Bad Neuter Experience

[MilesDavis]

Miles got neutered on Monday. I had been dreading it forever, but I finally decided to go for it. His normal vet wasn't available, so I took him to a vet that a friend recommended. When I picked him up Monday afternoon, I looked at his incision and it looked a little gross...just not very nice or professional looking (I did better sutures on rats when I was in school!). I asked the doctor about it, and he assured me it would be fine. Well, a couple days went by, and I looked at the site yesterday when I got home from work...it was oozing blood and pus, and a blister had formed and then popped a little later (also oozing pus). I immediately called my vet and rushed Miles in. He was running a fever and the incision was infected. Furthermore, they had tied his skin into the suture knot, causing the blister...which is now a big gaping crater in his skin. He got a shot of penicillin and cortisone, and should be feeling better by Saturday. My vet also looked at the type of sutures used and said that she never would have used those on a neuter.
I'm so upset with the other vet. I'm sure an infection like that could spread so fast through a little dog's body. I don't know whether I should call and complain or just let it go. My boyfriend thinks I should send them the bill for the emergency trip to my vet!

[hugz4all4]

Oh my god, poor Miles.. Im glad that he is doing better. How scary for both of you.
I agree that you should send the bill to the other vet!

[BellaAmore]

I hope everything turns out OK. I also procrastinated taking Bella to be spayed. And complications also arose. She is supposed to come home at 10:00 today.Vet said her scar is bigger than anticipated. This is why I hate surgery of any kind on animals or humans. Prayers for your baby.

[TeresaM]

Oh no, poor Miles!! I sure hope he's feeling better. I would be so furious at the other vet, you can be sure he'd get a piece of my mind! And I don't have so many pieces left that I can afford to be giving any away, but I can't stand incompetent people!!

I would absolutely send him a copy of what your vet found and what he had to do to correct it. I doubt you'll get anything from him, but I'd sure let him know you are aware what he did was way wrong. And I'd for sure tell my friend what a butcher job that vet did.

By the way, love his name, and he looks like such a cutie too!!

[Mom to Hot Rod]

I would be furious! I would try and get and appt with and see if the would take care of the new vet bill as well refund something on the neuter. If this were a human, I am sure that there would be something that would be done. It is not right that and I think that vets need to be accountable for their actions since we are depending upon them to take care of the very much loved babies. I don't know if you would get anywhere but at least you have tried and unfortunately with our society, money is what speaks volumes. I hope little Miles gets better soon.

[mkawczak]

Miles you poor little man. Aiden and I send you get better hugs and kisses. That vet should be spoken to by you or your regular vet,so this guy does'nt do this to anyone else. Aiden scar is barely noticable. That is a procedure that is done all the time...why did he do such a lousy job? Don't let this go by without mentioning the extra costs and worrys you have had to endure. Feel better Pumpkin.

[7TimesBlessed]

I'm so glad Miles has you for a mom......thank God you were watching out for him and what was going on w his incisions.....whatever you decide to do I would at least let the other vet know what happened.....this shouldn't happen to another furbaby....maybe if someone else had made a call this wouldnt' have happened to Miles. At least make the call and you will feel better and be able to put this behind you. Kisses to Miles!

[MilesDavis]

Thanks everyone. I feel so bad...I should have just waited until his normal vet was available...but I trusted the referral I got.
So...my blood is boiling...I just called the vet office, and the doctor wasn't available, so I spoke to a tech. She told me not to worry about it, because NO ONE EVER LOOKS AT THOSE INCISIONS ANYWAY. AHHHHH!!!!! So she thinks this is an aesthetic issue? Yes, his incision is nasty and the scar will be huge...but that is NOT the main issue here!!!!!!!!!!
So frustrating...I'm calling back later when the vet is in.

[Stella's mom]

Give little Miles a snuggle from Stella and me. I'm glad he is going to be okay but I would be furious. Due to Stella's allergy issues and scratching my vet is ALWAYS concerned about any sighs of infection. Oh yes, I would request a copy of the records from my regular vet, a copy of the bill and would be seeing the man. If he can't do a simple neuter, dear Lord what happens when he has a complicated surgery

[Stella's mom]

Now I'm even more furious, what an uncaring group. Sounds like a pretty good indication of how they treat their patients, it's more than a asthetic issue IMO.

[bildio]

I'm sorry for what you and Miles are going through.

Even if things go well, it's stressful.

If only vets could be sued for malpractice.

[Stephanie8906]

If i was you this is what I would do because if he did this to Miles then he should not be doing any type of surgery on any animals. You can contact the better business bureau and file a complaint with them and I am not sure what all goes into getting a vet license but you can probably contact a state board of some sort and file a complaint and your local animal services office might be able to help with some information that way your issue is out in the open and people that do searches on vets in your area will not choose him if they see your problem and you may save another puppys life. This is just my opinion on the matter and the steps I would probably take.

[celstu1]

Oh I would DEFINATELY call, complain AND send them the bill. I doubt they will pay the bill but maybe it would make the look twice at how they do things there! Even if nothing happens at least you'll feel better that you tried to make this vets office a better place. Im glad your baby is doing ok now! How scary!