Did my vet make a mistake?

Question

I took my 5-year old miniature schnauzer into the vet 2 weeks ago in order to get his teeth checked. He told me that my dog should get a cleaning, but that I should wait for a couple of months until they have a discount on that procedure. Following his advice, I decided to wait. Yesterday my dog's mouth started emmitting a putrid odor, so, I took him back to the vet this morning. A different vet, at the same clinic, is now telling me that he has a massive infection in his teeth and gums and that he may need to have up to 4 of his teeth pulled! Should the vet have recognized this and at least told me that this was a possibility during the first visit? Should I hold this clinic responsible?, and, if so, what should I do?

By the way, I just rescued my dog from a local shelter 3 months ago. He was found as a stray and I don't have any medical history on him.

Answer 1

I would say YES!! and also make a big stink about it. Not only would I expect them to do it for free but also expect an apology. Did you report the other vet?

Answer 2

Depending what the infection is will tell you if there were signs and symptoms prior to the current visit, that could of be seen at the visit 2 weeks ago.

You should talk to the vet who spotted the infection and explain to them about the situation. State that you were in their office 2 weeks ago with a appointment with this vet, could this vet have notice this infection at this point and time?

Another question you might want to ask is with this specific infection if there were any signs and symptoms prior to this visit that you could have notice before hand (before the odor) or the vet could notice at the time of this specific visit.

Based on what the vet says, they could be held responsible. If they tell you yes 2 weeks ago this vet should of notice this infection was starting due to these signs and symptoms. Then yes I would hold them accountable.

If they state this was sudden, there were no signs and symptoms that could have been noticed in the past 2 weeks. That the earliest sign was the mouth odor. Then no they cannot be hold accountable.

The dental cleaning is what most vets recommend for dogs. That does not necessarily state that there an infection or there are problems going on at that time, that that is just something you should do. I know with my dog they always recommended dental work for her. Good Luck & sorry to hear about your dog.

Answer 3

An infection can start at any time, not necessarily when you took your dog to the vet 2 weeks ago. It sounds horrible but dogs eat a lot of things. And not noticing an odor as horrific as you say would take a pretty horribly vet.

There probably wasn't anythign wrong w/ your dog except some plaque build up etc, and that you don't brush your dog's teeth, may be feeding it canned food or your dog got into something it shouldn't have may have been the result of the infection, instead of a misdiagnosis.

Answer 4

The first vet probably told you that you COULD wait until there was a discount.....not that you SHOULD wait. And if it suddenly started emitting a putrid odor YESTERDAY, he would not have detected that 2 weeks ago. Chances are the dog would have had to have teeth pulled anyway.
Just go and get the dental and move on.
Really, sometimes teeth look only sort of bad and you end up having to extract MANY teeth, or they can look HORRID and once you start cleaning, you find that under all the tarter, they are not that bad.
I do denatls on cats and dogs WEEKLY at the shelter I work at and it is not uncommon for a dog to look as if it needs a cleaning, but we need to book it a couple weeks down the road, and in the mean time it REALLY starts to smell.
Too bad you were not brushing the teeth for the last 5 years. Schnauzers are known for BAD teeth.

If all that is true, you would NOT know that he is 5 years old. I smell something...OFF!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

No likely the first vet didn't make an error based on the exam on that particular day..Dental problems don't always show tehmselves on initial exam sometimes they don't become apparent until a dental cleaning is being done and the dog is under anesthesia at which time a very thorough exam can be done.

No you should NOT hold the clinic responsible.

Answer 6

Is the first vet your regular vet? If so and the second vet that told you that now your dog needs to have some teeth pulled is a fill in I would STRONGLY suggest that you not only tell the other vet where he can go but to get another vet only after the SECOND vet does the procedure and you don't pay for it. I then would find out if there is an organization that regulates vets and what they do. It sounds to me like you were willing to get your dog's teeth cleaned but because you thought the the vet knew best you waited on HIS recommendation. But find another vet clinic only AFTER YOU GET THE TEETH PULLED FOR FREE!

Answer 7

Were you showing concern about money when you first spoke to your vet? They may have been trying to help you afford the cleaning, its not cheap. An infection can happen over night, even when things look great. I would discuss your concerns with the vet on what happen they are likely to be understanding and correct the matter possibly with a discount. There are many reasons for infections to occur, take the time to discuss them with your vet.

Answer 8

Hey u can't always know an infection by a check up. It might of got worse in a couple days. But anyway, its not a big deal with the teeth. I had a poodle that lived up to 18yrs. She had multiple teeth infection. So this comes from experience. You have to feed him more dry food from now own. And encourage him to chew bones.

Answer 9

If you just got the dog, how do you know he is 5 years old if he was a stray???

The vet was NOT at fault. Probably TRIED to save you money too!!!!!!

Why don't you ask the shelter you got the dog from why THEY didn't know there were all these dental problems????

Answer 10

Could your dog's teeth could have been okay two weeks ago? Is there any chance he bit into something and it lodged in his gums and caused the infection?

Ask the current vet about this before you get too upset.

Answer 11

yes, he should have seen the signs leading to an infection. Small breeds or mutts are prone to teeth problems, prolonging care can cause worse issues then just in their mouth. Infections spread through the blood and can attack the heart. At least you caught it before it got any worse, but in my opinion you have a case against the first vet.
I would consult the one in charge even if it is that firt Vet and either demand that the care for his teeth are free...or take this issue to court. But it would be difficult proving damage unless you use him to breed or he/she dies as a result. So I would just demand free vet care for his mouth. Make sure you get an antibiotic!