California Vetrinary Standards Question?

Question

Hello,

I believe my former vet has violated the health code in some manner. I would like to know if they have violated these codes, and where to file a complaint.

The details-
My puppy, at 13 weeks old broke his rear left leg. The questionable visit occurred at 16 weeks when another vetrinarian at the same hospital attempted to check his leg as the other vet was out.

What I experienced-
While administering medicines and treating animals, nobody was wearing gloves, not even the vetrinarian. The only time they wear gloves is apparently when they are taking your animals vitals.

A cat was supposed to be getting it's yearly vaccinations. The cat was agitated, and kicked the syringes onto the floor. The syringes appeared to be returned to the surgery table.

Upon removal of my animal's cast, it was found he had an infection. The cast was reapplied, with a portion cut off so the animal's foot could be exposed and have neosporin applied. Is this appropriate practice?

Secondarily, they sent a nurse out to talk to me about the dog's infected foot. They gave me a triple antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin Zinc-Neomycin Sulfate-Polymyxin B Sulfate Ointment). The tube was handed to me with no lid. I believe this is a contamination issue, and threw it away.

Additionally (from above), when I got the animal home, about 3 days afterward, he began coughing for hours at a time. This appears to be kennel cough, although another vet will be consulted to confirm. After about 5 days, my other 2 dogs had a similar condition.

I'm also quite disconcerted that the two vetrinarians offered such stark different opinions on the animal's leg. One vet told me he would be 6 weeks in the splint, whereas the other vet had to check to see if it was ready to come off (at 3 weeks).

Please let me know what I should do about this, or where to find more information about California Vetrinary laws. I know there would have been several violations of the human health code.

When I took him in at 15 weeks, the doctor refused to give him a kennel cough vaccine, saying the manufacturer's suggestion was at 17 weeks that the vaccination was administered. He couldn't apparently do the calculation of the dog's age, so I'm not sure exactly whether he told me something inaccurate.

He had all his other vaccinations but the kennel cough. The other two dogs (6 and 5 years) are due for their yearly boosters in October.

It was unclear whether the syringes were still capped. They were holding the animal down, and preparing to vaccinate, so I belive the caps had already been removed. It would also appear that the cat may have stabbed himself with one of the syringes.

They did not charge me for the antibiotic solution. However, they sent me a nastyish clarification letter telling me that they would charge me for it in the future.

Also, the splint no longer supports the full dog's weight leg after being cut off.

The animal is a Chihuahua/Pom mix, currently weighing just over 5 lbs at 16 weeks.

Answer 1

No one is required to wear gloves.

If the syringes had caps on them when they were kicked to the floor, they were still sterile and fine to use--if no caps, the needles should have been changed.

The neosporin should have had a cap on it--if you paid for it I would have asked for one with a cap.

It sounds like your pup caught kennel cough, a very contagious bacteria. He may have gotten it at the vets, but will be hard to prove. Was he fully vaccinated including bordatella?

The cast with the cut out portion is a good idea. If there is a sore on the leg, your only other option other than a cast or splint is surgery to pin/plate the leg so no covering is needed.

Splints/casts stay on from 3-8 weeks, depending on the location or severity of the fracture. X-rays are taken to confirm healing.


For true malpractice, every state has a licensing board in charge of discipline.

Answer 2

each and each state gadgets their own standards for curriculum. i actually do not care what any state teaches as lengthy because of the fact the scholars obtain an practise. regrettably, literacy isn't a good element interior the USA - not like it was. commence with the basics and insist a solid practise. do not problem on the subject of the fringes.

Answer 3

since you're going to a new vet, you should definitely ask him/her about it...