Vets4Pets Vac4Life issue.

harveybobbles

Writing on behalf of a friend..

They took their dog to their local surgery for this offer and paid the £99.. A few days later the dog became very unwell and was havings fits. Took dog back to the vets and vets said it is possibly a side affect of the jab. Dog is now fine.

Vet said it was a new type of vaccination and has complained to the supplier/manufacturer.

My friend now wants a refund on the £99 as they don't want to carry on with this offer, but V4P have refused as they said its in the T&C's.

I've just looked at the T&C's online and while it does say "Vac4Life is a non-refundable offer" ..it doesn't give any reasons or if's or why's.

I understand its to to stop people wanting a refund just becasue, but in this situation I think V4P should refund.

Shoshannah

harveybobbles wrote: »

Writing on behalf of a friend..

They took their dog to their local surgery for this offer and paid the £99.. A few days later the dog became very unwell and was havings fits. Took dog back to the vets and vets said it is possibly a side affect of the jab. Dog is now fine.

Vet said it was a new type of vaccination and has complained to the supplier/manufacturer.

My friend now wants a refund on the £99 as they don't want to carry on with this offer, but V4P have refused as they said its in the T&C's.

I've just looked at the T&C's online and while it does say "Vac4Life is a non-refundable offer" ..it doesn't give any reasons or if's or why's.

I understand its to to stop people wanting a refund just becasue, but in this situation I think V4P should refund.

Unfortunately, reactions to all medications - including vaccinations - are possible, and are pretty much a part of life. The only way to avoid the risk of side effects would be not to give vaccines at all. It is not the fault of V4P if this has happened.

There is not even any proof that the seizures were linked to the vaccine.

While I sympathise with your friend, they signed an agreement for an offer which was non-refundable, so they they cannot expect a refund.

I'm glad their dog is okay.

krlyr

Ditto the above.

harveybobbles

But the vet has agreed that the vacinations werre probably the cause and has complained to the manufacturer.

krlyr

First post says vet said it was "possibly" a side effect of the vaccination though.

Even if it was a result of the jab, that may not have been because of any particular issue with the vaccination. I react strangely to Boots own brand antihistamine - doesn't mean the product itself has a problem, just that I, as an individual, didn't react well to it. I'm sure, given all the tests required to license a medication and sell it to the public, I'm in the minority.

Some dogs react badly to Metacam. Some breeds don't fare well with certain anaesthetics (it's a big issue with Greyhounds). Some dogs develop complications from routine ops like spays (one of my pet chinchillas had an allergic reaction to the standard stitches used when he needed an emergency leg amputation).

If your friend wants to persue it further, I would suggest they go to CAB or similar to find out their consumer rights. Could be worth contacting the RCVS too in regards to the vets. But I'm not convinced they'd have much to stand on.

Shoshannah

harveybobbles wrote: »

But the vet has agreed that the vacinations werre probably the cause and has complained to the manufacturer.

Possibly? Probably? Either way, nothing is proven. And I find it doubtful that they have 'complained' to the manufacturer, as opposed to reported an adverse reaction through the usual channels available to do this. Obviously I don't know, but I would find the latter more likely.

I know two cats who react badly to vaccines and can no longer have them. But the vast majority of cats, receiving the same vaccine, are fine. It doesn't mean the vaccine is bad; it's down to the individual.

I know that if your pet is one of the few who reacts, it doesn't make it any better knowing they are a rarity. But it still does not mean the vet is at fault. It is almost certain that the practice is not going to receive any money back from the vaccine manufacturer, unless the vaccine is found to be one of a faulty batch (which will require reports of many more adverse reactions).

As krlyr has suggested, your friend could contact the RCVS. I suspect it would be given no consideration whatsoever. They would have more luck contacting the V4P central support office. I would think they do stand a chance of getting their money back as a good will gesture, but it would not be an admission of liability - nor should it.

sharloid

I don't think Vet4Pets need to give a refund at all. Vaccinations have side effects and they can be pretty nasty and life long. Your friend should have done their research before getting them done.

Vaccinations are a risk, it's not the vets fault the animal had a reaction.