Does this sound right...re: dog staying over night in the hospital?
 

My Sugar had surgery today to remove a mammary tumor, was spayed,and had her teeth cleaned. It will cost $600 which it alot of money but luckily I do have some saved so I can do it...obviously I would do whatever I had to do to help her. My question though is that the vet said she had to stay overnight which is fine since I know someone will be watching her...after all I am being charged hospital fees which are over and above the other costs. Then I found out that no one is at the "hospital" with them at night...in fact they are alone in their cages from 6 pm to 7 am. When I asked about that and why she had to stay if she was alone all night...the answer was in case she had diarrhea or vomiting they could see it int he morning. I said if that was the case if she was at home, I would see it right away and get her help if she needed. They said it was just standard protocol, but also said it was better for her to be confined to a cage all night so she didnt exert herself too much which makes some sense...though I could do that at home too.
Anyways I gave in...I didnt feel I had any choice.
I just wondered if this is standard protocol at animal hospitals...I have a friend that said it was the same thing at her vet which surprised her also.
Does anyone else have experience with this? Thanks
Laura

I wouldn't want to leave Zoey when no one is there overnight with them. Makes no sense to me. I think you were right on the money that you would be able to tend to her better at home.

Some vets do it but it is a horrible protocol and, because of the danger of leaving a pet alone that was just anesthetized, I would not allow it.

Too much can go wrong...

some vets do this however i would only leave my pet overnight if there was 24/7 staff. if no one is going to be there then there is no point. you can keep her in a crate at home and monitor D/V on your own. Plus if it was that serious she should be transfered to a emergency hospital for over night care.

I just wanted to add, what's done is done.
Everything should be fine but I just would not let them do this anymore.
I would hesitate to go to a vet at all with this policy.

I know, it doesn't make sense at all to me. Boarding is the same way. No one there. I had to board Bella & the Vet suggested her to be spayed while she was there. I thought, no way am I going to leave her there that long after surgery when no one's there to check on her all night, and it's worse on the weekends. When pets have medical procedures, you would think something would be in place, if not a webcam at least in case of emergency. I hope your baby will recoup and home soon.

Alot of times they'll recommend overnight. And when a discussion comes up about who's there, they'll let the owner take them home. I hate to be pushed into a corner, I know how you feel. Sorry she's there alone. I'm sure she'll be sleeping and resting, morning will be here in no time.

Thanks, I thought it was strange and now I feel I should have stuck to my guns. I think I am not a very good dog mom and am sorry I gave in. I just felt like I was being over anxious which I admit I am about my animals, compared to some people. My son who is 26, doesnt live at home anymore, but has a special bond with this dog thought it was crazy too...in fact, when he called to check on her and they gave him some generic answer...like they had me...which was "all of the animals who had surgery are doing well," he said "have you seen her?" and when they answered no they just had a sheet which told them which dogs had surgery and that there were no problems, he asked would they go check on her. He was more forceful than I was but still we didnt really get satisfaction.
I am saying a prayer tonight that she is sleeping and not aware of what is going on and that the night passes quickly. I go to this vet because they are 5 minutes away and they were very compassionate 15 yrs ago when I had to have my first dog put to sleep. I like the vet personally, but I am not going to give in again when I know its not right.

Ah honey, try to rest tonight. I am sure she's going to be fine, she will just sleep the whole night through as it was a rough day for her. Tomorrow when you pick her up, she will be thrilled to see you.

And if there's ever any 'next time' - you can insist on bringing her home, but for tonight there's no sense in making your brain go nuts. We'll all say a little pray for the little peanut ;)

If no ones are there at night , It is not an animal hospital , its only a clinic . I am working part time in a hospital , we have peoples 24/7 to take care of the little ones .

Hang in there... morning will come soon.

I had a vet try that with me once when my little shih tzu was neutered. They said he was staying, and I said he wasn't.
I gave a time that I would be there to get him and they said "If the doctor says he can leave then..." and I replied that he will be leaving with me.
They had no one there at night either, and I told them that I would be caring for him during the night. I also explained that I am a nurse, so basic care of any living creature must be the same to a certain extent!
The women in the office were very rude and huffy when I arrived to pick him up that afternoon. They didn't think I should be taking him home, so I simply asked the one with the worst attitude, "Will you stay here tonight and make sure he's ok?" She was terribly flustered and shoved him into my arms, saying, "Don't drop him!" and turned heel and walked out.
We left, with a promise to not go there again... and we didn't, and he is fine. So having him home didn't damage him in any way, shape or form....

Kiss your baby in the AM and love on her ALL day!:aimeeyork

I know how you feel- I had to leave Banjo all nite after leg surgery-they did say 1 student was there all night!!:confused: I kind of thought for how many dogs(Vet School) and I figured they slept or studied all nite, too! :eek: I would rather he had been w/ me!
Try and get some sleep, so you can take really good care of her tomorrow!!
Hugs to you and baby!!

This is standard protocol with my vet. When Gracie had her LP surgery, I expressed concern about them being alone at night. The vet said the worst that has ever happened is they might pull out their IV. The vet assured me the animals are not left alone if they have not been stable for several hours. My vet said I could find a 24 hour hospital and transport Gracie there myself the evening after surgery, then go get her and bring her back to our vet hospital the next morning. I figure if I am going to go to that trouble, I might as well have the surgery done at the 24 hour hospital. Holly has her spay next Monday and she will stay the night. The vet gives them a heavy dose of pain meds before they leave at night, so the animals generally sleep all night long. It is harder on us than it is on them.

vet
 

What's done is done...but next time do not leave them for any reason if no one is there, all night and checking on your dog...and if the dog is very ill, move it to a 24 hr ER to have supervision all night.

I did have a girl with a serious throat infection (had a trach tube)....she had to stay for 4 nights...I paid a tech to stay with her...

Yes, I experienced the same thing when I was going to board my dog at the vet's for a week and found out there was no one on duty overnight (unlike other boarding places that have 24-hour attendants). I decided then to switch him to another place where there was someone who slept overnight with the dogs. HOWEVER, when my dog was very sick once, I discovered that the vet's practice is to transfer sick dogs back to the local Vet ER for the night (which the owner has to do -- and then pick the pup up again to transfer to the vet's the next morning).

I don't understand the point of leaving an animal there if no one is there!! When Teddi had to go to the hospital my vet said she would rather me to go a hospital that is further because the one that is closer only had techs there at nite and the one that we ended up going to has actual docors (several) there all nite. It was a real hospital (like a people hospital) but for animals. They were great. I could call them any time to get updates and I could go there any time of nite too.

This is so similar to what happens to people concerning their medical care. We all have the right to object to "standard protocol" when our own best opinion differs from that of our doctor/nurse. Somehow though we sometimes don't feel comfortable in asserting ourselves in these situations. I can totally understand how you feel and why you let him stay the night.

Everyone is right. What is done is done. Get some rest and go get that little guy tomorrow. Best wishes for both of you.

My vet allowed me to bring Jazzie home the day of her spay. She was very sleepy. However, she did awaken enough to go potty outside, drink some water and take a few nibbles of food. After that she konked out again. If this is common in your vet office then she will be OK, go check on her in the morning so you can see that she is OK. Don't be afraid to be pushy, this is your baby and you are paying a hefty amount for her good care. May you sleep soundly and your baby recover quickly.

choice of staying!
 

you might misunderstand my statement!
the choice of staying (from the point of our yorkie), who the yorkie would like to stay with? my answer is the parents! 24/24h! yes, absolutely!
In 2003, I had once left my first yorkie Momo who passed away by staying in vet's place over the weekend, I called the Monday morning and I was told Momo gone. My only reflection was to regret not to keep Momo in my arms when he was leaving though he was over 12 years old. I asked myself if Momo thought that I abandoned him as he was found alone in a cage at the vet's place. I was so hurt, I would never forgive myself if he thought so. Since then, I will never let my yorkie stay anywhere without me, my love for my yorkie is the best medicine and support I believe. I only think and feel that our yorkie feels absolutely in security next to us, even they are in a critical condition of sickness. My own opinion! :(

The staying overnight thing happened to me too when I put Mochi for spaying surgery. After reading so many posts here, I have decided not to leave Mochi there after the surgery even though the nurse said she had to stay.

After the surgery the hospital called and told me her condition. I was asked if I wanted to pick her up since she was in good condition, I answered YES without even thinking thru with my brain.

Actually I planned to go to the hospital and pick her up even the hopsital didn't call me, but I was lucky that I was able to pick my Mochi up the same day. Thank goodness! She cried a lot that night after getting home, and I was so thankful that I was by her side holding her, giving her lots of kisses and crying with her. (Poor little thing made me cry when she cried :D ) Imagine what she could feel if she was left in the cage at the hospital without me by her side!

staying overnight
 

I think this is standard protocol, but I don't leave my babies at the vet's over night if I can help it. I brought both of my Bichons home the same day they were spayed/neutered, but did leave the little rescue Chihuahua over night. They kept her sedated and she was so timid and afraid that I felt it might be best for her. I couldn't cuddle and soothe her like I could my Bichons. She is so small and the vet seeing her the day after her surgery was important. My vet knows me well so she will let me take my dogs home. I think you can insist on doing what you want to do and the vet can't stop you. As long as I was happy and confident the dog would be just as well off in my care (or maybe better off) I would insist on taking the dog home.

I too, have left my dog overnite before I was smart enough to ask. It will never happen again. I have traveled 1 1/2 hours away if mine need any surgery that they need to stay overnite where they have someone to stay with them. It's like anything else, you need to get better informed. In the future you will know and can make better arrangements. I'm sure she will be fine but I think this will stop if enough consumers complain about it.

How is Sugar doing today?

I had A.J neutered at the vet school and that's where I'll take KaCee to be spayed (whenever I convince myself she's big enough:rolleyes: ). They keep them 2 nights. You bring them in on day 1 for bloodwork, they are kept overnight, neutered first thing in the morning, monitered overnight and then released the morning of day 3. I actually chose to have the surgerys done at the vet school because of how long they keep them. It is staffed 24/7 and a student will be assigned specifically to each pet.

wow all this makes me really love my vet! there is always someone there over night and everyone at our vet is awsome:)

i wouldnt leave martini unless she had some1 watching her...the hospital she stayed in when she was sick was a 24/hr one and i was able to talk to some1 at all hours of the nite...other then that i wouldnt leave her shed come home and i'd watch her

vet
 

One reason for me is the fact I have known two vets who had fires...one mall pet shop also...an ER clinic, but they were able to save most of the animals. Nothing is 100% safe, even at home.

Good morning! How is your sweety baby doing today??

Just wanted to thank everyone for the support...what an amazing site this is with so many caring people. Sugar is home and though they had to remove several tumors,instead of one , she seems almost like herself. I dont know what the future will hold for her but I am glad to have her safe home with me tonight. Everyone was sweet when I picked her up, but even so, I will never use them again knowing their policy of leaving the dogs alone. Thanks again

So glad that you have your baby home again. Its great that she is recovering so fast. Hope the future is bright and that she is with you for a long time to come. :)