Are they mistreating my dog??

Question

I board my pet (A very happy, playful, 7 month old Pit Bull) at my vet's office about once a month - once every other month for a day or two at a time.
Every singe time I pick him up, his eyes are blood red, completely. Literally looks like someone painted his eyes red with a solid red marker. I asked them why his eyes were like that and they said that its the because of the stuff they put in his eyes to protect them from the chemicals in their shampoo.

I asked another vet and he said he's never heard of anyone intentionally putting anything in animals eyes before they bathe them.

Another thing is, when I drop him off at the vet's office, he acts like he's dying when they begin to take him back. Seems like he's scared to death.

Are there any vets that can comment on this? If they are mistreating my dog, how can I get proof and do I have grounds for a lawsuit??

Answer 1

I am not a vet but have a pit bull myself and have had many many dogs in my life... you must listen to what the dog is showing you ..It is one thing if a dog doesn't like a vet because he knows he is going to get a shot...your dog is saying do not leave me here and it seems like good reason ..No his eyes should not be bloodshot...this is more an irritation to something they are giving him or using ..........keep him away from there ..after calling them and asking them exactly what they used in his eyes..what they bathed him with.. talk to your new vet ...A lawsuit sounds hard unless he has permanent damage..but since your guy can not speak with words..hear his eyes... maybe you could consider a house sitter instead...goodluck

Answer 2

I agree w devon and bizworth... sometimes dogs boarded in vets offices get too stressed. They see people and they want to play, but nobody is paying attention to them. If someone feels bad for the dog and pets him, then when that person goes away to do her job now the puppy feels even more alone because he has been left alone... again! is really a no win situation.....

Maybe you can find a kennel? that way he will be with other dogs and wont see people (that are ignoring him) as much and be more calmed. Or with a friend's house. I wont be too quick in jumping to animal abuse... but if you don't trust the clinic, is really your right to go somewhere else. Besides, if you do sue, the law will only give you what your dog is worth monetarily... and a pitbull is not even a recognized breed so the most they will give you will be like $80.

about the stuff in the eyes..... no clue either? all stuff i can think off is to prevent red eyes, shouldn't cause red eyes.... or he may be given a light sedative if he is being too anxious and you pick him up right when he is just coming out of it.

Answer 3

Wow. When you said red eyes and Pit Bull, I first assumed he was overly-excited, as that can lead to bloodshot eyes.

I think his behavior when you drop him off is very telling, especially if he is not generally too clingy with you. I would suggest leaving him at a friend's house one day (even if just for a couple hours) or boarding him someplace else one or two times to see what his reaction is. If he is totally fine with it, he hates your vets and has had bad experiences there.

Are you asking for him to be bathed each time? If so, next time tell them that you don't want him to be bathed. There is no reason to put the drops in his eyes, so they should be normal when you pick him up. If they are red, you know something else is going on.

I'm afraid I don't know how you can get proof of what is going on. You can check with the state vet association to see if there have been complaints about this vet. You might also check with your local animal control or shelter and talk to a cruelty investigator. He or she may not be able to do anything, but could have some suggestions for you.

Answer 4

Well at the Vets office i worked at they put Vasoline in the eyes like when they do surgery to keep any chemicals from getting into the eyes. If your dog is having an allergic reaction to it and they are neglecting it I would change vets. The puppy might have had a tramatic experience with one of the pet helpers and it has caused him to dislike going. I'd defiantley change vets offices and do ask to have a walk through of the clinic and have them show you what they're process is with getting a bath. Most places will be glad to show you the place, for the ones that won't decline their services.

Answer 5

I worked at an animal shelter once and when we bathed and dipped the dogs, we put vaseline over the dogs eyes (while they were shut) to prevent anything from going into their eyes. It just doesn't sound good at all about the drops, especially if another vet said they'd never heard of that. I'd find an alternative solution. Without any real proof that something is afoul, you probably don't have grounds to sue. You could always hang around and see if any other dogs that are boarded there have the same red eyes.

Answer 6

Well, as far as the eye stuff, I have NO idea. I've never heard of that.

However, I used to work at an animal hospital that boarded animals and many of the dogs freaked out when they had to go back to the kennel. It's not because they were mistreated, it's because boarding is very stressful for dogs in general, no matter how well they are treated, and they don't want to separate from their owner. The same probably goes for your dog.

You should, however, try to find a different kennel to bring your dog to if you are concerned about it. Ask for a tour of their facility so you can make sure he has a big enough cage and that the area is clean.

Answer 7

Your pet is telling you he hates it there so don't take him there anymore.

As far as lawsuits are concerned, your wonderful pet may be a part of your family to you but is considered property in the eyes of the law and the damages you might be able to collect would be based on the diminished value of your property.

You may want to consult an attorney but, be happy your dog is alive and well and never take him back to that vet. Also, write a letter to the vet detailing why you won't be returning and send it by certified mail. Ask your vet to detail his policy on this eyedrop thing, and reply to you in writing or you will file a complaint with the state board or consumer affairs or whatever other agency regulates his practices in your state.Send a copy to yourself by certified mail and put it away unopened.

Answer 8

The red eyes could be a reaction to some kind of sedative they are giving him to keep him quiet. I dont buy the vets story that its to protect the eyes from shampoo chemicals. Dog shampoos are naturally mild for the eyes of the animals. Further whatever stuff is put in the eyes should be good for the eyes and not bad for them. If its making the poor animals eyes red then something is very wrong.

Answer 9

It may not be that he's mistreated, just under a great deal of stress because he knows that when he goes into the vet, his whole world is going to change. Dogs have no concept of time, so each visit could seem like an eternity in an unfamiliar envirionment. Perhaps you should make a deal with a friend to get a one on one pet sitter while you are away. One who can care for the dog in the similar manner you do.
Remember, dogs can sense fear, and most dogs are afraid when going to the vet. Your dog may just be sensing that fear and its causing a great deal of stress.

Answer 10

I'm not a vet but sounds like you need to find another one immediately!
It's obvious that your dog is afraid to be left there so stop taking him!
Seriously-would you take your kid to the emergency room and hand him to a nurse and leave without any thought to what's done to your child or how they're treated until someone tells you to come collect the kid?
It makes no sense to me that people who obviously love their dogs will do this without a thought as to who or how the dog is treated but they'd not dream of handing over their children.
If you suspect abuse that's probably what it is.Or at least that's how your dog sees it.But you're guilty of it too cos you're the one who keeps forcing him to be treated this way.
No one handles my dogs but me or my husband.They are considered property by law.But they're OUR property.We have the say over what will and will not be done to or for them and we are not so careless as to put them into situations that will ultimately cause them more harm than good physically and or mentally.
Our oldest dog had a bad experience at the vet I took him to and I was forced to find a new one because he turned viscious in the office.The vet told me he'd remove his stitches but he'd not see him again and I told him that was a given as the dog had never acted like this toward anyone before.And I found that it was completely inexcusable for him to feel so threatened in the one place other than his own home that he should feel secure and safe.
It took me 2 YEARS of driving 20 miles one way to the vet we have now every month and weighing him before I noticed that he did not balk at walking into the office evan if they were doing surgeries.I no longer have to hold him down to get a shot and he actually rubs on her demanding her attention before he leaves the office.
Dogs have feelings just like we do.And I cannot imagine what your dog feels every time you, the person that he depends on the most in this world for everything he needs,to take him and casually drop him off like dirty laundry to be treated in a manner that makes him uncomfortable or frightened.
Your dog can't tell you how it's treated at the vets office.But it's showing you in the only manner it can so grab him and run.