Charged twice for same op

Legacy_user

Marley my 8 year old lab has recently had a lipoma removed. The fatty mass was a big size and was situated beneath his groin area between his back legs.

The vet advised that due to the location of the lump it should be removed, as could possibly get bigger and cause implications such a mobility problems, so I agreed.

Marley had his operation, and was stitched using subcut sutures and skin sutures. Please note he returned home the same day, a drain was not fitted nor did they provide antibiotics.

A few days later sadly a couple of the stitches broke, I returned to the vet and they stapled the area advising that they were doubtful it would hold.

They didn’t hold two days later a majority of the stitches were broken and Marley enduring a day with a gaping flesh wound. Please note his e collar had been in place. He has now had to go through another procedure being anaesthetised and re stitched.

I am finding the situation extremely distressing and I have question regarding the surgery - firstly considering the area they had to cut the lump from is a highly sensitive area, not much excess skin, also would be subject to movement such as walking, sitting, tail wagging etc....was the surgery (please see attachment of procedure) that they performed sufficient enough to with stand all of these obstacles? Subcut sutures and skin sutures were used. Would these types of sutures be able to withstand such movement due to the lack of excess skin were enough put in place? For this reason is this why they broke?

Secondly as I have mentioned no drain was fitted after the initial surgery, a fluid build up had happened therefore could have this caused infection therefore caused the stitches to break in the first instance.

Thirdly Marley returned home that day, no antibiotics where given to me.

After his second operation, they have now insisted he is boarded there until the drain is removed, and infection cleared.

They have told me that my direct claim has already breached my annual limit of £1000.

They are charging me for the second operation, they are also charging me for when he had staples which they said would not hold. They are charging me £40 daily for the boarding now they have called today advising they take swabs for testing £75.

I currently stand to pay £700 so far and my poor boy is still unwell.

I just want advise, as they have a duty of care to Marley I want to check they went through all the correct procedures. However as I have already highlighted I have many concerns on how this procedure has escalated and feel it could of been avoided.

fairymoneysaver

No one here can tell you if correct procedures were followed as we weren't there/don't have all the facts/are not vets. Sadly these things happen, maybe your dog was too active after the first op? I think the only thing you can do is talk through your concerns with your vets and/or send a letter to the practice manager.

skimper

My in laws went through something similar.

Their german shepherd had a lump removed from the top of the front leg. After a day or 2 the stitches came open and they had to go back and get it restitched and advised it may not hold, they were charged for the restitching. They didn't have a drain in it either. The stitches didn't hold the 2nd time either but the vet said rather than putting her through it again they would leave it open and treat it with medical grade honey.

Fosterdog

My old dog had a lump removed from the same area as your dog, he didn't have a drain fitted either, in fact none of my dogs that have had various lumps removed and tested have had a drain fitted, they only tend to do that if there was some sort of abscess not for a lump that can be removed completely. Mine also didn't get antibiotics, again they would only give them if there were signs of infection, painkillers after an op yes but not antibiotics. Because of where the lump was removed my I put my boy on cage rest for a week to allow him to heal and had no issues with the stitches coming out.

System

Marley has had his second surgery, however the same problem has occurred the stitches are breaking down.

Vet is waiting for the swab results which are due back Monday. Looking likely like a third operation will be needed.

Fire_Fox

Welcome to MSE.

These are questions you need to put to your own veterinarian and/ or another veterinarian who has examined your dog and seen the full medical history (= second opinion).

Antibiotics are not used routinely (overused) in human or veterinary medicine these days: this is to reduce the risk of bacterial resistance, because of the importance of the microbiome to health. Having said that, it may be that a long acting antibiotic injection was given to cover the initial post-operative period.

System

Hello
I have a copy of the full procedure, no antibiotics were given.

I did try and explain to the vet my concerns and they made me feel that I had no right to question what they had done.

I have called two other practices but they declined to offer a second opinion.

I have put an email together for the attention of the practice manager, this was sent on Friday however it has not been acknowledged yet.

LABMAN

Avric1 wrote: »

Hello
I have a copy of the full procedure, no antibiotics were given.

I did try and explain to the vet my concerns and they made me feel that I had no right to question what they had done.

I have called two other practices but they declined to offer a second opinion.

I have put an email together for the attention of the practice manager, this was sent on Friday however it has not been acknowledged yet.

Friday...that long ago...really? Behave yourself! I'm sure the vets are doing their utmost for Marley's well being, but in some cases it just cannot be enough.

Fire_Fox

With respect, your original post reads that you have already drawn conclusions rather than trying to understand the situation. It is also unclear whether your primary concern is your pet's welfare or financial. I suspect this is because it is still a very raw emotional situation, but this may not come across well in a verbal exchange.

System

Behave myself ? Did I say they haven’t responded in a timely manner ... I think not. Be quiet.

System

Maybe I’ve drawn on my own conclusion due to the fact any question I ask I get a door slammed in my face.