is it fair for a veternarian to refuse treatment?

Question

hi i just pawned my car to get a pit out of the vets office it had belonged to a friend of mine this friend was going thru a really bad time his wife has major health problems , he had just lost his job then his pitbull caught parvo so he went to the vet with him the vet didnt ask him anything concerning treatment just went ahead and gave the dog a antiobiotic shot then told the guy he couldnt get his dog back till he paid for this visit and also told the guy that he wasnt going to do anything else for the dog until a 200.00 deposit was put down so the dog was in the vets office for a week with no other medical treatment not even an IV for fluids then the vet told my friend that he better come up with the money by the next day or he would sell the dog and sue him and if he couldnt sell it he would put it down and still sue him do you think this vet was fair or just a money hungry *ss-h*le

Answer 1

You need to call the Better Business Bureau in you city. They are there to help with unethical business practices. Chances are he is all ready on their "list". Do it soon.

Answer 2

The Vet was unethical ,but if the dog had been properly vacinated this would not have happened.Once a dog gets Parvo it requires extr treatment and round the clock care and it is soooo easily transmitted to other ill dogs that are in the hospital already.Maybe even puppies that haven't even had there shots yet.The parvo germ is deadly and can be spread by the shoes on ones feet,It is also airborn and there are all sorts of ways it can be transmitted.Maybe his isolation area was full or cramped.He may not have truly thought the dog had a chance to live.I am sure the Dr. had a reason for his madness.I would ckeck into it since you were kind enough to help the man out so far.Then if what you said is absolutely true I would call the Better Bussiness Bureau and report him.Obveously the dog is still alive or he wouldn't have spoken of him in present tence.If the dog has lived for a week with Parvo he shouldn' need much more treatment.Usually dogs don't last a day maybe two.He must have been doing something for the dog or he would be gone.Just clarify what exactly the doctor did that week.Something isn,t adding up.One thing that is ,is that you are a good friend to try to help your friend out when times are hard.Know the facts before you turn the doctor in to officials.Good Luck!!!!!

Answer 3

A vet does not have to treat an animal if it is their policy to have money upfront. The local ER here requires $250 just to walk in the door. the vet will NOT see the animal w/o that $250. I am sure though, that if the dog stayed at the vet for one week, the vet would not have made it suffer. Also, if it wasn't for the vet, that dog would be dead, no doubt about it. I'm sure your friend is exaggerating what was said, for the vet is a professional and would not talk that way with a client. But, at this point, if your friend does not pay the visit, the dog is held "ransom". If this dog was at the pound, your friend would not get the dog out until the fines were paid. Period. If this dog is in the pound for the maximum time allowed, they have the right to euthanize it. If these rules weren't followed through, do you know how many animals the vet would have treated w/o being paid or how many animals would be in a shelter because the owner couldn't afford to pay for a vet visit or holding fees? I'm with the vet on this one. They don't want to get burned and if they release the dog to your friend, they know they will never receive their money for treatment.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, that's life. The vet has to make money to stay in business. It would be nice if they would volunteer all their services and believe every single person that came in. But, they have bills to pay, too. But I do think they could charge on a sliding scale, and I've had more than one try to rip me off. Your friend should have spent the money to get the dog his shots, or he should have given the dog to someone that could afford it. You can go to some Petco's and vets do come in every other week at some of them and give dogs their shots at a very reasonable price. Humane societies and other organizations also offer reasonable rates. How can your friend feed the dog if he can't pay for the shots? Parvo is a nasty disease and it's not cheap. It may be a very hard lesson to learn, but there was a cheaper alternative, and that's getting his shots. Did your friend work for free?

Answer 5

I truly don't think that was fair and that was a nice thing you did. I would say a vet can't sell the dog because it is not his dog, but he can refuse treatment. It's like when you go to the doctors your doctor could refuse to treat you. As for holding the dog, that wasn't right. I do know for parvo a dog needs to be kept isolated but the vet office should have a system that allows it's customers to gradually pay of the treatment. They would require some money up front though. I would maybe talk to someone about it and see if anything should be done about it because it seems wrong. Plus it kind of edges on the animal cruelty side to have the dog but not treat it while in his care.

Answer 6

Wow! This is quite a vet. According to our vet, all services need to be explained and agreed upon before the vet can go ahead and do anything. But now what are you going to do? I would pay the money, get a receipt, and find some help from the better business bureau.

Answer 7

So sorry to hear that, I don't feel that it is right. Myself I feel that veternarians should have a heart. They are there to help animals, not keep or sell them, just because people are going through a hard time. I really feel for your friend. Vets are supposed to be there to help, well in this case I don't feel they were. To put a dog at risk like that just because you don't have the money. What kind of vet could be that heartless.....

Answer 8

Unfortunately that is bullshit!!!!! I don't think the should be aloud to do that but they do. I would take the dog to a different vet and maybe explain the situation. It sounds like you have a real asshole of a Dr. What you could also do is contact your local animal rescue group and see if they could give you any information on maybe where to go to get your dog some help. It is too bad that the same medical laws don't apply to our furry friends like they do for us. Good Luck and I will pray for you pup. Make sure to tell the Dr that if they do put your dog to sleep without your consent that it is against the law and you will take it to a lawyer and he will loose his medical license and even go to jail. Cause they can't do that AT ALL!

Answer 9

I honestly don't think what the vet did was even legal!! You should may be call your State or Provincial Veterinary Licensing Board and file a formal complaint...call the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint...and call a lawyer for advice.

Answer 10

And if the dog had an allergic reaction to the medication? Irresponsibility. Call your animal control/police department and file a complaint. You have to be agressive.