Avoiding Dangerous Veterinarians

Kris L. Christine · 06-25-2008, 07:06 AM

"Avoiding Dangerous Veterinarians" by Jan Rasmussen, award-winning author About Maltese Dogs .

**berkshire** · 06-25-2008, 08:12 AM

Kris L. Christine · 06-25-2008, 08:17 AM

Personally, I think the advice to check to see if there is a vet tech or someone who stays with surgical patients left over night in a clinic is excellent. A friend of mine had her scotty neutered and the vet insisted that it stay overnight. No staff was on-hand during the night and there was a violent thunderstorm (her dog, goes wild over loud sounds) and tore out all the stitches and was a mess the next day.

Some dog owners are unaware that there are veterinary clinics that perform surgery, keep animals overnight and have no 24 hour coverage.

faber · 06-25-2008, 09:59 AM

thank you. this spawned me to research my states vet site...and ask for any complaint listed about my vet (emphasizing that i had no complaints and was researching.)

**BackInBlack** · 06-25-2008, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris L. Christine

Personally, I think the advice to check to see if there is a vet tech or someone who stays with surgical patients left over night in a clinic is excellent. A friend of mine had her scotty neutered and the vet insisted that it stay overnight. No staff was on-hand during the night and there was a violent thunderstorm (her dog, goes wild over loud sounds) and tore out all the stitches and was a mess the next day.

Some dog owners are unaware that there are veterinary clinics that perform surgery, keep animals overnight and have no 24 hour coverage.

I agree 100% with this, and have argued with a vet's office over it before. Rommel and Ziris both had their ears cropped at the same place. It is a VERY nice vet clinic, and they are great vets, but... Both times, they wanted me to leave them overnight. Both times, I asked if someone was staffed overnight to look after dogs staying there, and both times I was told no. So.........both times, I told them that my dog would not be getting vet services there if they were required to stay overnight. I think they were a little shocked at my persistence (I am usually dealing with front desk people at this point, who only say verbatim what their polices are) and after talking with the vet, they were fine letting me pick them up at closing time.

I just figure....Why would I leave my dog there where NO ONE is watching them, when I could have them here and give them 24 hour care if they need it.

I also am not okay with "I am going to take your dog to the back" you can wait right here. If I can't go with them.....your not taking them. If your not okay with that.....I will find a new vet. Maybe I am just a B****, I don't know....but that is not cool with me. My vet now totally understands that. Half the time when I go there, I just call and let them know I am on my way and walk in through the back door. I LOVE my vet now, I am so sad to move away and have to find another one. I don't think she is replaceable.

robinb · 06-25-2008, 10:28 AM

I agree too and would never leave a dog unattended overnight. I've used the same vet clinic for years and they always let me bring them home after surgery. With a severe problem they have a tech stay.

Jax · 06-25-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris L. Christine

Some dog owners are unaware that there are veterinary clinics that perform surgery, keep animals overnight and have no 24 hour coverage.

When Louise was spayed the vet was insisting she stay overnight (borderline vwb) but no one was there!! He told me "your dog could bleed to death over night if you take her home" - but if I am home, and can react, vs Louise being ALONE and no one knowing she was bleeding ?!?! I did not understand his reasoning. I did not leave her - she came home with me, I stayed up w/her all night to make sure she was ok. Gave a heads up to the emergency vet, fortunately did not need her. Louise did fine thank goodness, and she never went back to that vet. In hindsight, I should have left his office then. New vet (of 8 years) knows me well enough now to know I will not leave anyone over night unless I absolutely, positively have to. And that takes some convencing....

GunnersMum · 06-25-2008, 12:03 PM

Normal and routine overnight stays are fine IMO. Normally a dog or cat just out of surgery is too tired or groggy to do much of anything. I think that in the case of the Scotty those were extenuating circumstances and are not the norm at all. At the clinic I go to/worked for any severe animal cases that require 24 hr observation/medication are sent to a clinic that is open 24 hrs.

**RedFawnRising** · 06-25-2008, 01:27 PM

I chose to part ways with a veterinarian whom I otherwise like, when she was going to require two rabbits of mine to spend the night before their spay/neuters at her clinic.

She really had, to my mind, no good reason for this--and I suspect it was solely for her convenience so she could start on the surgeries no matter how early/late she wanted the next morning, without her staff being interrupted by drop-offs.

I liked her for in-office procedures, but ultimately, this was a deal-breaker and I found a new vet.

It's ridiculous to have animals stay overnight even following a surgery, unless they have a catheter and are receiving care and monitoring thru the night by vet staff.

DP807 · 06-25-2008, 01:43 PM

Having worked at a vet that was staffed 24 hrs. a day and one that wasn't, I know which I would choose if my dog required an overnight stay. The one that had no overnight staff really bothered me. At that hospital sick animals were left alone all night with fluids running while no one was there. I can recall getting there in the morning to find dogs that had chewed through their IV line. I really can't imagine any pet owner being ok with this.

One thing to look for is an AAHA accredited hospital. You can be sure there will be staff there 24/7.