Please help advice?- dog surrendered to hospitaldue to high cost of vet medical bill

[hugz4all4]

I have no real advice to give, other than this totally shocks me. I really didnt think they could do that.. wow, what a world we live in. . Im so sorry that you are dealing with this.

[YorkieRose]

I placed a resuce JR Terrier whose owner used a Banfield vet. The records showed a total of 30 routine vaccines in 3 yrs..that is irresponsible vet care IMO.

[Dame]

Originally Posted by Nico29

This is completely outrageous. I suggest you call the local bar association and ask for a few names of attorneys that deal with personal property and contract disputes. It sounds like you were under extreme duress when you signed over your dog. That could possibly be your defense. It is shocking to me that you/your family cannot get your beloved dog back. I would call corporate offices (if it applies) and give them H*** until someone who has a heart will be able to help me. That baby belongs with you and I wouldn't just accept what they say. Sorry if this posts sounds innapropriate it's just that my heart is broken for you and you are being mistreated to say the least.

My heart goes out to you as well.. and I have to agree with this poster. I would approach the vet who diagnosed her with the pancreatitis. Ask them if they feel that it should have been caught sooner and if the other veterinarian may be liable for what happened. I don't know how malpractice works for vets (or if there is such a thing.) If the vet who finally diagnosed her is cooperative, you may be able to bring forth some kind of suit against the hospital for all the money spent on inadequate treatment and the loss of your pet do to it.

I do not know if it will really be successful - but if not, the odds that she'll end up being re-homed with one of the vet techs or workers is REALLY high. So while the situation is heartbreaking and completely unnecessary in some ways... she will most likely end up in a position where she'll be able to get all the healthcare she'll ever need at a discounted cost. Is not a great solution or the way anyone would like it to go, but at least you can hold on to that little snippet of positivity.

[Nico29]

Originally Posted by Dame

My heart goes out to you as well.. and I have to agree with this poster. I would approach the vet who diagnosed her with the pancreatitis. Ask them if they feel that it should have been caught sooner and if the other veterinarian may be liable for what happened. I don't know how malpractice works for vets (or if there is such a thing.) If the vet who finally diagnosed her is cooperative, you may be able to bring forth some kind of suit against the hospital for all the money spent on inadequate treatment and the loss of your pet do to it.

I do not know if it will really be successful - but if not, the odds that she'll end up being re-homed with one of the vet techs or workers is REALLY high. So while the situation is heartbreaking and completely unnecessary in some ways... she will most likely end up in a position where she'll be able to get all the healthcare she'll ever need at a discounted cost. Is not a great solution or the way anyone would like it to go, but at least you can hold on to that little snippet of positivity.

I believe that all vets have to have malpractice. Someone brilliantly posted about getting media attention. The ER and Banfield will LISTEN to you once they are all over the news. That will kill their reputation. --Hopefully, they can work something out with you before it airs on tv so they won't be humiliated. In NY they have "7 on your side" which is a reporter who investigates situations like this. The saying is, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil," --meaning that I suggest telling the news paper and tv your story. Too many times I don't speak up for myself and I watch other poeple speak up and get results. I hope you have the energy left in you to show other people what they did to you so it won't happen to them. I am thinking of you and praying for you everyday. From the bottom of my heart I hope you get your sweet love back. Remember--I posted earlier about how you signed your furbaby over while you were under complete duress. I think that you have a case here. If there is anything I can do....please don't hesitate to ask.

[JERSEY BOY]

I am so sorry for you. Please know you did what was best for your baby to get her the care she needed at the time.

[JeanieK]

Originally Posted by Nico29

I believe that all vets have to have malpractice. Someone brilliantly posted about getting media attention. The ER and Banfield will LISTEN to you once they are all over the news. That will kill their reputation. --Hopefully, they can work something out with you before it airs on tv so they won't be humiliated. In NY they have "7 on your side" which is a reporter who investigates situations like this. The saying is, "The squeaky wheel gets the oil," --meaning that I suggest telling the news paper and tv your story. Too many times I don't speak up for myself and I watch other poeple speak up and get results. I hope you have the energy left in you to show other people what they did to you so it won't happen to them. I am thinking of you and praying for you everyday. From the bottom of my heart I hope you get your sweet love back. Remember--I posted earlier about how you signed your furbaby over while you were under complete duress. I think that you have a case here. If there is anything I can do....please don't hesitate to ask.

I really believe that she has done what is best for the dog. the expenses in the future could get to be more than she can afford. this way she knows the dog will get the care it needs.

In my opinion she can now put this behind her, and move forward knowing that she did all that she could do

Getting the dog back is only going to mean more expenses in the future and she cannot afford them. A wise person knows when they have reached their limit.

[dwerten]

there is no malpractice insurance with dogs they are considered personal property so all you can do is take them to small claims court. Vets are a business and they have business insurance but not malpractice

Also i was told when i took dex in to hospital right upfront - pancreatitis is a very expensive disease to treat and can be life long so they told me right upfront to think about this and i had to give 2k that night after spending 3k already. They recommended plasma transfusion as he was so severe and the last yorkie they lost so i went more aggressive since he relapsed already and was very sick so i felt that saved his life. Pancreatitis is very tough and if combined with ibd in small intestines it can keep recurring then lead to diabetes or epi so it is very important to get it under control fast or it can lead to those other diseases and a dog that gets it can get it very easily again. Diet is very critical and vets do not know very much about diets at all as they only take one nutrition class in vet school so they rely on hill's,etc and hill's i/d caused my dog to relapse and i called the company and they defended the food yet the specialty hospital said many dogs relapse on that food. I was furious but they would not remove from their recommended list for pancreatitis and it has pork in it which is high in fat. The better foods are purina ha or ultra z/d.

I feel lucky dex has been on track but i am a nervous wreck when anyone is at my house telling them to eat outside or over the table as if they drop something i will freak as anything can set him off per vet.

[Dame]

Originally Posted by dwerten

there is no malpractice insurance with dogs they are considered personal property so all you can do is take them to small claims court. Vets are a business and they have business insurance but not malpractice

Dwerten, I'm not really talking about malpractice insurance. You can however in many states (sucessfully depending on the conditions it seems) sue for malpractice. Malpractice insurance is a whole 'nother ball game.

Veterinarian Malpractice
Veterinary Malpractice Overview

Not sure how far you'd get in NJ, but I think you'd have a shot.

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

I really don't know that the OP will have a super solid case for getting her 8k back because of all this - but this may put her in the position for it to all be resolved and for her to receive her animal back because of the position she was put in. I am not a vet, and we don't know what the physical records look like, but it sounds to as though this vet fell below the standard of care in at least one instance.

[Dame]

Originally Posted by ally173

Dog Name Ava Saade client ID 108917
Currently at Animal Emergency & Referral Associates
1237 Bloomfield Ave
Fairfield, NJ 07004 973-226-3282
Vet Jennifer Norton

You can file a complaint against her to the NJ Vet. Licensing board as well:

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Just click the complaint form link, its a pdf.

[ally173]

Originally Posted by Dame

You can file a complaint against her to the NJ Vet. Licensing board as well:

New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs - State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners

Just click the complaint form link, its a pdf.

thanks i already filed this one today; will be sending the medical and vaccine history with it.

thanks

[smartpuppiepets]

It may be a late advice but ... better late than never.
I am so sorry you are going through all of this but at least you had the option of surrendering your dog for them to treat instead of "putting her to sleep" as i hear more often. believe me , many had only 2 options: pay or put to sleep.

Anyways, i wanted to mention to you about pet insurance! I have been recommending it to our puppy owners. We have been so blessed, i seldom have reports of accidents or illnesses in our puppies and dogs, and when i hear something usually are accidents. but since i had a few people telling me how good insurance can be i started recommending it, at least for the first time owners i am sure it is a good investment and is also peace of mind.

Another thing i want to say , would be more like a question: Pancreatitis???
2 puppies i adopted out had it, the first one about 3 years ago , she ate chinese chicken and ended up sick, throwing up and ended up on an emergency hospital, they called me right away , and i was suspicious of the food and vets confirmed it. The spices and seasonings do not agree with dogs and most likely was too rich and caused her pancreatitis. she was given meds, and fluids and sent home. never had any other episode, she is 4 years old now.
the other puppy was a male, about a year and a half ago, he "stole" his mom cheeseburguer, did not eat the whole thing , but he was just about 6 months old at the time, she called, he was throwing up and i advised her to bring him in, her regular vet saw him, gave him fluids and other meds there and sent him home without food or water for 24 hours. he was fine next day and never had it again. Accidents happen... so it was a one time only.

Anyways, you are talking about pancreatitis as if it is something chronic?? Is that what you have been told? If it is, i need to admit that is the first time i hear of it as been a chronic condition. And how can it be genetic or hereditary??? If that was the diagnose you were given?
I would look into it, as a matter of a fact i am now curious my self. I never heard of this being a chronic condition or congenital or else.... as far as i ver knew and my vet explained to me this is triggered by fatty foods or food poisoning and as long as you keep a healthy diet there is no reason for the dog to be sick again....
I think there is more than what they are telling you !

XOXO

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by smartpuppiepets

It may be a late advice but ... better late than never.
I am so sorry you are going through all of this but at least you had the option of surrendering your dog for them to treat instead of "putting her to sleep" as i hear more often. believe me , many had only 2 options: pay or put to sleep.

Anyways, i wanted to mention to you about pet insurance! I have been recommending it to our puppy owners. We have been so blessed, i seldom have reports of accidents or illnesses in our puppies and dogs, and when i hear something usually are accidents. but since i had a few people telling me how good insurance can be i started recommending it, at least for the first time owners i am sure it is a good investment and is also peace of mind.

Another thing i want to say , would be more like a question: Pancreatitis???
2 puppies i adopted out had it, the first one about 3 years ago , she ate chinese chicken and ended up sick, throwing up and ended up on an emergency hospital, they called me right away , and i was suspicious of the food and vets confirmed it. The spices and seasonings do not agree with dogs and most likely was too rich and caused her pancreatitis. she was given meds, and fluids and sent home. never had any other episode, she is 4 years old now.
the other puppy was a male, about a year and a half ago, he "stole" his mom cheeseburguer, did not eat the whole thing , but he was just about 6 months old at the time, she called, he was throwing up and i advised her to bring him in, her regular vet saw him, gave him fluids and other meds there and sent him home without food or water for 24 hours. he was fine next day and never had it again. Accidents happen... so it was a one time only.

Anyways, you are talking about pancreatitis as if it is something chronic?? Is that what you have been told? If it is, i need to admit that is the first time i hear of it as been a chronic condition. And how can it be genetic or hereditary??? If that was the diagnose you were given?
I would look into it, as a matter of a fact i am now curious my self. I never heard of this being a chronic condition or congenital or else.... as far as i ver knew and my vet explained to me this is triggered by fatty foods or food poisoning and as long as you keep a healthy diet there is no reason for the dog to be sick again....
I think there is more than what they are telling you !

XOXO

Uh, are you sure about that? Please see below:

When the pancreas is injured either from disease or from trauma, the production of digestive enzymes decreases, or the enzymes may actually start to digest surrounding organs including the pancreas itself.
"This disease mimics and can be mimicked by almost any acute gastrointestinal disorder as well as a variety of extra-intestinal diseases," says Colin Burrows, BVetMed, Ph.D, MRCVS, professor of medicine, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida. "Severe cases are routinely included in the differential diagnosis." The most common ones are 1) acute gastroenteritis; 2) exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease; 3) intestinal obstruction; 4) peritonitis; and 5) acute renal failure.
Pancreatitis is the disorder that happens when the pancreas becomes inflamed. There are two classification of the disease, chronic and acute.
"Basically, there are differences between chronic and acute," says Dr. Jorg Steiner, DVM, DACZIM, DECZIM, Gastrointestinal Laboratory Professor, Texas A&M, College Station, TX. "The most important, when acute pancreatitis is over, there is no remaining damage to organs. Acute is more commonly severe, and chronic is more commonly mild."
"Pancreatitis can be very serious," says Dr. Mary Labato, DVM, internal medicine, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA. "It can run the gamut from mild with vomiting to life threatening and the cause of rapid death."
"Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas that occurs abruptly with little or no permanent pathologic change," say Dr. Labato. "Acute necrotizing pancreatitis is a life threatening disease that can lead to acute renal failure, pleural effusion, and death. Chronic pancreatitis is a continuing inflammatory disease that is often accompanied by irreversible changes."

[smartpuppiepets]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Uh, are you sure about that? Please see below:

When the pancreas is injured either from disease or from trauma, the production of digestive enzymes decreases, or the enzymes may actually start to digest surrounding organs including the pancreas itself.
"This disease mimics and can be mimicked by almost any acute gastrointestinal disorder as well as a variety of extra-intestinal diseases," says Colin Burrows, BVetMed, Ph.D, MRCVS, professor of medicine, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida. "Severe cases are routinely included in the differential diagnosis." The most common ones are 1) acute gastroenteritis; 2) exacerbations of inflammatory bowel disease; 3) intestinal obstruction; 4) peritonitis; and 5) acute renal failure.
Pancreatitis is the disorder that happens when the pancreas becomes inflamed. There are two classification of the disease, chronic and acute.
"Basically, there are differences between chronic and acute," says Dr. Jorg Steiner, DVM, DACZIM, DECZIM, Gastrointestinal Laboratory Professor, Texas A&M, College Station, TX. "The most important, when acute pancreatitis is over, there is no remaining damage to organs. Acute is more commonly severe, and chronic is more commonly mild."
"Pancreatitis can be very serious," says Dr. Mary Labato, DVM, internal medicine, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine, North Grafton, MA. "It can run the gamut from mild with vomiting to life threatening and the cause of rapid death."
"Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas that occurs abruptly with little or no permanent pathologic change," say Dr. Labato. "Acute necrotizing pancreatitis is a life threatening disease that can lead to acute renal failure, pleural effusion, and death. Chronic pancreatitis is a continuing inflammatory disease that is often accompanied by irreversible changes."

Thanks so much !
I wanted to look into it yesterday but was too lazy and too sleepy! Seriously, it is the first time i hear of a dog chronically Ill with pancreatitis.
but in one of the OP threads she mentioned that she did not know it was there like if her dog was born with this condition? I guess malfunctioning of organs can happen with any living thing. But in your explanation it begins saying : disease or trauma! Anyways i feel bad for the OP , but at least she had the option to get the dog treated.
well, i appreciate the explanation anyways. living and learning !

[ally173]

my dog had a pancreatitis attack but since she was only 2 years and had a chance to live by treatment; the vet didn't want to put her to sleep; only dogs that have no chance or little chance to live will have that option.
my dog was always showing symptoms of anorexia and vomiting; but for 2 years i have been asking the vet and they diagnosed her with gastritis; which is a common thing if you read about it. sometimes chronic pancreatitis is hard to diagnos until a full blow attack is present; and those attacks are unpredictable; in this case it was because the vet force fed my dog the night before.
thanks for your input

[smartpuppiepets]

Originally Posted by ally173

my dog had a pancreatitis attack but since she was only 2 years and had a chance to live by treatment; the vet didn't want to put her to sleep; only dogs that have no chance or little chance to live will have that option.
my dog was always showing symptoms of anorexia and vomiting; but for 2 years i have been asking the vet and they diagnosed her with gastritis; which is a common thing if you read about it. sometimes chronic pancreatitis is hard to diagnos until a full blow attack is present; and those attacks are unpredictable; in this case it was because the vet force fed my dog the night before.
thanks for your input

I think you are blessed anyways to have the vet give you that option. I have friends and i know people that only got the cold: pay or put to sleep option. And they were so desperate. who would not be?
It may not be very useful or comforting now but if the dog can now have an owner that will be able to care for her for life that may be the best for the dog and for you.
Can you at least get updates? on how well the dog is, and who the adoptive person will be?
And by your explanation, it was only diagnosed because of the force feeding... but it was there already right? the force feeding just caused the full blown attack... and from what i understand it will most likely happen again?
Well, i hope you will find ways to cope and it will all resolve on the best way for all involved.
You must be very hurt and words may never be enough to comfort you.
XOXO