Candlewood Animal Hospital

Jasmena Rodriguez

BEWARE DO NOT TAKE YOUR PET HERE!!! I write this review with a heavy heart.. If I could, I would give this establishment a negative zero because they don't even deserve one star from me. I took my small Yorkie here for the first time, because he was not feeling well and was having labored breathing. Before I get into this review allow me to provide a little back history. My dog was ten years old. Has never been sick, never been to the emergency vet, all of his shots/vaccinations were up to date and has had yearly appointments with this vet, also located in New Milford. He was such a joyful and happy dog very playful and full of life still. We took very good care of him and ensured his health was monitored. So going to the emergency vet was very new to both me and my husband. The morning of 3/19/25, I contacted his vet because my yorkie woke up breathing extremely heavy. I described his symptoms to her over the phone and she urged me to take him to the emergency vet due to his labored breathing. Me and my husband did just that immediately and walked into Candlewood Animal Hospital, which they did accommodate us as a walk in. He was seen by veterinarian Katelyn Bakewell. At first, we were happy with the service and the clean atmosphere including Katelyn's demeanor. We came in with a video of our dog breathing heavily and explained he had no prior history of any conditions. She suggested they do an Xray of his chest which we agreed to. After the X-rays, she stated she wasn't a hundred percent certain of his prognosis, but suggested possibly asthma due to some congestion seen on his lungs from his X-rays. BUT that she didn't want to jump to any extremes and deemed it as NOT SERIOUS and leaned more towards asthma. At this point she gave him a steroid shot with antibiotics to take home. She told us he was otherwise very healthy and assured us he would be fine. She informed us to follow up with her two days later. We agreed and left to care for our baby. This is what is really hard to decipher. There was no sense of URGENCY or a sense of a SERIOUS UNDERLYING issue with our pet.. So we did as advised and took our beloved pet home and followed the directions provided. From that point forward, things took a turn which we never would have expected.. Our little guy just got worse as the hours ticked. He had a seizure shortly after and passed away just hours after seeing Katelyn. We rushed him to a 24 hour emergency hospital in Newton CT, which they confirmed that he passed. When speaking to the vet's there, they stated it could have been a misdiagnosis and was more serious than originally diagnosed. I'm writing this review because if me and my husband had any indicators from Katelyn, regarding a more serious concern with our pet EVEN if she couldn't pinpoint the root cause, tell us as pet parents "Hey, I think you should take him to another hospital. This may be more serious". Especially, that he was so tiny (7 pounds). But because that urgency wasn't there, we thought all we had to do is give him his medication prescribed and he would feel better soon. How does a healthy and young dog pass within hours of you stating "Your healthy dog is fine and it's just asthma" My dog has never been diagnosed with asthma. Me and my husband should have taken him for a second opinion directly after seeing Katelyn. We will live with this regret forever. Had we done so, maybe our beloved would still be here today. Please do your due diligence when seeing a vet or specialist. And please get second opinions if you feel unsure. If your like me and my husband, your pet is more than a dog/cat/pet.. He or she is a human, a baby.. and just like a human being or a baby, we try to protect them in every way possible. And the horror of losing them, especially so suddenly and rapidly.. is tragic and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. We will be doing an autopsy to nail down the root cause including if the proper medication and or dosages were administered properly. Sincerely, A grieving parent

Mar 28, 2025

Jackie Vaughan

Literally the best. Doctors Baker and Maisel are amazing with my nervous pup and the prices are so fair. You guys have a client for life! Dash and I are very satisfied.

Mar 10, 2025

Wisteria Leigh Edwards

I have given high praise reviews in the past. I have brought all my pets since 1986 to see Dr. Maizel. At that time I had a rough collie named Raya, then 2 cats Houdini and Owen Beanie. During that time, I became a foster mom for numerous greyhounds. Of course I often failed and they stayed with me. Dr. Maizel is the dog/cat whisperer of New Milford and I would trust any of my pet babies to him. He listens to you and will discuss honest care and tough choices. That said, his staff have been so empathetic when difficult end of life decisions are necessary. I can't thank Dr. Maizel and his staff for the 39 years of compassionate and skillful care they have always provided. Donna Edwards

May 4, 2025

Selethia Scribner

Dr. Maizel is the most compassionate and caring vet I have ever had. He’s been our vet for the past almost 30 years. You can’t go wrong with Dr. Maizel and his other colleague, Dr. Bakewell. The staff are friendly and responsive when you have an emergency. I would never go anywhere else.

Mar 7, 2025

Dottie Wilcox

I have been coming here for many years with multiple animals. I trust Dr. Maizel completely. My current dog, Logan, is reactive to other dogs. I especially appreciate the care they took in getting us in and out safely. They made sure there were no other people in the waiting room when we went in. When it was time to leave, the reception area was full of pets and their humans. One of the young men took us out a side door and walked us to the car, as I also had a carrier with my cat inside. The less drama, the better for me!

Jun 23, 2024