Negligence?

[TiaLD77]

I need an Opinion/advice.....

I took my dog to the vet to have his toe removed due to a tumor, when I picked him up they told me they had made a slide of the tumor & it could be sent away to see what it was. I told them to do it I wanted to know what it was. So when I go back for his one week check up yesterday & ask about the results they tell me their notes say I declined to have it sent away.
Now the wierd thing about this is I picked my dog up on 7/23, the "decline" note was not entered in to their notes untill the 28th?

In the process of the check up they decided my dog had to stay overnight for them to sedate him & redo his sutures on the bottom of his paw this morning. I called at lunch to check how he made out and was told that "they were sorry for the miscomunication on the slide, but I was in luck... they discoverd Dr. had done In-house testing during the 7/22 surgery and he felt that the abnormal cells would not spread."

OK I may be over reacting but does this sound like a cover up to anybody else? Is there any way to get this investigated besides me pitching a fit? Is there a governing board for vets?

I know & understand mistakes can happen....But Sheesh what if this had been a human child? I realize that laws dont work the same way for an animal as they would for a human...but I am frustrated. Up untill now this office had been A+ service. I dont know what to do.

[PurpleDragon]

The first thing you need to do is file a grievance with the management of that vet hospital.  IF you do not get satisfaction there, go up a level, just like any other grievance.  Just make sure to document anything and everything that takes place during the process.

[TiaLD77]

I have a letter in the works to be sent to the owner & CC'd to his staff manager, so we shall see what happens.

[PurpleDragon]

send it registered, return receipt requested. That way they cannot deny they received it.

[anne of oaktower]

And, as PurpleDragon already said, make sure you document EVERYTHING!

So sorry you're still having trouble with your fur-kid 

[Ferret]

Time for a new vet. Check with family and friends and find one you can trust.

I would take my dog to another vet at this point for a follow up. I wouldn't trust my dog's care to someone that makes big mistakes. A tumor could be nothing, or could be very serious, then the sooner you know could really matter.
Ferret

[Lady Amy of York]

I love the animal hospital i take my dogs too.. Before i leave with my dogs, they always asks me if i have any questions.     They give me a detailed list of everything theY did on my dogs.  It could be because we are out in the country, and i think there is something to be said  about good old fashion country vets.


Anyway like evryone else has said on here, i agree  I would get a new vet.  Ask some of your neighbors  or co-workers  for references or call your local S.P.C.A  .  It may have been a mistake on the office staffs part, but i still would not  take anymore chances.
 

[TiaLD77]

Part of the problem is I live no where near my friends and family anymore, trips to their vets are an hour or more away & My coworkers are not pet people.
This vet was recomended by my old vet, whom I loved & wish I had never had to leave. At this point a 2 hour drive back to them is almost seeming reasonable


Hey Wait...Anne...Where do you take your cat?

[anne of oaktower]

I take mine to the animal hospital in the next city over.  I'll send you the phone number.