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11-02-2009, 06:46 AM | #1 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula
Posts: 669
| So Worried- Long Post Hi everyone, This is a LONG post. Please forgive me for writing such a long post, but I am so worried and I want to include all the facts. In the middle of October, we went back east (from California), for a funeral. I was discouraged from taking my two girls with me (Cassie and Muffin) by family and friends so I boarded them at the Vets, who i have used for a LONG time and never had any problem with. I was reluctant to leave them for so long (12 days) but I consented to leave them because I trusted the Vet. I came home on the 27th of October and picked them up. They were in deplorable condition. Both were knotted so bad, I had to cut knots out of them-mostly Muffin. The knots were impeding her walking. They are both scratching alot. Muffins eyes were so encrusted she could barely open them. She was due for a shot (I think it was for Kennel Cough) and so she was given that at the Vets. When I go to pet her around her head and ears and eyes, she seems to squeal and cry out in pain, or fear. Muffin has never been a fearful dog, now she will not walk into rooms, she is very clingy and wants to be held all the time, she will not play with her toys, and has coughed 2-3 times in a day, every day, and I'm afraid it sounds like a collapsed trachea. Muffin has always been very active, full of the devil. very curious and happy, and loves to play catch with her toys. She is a completely different dog. She will not play with her toys, is fearful and wants to be held and wants to sleep in my arms all the time. And she has cried out several times, seemingly in pain, as I mentioned before. She is just not the same dog I left in October. I have left them last year with this same Vet when our ceiling collapsed and we were living in a motel for about two months, and they were not in this condition. To make matters worse, this Vet's office staff called us about 5 hours after we got home and told us they gave us an extra $50 back, which they did not. THey were training a new person and could not balance the books at the end of the day, and so they decided that they gave us too much money. When I told them we didn't have it they got mad and hung up. Was I supposed to pay them the money they were out just to appease them. We really did not have an extra $50, and if we did and we owed it i would certainly have paid it. So now I am looking for another Vet, a naturiopathic, Holistic Vet in Southern California, and they are not easy to find or come by. But anyway, Muffins behavior is completely changed. Does it sound like she has been abused? Do you think the shot they gave her could have been done wrong and hurt her? Could it have been given somewhere around the head area? They were certainly neglected. They both came back underweight, and they only weight 2-3 lbs each respectively anyway-(Cassie and Muffin). Do you think Muffin may have kennel cough in spite of the shot she got, or worse, a collapsed trachea? I don't know what to do, I am so worried. Should I Pay the money they say we owe, even though we do not owe it, just to appease them? As I've said before, we have left them many times, and last year, for a lot longer, (6 weeks to 2 months when our ceiling collapsed and we were living in a motel). But they were a year younger then. We only just got muffin then and she was only 5 months and Cassie was only a year and a half, so maybe that is a factor. Anyway, please forgive this long post, but I just wanted to include everything I could think of. Any responses would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance to all who have had the patience and tenacity to read through this entire message. Shellie |
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11-02-2009, 06:52 AM | #2 |
Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado
Posts: 6,728
| I think you need to make an appointment and walk in and talk to the vet. He/She needs to explain the condition of your dogs and what is going on. He/She also needs to know about someone in his office hanging up on you. Something doesn't sound right but the vet should give you answers.
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11-02-2009, 06:54 AM | #3 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: cliffside park, nj, usa
Posts: 1,170
| sorry to hear about your experience; first please don't pay them any additional money; second please find a vet asap to check up on your dog; it seems that something is wrong; trust your instinct. i would take her today to any other vet to see if something is wrong. maybe she has kennel cough by staying with other dogs there; and it seems like she has been abused; if she's acting afraid and squelling and in pain. good luck
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11-02-2009, 07:15 AM | #4 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: northern ireland
Posts: 947
| sorry to hear that, i hope u got photos of ur babies when they came back in that state, that wud be proof,
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11-02-2009, 07:24 AM | #5 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lehi
Posts: 403
| I would try to speak to the vet about the money and the condition of the dogs in person. It is very possible for a dog to get kennel cough, even if they have been vaccinated. My dogs get real jumpy about their heads if they have an ear infection or something similar. The dogs should be checked out for any health issues. I really hope they settle back in quickly and feel better soon! I feel bad for them.
__________________ Wend |
11-02-2009, 07:24 AM | #6 |
YT Addict Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona
Posts: 425
| Gosh, so sorry you are going through this. Yes, by all means go to another vet and get them checked out well. Then go back into the vet that kept them and demand an explanation of the condition of your girls. I definately would not give them anymore money..in fact they should be refunding some to you for how your girls were treated!! They would not want to see my hubby come into their office if our dogs looked and acted like that. |
11-02-2009, 07:30 AM | #7 |
Furbutts = LOVE Donating Member Moderator | Oh my goodness, Shellie, your poor babies ! I'd be beside myself too. First, if they did not give you back extra money by mistake, you should in no way feel obligated to hand over money to them. On to the babies, they can actually get kennel cough from the vaccine - so given they were under stress/duress from being at the kennel, the immune system could have been suppressed at the time, so Muffin may have contracted kennel cough *from* the actual vaccine...how bad/frequent is the coughing? If it is getting worse, I'd get to a vet asap bc kennel cough can also progress to pneumonia. It's really tough to say why they are in such rough shape this time, esp. since they've stayed there before...did they have "play" time w/ other dogs? If yes, there could have been another dog there who really stressed them out. Or, there could have merely been another dog IN the kennel who caused a lot of stress in the kennel - i.e., barking/crying 24 hrs a day, causing a lot of stress to the other dogs. Kennel stress is a very real thing, and sometimes dogs get traumatized from kennels - but try not too worry to terribly bc they usually just need time and TLC and reassurance that they're home and safe again. It helps to literally talk out loud and tell them where they are *now*, that they're back home, that they should let go of anything that happened "back there"....it may sound dumb...but sometimes we have to help our little fur kiddos "clear things out" and "take deep breaths" just like we do for ourselves sometimes. Do you know what I'm getting I'm at or do I just sound like a nut ? But sometimes, we have to help them let things go...
__________________ ~ A friend told me I was delusional. I nearly fell off my unicorn. ~ °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° Ann | Pfeiffer | Marcel Verdel Purcell | Wylie | Artie °¨¨¨°ºOº°¨¨¨° |
11-02-2009, 07:59 AM | #8 |
YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 298
| Gosh, so sorry you and the furbabies had to go through this. I'm furious just reading your post As far as kennel cough goes, my vet once told me that when you give them a kennel cough shot it doean't mean that they won't catch it at all. It means if they happen to catch it at some point it will be a lot milder. I would definitely walk in and demand to talk to the vet himself/herself. As far as the money goes, THEY are the ones that should be giving you a refund!!!!! If I were you though, I would go get them checked by another vet at another clinic ASAP. You never know. Besides, another vet's opinion on their condition might come in handy once you go back to set things straight with the clinic that is responsible for their condition. Good luck and please keep us posted.
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11-02-2009, 08:01 AM | #9 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: moosejaw sk
Posts: 300
| Talk to the vet right away if he doesn't know what's going on he should be told as he is resposable for his staff and about the money I would say I paid you what you asked for and that's all your getting |
11-02-2009, 08:11 AM | #10 | |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: USA
Posts: 600
| Quote:
I know of a home based place if ever needed in the future. I know the people personally and have left my guys with them before and they were very happy and well cared for. I even had someone stop by and check on them unexpectantly and they were happy. It is called YORKIE CAMP located in Ontario, Ca. I am sorry for you and your babies. This is just wrong not to be able to leave them with a vet you trusted to come back to this. I hope you get to the bottom of this and your babies recover soon fromn their traumatic experience. | |
11-02-2009, 08:22 AM | #11 |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Jersey Shore
Posts: 3,370
| I would not pay them a cent more and personally, I would have taken pictures of the condition they were in when I picked them up and had taken them to court. If not for any reason but to prevent others from going through the same thing. I'm sorry for you and for your girls that this happened. Just love them and over time they will get better. Elaine |
11-02-2009, 08:26 PM | #12 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: USA
Posts: 975
| I dont understand why you left there without saying anything. If it were my dogs, I would have stayed and thrown a fit--not debate about it later after they've called asking for money. I understand that maybe you didnt question their health right away if you didnt notice signs that they were ill, but the condition they were in was clearly visible when you arrived there to pick them up would be enough in and of itself to throw a fit and question the care of the dogs. Had you said anything at that time, even if they mistakingly gave you extra money back, they probably wouldnt have even called asking for it back. If you dont have photos and legal documentation (2nd vet opinion and exam) you probably will have no legal recourse. They could say that you only had a complaint after they called asking you for the "extra" money they mistakingly gave you and your just being a bitter client and don't feel you should return the money. I hope it all works out. It must be awful to have to go through entrusting and paying people to care for your pets and having them come back in awful condition--then asked to return money they didnt give you. |
11-02-2009, 08:46 PM | #13 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: MD
Posts: 10,908
| I am so sorry that your poor babies are not themselves. I hope that they are okay. Yes, please take them to another vet for a complete checkup. There is not telling what may have taken place although from what you are describing, no a whole lot of anything good. I hope that your babies will be okay.
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11-02-2009, 09:31 PM | #14 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Idaho
Posts: 4,544
| It is not uncommon for boarded pets to loose weight mostly from stress. As for the pain she could have been dropped or jumped from her cage. There is a good vet in Hemet her name is Dr Green I used her when I lived there. I actually used Dr Thayer for a long time till he made me mad then I tried a few others till I found Dr Green and she was wonderful with my wolfhound mix. He was a shelter dog who had been severely abused and she was so good and so patient with him. She really cares about the animal not just the $$$$$$. Also there is a wonderful Chiropractor who treats dogs for free and he's very good at it I used him for several of my rescues when I lived there. His name is Dr Cullins. There isnt much I miss about Ca. but I miss them. I will Pm you with the numbers. |
11-04-2009, 08:52 PM | #15 |
YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Temecula
Posts: 669
| Hello all, Thank you all so much for your concern and wonderful advice. Slowly Muffin is starting to improve. I have an appointment with a Vet tommorrow as an emergency patient, but will continue the search for the perfect vet. One good thing is that her appetite has not been affected, and I am grateful for that. I continue to spend tons of loving time with her stroking and caressing her and talking to her and telling her she is home and she is safe (thanks Ann, no I don't think you sound like a nut and I don't think it sounds dumb at all. In fact, I think you are one of the very wisest and most helpful angels I know). So thank you again. It IS working Lillymae-Thanks so much for the referral, I will definitely look up Dr. Green and Dr. Cullens. They sound great. Cares for Dogs-Thanks for your concern. I'll try to answer your question about why I did not say anything at the time. There is a short answer and there is a long answer so i'll try to combine them. The short answer is, believe it or not, i simply didn't notice anything at the time. The long answer will explain this. Firstly, we had just flown in on a 6 hour flight from New Jersey to San Diego. We were exhausted, we had jet lag, our plane flew around in the air for 45 minutes before they would let us land. Then we had to get our baggage, wait for the airport van to take us to our car and then drive up to Murrieta which is about an hour away. We were exhausted but I just had to stop by and get my girls. When I got there, my dad was paying the bill while they brought both girls out to me. They were very excited to see me and were kissing me and jumping around in my arms. I completely trusted my Vet and was not looking for anything to be wrong, and although they were knotted up to the gills, Muffin especially has very thick dark coarse hair, and the knots were underneath the top coat of hair. We were in a hurry to leave and get them and ourselves home. I didn't put them down but just carried them out to the car ASAP, and everything seemed normal to me. She did not cough, or scratch or appear traumatized at the time. If she did, or she looked unduly terrible, I certainly would have said something to them, at the very least. But not until we got home and I started stroking them and running my fingers through their hair, and watching them try to walk when I put them down, and witnessed them coughing and scratching, and while trying to pet Muffins head had her cry out in pain, or watching her not want to play with her toys, or be afraid to walk into rooms, or have a chance to look closer at her eyes and see they were so encrusted, not until we were home and were a little more relaxed and had some rest, were we able to see all these things. And even then, sometimes you question yourself and wonder, "Am I imagining all this? Am I not seeing things right? Is this really accurate? After all, you have to understand I've had this vet for about 15 years, and nothing like this has ever happened before. My other yorkie Merlin never had a problem and they saw him all the time. So yes, you do question yourself and wonder if you are making mountains out of molehills. But when my Dad, who usually never makes a big deal out of anything, and feels that nothing is really any big deal, when even HE see's that something is REALLY wrong with Muffin, then you start to know your perceptions are right. And its such a shock too, after all those years of trusting our Vet, it's difficult to really believe this could actually happen there. So, there you have it. That is why I didn't make a beg deal at the Vets. I just didn't see it. Answers short and long. Imperez, Ontario is not too far from me, and its close to the other Airport we use. Maybe this person you speak of is a good option. I'd love to know more. Thank you jrsygal137 for your caring thoughts. And no, I didn't take pictures, I never thought of it, but I will talk to my present Vet after I get Muffin examined. Thanks sushidoodidoo, cthalhofer, Yorkie AZ, Wend, Bailie, alli173, and livingdustmops for all your kind words, caring and support. When I am beside mself with worry and anxiety, I count my blessings that you are all there beside me when I'm walking through the darkest storm. Thank you all, I am so fortunate to have you guys. Namaste, :-) Shellie |
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