Vets - good and BAD

Nina Cole · #1 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 03:45 PM

Its been three weeks since I lost my beloved dog Zak, and I would not wish our experience on anyone. I just pray to God that my poor dog was unaware what was going on.

He collapsed two weeks ago and was rushed into our vets surgery on emergency. Our regular vet was on holiday, so we saw a woman who had not the slightest compassion, or, idea, what was wrong.

His gums were white and his mouth was cold. He was in a collapsed state and could hardly move. After 40 minutes she suggested that we take him home! It was then that I suggested that he was in fact dieing, and only then did she put a needle in his stomach to discover that he was bleeding internally.

We knew that the kindest thing was to put him to sleep, but he was so bad by this time, that she could not even find a vein. He was pulled this way and that, and eventually I asked for another vet to attend him. At last they gave him a sedative, and decided to inject the fatal dose into his heart. They could not even locate his heart, and after a further 20 minutes decided to inject the fatal dose into his liver!

There was no compassion at all, in fact I would say they were barbarians that just wanted us out of the surgery as quickly as possible. They did not understand why we wanted to be there for our dog to the end, whatever the circumstances.

We are now awaiting his ashes, and would urge anyone reading this, to ensure that their vet is understanding and competent. I would not wish our experience on anyone.

jo-ann · #2 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 04:08 PM

hat is so sad my hart goes out to you i lost 5 dogs this year all with in 24 hours

Dawny · #3 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 05:35 PM

Aww I'm sorry to hear that. Some vets are horrible, I've worked with a few. To be fair also, it is difficult to find veins/heart/liver or wherever they need to inject. They could have maybe taken him through to the back and put an i/v catheter in to be more compassionate, that's what we would do.

Jenny Olley · #4 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 05:46 PM

It's an awful experience for you to go through at the end of your dogs life, Zak was very ill, so was hopefully unaware, but you willl unfortunately have the memory.

carol · #5 (**permalink**) 31-12-2007, 06:28 PM

sorry to hear the trouble you have
some of the out of hours vets are not experienced a lot and some just out of collage
sort of thing happen to me but not with the same results as you
sprinkle got ill few years back and all the woman vet was interested in some thing completely different to what he was taking if for and kepted going on about he had to be done.
so she got a ear full from me and i told her if you do anything to him other than what he is here for i will sue you,
and was told to make him comferable untill alan came in the next day.
anyway it was his water works had a stone in and couldnt wee.
when i told alan what went on he had a right go at this so called vet, the nurse vicky said the air was blue.
as you can imagine the other vet is not there anymore.

Anele Jessica · #6 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nina Cole

Its been three weeks since I lost my beloved dog Zak, and I would not wish our experience on anyone. I just pray to God that my poor dog was unaware what was going on.

He collapsed two weeks ago and was rushed into our vets surgery on emergency. Our regular vet was on holiday, so we saw a woman who had not the slightest compassion, or, idea, what was wrong.

His gums were white and his mouth was cold. He was in a collapsed state and could hardly move. After 40 minutes she suggested that we take him home! It was then that I suggested that he was in fact dieing, and only then did she put a needle in his stomach to discover that he was bleeding internally.

We knew that the kindest thing was to put him to sleep, but he was so bad by this time, that she could not even find a vein. He was pulled this way and that, and eventually I asked for another vet to attend him. At last they gave him a sedative, and decided to inject the fatal dose into his heart. They could not even locate his heart, and after a further 20 minutes decided to inject the fatal dose into his liver!

There was no compassion at all, in fact I would say they were barbarians that just wanted us out of the surgery as quickly as possible. They did not understand why we wanted to be there for our dog to the end, whatever the circumstances.

We are now awaiting his ashes, and would urge anyone reading this, to ensure that their vet is understanding and competent. I would not wish our experience on anyone.

Nina - Vets quite a big issue for me too. The thing is if ones booking an appointment they rarely saying to which Doctor - I am always incicting to tell me that. Another thing - they do have locums very often and we never been told weather this or that is a doctor or a locum, or a practiing student, or experienced Doc - unless you'll insist on that info. Sometimes experience could be crucial for out pets!

Anele Jessica · #7 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carol

sorry to hear the trouble you have
some of the out of hours vets are not experienced a lot and some just out of collage
sort of thing happen to me but not with the same results as you
sprinkle got ill few years back and all the woman vet was interested in some thing completely different to what he was taking if for and kepted going on about he had to be done.
so she got a ear full from me and i told her if you do anything to him other than what he is here for i will sue you,
and was told to make him comferable untill alan came in the next day.
anyway it was his water works had a stone in and couldnt wee.
when i told alan what went on he had a right go at this so called vet, the nurse vicky said the air was blue.
as you can imagine the other vet is not there anymore.

She's just gone to another Vets do make the same "difference"....Unfortunately for us they are "covering" each other. The best thing is to follow your gut instinct, to speak to other breeders/owners and to get a second opinion. (Well in my experience a few years ago - second opinion has not been given as I refused to disclose to a second Vet the first opinion in order to get an independent piece of mind....Ridiculous!)

Nina Cole · #8 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 03:21 PM

It just seems as though we have no recourse when something like this happens. If you complain to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, your comments are 'noted'. I know of no official body that is responsible for such complaints, and feel that any letter will only be disregarded.

Perhaps I was spoiled with my last practice, who were wonderful, compassionate people.

carol · #9 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elena

She's just gone to another Vets do make the same "difference"....Unfortunately for us they are "covering" each other. The best thing is to follow your gut instinct, to speak to other breeders/owners and to get a second opinion. (Well in my experience a few years ago - second opinion has not been given as I refused to disclose to a second Vet the first opinion in order to get an independent piece of mind....Ridiculous!)

thing that got me elena we knew was wrong with him and we knew what the treatment was but as normal you get these young vets out of collage thing they know everything and dont.

vixenelite · #10 (**permalink**) 01-01-2008, 04:34 PM

Sorry to hear of your awful experience, its hard enough losing a beloved pet without being submitted to that kind of thing from your vet.

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