Negligence by our Vet

floyd

I worked alongside many vets for a long time as a biochemical researcher so I have some experience of common disorders seen with specific breeds. I am so sorry that the person encountered made your last memories of your dog so painful.

Judging by your description and what the vet himself said, it sounds like the condition could possibly have been degenerative myelopathy which is common in GSD and unfortunately untreatable. To prolong the life of a dog with this condition that has progressed to the stage of hind quarter knuckling would be cruel as the dogs become weaker and incontinent as the disease progresses. Vets will do everything that is reasonably possible to prolong the life of an animal provided that this does not result in significant pain or suffering in the process. Please don't torture yourself by thinking that you could have done something to prevent this, it does sound like your dog was very sick.

However, none of this excuses the manner in which you were treated, it seems more like a case of unprofessional conduct rather than negligence so you have every right to voice your concerns. As others have mentioned, your first port of call would be the surgery then if you don't get an acceptable response, take it up with the RCVS

momisa

Hi Nina

Hopefully you will soon dwell on all the wonderful memories that you shared with your dog. It was heart breaking to read your story.

Purely on the basis of preventing other people going through what you and your family have endured over this, please complain.

I firmly believe that where Doctors have a duty of care to people of all ages, Vets have a duty of care to non-humans. We carers are the voices of our loved ones and all we can hope for is that we provide a good life, and sadly a good death where possible.

I'd even be tempted to contact the local press!! There are good vets out there - thankfully I have one, but there are also bad vets. Duty of care goes beyond the physical needs of all those concerned and should consider emotions too - human and non-human!!

Take care

Eels100

I am so sorry to hear this awful story, OP. It sounds like you have been at the receiving end of a mixture of poor service, poor communication and a really appalling lack of respect.

I'm not sure from your story if you had called the vet out to euthanase your dog or just to examine him - it's important to get this clear when you make a complaint.

What you need to do firstly is contact the veterinary practice (you will be unable to complain to the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the governing body, unless you have made a complaint to the practice first). I would suggest you outline your complaint concisely in a letter and address it to either the practice manager or the senior partner. Keep a copy of it. You should receive a response promptly and the practice should investigate what has happened and discuss it with you. If their response is not satisfactory then you can take your complaint to the RCVS (someone else has posted a link above). This organisation has disciplinary powers and will investigate your case if necessary. I would warn you against writing to local papers etc at this stage - there's a risk your case will be seen as a fee-dodging exercise if you do this.

If it gives you any peace of mind, the symptoms you describe sound like CDRM, a chronic disease of the nerves and spinal cord which commonly affects elderly German Shepherds. It is unfortunately untreatable, although it sounds like he wasn't under veterinary care until the time he actually became unable to stand by himself by which stage it can be difficult to determine the exact nature of the collapse. However, in neurological problems such as this, no medication helps and very few dogs are genuine candidates for harnesses etc. There's a real quality-of-life issue and overall I suspect that your dog's happy times probably had come to an end. I hope that you can take some comfort from knowing that - even though the circumstances were obviously unpleasant for you, I think the right thing was done for your dog.

Please do get in touch with the practice, because it is important that you feel your concerns have been addressed and that this sort of thing doesn't happen again. And I hope that you can eventually look back and remember the good times with your dog.

ailuro2

That is absolutely awful-I'm disgusted by their treatment of you and what most people consider to be another member of your family.
Yes, take it further, that is not the way euthanasia in any pet animal should be done. You are in shock at the moment,I think.
Make an appointment to discuss it with the practice manager.A few days from now when you are all less upset might be easier for you to handle.

when the vet told us our cat had to be put to sleep, he advised us to take him home, spend a little time saying goodbye and phone and let him know when we were ready.
On the day we took the cat away to the surgery as it wouldn't have felt right having it done at home. The vet was very kind,let us cuddle him and gently warned us there might be a little sighing noise.We took Oscar home afterwards and buried him in the garden.

About a week later we had a lovely handwritten card from the vet with a picture of a cat on the front, saying sorry about us losing Oscar,and thanking us for using their practice over the years. A nice touch, and of course a nice business practice too- be nice to the people paying your wages and they will come back again- as we indeed have now we have our new kitty.

Spendi

Hi Nina

Firstly i wanted to say im so sorry for your loss, GSD's are the most wonderfull dogs

I can completely understand how you feel, myself and my family have owned GSD's for years and had to have a few put to sleep due to spinal/hip problems. I just wanted to say there wasnt anything else you could have done for him, from your post he was loved and looked after for 13 years ( a very good age for a GSD ), and he loved you in return. You are obviously wondering if you had done the right thing, made worse by the harsh treatment you recivied from the vet. But you did, from your post the time was right to let him go and you have to take comfort in the knowledge that you let him go at the right time and he didnt suffer, i do have to agree simply from my knowledge of GSD's that the vet was right to suggest that course of action.

However the bedside manner you recieived from the vet was inexcusable, and
i would make a complaint, regardless of if the vet visited your house or you went to the surgery you should have been treated with respect and consideration, both very sadly lacking in your experience. I agree that it would not have hurt the vet or the dog to have a few minutes to say goodbye, and this should have been allowed.

Big massive hugs to you and your family, and try to remember how happy you made him, its out of love that you made the decision to let him go, you wouldnt have wanted him to suffer and he would have known that. If he is anything like any of mine, watch out for a dream, he will be in it and running about like a puppy, its his way of telling you that hes ok and he loves you. xx