Yes, some changes will be made due to mishandling of my emergency call.
The receptionist who put me on hold 3 times, until I finally yelled out "don't put me on hold, help me, my dog is dying", hopefully will think twice before hitting the hold button. She also gave me wrong information, said that there was a mobile vet she would try to get ahold of to meet me, but she didn't have his number, said she didn't have the number of either of the vets who were off on Sunday and she'd have to get them from her manager. She then went on to make me aware that the cost of an ER visit was $105, and I yelled "I don't care what you charge, just have a vet on call ready to treat her the minute I walk in the door. Desperate, I told her I had washed Meika's mouth out and was going to start driving, and to call me if there was anything else I could do. Two vets called me on the road and confirmed there was nothing else I could do but drive.
So, the manager has assured me that the only information she should have given in a toad poisoning was to wash the mouth and nose.... and drive to vet, period. That should happen in the future. I do realize in this case that even the few minutes wasted on the phone in confusion, would not have helped Meika on a Sunday, when the nearest care is an hour away.
Yes, Meika will help other pets get proper emergency attention in the future, so for that I am glad. Also, in case one of my other fur kids needs help, we hopefully won't have to go thru all that.
I also agreed to share all my research into what is the best way to clean the slimy toxic goo off a dog's mouth (water, soap, or some say olive oil), some say there is a danger of aspiration with water, and some people even say to coat the mouth with Pepto Bismol. I will look into it all further, especially with vets in Florida where these Bufos exist, and in Australia. For now though, I have to let it rest and not continually read.
Hugs to you all, my angels who help me face each new day with out Meika. |