Cold, Profit-Driven Care at Universitäres Tierspital Zürich – A Warning to All Pet Owners
It is with deep sadness that I write this review, in the hopes of warning others about my devastating experience at Universitäres Tierspital Zürich. My kitten, Maroni, was brought to this hospital for a blocked intestine, a condition that should have been manageable. However, what followed was a series of tragic failures that led to his untimely death, caused directly by botched surgery and anesthesia.
During the surgery, Maroni suffered complications due to negligence during anesthesia, leading to the aspiration of vomit and, eventually, aspiration pneumonia. What’s worse, the surgery that was supposed to resolve Maroni’s blocked intestine paralyzed his digestive system, making any recovery impossible. Maroni’s condition worsened rapidly after this and, tragically, there was no hope for further intervention. The hospital’s failures directly led to his death.
Throughout Maroni’s time there, I was in daily contact with the doctors to discuss both his condition and the costs. I was repeatedly reassured that we were well within the agreed limit of 5'000.- CHF, and on the very last day, before making the unbearable decision to put Maroni to sleep, I was explicitly told that the costs were still below this limit. However, four months later, the hospital sent me an invoice for 7'118.35 CHF — significantly above what was agreed. Universitäres Tierspital Zürich is not only far more expensive than other clinics, but they misled me throughout the entire process about the true costs of treatment. The additional charges felt like they were being tacked on after the fact, much like loan sharks, seeking to extract more money long after Maroni was gone. Their focus was clearly on profits, not on the well-being of my little angel.
If you are looking for compassionate, professional care, you won’t find it here. Instead, you’ll find a facility that sees your pet as an opportunity for financial gain, not as a life worth protecting.
The trauma, anxiety, and heartbreak they have caused me are immeasurable. I will never forgive myself for choosing this place, and I urge you to think twice before trusting them with the life of your beloved companion.