Vets bill.

brenda50

My sons greyhound, a rescue dog, shattered one of its back legs recently falling downstairs, and had to have an amputation.

However, it was found that e-coli had infected the wound requiring countless trips back and forth to the vets to have the wound cleaned up and necrosis of the tissue removed. The cost of taxis and the time involved has been very high.

E-coli could have most certainly gained access though
bad hygiene during the operation and the practise itself did not give one confidence in their abilities in fact they did not recognise that there was infection in the wound on the first return visit, which then required an early morning dash for a possible operation to give a skin graft. It was then found that further surgery was not necessary as the source of the problem was found ie infection.

It all seemed to be rather boshed.

My son wonders whether he has any come back if indeed the e-coli got in through poor hygiene, in refusing to pay the bill. Thanks for any advice.

tomtontom

Can he prove the source of the infection?

Does he not have insurance?

Fosterdog

You would have to prove that the infection came from the vets in the first place.

Doesn't the dogs insurance cover the cost of the bill minus the excess?

brenda50

He had not got round to insurance as the dog had to be neutered before it could be insured. It was a top racing dog.

The vets notes do not mention e-coli but my son was told by one vet that it was the result from the lab test.

GwylimT

Your son would have to prove that the e-coli infection came from the vets, I would think this would be difficult, if there were any other surgeries on the day it is likely one of those animals might have suffer an e-coli infection.

I would have thought an e-coli infection would be fairly high risk with a rear leg amputation due to the wounds proximity to the animals anus.

Fosterdog

I've never heard of an un-neutered dog not being able to be insured before, certainly every insurance company I've eve had a policy or even quote from also insure in tact dogs.

So the results show that the dog had contracted e.coli but did it say he contracted it at the vets?

brenda50

But the law stands on probability doesn't it?

The wound was not near the anus as they amputated below the socket.

tomtontom

I'm no vet but Google suggests e coli lives in the intestines of animals and is usually benign, but can become a problem when the immune system is low, as it may be post operation. Hygiene is not the primary reason for such an infection.

brenda50

I've never heard of an un-neutered dog not being able to be insured before

The problem was that it was high risk for theft due to its history and breeding potential.

Poppie68

Seems like a costly process to try and 'prove' the practice is at fault, and if Google is correct even harder and more expensive, seems your sons money will be better spent on providing a good happy home for his new friend, after all any potential comp will not enhance the dogs life in anyway. Hope the dogs making a good recovery!

Country_Cousin

Unfortunately infection is a risk factor in any sort of surgery (for pets or humans) and is not in itself negligent. You would have to prove the surgery was negligent in allowing the infection to occur.
Not a simple matter by any means.
Think this just goes to show that insurance is very important for our pets if money is an issue in getting them treated when they are ill. Hope he makes a speedy recovery.