Who can I report this to?

Question

Last night my 3 year old English Bulldog died suddenly from respiratory distress of some sort. When I arrived home yesterday from work he was in a panic, he was wheezing and his tongue was purple. We rushed him to Green Animal Medical Center because it is the closest emergency vet.

Two weeks earlier I took my Boxer there for a broken tooth, and he spent part of the next day there. Seven days later he developed Kennel Cough confirmed by Dr Soehnlen in Navarre. I called GAMC and informed them that my dog now had kennel cough. They stated he could not have gotten it there, but he is a very healthy dog and has not been outside of my home except for that. Through the process of the next 7 days my two other dogs and my parents dog all had kennel cough. I treated my dogs at home with rest and plenty of fluids. After a few days my Malamute and Boxer both got better. My Bulldog and my parents Black Lab took longer and were both vomiting if they got too excited. My parents took their dog to a vet in Uniontown and was told he also had kennel cough and the vomiting was normal.

Last night after my English Bulldog was rushed into the back of the vet office to be given oxygen I was placed in a room. A few minutes later , someone came in and said they would be in with a price list, not what was wrong with him, but a price list. After I stated I couldn't pay the kind of money they were looking for and would probably have to have him put down the doctor finally came in. He went from having a epilepsy disorder to a congenital heart disorder to maybe pneumonia. This was based on a an EKG. My husband and I then further discussed having him put down because we didn't want to come home one day and find him dead. The vet then decided to do a chest xray which showed his lungs were full of fluid but his heart looked fine. We explained to her again that all these dogs had had kennel cough from one dog being there. She got defensive and stated they could not have gotten it from there. We left him there with him being given antibiotics, oxygen and the doctor agreeing this could have started from kennel cough.

I received a call about an hour and a half later stating he was not doing any better and they asked if they could sedate him, I agreed. We then had another discussion regarding kennel cough and it originating from there. Again the doctor got very defensive. She went from agreeing with me that he had not needed to go to a vet with kennel cough because it is like a cold and will run its course to calling me a bad pet owner. Telling me, " I don't think you know how serious this is, he is very sick". She also went on to say possibly he had electrocuted himself (he stood two feet tall and all electric outlets were at least four feet off the floor). Twenty minutes later we got a call stating he was resting but still not breathing well. Another twenty minutes went by and we got another call stating he was taking his final breath. We rushed right there.

Upon entering the vet office my husband and I we escorted into a room. The vet came in and said she was sorry for our loss. She then went on to try to tell us how they could take care of his body for us and wanted to discuss the price options. I said I wanted him in that room so I could see him. They brought him in there and waited about 15-20 minutes before coming back to try to discuss money with us again. We told them to leave the room. We then picked him up and brought him home were we buried him on our farm land.

The vet that was saw was Dr Sarah Ford. She was very rude and all they cared about was money. I want to know if somehow they can be investigated, because many other dogs could have gotten kennel cough from there if they we there the same time my Boxer was. They are so adamant that he didn't get it from there that I don't think they would even look into it.

We now believe he was aspirating when he vomited for those few days. And even though he got better from the kennel cough, the fluid was just building in his lungs.

The vet was in Green, OH. Yes, the boxer was boarded there for a short time.

I have already contacted the local newspapers and the state of Ohio.

Let me also say to everyone that dogs that are vaccinated for kennel cough can still get kennel cough, just supposedly not as bad.

Answer 1

First let me say I'm very sorry for your loss. You may want to contact the American Veterinary Medical Association as well as the above mentioned organizations. Follow your instincts and follow up on this. I can't believe a vet would deny a dog picking up kennel cough from their office. It's impossible for them to know what dogs staying at the clinic might have been incubating the illness. They of all people should know how easily it passes between dogs.

Answer 2

Any time you take your dog to a place with other dogs they can get kennel cough which is not necessarily there fault.It is just like the risk of people getting a cold, however they should acknowledge that it was probable contracted there. Did they advise you to get the bordatella (a nasal spray for a dog that prevents kennel cough 24 hours in advanced.) Most places require it in order to stay there.Did they treat your dog with medications once you found out it was kennel cough? If not that was where they would be at fault. There manner was terrible and I am sorry for your loss but I'm betting any complaint will be disregarded since there really would be no way of proving he got it from there and that he died from it. Best thing is word of mouth so that they loose business. Was your vet the owner if not you should go in and talk with the owner make sure they know the story.

Answer 3

At the very least, this vet had no tact or bedside manner whatsoever. The last thing you want to be thinking about is money. BUT (playing devil's advocate here) they actually do have to get your consent to do procedures and in doing so, it is their responsibility to let you know what you are getting yourself into. Some people just can't afford a thousands of dollars surprise.....they then opt to put their pets down instead of further treatment. There are two sides to every story.

However, if it eases you in doing so, contact the State Board of Veterinarians and your BBB. They will be able to help. I just wish that you had done a post mortem on your dog....that could have answered some really vital questions that may come up. Again, sorry for you loss.

Answer 4

Wow, this is a hard case - I'm so sorry about the death of your dog, and, if what you say is accurate, that is one uncaring vet.
As to the money aspect, I am fortunate to now have a vet who cares more about animals than money, but that is not usually the case. Most larger clinics and practices have lots of expenses and staff, and the first concern seems always to be money.

You do not say where this vet is - what state, but I would think your telling this story to your friends, relatives, and acqaintances would put a dent in her business. I don't know if you can file any sort of complaint because it comes down to your word against hers. That your dogs should get kennel cough at a vet's is really awful - but I would suggest that you get your dogs vaccinated for this twice a year, it is not expensive and a good safeguard for dogs who come in contact with other dogs.

Answer 5

I'd make a report at the Better Business Buroeu (sp?) about it. I don't know that anyone can actually do anything about even finding out if your dog originally got kennel cough from his vet visit (though if he was boarded at the vet it is likely).

I'm sorry for your loss. I hope the other dogs are doing well. Definitely do not go back to this vet and tell anyone who asks you about a vet to stay away from them. Word of mouth can do a lot of damage to a vets reputation if it spreads far enough.

Answer 6

You should find a good lawyer and slap a class action law suit on their asses. Your lawyer will find anyone else who may have had the same kennel cough issue.
Hopefully the vet's office will have all that precious money they care so much about given back to the emotionally distressed pet parents they mistreated and kick Dr. Ford out.

Answer 7

I am sorry for your loss. I don't know what your rights are in this case, what they could have done, should have done that wasn't done. I do know bulldogs have a history of breathing problems and the kennel cough probably just made it worse. I do know that you should have had a necropsy(pet autopsy) done to determine the exact cause of death, And you should talk to a lawyer and see if there is anything you can do. I wish I could help ease the pain of your losing your precious pet. So sorry.

Answer 8

I'm sorry. It's very hard to loose a part of your family, sadly kennel cough is out there everywhere; dog parks, pet stores (petco, etc.), groomers, and hospitals.There is a vaccine but like the flu vaccine it's not 100% it's bordetella (sp?). If you feel like your pet didn't get the care you paid for of course make the necessary calls.

Answer 9

I don't know what the answer is to this.. But I believe that they are going to say ' Your dog should have been vaccinated against KC and he wouldn't have picked it up ' That's why they feel comfortable with telling you it's your fault. They won't take the blame cause then they are responsible for the death... But I can guarantee you that the blame will be turned around to you and the fact that none of the dogs were vaccinated against Kennel Cough.

Answer 10

Contact the Veterinary Board for your state to make a complaint. You really should of had a necropsy done on your dog to find out the exact cause of death. I am so sorry for your loss. The first thing that comes to mind with all of this fluid is heart failure.