, heavy hearted decision. As hurt as you may be - Dr. Silver is a phenomenal vet who is responsible for the longevity and happy lives of many pets.

Dr. Silver you are a terrible doctor. I have an 11 year old diabetic cat whose quality of life has not improved with our start of managing her diabetes. Ya, it's treatable but are you going to pay for the vet bills, the insulin, the home testing kits, the needles needed to manage it? There is no excuse, you don't know peoples situations. We are having to decide whether to euthanize our cat because of her diabetes and our vet is being very compassionate about it and completely understands we can't maintain it because of financial situations. We have had her for 11 years... you can't predict what will happen so don't judge people you worthless piece of crap!

I am so sorry for your loss anonymous, just know your cat is in heaven, diabetic free, and living a great life.

I am Dr Silver, the veterinarian referred to in the review saying i behaved inappropriately. As this Reviews website has no actual review process, and actually anyone can say anything they want here, I thought it would be fair for me to respond to the allegations made by Anonymous.
This kitty had been treated by my associate, so I was aware of its problems but not of the details of the owner's lives. When I walked into the exam room I saw an extremely robust kitty cat who was walking around the room, purring and eating treats. I was a little surprised, because usually when someone is ready to euthanize their beloved pet it is commonly on death's doorstep. As a veterinarian, my first responsibility is to my animal patients, to their welfare and to ensure that their owners treat them responsibly. I felt it necessary to let them know that diabetes is a treatable condition. I knew from their history at our clinic that they did not or would not follow our recommendations to manage this cat's diabetes. Its inappropriate urination and defecation were as treatable as his diabetes. I understand that sometimes people's circumstances make it difficult for them to treat an animal with a serious illness. But I think that when you make a commitment to an animal it is for life, until the natural end of that life or until the animal is suffering so much that it is the most humane thing to do. When I received a stoney silence from my comment about diabetes being treatable I then said to them that i respected their decision and would follow through with it and euthanize their kitty, as I did.
After it was over, Anonymous was angry with me and said I should have reviewed her case before she had even come into the hospital, told me about their financial difficulties, etc. I replied that I understood and was sorry for their loss. Anonymous wouldn't quit pressing this point, even with my apology, and I had a patient (a living patient whose guardians wanted me to treat regardless of how hopeless the medical condition might be--what a contrast!) I needed to see in our treatment area, which is out of bounds to the public, and Anonymous followed me back into this restricted area continuing her tirade. She obviously felt guilty over her decision to euthanize this happy friendly cat, and for good reason, since diabetes is treatable. I finally had to tell her in emphatic terms that we were finished and that she should leave, since she her outburst was upsetting to my staff, and I needed to see this very ill patient who owners did want me to treat it.
I would like to thank Anonymous, because of this experience we will never perform euthanasia in our clinic again on an animal that has a treatable disease, no matter what excuses the owners make for their decision.
Dr Silver

I'm sorry you had to go through this. I had an older cat who also had diabetes. I treated Marcel for several years before he finally must have had a stroke at the age of 20. We had to have him put to sleep that afternoon.

Despite the doctor's opinion on your animal's prognosis, he should have treated you with sensitivity. It seems that veterinarians can range from "caring less for animals and more for money" to "caring more for animals and less for money." But what they all need to understand is that the real patient is you, the human owner who has the emotional attachment as well as the responsibility of the physical and financial well being of not just your animal, but of your whole family.

Even when euthanasia is necessary, there will be always be some guilt felt by the animal's owner. Did you wait too long? Not long enough? Try not to beat yourself up over this.

You did the right thing euthanizing your 12 yr. old diabetic cat. I too had a diabetic cat that had a very low quality of life because of it. He had diabetes..then thyroid problems...then high blood pressure. Every time he saw me coming he tried to run because I either had an insulin syringe in my hand or the piller loaded to shoot some more pills down the poor things throat.
Yes...it's a treatable disease but very costly to the pets owner and costly to the pet as well in terms of quality of life.
If the Dr. felt that strongly about it...he could have kept the cat for himself and treated him if he was certain that a 12 yr. old diabetic cat could once again have a good quality of life.
I was lucky enough not to have to make the decision..my cat died in his sleep. I missed him and was sorry he had to die yet I was relieved that his suffering was over.