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I took my Chihuahua in to be fixed on the 6th, three days later he started coughing, I took him to the emergency vet on the 13th and they informed me that he caught it from the facility he went to to get fixed. I contacted them yesterday to ask for them to either pay me back for the fees I paid for fixing him, or to pay me for the emergency vet fees. They don't seem to think this is their fault. My dog was completely healthy, and had all of his shots when he went in, isn't it their fault that he was sick when he came back out??

2006-08-15 01:35:14 · 10 answers · asked by dazedandconfused 2 in Pets Dogs

like I said, the dog had ALL of his shots, but the Boardatilla only covers 6 strains of the virus. The problem is after researching it, this vet has had a history of dogs becoming ill after having surgery

2006-08-15 02:04:17 · update #1

I didn't know until AFTER i got him fixed, it's our area's humane society, so I figured it would be safe

2006-08-15 02:04:46 · update #2

10 answers

Sounds like your dog has kennel cough. If you didn't get the shot / nasal spray at least two weeks prior to surgery then it's not effective and it's your responsibility.

I had the same thing happen to my eldest when she was at the vet for a stay...

Best wishes and hope you dog gets well soon!

2006-08-15 01:39:18 · answer #1 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 0 0

There are new strains of Kennel cough around and indeed, mutants of many of canine and feline viruses that are cropping up that there are no vaccines against. The other problem with vaccines is that they wear off, each time a pet is exposed to the virus, it lowers the immunity offered by the vaccine so it's possible it can "wear off"

Many abandoned pets in shelters shed viruses, this is why I won't personally take advantage of their service. I prefer to use my own vet and I book him for the whole time to prevent any contamination from other animals.

The average incubation period is 6 days (it can take that long from infection until the cough develops) so it's hard to prove conclusively that your dog didn't have the virus when the surgery was done, only that he wasn't showing any signs of it.

2006-08-15 06:13:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

If you got a cold after visiting a friend in the hospital, would you blame the hospital? Would you demand they pay for your medication?
Veterinary clinics treat sick animals, so common sense tells us that there are airborne viruses there.
Not all dogs exposed to kennel cough get it. Its like the human cold, and is pretty much anywhere many dogs may be, such as groomer, park, vet office, boarding facility, etc.
I really doubt someone intentionally gave your dog kennel cough, more likely your dogs body was stressed from the surgery making him more susceptible to the virus. Since he got sick only 3 days after his surgery, its more likely he was already exposed to the virus, as kennel cough usually has a longer incubation period. He may have caught it on a walk, or at the pet store.
I think a fair thing for the clinic to do is to do your pets follow up exam after medication is finished at no charge.
As for reimbursement, it isn't going to happen, sorry. There was no negligence on the part of the clinic.
Our practice will no-charge the exam and recheck for pets who most likely got kennel cough while at our practice for a surgery, but any medications are the owners responsibility, and we do not reimburse or credit accounts for services acquired elsewhere.

2006-08-15 01:56:30 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

What exactly do you want them to be responsible for? Contracting a virus?

Was your dog fixed? Fixed properly and given the best of care for that procedure? The facility is not at fault.

If you go to the supermarket and pick up a dozen eggs then fall sick do you blame the supermarket?

Come on, fair go, viruses are everwhere, if we all start to lay blame where we catch them from we will all get our groceries for free, let alone our medical procedures. lol.

Sorry but your question here is a bit of a joke. If your pet was dying that would be different, maybe from neglect or some other reason, but for catching a virus, that is the chance we all take everyday, why should it be considered different for our pets.

Is this just another sueing nation, lay blame on someone else and sue, get a procedure for free. I am not with you on this one, or I would have claimed thousands by now for blaming my sons school for sending him home with colds caught there while they should have been educating him, after all that is why he attends right!!!And I pay for it too boot, (private school).

2006-08-15 01:55:05 · answer #4 · answered by lucas 5 · 1 1

You didn't say what the dog caught. Kennel Cough has a longer than 3 day incubation period. If it was Kennel Cough, did the dog have the vaccinations for it?
Some dogs cough after surgery from the anesthesia.

Also, some dogs are non responders. They can have the vaccinations, but they will never have the immunity. A titer test can be done to see if the dogs have immunity to diseases.

2006-08-15 01:43:51 · answer #5 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 1 0

shelters and humane societies are more likely to return your animal sick than a vet. just think of all the sick stray animals that go through there. however, a vet is more expensive. its really not their fault. when having a surgery done, its just a risk, just like people. when youre in a doctor place, there are bound to be mroe germs, and when its a small dog like a chihuahua, things are going to happen. ive worked in a vets office for years, and previously worked in a shelter. things happen. during surgery, you do the best you can to keep them healthy, but secondary infections are inevitable.

2006-08-15 02:27:10 · answer #6 · answered by S 1 · 1 0

They are partially responsible, but your dog runs the risk of catching something every time you take it to the vet. It's the same with humans and the hospital. Is the hospital liable if a patient or visitor catches a cold there?

2006-08-15 01:42:35 · answer #7 · answered by rs2577 1 · 1 0

Fixed? Was he broken?

Or do you mean that you had him castrated. Call it what it is. When you have an animals testicals removed it is called castration.

2006-08-15 14:55:50 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I think so.... maybe you should write a letter to who ever's in charge of that clinic?

2006-08-15 01:44:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1 1

i dont care!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006-08-15 01:42:32 · answer #10 · answered by psyco514 2 · 0 2

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