I had to take my pit to an e-vet on x-mas because of a GI problem we had been dealing with. The dr on call ran alot of tests including tests I had done at my vet days before and ruled out. If I had not kept calling I don't think they would have kept him on the IV fluid that I brought him in for.
For $650 they kept him 20hrs and managed to undo almost everything my vet had done. He was wormed even though he was nausiated and had 2 negative tests for worms then they wanted to redo x-rays my vet had already done because he was vomiting! They stopped his antibiotic and put him on another for 20 hrs.
To add insult to injury when we got him home and cut of the tape where the IV had been we found the IV still in.
I was wondering if anyone has any advice and or expirience with e-clinics and have you ever heard of a clinic demanding money before services especially ones we didn't want or need and some that were actually harmful?
Thanks
2007-12-27 09:39:39 · 12 answers · asked by jfos 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
This was X-mas day I couldn't find another vet and he would have died without IV
2007-12-27 09:47:33 · update #1
20hrs of fluids not 20hrs of tests.
he had only been on antibiotic for 2days was too soon to change.
He is doing better thanks to all who asked he has had 2oz of food (he's 50+ lbs) in last 24 hrs but that's 2oz more than last week. :)
2007-12-27 10:02:01 · update #2
I would contact the Veterinary Licensing Board in your state and report this series of agregious errors.
As far as the bill, I would also find whoever the practice manager and outline everything that was done incorrectly and make it clear that you will not be paying for it. Get a letter from your vet that backs you up.
2007-12-27 09:46:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
That is strange that they requested funds up front and for 20 hours of tests that is actually a very low price. Some test such as the x-rays can change from day to day so I feel those were completely necessary. As for the worming It depends on the worms suspected and local laws. Where I live it is required by law to have your pet on a heartworm preventative or if 30 days laps have another heartworm test done. Changing the antibiotics was a good idea since the other ones obviously were not working. If the IV was left in for a reason such as follow-up treatment or for emergency cases they should have told you but since they didn't there is no reason the IV should have been left in. It should have been removed and disposed of in a proper biohazard bin. It sounds like the e-vet was not very well coordinated. You may want to find a new e-vet for emergencies or take copies of all your pets medical history if you ever have to go again.
2007-12-27 09:56:21 · answer #2 · answered by al l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is my exact concern over taking my dogs to the emergency clinic.I completely understand your frustration and concerns over this and I hope your dog is doing alright now.
I've spoken to every vet we have ever used and they all use the same E Clinic and all say it's very good. But the one time I so much as thought of taking one of my dogs there I called first and asked since the vet we were going to at the time actually owns this clinic if they had any means to access my dogs records and was told "No". I can't see how these poor folks expect to treat these sick animals if they have nothing to go by but the owners word.And I can certainly see how accidents could happen causing worse harm to an animal they are trying to help.
Everytime I go to the vet I make them give me an itemized list of everything that was done and keep them in a folder under the truck seat.Then should something happen I have proof of procedures that were already done and the exact names and dosages of any drugs they have taken or are on trying to be prepared for the day should I ever have to take them to the clinic.Or get in an accident and they have to be seperated from me. My hope is that some cop or EMT would find it and have animal control drop them at my vet where they would be with people they know rather than strangers.
But evan having those records to show I wonder if it would be a help or if they'd ignore them and do as they pleased.
2007-12-27 12:02:40 · answer #3 · answered by ozzy59 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The ER vets have you in between a rock and a hard place. You're totally stressed because the dog is sick, they don't know the dog or have a handle on the problem and then want to perform every test available. I had a $690 emergency bill a few years ago and it would have been over $1,000 had I not insisted on bringing my dog home. Every time I see a response to a question to take the dog to the ER vets I think ... right. It's not even the cost that bothered me it was the mechanical way we were processed. By the way the blood work, x-rays, etc. were all negative and to this day I don't know what was wrong with my dog that night, nor does my regular vet - he had been vomiting for several hours.
2007-12-27 11:56:43 · answer #4 · answered by Little Ollie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would have just told them "No". Wouldn't your vet see you on an emergency basis? Ours does that all the time. He just charges an extra ten dollar fee for after-hours visits.
If you happened to pay for the clinic with a check or credit card you can still stop payment if you do it quickly. Dispute the bill, especially the needless things, and refuse to pay that part.
2007-12-27 09:45:37 · answer #5 · answered by mama woof 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes I know several who have had no choice but let their dog suffer until a normal vet was open. I had a Collie having severe seizures on a holiday weekend. they wanted $2000 for treatment I know about this stuff and wanted the dog put to sleep. they wouldn't do it.
My vet put teh dog down and said there was nothing the emergency vets could have dne
2007-12-27 09:49:16 · answer #6 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Almost every emergency vet makes you pay UP front, but they should review services with you, and you may turn down anything you please.
If you were not satisfied, I would take my dog to the primary vet to have the damages documented. I would then talk with the people at the office, and if nothing happens from that I would press charges.
2007-12-27 09:44:53 · answer #7 · answered by ccourtcleve 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
How terrible! Is he doing any better? I haven't heard of anything like this before, but I'd try to find another emergency vet in the area if you could.
2007-12-27 09:51:09 · answer #8 · answered by a gal and her dog 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've used emergency clinics but only for rodents (they are the only animals I've had emergencies with). I was lucky but I've heard of some really shady emergency clinics. If you can document what you've said (their shabby treatment of your dog, charging you for services that were wrong and harmed your dog), you may have a chance in challenging it.
2007-12-27 09:49:51 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to your reg vet with all the paperwork. Go thru it with him/her and see if there are any unnecessary charges. Then write a letter to the EV, and see if any adjustments can be made. Do it this week.
Bottom line: Glad your dog is ok.
2007-12-27 09:45:37 · answer #10 · answered by tina in fla 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋