Vet made my puppy ill - and charged me for this!

krlyr

It could be that the dog has a sensitivity to Panacur that the vet could not have predicted. Like how some people are allergic to Penicillin - unfortunately the GP doesn't tend to know until they've prescribed it, the patient has taken it and had a reaction.

I do agree with you that the vet has shown incompetence here. Even if they feel it was justified to give the Panacur (some wormers cover different worms to others, there are multiple types to deal with), they should have explained why, and made sure you were clear. Even if the Panacur was justified, to give antibiotics for a bad reaction to it is ridiculous, too, and will just promote antibiotic resistance.

I think writing to the practice head is your first bet. Make the letter about facts, not opinions. Suggest what they should do to resolve it, e.g. waiver the bill, look into the behaviour of the vet in question, etc. so there is no guesswork over what you want to result from your complaint. Send it recorded, and give a reasonable deadline for a response before you take it to the RCVS. There should be info on this whole procedure on the link I posted earlier.

teddysmum

I have small dogs (cavaliers) and my, now retired vet, always gave Panacur for young puppies. However, when one of mine reached the age when Drontal is recommended (it treats one worm that Panacur does not), she said he must stay on panacur because it is more gentle and he was small.

I wonder whether the vet misunderstood (not realising that the puppy had been treated already) and thought the owner was about to use Drontal, so advised the milder Panacur.

meritaten

Surely the practice has an obligation to employ vets who can actually speak and understand English? In my opinion the vet didn't understand what she was being told - though I cant figure out why she would give antibiotics if there was no sign of infection or temperature.
I agree a complaint in writing to the practice owner or manager is the best first step. make sure you have made your points clearly and as said above what you want to happen to resolve this!
I am so sorry about your poor pet - I hope there is a complete recovery!

moggymutt

carrot-cake wrote: »

What could it have been? There was no temperature or sign of infection so it wasn't a virus/stomach bug? It happened within the hour of giving the panacur and I hadn't done anything different that day such as changed her food or anything.

Its like saying paracetamol is very mild and doesn't cause any adverse effects. However take that with something paracetamol based or something that has ingredients in it to cause a reaction and its a different story.

Paracetamol is not what I would call mild because it is VERY EASY to overdose on. I don't think it is possible to overdose on Panacur without taking ridiculously high doses of it.

Particularly if your pup had a heavy worm burden, he could have been feeling lousy from dead worms caused by the DrontaL. Some vets prefer Panacur for youngsters because it is so gentle.

It seems bizarre that the vet would tell you to give the Panacur though, the reason for that does need to be clarified with the practice manager.