What should I do

Amanda1994

Hi,
My dog needed an operation,  as she had a cruciate rupture,  so we got the operation done  

We are insured , so we just paid the excess.

Her leg didn't improve , infact it got worse , even though she was on strict cage rest. 

So they did the xray to check everything was healing , we chased the results and they just said we think its okay, how do you feel? 

Which we said , not good and they said they could refer us or they would amputate her leg. 
  
By this time I was not happy and went to a different vets, they re did the xray and got the xrays from my previous vets. 

They advised the vet that did the operation had put a plate in her leg that was too big and they had cut her bone wrong,  so it hadn't healed and while doing the operation they had managed to fracture a bone in her leg. 

So all the plates and pins  need to come out and than probably need to be redone or worst case scenario she might loose her leg . 

The vet that did the operation advised it all went well and saw the xrays but didn't say anything to us. 

I'm not sure what to do , as my dog might not be the first to have a mistake like this by this vet . 

Does anyone have any advice on what I should do next? 

elsien

It depends in part what resolution you are looking for. There’s a voluntary resolution scheme but the vet has to agree to take part and you possibly need to go through the practice complaints process first.
Or the RCVS can investigate very poor professional performance, which sounds like quite a high bar. 

https://animalowners.rcvs.org.uk/concerns/i-want-to-raise-a-concern-about-a-veterinary-surgeon/

Have you addressed your concerns with the vet in question - that probably needs to be your starting point. 

Amanda1994

Thank you, I shall write them a letter first and see what they say ideally I want the vet who did the operation looked into , to ensure this was just an unfortunate mistake and that all other operations he has done where done correctly. 

donnac2558

Losing a leg for a.dog or.cat is not the worse thing they can manage very well.

The owner seem to be the ones doing the oh it looks awful.

Would you want the first vet to re.operate? If they refuse to admit fault? Will your insurance cover a second operation?

Amanda1994

My insurance would cover a second operation but I will never let my dog go to that vet again, they have made so many mistakes 

sheramber

I would contact   VCMS first for advice on how to poroceed.

If you think your concern is for VCMS, you can contact them directly using 0345 040 5834 or enquiries@vetmediation.co.uk. Please note that the VCMS scheme is voluntary; this means that the veterinary surgeon must agree to VCMS’ involvement.