Negligence by our Vet

Nina448

Hi, I just really need some advice. Our dog who we had for 13 and a half years who we very much loved. Six months ago he had problem getting up the stairs and then we put a stair gate and he used to stay downstairs. We thought it was old age as people kept saying its old age and it was probably arthritis. He was still eating properly, walking, going out in the garden and still very alert. Then over a period of time he started to get problems getting up but once he was on his feet he then started walking ok. Since the last 2 weeks one of his hind legs was curling then he would straighten it out, we still put it down to old age as he wasn't even suffering it's just he didn't couldn't stand up for long we noticed.

Then last Monday night when we tried to help him up we just couldn't, he was trying himself but he was a heavy dog. Then Tuesday we rang the vet who made an appointment for Wednesday 1pm but he turned up the next day at 10:30am. He didn't apologise or give his name he walked straight in with his bag. Straightaway he didn't even examine him or touch him as we made a diagnosis so assumed do that which we paid for. He shoved the euthanasia form into my mums hand to sign it. We were left shocked, at the same time he took his injection out and put it in the air as he was trying to put medicine in there. My mum was still reeling asked if he was going to put his down now. He said yes, he was just giving us 1 or 2 word answers. My mum then asked can she call her son which is my brother as he was at work and was meant to come at 1pm, the time they arranged. His words were "We haven’t got time to hang around" at the same time with the injection in his hand he said to my mum " sign the form" and then she asked him if he could give steroids to make his legs stronger and he said he said " I can't give him another spinal cord" in a very rude abrupt manner. When he said that we thought that nothing could be done and that was it. Then at the same time he said to my mum sign the consent form. As my mum was hesitating he turned to his colleague and said "we can't leave" and then turn to his colleague and said the dog is suffering" at this point we both got scared that he was going to report us with cruelty. Then my mum signed the form he didn't ask us if we wanted to hug our dog or give us anytime as he was in a hurry and he dragged him across the floor as my mum ran in the kitchen sobbing he injected him and put him down. Then him and his colleague went and took his body to there van and came back with an invoice while we were still sobbing he was talking about his fees. This incidence from the vet walking through the door with our dogs body being taken out lasted less then 5 minutes.

Then the next day after this incident we typed in spinal cord injury on the internet what our dog's symptoms were DM which is weakness of the hind legs in German shepherd and there is special equipment like karts and harnesses available for this type of problem and are even being used with dogs who have problems with there hind and front legs. We realised with this harness we could have given our dog a chance at life still as his heart, kidneys, liver were functioning fine he's never been ill in his life he only went to the vet as a puppy for castration and an extra toe removed. Otherwise he was a very healthy dog and alert and still had the zest for life even til the end he was making an effort to stand he just needed our help. Even if our dog was terminally ill we should have still been given time at least to say goodbye. Also when my brother rang later to see the body of our dog he said " it was an inconvenience"
What was the urgency for him to put our dog down as we are very much suffering and don't know if it will ever go.

The reason I’m writing here is I just want to know other people's opinion on this matter as I'd be very grateful as our suffering is so extreme as we are looking for answers.

Thanks for taking the time to read this

Gabriel-Ernest

I'm so sorry for your loss. I think you would be well within your rights to complain to the veterinary practice about his behaviour.

JohnInDebt

I think you would be well within your rights to go around and smack him in the mouth

Saucepot

The world is full of idiots who think animals are people. The dog was old, infirm and in pain. Putting it down was a kindness.

Why put the dog through more misery keeping it alive just for your own selfish attitude toward it?

Be grateful the dog is no longer suffering and if you like dogs, get another. Be sure not to let that one get fat though, and when it’s time comes, be sure that putting it down is a kindness.

Gingham_Ribbon

The way you and your beloved dog were treated has made me cry. I'm so, so sorry. Whether or not it was kindest to put the dog to sleep, the way it was done was dreadful.

I don't know if there's a regulatory body, but I'd be contacting them. He needs to know that his behaviour was completely unacceptable. Saying goodbye to a member of your family should never have to take place like that. It was not his place to make those decisions or behave in that way.

I am sorry for your loss.

Gabriel-Ernest

Saucepot - your post is unacceptable and quite unkind; I'm shocked that you would advocate euthanasia without proper examination, and equally shocked that you would treat a new grieving poster like this.

notakid

Our old lab had the same problem in his back legs, He couldn't get up at all and I thought it was the end but the vet took him in for observertion and then gave the painkillers. He lasted another 3 years he died at 17 years old and we had him put down because his kidneys were going. I know it’s a common problem with labs and our "new" one is having the same problems at the age of 11.

Was your dog overweight? If he was then def you have cause for complaint as the dogs really improve once they have been on a diet.

The vet sounds a right pig but think at least your dog died at home and not confused and frightened at the vets. You did all you could.

Gingham_Ribbon

Our lab did too. And it was time for him to go. But the vet made it easier to say goodbye. A vet should never behave in that manner.

I think there are a couple of vets' nurses on the board and hopefully someone will tell you if there is a body to complain to.

gravitytolls

I think Saucepot may have been just a tad blunt on this subject, but in essence, I agree with him.

To put a human being in a wheelchair is one thing - they have the mental capacity (hopefully) to know hjwy, but a dog in a ahrness, with all those years of active life behind him, seems cruel. Were he a much younger dog, it'd be different, as dogs are very adaptable, but at 13, he would've been on borrowed time anyway, I believe around 14 yrs is average.

However, this doesn't justify the callous treatment by your vet. You shoudl complain to the practice manager. This was a distressing time for the whole family, and I can't believe this is the first time the vet has had to deal with grief. There is really no excuse for his behaviour.

What you might expect following your complaint is another matter. Certainly an apology, but probably not a reduced bill, as you will have been charged for services received, and compassion is generally included. Personally, as a gesture of goodwill, some recompense should be due to you, but don't hold your breath.

In the meantime, try, try, try to put this behind you, and simply get on with the job of grieving for a beloved family member.

viktory

I think to state that the vet was negligent was a bit harsh. Certainly, it sounds like he was rude, abrupt, thoughtless and uncaring.

I am so sorry you had to experience this. We had to have our dog put down, but at least we were given time to say goodbye.

I would definately complain to the Vets surgery about the treatment you received - then leave that Vet's surgery forever (if you have, or get, any othe pets).

mrcow

Hi Nina

What a harrowing tale. Whilst I don't agree with violence, I think Johnindebt has a point! How insensitive can a vet be?

Is it a large practice? If so, I think I would copy and paste a large portion of your post into a letter of complaint and send it on to them.

Or you can try here:

http://www.rcvs.org.uk