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Moneygrabbing Vet!

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barnhill4x4:
Yesterday we had an accident where my German Shepherd while running had stepped on the left hind leg of my 7month old Jack Russel resulting in the leg being fractured. We immediately called our usual vet and were told to call the emergency number.  Upon calling we were advised that there would be a £60 emergency call out fee and we explained that we were prepared to pay that amount there and then but any further payment for treatment would have to paid the following week, we were told that is not a problem and to discuss that with the vet while we were there.
  We got to the Practice and gave our contact details to the receptionist. We waited approximately 20 minutes to be seen and were left alone in the waiting room, I realise that the Vet had another animal to see but we were not told anything just left to wait with an animal that was clearly in pain and stress and I would have expected to be told of a way to hold and support the dog and broken limb while we waited to avoid further damage. When we went into the surgery the Vet asked us for all of our contact details again and proceeded to enter all of that information into the computer before he even acknowledged the dog on the table. We had already given all of this information and I saw this as an unnecessary activity given the fact that our dog was still in pain. We were then advised that the dog has a possible fracture to its leg and would need an x-ray and sedation costing approx £170. We advised the vet that although we could pay for this treatment in full next week we were unable to cover the full cost there and then but could cover the £60 emergency fee and provide bank/card details to cover the rest to be taken in a few days time. At that point the vet stated that all treatment must be paid for in full immediately and if we were unable to pay now then he could not treat the animal.
  At this point my concern for the dog took over and I was more concerned about the welfare of the dog. I told the vet that I do not wish to enter into an argument about the reasons of refusing treatment as I needed to go and seek alternative treatment elsewhere. He said "Go then"! He sat down in his chair at the computer and made no effort to stop us leaving. A client in the waiting room asked why we were leaving so quickly as she knew the dog had a broken leg from our conversation with her while waiting. We told her that we had been refused treatment on the grounds of not being able to pay in full although we had offered alternatives. So we left there with a distressed animal still in obvious pain.
  After a few phone calls I managed to find a vet that would treat the dog and the dog is now awaiting an operation to fix the leg.
 
 I am left feeling disgusted at the way we and the dog were treated. If I had gone into the vets and said "My dog has a broken leg, fix it but I am not paying" then I could understand.
 I have complained to various governing bodies and emailed all of the local vets that use this vet as the emergency surgery. I dont want compensation, just dont want anyone else treated the same way.

strapping young lad:
2 things from gleaning the thread...


are your dogs insured? if not... now would be a good time.

check your vet's t&c's regarding payment as some will demand immediate payment cos look at it this way...

hes forked out technically 170 quid for something, you say you will pay next week, and for arguments's sake, never be heard of again, so the vet is out of pocket.

also if you arent happy with the treatment demand to speak to the owner of the practice, and if that doesnt help, your solicitor for advice, im not sure whether the council's animal welfare officer covers the vet, but you could try.


then..

change vets!

ours is an animal hospital in chorley and albeit its more expensive than the other vets in the area they are great with us.

RCRockCrawler:
That's just disgusting. The vet is clearly in the wrong job if he can leave a dog in obvious pain on the grounds of not getting an immediate payment, and still keep a clear conscience.

I agree with strapping young lad, though, taking out insurance would be a wise choice, as almost every pet will need veterinary attention at some point in it's life.

barnhill4x4:
Are my animals insured? No, But the practice manager of the vets made us out to be irresponsible pet owners because of it!

The point is, this was an emergency treatment on a sunday, I offered to pay the £60 fee there and then and the rest next week, the dog would have been in for a few days most likely and I would have had the money to pay in full by the time the dog was collected, they wanted the money UPFRONT!
 He would not have forked out £170 for treatment, the majority of that cost is his markup, an x-ray realisticly costs about £5 to take, it is only a camera, yes an expensive camera but still a camera. My missus works as a dental practice manager and they take x-rays all day long. A pack of 20 films is around £20

I have since learned that this practice is accredited by the RCVS as an Emergency care clinic and their guidelines state:
 
"7.  If an owner of an animal, who is not a client of the practice, requests an emergency out-of-hours consultation, the veterinary surgeon may reasonably direct the owner to his or her usual veterinary surgeon and decline to carry out the consultation.  However, immediate first aid and pain relief must be provided to the animal if, for whatever reason, the owner cannot contact his or her usual veterinary surgeon. The veterinary surgeon should be aware that holiday-makers, new owners and other categories of animal owner may not have a 'usual veterinary surgeon' in the locality.
 
16.  A veterinary surgeon or a lay member of staff accepting telephone calls must not refuse emergency veterinary attention because the caller is unable to make immediate payment for the treatment.  Arrangements for payment should be discussed at an early stage, but immediate first aid and pain relief should not be delayed while financial arrangements are agreed."
 
No pain relief was administered or even offered, the dog was just allowed to suffer in pain and distress until we found an alternative. Payment for the treatment was primary concern and no consideration to the animals welfare was given.

Drift:
Im sure he could have took your card details  :?

You would think he could have even made a bit of effort to make the poor dog comfortable.
Ste

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