Wow. I have to say I am speechless about that. Definitely find a new vet.

Seriously? You think he's lying? That makes it even worse. I was wondering why they would be contacting him on Monday for tests that were supposedly just done on SUNDAY.

Hmm. Quite controlling, eh? He also wants me to 'stop by' on Monday before her appt and pick up the actual x rays to take with me.

I think he doesn't want anyone else to see his work.

I'm getting really bad vibes from all this and you guys have reinforced it. It's bringing back memories of a terrible surgical outcome I had one time - and all the secrecy and arm twisting that went along with it. And the paranoia of the doctors who treated me - regardless if it was their fault (and I never pointed fingers or filed a lawsuit) . . they were still horribly PARANOID. I had to cross state lines to get a second opinion - because they would all just call my first surgeon AND he would tell them I was lying. Or crazy. No one wanted me to get a second opinion. And it took some time and effort to figure out why. It can never be fixed and I've moved on but this whole weirdness is reminding me of it.

I really hope Lucy can be helped by the specialist. I hope that he or she wants to follow her consistently and help us through this problem. I hope that she does not need another surgery.

Fingers crossed - my appt is Tuesday and I'll update you then!

Sorry I went off on a tangent. Luckily, there is a small animal hospital that is opening - practically right out my back door!

Yes, I do think he lied. Perhaps I am wrong, but I don't think so. As for stopping by for the xrays, take someone with you. Do NOT let this man intimidate you. That crap about the recorded call was intimidation..there was NO reason for that.

I also hope she does not need another surgery.

Why should you pick up the x-rays anyway? They can e-mail them to the hospital. I've had that done before.

Did you ask him to e-mail them? Or maybe he won't do it?

I don't like the bullying tactics. Tell him your lawyer wants you to have witnesses with you during any interactions. Doesn't he have digital X-rays? Is his office inside a cave?

I'd have major concerns about this vet and would personally not allow him to see my animals again. If you have to pick up xrays, I'd take somebody with you and don't let your girl be in his sight. He seems really controlling.

Sometimes phone conversations are recorded to "assure customer satisfaction". Up to you whether that is acceptable or not. I don't have a problem with it..unless it comes to something like this. Everytime you talk to a vet and sometimes when you talk to a tech, a summary of what you said is put in the file (or at least it should be). If there is a referral made, the referring vet and specialist can and do talk about the case. And they can and do compare notes if they see something problematic (i.e. an owner trying to get drugs from regular vet when they have failed to f/u with specialist, etc.). That is all part of a referral. What isn't ok is that he cares so much about you not doing tests there and wanting to hear the conversation. Yes, I think he may be nervous about something. While the specialist definitely could have called and asked for records to be faxed over, I'm 99% sure they didn't ask for more tests to be done. They would have no reason to in this case. These tests have already been done and he hasn't figured it out. They aren't goig to want you to waste more money. Anyway, it sounds like he doesn't have digital xray. They would have absolutely no reason to want more films taken with an old machine. Digital xray is by far superior and much better for diagnosing.

I would run as fast as you can.

This isn't a hangnail or something. I don't see any reason why a vet would hesitate so much about referring out...or have such a big problem with the ower deciding to get a second opinion. All I can tell you is that no vet I know acts like this. They are happy to just get the animal where it can be helped.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

If you have agreed to stop by to pick up the xrays, I would call back and tell him you're sending a friend to pick them up. There is absolutely no good reason for you to physically see this vet again or to be in his office, unless he'll be doing the FU care on direction from the specialist, which I hope not.

The specialist will more than likely want fresh xrays anyway, and if they do want the older ones for comparison, they can make their own arrangements to get them. They can send a tech to pick them up or request them to be mailed or use a courier service.

I am so sorry you and Lucy are going through this and have to deal with wondering about your vet's behavior on top of it. Sending prayers that all will go well for Lucy with the specialist.

I have only read through part of this thread so forgive me if I'm off subject here but Why have they not tried putting her on Phenopropanalimyne (sp? ) for her incontinence ? Often this can be used temporarily to strengthen the bladder muscle & then occasionally during times of stress like a move or boarding.

She is on Phenypropanol ~ not sure if that's the same thing? She's been on it for several months - the plan was to try and back the dosage down. Once we tried to reduce the dosage - the incontinence started right back up.

We then went back to the old dosage - and it's just not working like it did the first time around.

Most definitely seems paranoid to me. He is really worried about a lawsuit coming out of this it seems. Good luck with the trip to the specialist!

Specialist Report
 

Lucy saw an IM specialist yesterday at OSU. She was there all day and the diagnosis was :

URINARY INCONTINENCE - SUSPECT URETHRAL SPHINCTER MECHANISM INCOMPETENCE.

Whatever that means. They did x rays which were negative for stones. The preliminary urinalysis was negative for bacteria or infection but they are sending it away for a culture.

Basically, they said it could be caused due to low estrogen or the Royal Canin diet, etc. etc. They don't think it has anything to do with her liver as her numbers are 'subclinical' and the stones were a different kind. Her bloodwork was good; BP good, etc. They didn't say how the bladder surgery might have impacted the incontinence.

Bottom line, they recommend that I increase her "Proin" to 1/4 tab three times per day as opposed to twice a day. If that doesn't work - they will consider adding estrogen.

THEY CALLED HER VET:( and made arrangements for her to have her BP checked in two weeks. And I will need additional medication this week. So I won\'t be escaping from him until I get that.

Anyway, a pretty good report - I still have no idea as to the cause - but they are convinced that she is on the right food for her and the right medication for her and she may need to be at the increased dosage for several months. Her BP was very good and that is their main concern with the Proin. So that did give me some peace of mind; that we are on the right track.

The IM mentioned that if this does not help - they could consider an ultrasound and cystoscopy to rule out any other disease process. Last resort - placement of a urethral occlusion device - which the IM said may not be an option due to Lucy\'s small size and probably not something she would consider for her own dog, she said.

That\'s where we\'re at!