Unprofessional Vet Check

[W Sibs]

I took Charlie to get his annual KC vaccination the other day, and also, I wanted them to check his ear because he keeps shaking his head as though he has itchy ears. Charlie usually have 1 vet he sees and Charlie really likes this vet, but she is currently on leave and since it was just a simple KC vacs and ear check, i didn't mind which vet he got at the clinic.

Anyway, we saw a new vet (new to the clinic too). From the get go, I knew she wasn't interested in the ear or the vacs. She must of been reading his history and got interested. I was prepared to answer a few questions about Charlie's condition but I was not prepared for her giving him a physical and asking 1001 questions about his back and his disease nor was I prepared to remind her about his KC vacs he needs and can she please check his ears.

But, she was too busy squeezing his back, checking his hip etc... I first thought, it was normal procedure for a quick check up if you're going to the vet. But, I was kind of getting annoyed because we weren't in there to talk about his back, and since she didn't know what's wrong with him she was manhandling him way to much for my liking. Even his specialist doesn't manhandle him that much. And if they were doing a proper physical on him, wouldn't they need to check his heart and temp also? She didn't do that.

I had to step in and called Charlie to come closer to me on the table, so she can stop handling him too much especially when he started to whinge (Charlie is usually very stoic at vets) because she was too firm on his hip area (she said that she was trying to feel his bone... I had to tell her that he didn't have bones in that area! Again!). I did give her a LOOK that said 'That's enough touching my dog'. She must of known she cross the line because she stepped back.

I don't mind people asking me about the Charlie's disease and stuff but this point, it was getting annoying. If she gave him the vacs and checked his ears first, I would be all cool about it. Because the 2 things I went there for it out of the way. I get that people will be curious and have a lot of questions about it, and I usually like talking to someone new about because they might have some new to add to the condition. And, if she had ask if she can look him over and stuff, I would be cool with that too.

Then she started to give me advice on how I should help his back legs, good physio he should see and how long I should exercise him for... I just put Charlie in his stroller and we walked out.

We will not be seeing her again.

[Merrirose]

Did you get your vac and ear check? If not did you pay?

[W Sibs]

Did you get your vac and ear check? If not did you pay?

After a few reminders, she end up giving him the KC vacs and the ear was 'clean the ear for a few days and see how it goes.. if he is still itchy in 5 days bring him back. By the way, have you consider trying [a drug name i can't pronounce or spell] on him to help with his pain?' (Charlie is not in pain).

[Katie P]

poor Charlie AND you its so annoying when people do stuff like that

[sas]

Write a letter of complain to the Vet Clinic. Australian's for some reason are known for not making complaints and therefore the service does not improve - doesn't have to be a rude or nasty letter, could just be a heads up.

Edited May 4, 2011 by MEH

[fuzzy82]

Write a letter of complain to the Vet Clinic. Australian's for some reason are known for not making complaints and therefore the service does not improve - doesn't have to be a rude or nasty letter, could just be a heads up.

Really? The service in Australia is friendlier and better than in any other country hubby and I have been to. Our experience is that Aussies complain a lot more than other places too.

But I agree, definitely write a complaint. I would.

[W Sibs]

I've been thinking about talking to the person in charge of that clinic about it when I do take Charlie back to get his ear check. Poor fella ears was clean when we took him to the vet (i cleaned his ear the night before when I saw he him shaking his head)... she should of shown more interested in his ears than his back

Now I'm annoyed that I have to pay for another consult

Edited May 4, 2011 by CW EW

[SparkyTansy]

That's poor - and I hope that Charlie is no worse for what he had to be subjected to!! Hopefully it will not happen in the future but if something like that happens again i would not be afraid to speak my mind, pick up my dog and leave.

[tommygirl]

Sorry you had such a poor experience, I know how frustrating it can be. Vets arent cheap and I think you have a right to expect a service that makes you feel comfortable- both you and your dog. I can sympathize with the ear thing, one of mine had an ear infection and it took me a few times to get the vet to take a proper look and prescribe some ear drops to fix it up.

I would suggest either writing a letter to complain or contact the practice manager/head vet at the clinic to let them know you weren't happy with the way the check up went.

Hope Charlies ear feels better.

[Isabel964]

I think the feedback would be good.

Years ago one of my dogs was off colour on a Sunday - the day the usual vets take off. So we saw his woman, and OMG she had the bedside manner of a sledge hammer. My dog hated her on sight (he was a very easy going friendly 8 year old staffy cross). She decided to muzzle him - I said why, she said because I am going to look in his ears and I don't want him biting me. I said he never bites anyone - but by this time she is trying to get the muzzle on him, and my dog has gone - no way! So she tried harder, he growled a warning to her and I said to stop. I said no vet has ever put a muzzle on my dog, there was no reason for it. I left.

I meant to tell the usual vet, but forgot to call up and the dog was fine the next day. Next time I went in, I see large font on the computer screen "BEWARE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DOG. HANDLE WITH CARE.

I spat it. Told the owner vet what happened. Next time we went in the top of his file said "THIS DOG MUST NOT BE SEEN BY HELEN".

[Staranais]

Yup, if you don't like what you got, complain. It's your right as a consumer.

[Staranais]

Double up!

Edited May 4, 2011 by Staranais

[Tilly]

Normally the fill-in-vets don't tend to get too close to my dogs ... I had one poor vet shaking so much I had to ask him if he needed help getting the needle in the little vac bottle. It is probably something about the big red DANGEROUS - DOG BITES across the top of their printouts ... and the cranky dog snarling at them from behind the muzzle. The vet nurses are normally lovely and do warn the new vets about the boys.

But normal "vaccination visits" usually have a temp and heart check along with some general questions about the dogs health before they vaccinate.

I would have thought it was good practice to simply ask "do you mind if I check him over" before starting to physically touch someones dog ... but I guess we have had a similar issue before with one of our dogs where they lady vet thought every dog loved her.

Despite being told numerous times not to touch the dog without letting us know first - she received a muzzle hit (dog was muzzled and held by the collar so it was only his head) from our rottie that knocked her flying back across the room and left an intent of her back in the wall. She didn't learn ... so after the second incident ... we found another vet who worked with security and police dogs.

[mirawee]

And if they were doing a proper physical on him, wouldn't they need to check his heart and temp also? She didn't do that.

While I find all the rest distrubing too... are you saying she didn't check these before giving the vax? Definitely would be struck off my list of vets to see!

[Leelaa17]

I've been thinking about talking to the person in charge of that clinic about it when I do take Charlie back to get his ear check. Poor fella ears was clean when we took him to the vet (i cleaned his ear the night before when I saw he him shaking his head)... she should of shown more interested in his ears than his back

Now I'm annoyed that I have to pay for another consult

I wouldn't pay for another consult. You should just kindly but firmly explain what you're situation with the lady vet was and politely state you prefer not to have to pay for a second consult because the first one wasn't done properly.

If you are nice, but firm, about your complaint I;m sure they will be more than happy to help you - plus if they are your normal vet, they should know you and your situation with Charlie right? I find that the better they know you the more they will actually listen to you when you complain!

I don't know Charlie's situation (however I am curious - but that is for another time!) but if they were doing a routine 'check up' I would assume they would check the heart, eyes, ears (and if they are a young dog then possibly check their hips - for big dogs), and then they would get down to business. that is what I expect every time I go to the vet.

Good luck with your trip back - Hopefully Charlie isn't too traumatised by his ordeal today!! Hugs to you both.

[Roguedog]

my advice would be to have a chat to the head vet at your clinic before putting any details up on a public forum, let the vet you saw explain themselves beforehand ... the vet may have just been a recent graduate with some work to do on her people skills and didnt realise she was coming across as rude (admittedly they should have done a head to toe exam before vaccinating).

[Rappie]

I've been thinking about talking to the person in charge of that clinic about it when I do take Charlie back to get his ear check. Poor fella ears was clean when we took him to the vet (i cleaned his ear the night before when I saw he him shaking his head)... she should of shown more interested in his ears than his back

Now I'm annoyed that I have to pay for another consult

Definitely speak to someone about your concerns, either the practice manager (if they have one) or one of the senior vets. I would even suggest that you do it before you go back for the ear check so it is organised before your recheck. For a patient I've never seen before, I generally do a general physical examination first and come back to the main problem at the end but it does sound like your initial concerns were not addressed, nor your requests in the consult.

The clinic won't know that there is a problem unless their clients let them know and you have every right to discuss your concerns with them.

Edited May 4, 2011 by Rappie

[W Sibs]

my advice would be to have a chat to the head vet at your clinic before putting any details up on a public forum, let the vet you saw explain themselves beforehand ... the vet may have just been a recent graduate with some work to do on her people skills and didnt realise she was coming across as rude (admittedly they should have done a head to toe exam before vaccinating).

Yeah, I'm going to go talk to her boss. She came across as a person who was more interested in Charlie's condition and was distracted with what I wanted her to do... even if she is new and or just graduate, that is kind of a weak excuse for her behaviour. I shouldn't be reminding her a few times for the vacs and for her to check his ears.

I've been thinking about talking to the person in charge of that clinic about it when I do take Charlie back to get his ear check. Poor fella ears was clean when we took him to the vet (i cleaned his ear the night before when I saw he him shaking his head)... she should of shown more interested in his ears than his back

Now I'm annoyed that I have to pay for another consult

Definitely speak to someone about your concerns, either the practice manager (if they have one) or one of the senior vets. I would even suggest that you do it before you go back for the ear check so it is organised before your recheck. For a patient I've never seen before, I generally do a general physical examination first and come back to the main problem at the end but it does sound like your initial concerns were not addressed, nor your requests in the consult.

The clinic won't know that there is a problem unless their clients let them know and you have every right to discuss your concerns with them.

Good point, I think I'll stop by tomorrow after work.

I understand about the general physical examination and that's why I stood back to let her do her job, but when she wasn't checking anything else and only talking about his back problem... didn't once asked about his ears or how he is doing normally, I found that to be annoying.

Edited May 4, 2011 by CW EW

[Lindainfa]

Poor Charlie and his ears! I was just reading up about Apple Cider Vinegar. Its supposed to be great for so many things and one of the recommendations was to spray into the dogs ears and wipe. Its a natural antibacterial, maybe give that a try and read up on this Apple Cider - so many uses for humans and dogs! Plus it only costs a few dollars.

[sas]

Write a letter of complain to the Vet Clinic. Australian's for some reason are known for not making complaints and therefore the service does not improve - doesn't have to be a rude or nasty letter, could just be a heads up.

Really? The service in Australia is friendlier and better than in any other country hubby and I have been to. Our experience is that Aussies complain a lot more than other places too.

But I agree, definitely write a complaint. I would.

I didn't say Australian service was bad, I said Australian's for some reason do not make complaints....well not to the right people....to each other but not to the company.