I brought my Lab to the SPCA to have him neutered on Sunday so he would spend overnight at the clinic and get operated on Monday morning. During his time there he broke one of his canines almost clean to the gum by biting the cage. The vet tried to get in touch with me but wasn't able to reach me in time to ask if he removes the tooth while they were operating. Now he is telling me that I have to pay for the anesthetic to put the dog back to sleep with is $100 and plus having to pay for the tooth removal AND pay for anti-biotics. When you leave an animal at a vet in their cage, aren't THEY responsible for what happens to it? If he was freaking out as they claim, shouldn't they have done something to try and calm him down? Do I pay the bill or are they responsible?
2006-10-16 11:22:27 · 7 answers · asked by Mike 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Nope - it goes in the category of dogs do what dogs will do. Reasonable and usual risk of sending the dog for an overnight stay is that they will do something dumb - though few are stupid enough to go after the cage and bite it so hard he broke a tooth. You are on the hook for what your dog does to himself.
Your problem that you weren't around to talk to on the phone.
2006-10-16 11:27:06 · answer #1 · answered by ann a 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You do.
They always ask for an emergancy contact number. If you can't be reached the papers (consent and release) you signed say that the aspc can care for the animal in any reasonable manner including that you hold the spca blameless for any and all in regards to the procedures, operations and hospitalization.
It's not their fault that the dog decided to try and bite it's way out of the cage. They did detect it which says something good about how well they were paying attention to the animal.
2006-10-16 19:13:55 · answer #2 · answered by low_on_ram 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The vet has to get consent from the owner before performing any additional services. If the injury would have been life threatening, he could have got by without getting your approval. But since it wasn't life threatening, he performed the services on his own, without your consent and he's liable. What if your dog had died during the tooth extraction..he'd be just as responsible for that also! Hire an attorney if you need to, or call an attorney advice line. Better yet, call your state licensing board and talk with them about it. They'll be able to tell you what to do, then you'll have a person's name, telephone number, extention, etc. to take to your vet!
2006-10-16 19:11:10 · answer #3 · answered by The Mouth 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The SPCA works on donations, so they don't have the extra money to foot the bill for an accident. If it were a real veterinarian's office, I do believe they would be responsible(you may want to look into this). Unless you signed a paper stating that they are responsible for the dog while in their care, you have to pay it. If I were you, next time go to a real veterninarian's office. I hope you got a good deal on the spaying. My adopted dog cost me a total of $200. including spaying and microchipping. She is worth every penny of it too! :)
2006-10-16 18:41:19 · answer #4 · answered by hazeleyedbeauty1967 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would think since the baby was in the vets care then they should be responsible for what happened to him. I don't see why it would be your fault that he broke his tooth, they should have taken better care of him. Good luck with this!!
2006-10-17 11:38:00 · answer #5 · answered by la_southern_femme 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if it is a good vet,he would pay for that.My cat was staying over for some tests and had an IV in his paw,over night he somehow did something to it and his paw swelled up full of fluid twice.The vet had to sedate him and work on the fluid filled paw.He never charged me extra for that.Also he gave me antibiotics for free.
Talk with your vet,they have to check with the owner by law before performing any chargeble services,otherwise they're on their own.
2006-10-16 19:02:52 · answer #6 · answered by m2 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No, it is on you.
2006-10-16 18:52:37 · answer #7 · answered by ARE YOUR NEWFS GELLIN'? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋