What to do? Very unprofessional response from behaviourist

[Loving my Oldies]

I'll to make this coherent LOL. 

 

I have been fostering a little dog with severe trauma for just over a year.  She has made huge improvements, but is still very scared and still runs when I approach her.  She was prescribed various medications one being Fluoxetine and also came with Alprazalom from the RSPCA.  This latter was discontinued in favour of the Fluoxetine.  

 

When the Fluoxetine was finished, I contacted the rescuer and behaviourist for a new script, but before that was issued, I went through my "box of tricks" and found the Alprazalom and gave her that.  I contacted the behaviourist vet who said that was fine and to continue to give her the Alprazalom for a few weeks to see whether that seemed to have a more beneficial effect than the Fluoxetine.   After a few weeks and further consultation with the vet, we continued with the Alprazalom.  

 

When I needed a new script for the Alprazalom, I contacted the vet and she dropped this off in my letterbox.  I took the script to the chemist only to find that it was a restricted drug and he would have to get it in.  I tried a couple of more places and managed to source it, but would have to wait a couple of days. 

 

I collected the meds and when I opened them, I saw they were a different colour from the ones I'd being giving.  I checked the original container which came from the RSPCA and discovered that they were 0.5mg 1/2 tablet once daily whereas the new meds were 1.0mg yet still 1/2 tablet a day.  I looked at the script and saw that they vet had actually crossed out 0.5mg and written 1.0mg dose, but did not adjust the dosage.  

 

Again, I contacted the vet and was advised to give 1/4 tablet daily.  I was concerned at this because the tablets are already very small and was worried about daily dosage being plus or minus what was necessary.  

 

Note that only once in all this contact with the vet did I actually get to speak with her; all messages went back and forth with her assistant.  At one stage, I said to the assistant that I thought the vet could have popped in for a few minutes when she left the script in my letterbox.  I was told, no, she is too busy.  

 

I finally decided to write an email to the vet copying in her assistant and the rescuer.  This is my email:  

 

Dear [XYZ]

 

I am very disturbed that [DOG] was prescribed the wrong dosage of Alprazalom. 

 

Of course, I admit that  should have picked up on the fact that you had crossed out 0.5mg and replaced with 1.0mg and queried it, but one tends to trust that our professionals have been correct in their prescriptions, but in future I will be looking at every detail on prescriptions. 

 

The biggest worry is that you failed to adjust the daily dosage from ½ a tablet to ¼ tablet.  It was only when I opened the package and noticed that the tablets were a different colour from those I had been using, that I investigated and saw the mistakes on the prescription.  It is a powerful medication and I cannot help but feel very concerned at what would have been the affect on [DOG] had she been receiving double the dose.  I am also now concerned at having to cut an already very small tablet in quarters, in as much as it is extremely difficult to be exact and I worry that the doses are going to be plus or minus that prescribed. 

 

This medication is very hard to source and I had to visit in person and ring around chemists until I was able to find it, and then I had to wait a couple of days before it was ready to collect. 

 

As you know, after I had looked at the script and the previous bottle from the RSPCA, I immediately tried to contact you, but had to pass messages back and forth with Sheila – who, I have to say, was extremely efficient and accurate in passing on my messages.  Even so, I would have preferred to have been able to talk to you directly. 

 

Regards

Cynthia

 

I have read this through several times and cannot see anything controversial or aggressive in it.  However, the response from the vet has left me gobsmacked and in a real quandary.  This is the vet's response - no greeting or salutation:

 

[DOG] is on a very low dose. I did make a mistake and put a more standard does. 

 

I’m sorry you feel that way but I’m very happy to forward [DOG] medical notes on to another vet.

 

Regards

[XYZ]

 

I think this response is really very poor and extremely unprofessional, but wonder whether it is worth pursuing.  The rescuer of the little dog thinks this vet is amazing, but from my one meeting when she came to assess [DOG], the emailed "assessment" of [DOG] was obviously a cut-and-paste job from a pro forma response and the fact that she is rarely available to talk directly with me, I don't think the same.  

 

Thoughts please.  Don't be too rough with me though LOL.  

 

Edited to add:  I was confused and puzzled by some of the responses, but then realised I haven't explained the vet's set up at all.  She is not a vet that you take your pet to for a consult; rather, she is a behaviourist and she visits you and your dog at home.  After the initial consultation all contact is via the phone which is answered by a (human) answering service and then her assistant returns the call.  I don’t know how much time she spends in the office, but she has been out on the road or at consults whenever I have phoned which is why she has dropped the scripts in and which is why I was surprised she didn’t drop in to see for herself the progress of one of her patients.  

 

 

 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Loving my Oldies

[Boronia]

She buggered up the dosage

She was too busy to talk to you

She was rude in her email reply

so...

Pfffft to her, do as she says and go to another vet

[Dogsfevr]

To be honest you both have your flaws .Your email was rather "i have no idea of the point really except "
They replied to exactly that they made a mistake & if you have an issue happy to hand over .
It reads like you expect alot from over the phone calls that i gather are free .
At one stage, I said to the assistant that I thought the vet could have popped in for a few minutes when she left the script in my letterbox.  I was told, no, she is too busy.  
I actually find this comment mind blowing 

If you dont like the service you got find another vet behaviorist its a pretty simple solution. 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Dogsfevr

[Diva]

I’m amazed the vet dropped the script off in your mailbox. That is great service and it wouldn’t happen here. Nor could I ring and expect to get them on the phone- they ring back if it’s a complicated matter but mostly exchange messages through the nurses. Vet practice is hectic these days. 

Tbh, it sounded like you were complaining for no particular purpose except to reprimand them. It didn’t seem that you were seeking any obvious  outcome or redress, you just wanted to list their faults. Maybe to put it on the record for the rescue? It would have been better for them to have given a more sincere apology but I am not surprised they suggest you go elsewhere. They likely care a lot that they made an error, but probably not much about your complaint. 

 

I don’t think pursing it would get you anywhere, if their reputation is strong a one off error that has been acknowledged and that led to no consequences isn’t going to count for anything much. 
 

Good job on picking up on it though, the little dog is lucky to have you looking out for them.

 

 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Diva

[Loving my Oldies]

45 minutes ago, Diva said:
 

 

Good job on picking up on it though, the little dog is lucky to have you looking out for them.

That's all it was about, @Diva, not listing the vet's faults or reprimanding them.  If she had wanted the dog to be on a higher dose, why, when I rang to check the dosage did she not explain that, instead of just confirming 1/4 tablet, which, of course, defeats the purpose of the higher dose.  I just wanted to get to the bottom of what turned out to be a bit of a fiasco. 

 

She does not need to drop the scripts off (and they aren't free  ).  They can be emailed, but for some reason she drops them off.  Maybe she lives close by - I don't know.  

 

 

 

 

[Diva]

Your email doesn’t sound like you were trying to get to the bottom of anything though. It doesn’t contain any questions or interrogate the issue. Just lots of ‘you failed’ and ‘I expect more’ type comments. That doesn’t tend to lead to constructive responses and putting myself in their shoes I can see why. 

 

Their response reads to me like a busy and confident vet acknowledging the mistake but letting you know that they would be very happy to not have you as a client. How much that matters depends I suppose on how easy vet behaviourists are to find and whether the current one gives favourable rates to the rescue. 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Diva

[Mairead]

After a year, the dog still runs when you approach.

That is the biggest issue, not medication dose.

What sort of life does this dog have? 

You can't save them all. 

 

[Rebanne]

I think a new vet with fresh eyes is a good idea. The dog is still in a bad way so I suspect the meds are not working.

[Loving my Oldies]

7 hours ago, Dogsfevr said:

At one stage, I said to the assistant that I thought the vet could have popped in for a few minutes when she left the script in my letterbox.  I was told, no, she is too busy.  
I actually find this comment mind blowing 
 

If the vet was a normal vet at a clinic, you'd be right in being "mind blown" at my comment.  I have edited my opening post to give an explanation as to how this behaviourist operates.  She is mostly on the road or out at consults, rarely in the office.   

 

 

 

 

Edited November 10, 2023 by Loving my Oldies

[Dogsfevr]

14 hours ago, Loving my Oldies said:

If the vet was a normal vet at a clinic, you'd be right in being "mind blown" at my comment.  I have edited my opening post to give an explanation as to how this behaviourist operates.  She is mostly on the road or out at consults, rarely in the office.   

 

 

 

 

That's how many operate nothing out of the ordinary there.

To still think they could have just popped in is still weird.
You know how she operates & that her day is based on a schedule popping in when your day is time planned is very important .
 

 

It sounds like the vet may feel the same and has given you the opportunity to opt out .
There is a very small number of VET animal behaviourists in Australia .They are often run off their feet & time is well & truly managed ,the deal with dogs with massive issues & owners who have their own baggage & struggles often meeting their homework requirement .
My friend was one but retired due to the demands of this small workforce area & the insane demands & trauma that came with it .
If this person set up isnt for you then pick one that ticks your box 

 

 

 

Edited November 11, 2023 by Dogsfevr

[tdierikx]

I know a vet behaviourist located near you who might be worth checking out if the current one has become reluctant to work with you... can you please PM me?

 

T.

[Boronia]

A little off topic but a few years back when I had Penny and Mac there was a woman nearby who decided she'd start an obedience school in the local park, I took P and M as I thought it'd be fun for them and to try to get Mac to be less afraid of walking near/under wire fences or his lead, he screamed out when he was near (I think there may have been electric fence episodes before I got him), She got me in a line and got everyone to walk round and round their sitting dogs so the lead would go over the dogs heads while Mac watched, I then had to join in with Mac, he screamed twice when I walked round him then surprisingly he just ignored the lead afterwards, we did the same to a fluttery piece of string tied between two trees and he went under after all the other dogs did.

So repetition of scary things that turn out not to be scary after all seems to work

Maybe baby-steps in this direction LMO and another behaviorist may be a good thing.

 

edited to correct spelling

Edited November 10, 2023 by Boronia

[_PL_]

Just on the topic of Alprazolam (Xanax) - it's a Schedule 8 drug as you know by now. So the prescription has to be actual ink signature on paper (from memory the amount to dispense has to be in ink as well) and can't be scanned through. She's saved you the trip of picking it up which is nice.  

Changing specialists, I don't know. Depends on if you feel comfortable.

Maybe you just haven't clicked with each other, but if she's proven and talented in her chosen field and knows the dog, I'd forgive her an error within the safe therapeutic dose rate and hang onto her. 

[Selkie]

I actually think that your email was enough to put any vet on the defensive. Medication errors happen, and I really don't think that that was the best way to deal with it.

[coneye]

I'm not sure  so i'll ask whats the drug for , if its to help with its  obvious anxiety  run away from you problem , its not working ,  so in that case i think i would personaly  off gone with the prescibed double dose see if that works , if it did'nt  i would'nt waste my money on medication that does'nt work , and definetly give it a  go without medication

 

 Regards the vet  , think i would of just made a quick phone call and said ,,  Heh , sorry to bother you , but  think you made a mistake with the script , any chance of me picking up a new one , or do you think the double dose will benefit , Thanks for that ,  i'll wait for your return call , cheers and thanks a lot .. Cost nothing to be nice ,  yours was more  a impersonal email  just telling them  they were wrong .

 

My local vets are imposible to talk to and would'nt give a shit anyway , they would just tell you go somewhere else

[~Anne~]

Why did you email? I think perhaps a call would have been a better way to manage it given how the written word can be misconstrued. 
 

You’ve seen my posts over many years. Despite some opinions, I’m not a rude or nasty person but I understand my writing style can often be aggressive and negative. 
 

At work, because I am often perceived as aggressive or pushy when I write, I phone people. I’ve learnt, and I’m still learning, that people read responses in their own voice and that voice can be wrong. 

[Loving my Oldies]

On 11/11/2023 at 6:13 AM, tdierikx said:

I know a vet behaviourist located near you who might be worth checking out if the current one has become reluctant to work with you... can you please PM me?

 

T.

Thanks @tdierikx.  Strawby doesn't need a behaviourist, she needs time which she will get.  I agreed to the behaviourist only because the rescuer suggested it and because I thought I might learn even one little trick to help Strawby.  Nope, the behaviourist simply altered her medication and told me to continue as we were.  I said in an earlier post that her "report" after our consultation was obviously a cut and paste job and at least 90% did not apply to Strawby.  

[Loving my Oldies]

@~Anne~ and @coneye You need to read a topic in full   .  I did call, several times.  She is never available.  As I said, when you ring the clinic you get a human answering machine service (not someone on site, a service centre), then you get a call from her assistant and you go back and forth.  And I didn't notice the "mistake" on the script until I had had it filled.  I have never had a medication changed by a vet without having it discussed with me first.  

 

@Dogsfevr, I have never come across a vet who is constantly on the road and never answers phone calls from clients.  

 

@Rebanne Strawby is not in a bad way still thank goodness.  Yes, she is nervous and runs when I approach her.  The big BUT is that she stops, turns and looks at me and doesn't go to the ends of the garden to hide in the bushes.   In fact, as I type this, she is lying less than 2 metres away in the study with the other dogs and keeping a close eye on me.  Yes, when I get up, she will hightail it out of the room, but, as I say, she doesn't go far and I am beginning to think it is more learned behaviour (not all, of course) than actual fear of me.  And talking of high tails, hers is mostly up these days and wagging   .

 

@Mairead I have been fostering, rescuing and rehoming for a long time now.  There is no way on this earth that I would keep a dog going who was in irreparable physical or mental pain.  Strawby is doing really really well and just about everyday, she does something new that makes my heart sing.  I would put up a video I took of her doing zoomies around the house and playing with the others, but in it she slips on a rug and I would be castigated for that, I am sure   

 

@~Anne~  .  I know what you mean about people's interpretation of the written word and just as often the spoken word.  I know I can come across as forceful and loud, but that is far from the truth.  Okay, I am loud   , but that's because I have severe hearing loss.   I think I am just have a chat, but people think I am having a go or getting cross at them which seems to be the reaction to my email.  To my mind, I was just telling the vet what had happened and, incorrectly it appears, thought she would respond by explaining her thought processes and whether or not Strawby should be on the higher dose.  

 

I thank everyone for their responses and it is obvious that I need to look very carefully at how I phrase things.     Looks like this old dog needs to learn some new tricks    

 

Edited November 15, 2023 by Loving my Oldies

[asal]

I do know how impossible it is to cut a 1mg alpro tablet into 1/4's

 

to order the 1/2 mg tablets every chemist I have gone to had had to special order them in.  

[Loving my Oldies]

3 hours ago, asal said:

I do know how impossible it is to cut a 1mg alpro tablet into 1/4's

 

to order the 1/2 mg tablets every chemist I have gone to had had to special order them in.  

Several years ago when my dogs at the time were getting old and needed to be carried or at least helped downstairs before bed, I bought a headlamp so I could see where I was going (the back yard isn't lit) and have my hands free to help the dogs.  I now use that all the time when I am cutting up tablets or giving eye drops.  God know what anyone who is passing by would think to see a torch light flashing all over the place.      I have a few different sorts of pill cutters and just take it nice and slowly.  Getting better at it