Bad Experience at the Vet (pretty lengthy)

[Cheshirekatt]

Originally posted by zippy-kat
It wouldn't have been that big of a deal had the receiptionist told him I was coming and that he was going to "yell" (whether that was figurative or not, I don't know) at ___ tomorrow morning.

I'm a little hesitant to burn my bridges because I'm waiting for the results of the culture. I don't know what to do.

Not to scare you, but it's my experience that any vet that treats his staff this way (by telling clients that he's going to yell at them) usually doesn't treat the animals much better.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

[Kfamr]

I DON'T care if it was afterhours, I DON'T care if it wasn't an emergency (but, when something wrong with one of our babies, when is it not and emergency???), and I DON'T care if he knew nothing about it not being an emergency. The customer is ALWAYS right and he had no reason or right to so be so rude to you. It's very unprofessional and something should be said and done about him. I hope he's not like that to everyone who comes in afterhours.

And it seems as if he lied to you at first aobut what was wrong, then what seemed like possible trouble (you crying over the whole deal) he sucked up and started DOING HIS JOB.

[Aspen and Misty]

I would also be conserned. How many other times do you know of that he didn't just rush you out the door to get out of the office ASAP? I would be worried about him dignosing my bunny wrong (like he did with Piper at first) and my bun getting sick.



Ashley

[gini]

Tonya, first of all, I surmise that you are not traveling two hours to get to the vets and ignoring the excellent vet down the street from the house. I think you have mentioned that there are not that many good vets in your immediate area and also one that can treat bunnies.

What immediately comes to my mind is my own experience of taking one look at Rascal's ear and knowing that if I didn't get it treated immediately, he would be in really bigger trouble.

When I took him into the Vet - he almost exploded with "Oh, this is going to require surgery."

After all was said and done and Rascal came home with tubes in his ears to drain the abscess the vet apologized to me. Why?
He was already under the gun with many cases and I only added one more. He apologized and said that he was short-handed and became overloaded himself with so many emergencies.

The Vet is human - and there may have been all kinds of scenarios going on - his wife was yelling he was always late - it was his kid's birthday - on and on - not to mention that at the end of a day he is probably really tired.

For right now, I would give him the benefit of the doubt. Absolutely you should not have been treated this way and it is upsetting. But if there are no other vets nearby that can treat Piper - you may have to carefully think this through.

The most important thing is to get Piper healed - but of course, you already know that.

It won't hurt to ask around to everyone about vets......you are already driving so far - there must be others.

It sounds like the girl in the office doesn't know what she is doing and the communication is awful.

He did apologize to you and that has to be considered.

Please keep us posted and tell us how Piper is doing.

Hugs to you.......XXOO

[Cinder & Smoke]

HiYa, Zipp ~

First ~
How's the PATIENT doing??
Give Piper a {{{HUGG}}} or several,
and a few Ear Skritchies, too!

Next ~
SOOooo Sorry you were treated that way...

What to do??
I'll side with the Take a Deep Breath
*AND* Think of da Bunnie First crowd...

The Practice does have a reputation of Good Care with Bunnies...
THAT Fact ought to be considered before
you consider what to do with your injured feelings.

I do find it HARD to Believe a VET acted that way
to you (NOT that I doubt you)...
Which leads me to think Something Else was bothering him.
Gini offered some possibilities.

I'll also give him Two Points for
1) Actually Diagnosing the Piper Problem
2) And he DID apologize...
(TOO BAD he needs a LOT more than 2 Points to get
back to ZERO;
let alone put some points on the board.)

My Suggestion?
TRY (real hard) to act like it didn't happen when you speak with
any of them, and during the follow-up visit.

In fairness to Piper (who probably wasn't *bothered* by Doc's sour attitude a bit) - hold you unhappiness back until AFTER Piper is well.

And... you might (HOPEfully) see a Change In Attitude on
you next visit. Doc might be in for an earfull himself
after he chews out the receptionist. Once he hears HER side of
just what WAS pre-arranged with you...
He might be chewing on some Humble Pie!

Good Questions have been raised earlier:
1) Just what IS his position in the Practice??
Head Vet;
Partner with others;
or just Hired Help with a DVM after his name?

If he's the #1 Head Honcho -
- do some serious searching for another Bunnie Vet.

If he's a Partner or Hired Help -
Do try to give him the benifit of the doubt -
See how he treats you the next time (and I wouldn't be
bashfull about REMINDING him how he acted, if he
tries to ignore it and not apologize when he sees you.)
NO apology next time = Kick Ass!
As soon as Piper is finished with treatments;
march into the Head Honcho's office and lay it all
out for him.

One more You sound just like Dad thought -
It's PIPER that needs the Doc's Care & Knowledge - NOT you.
As long as PIPER is being Treated Well, try to forget his
crappy treatment of you.
But only "forget" till Piper's well -
THEN unload on him and the Boss with all you've got!

I'll HOPE he realizes just how UN-professionally he acted!
A Bouquet of Roses presented on your next visit would be in order!

{{{HUGGs}}} to You and Piper!
And give da Kitty a Few Skritchies, too!

/s/ Yur Bud - Phred

[zippy-kat]

Ya know, I understand human error. I understand a bad day. But the more I thought about what happened, the more irked I became. Also, I talked with my boss about the situation (he asked how the patient was this morning -- he loves animals ) & I briefly told him what happened. He agreed that it was over the top.

I did call today and spoke with the lady who gave the second ok to come down. Told her (politely) that I was calling in regards to something that happened yesterday that upset me greatly. I explained the situation noting that (1) I wasn't trying to get anyone in trouble and that (2) up until yesterday I had had nothing but good things to say about the practice but (3) what happened yesterday disappointed me greatly, enough so that I was thinking of taking my business elsewhere; (4)bottom line, I just wanted to find out what/where the miscommunication was. She DID act concerned and even sounded a little shocked at what happened, she said she would do some checking and call me back. She failed to return my call. If she does not call tomorrow, I will be writing a letter and will def. take Piper somewhere else. Exactly where that will be, I don't know.

I got to thinking... what he did to Piper was not any different than what any other vet would do. (Check for mites, ringworms...) And, in all honesty, he wasn't sure what was going on with my bunny... it was a case of "let's try this and see if it works." I respect and value his route of treatment, but I guess I keep going back to the fact that... he didn't know.

On the plus side, Piper's attitude, eating, pottying habbits have NOT changed. It's truly NOT an emergency situation which makes it good to test the waters with other vets. I'm driving two hours NE... I can drive two hours SE just as easily to two other cities. And, if all else fails, I have Sophie's vet in Las Cruces.

[zippy-kat]

As for the pecking order...

I know there are three vets that work there (I've seen all of them at one point or another) but I don't know who owns the clinic, who is above who in rank, or anything like that.

[Miss Meow]

Oh no, I only just caught this thread.

I'm sorry the woman didn't return your call. Either she's waiting for someone's input, or she's not meeting her commitment to you.

If they can't come back with an explanation, I'd be looking for another vet. The hooman needs care in veterinary situations, too

[ramanth]

How's Piper?

Any word back from the vets?

[lizbud]

Originally posted by zippy-kat
As for the pecking order...

I know there are three vets that work there (I've seen all of them at one point or another) but I don't know who owns the clinic, who is above who in rank, or anything like that.

The answer to this question could make all the difference in
how I'd respond. The Vet himself might be the one driving to
another Clinic (to work), not you. I think they owe you a huge
apology. How's Piper doing now? O.K., I hope.

[zippy-kat]

Originally posted by ramanth
How's Piper?

Any word back from the vets?

Piper's losing more fur.
I quit using the cream the vet gave me... something just doesn't feel right in using it. (Not only that, I think it burns him. He tries to lick it off and if the slightest bit ends up on his tongue, he goes bezerk.) I tried to medicate and then put an E-collar on him (Sophie had to wear it after her spay), but that went over like a brick.

The vet mentioned I could use a cortizone cream on him, I think I'm going to try that until I can get him to a different vet (this wk is finals for me, there's absolutely no way I can get anywhere before Saturday). I'm also going to order some herbal hot-spot & skin calming remedies.

Piper eats and plays and cuddles -- he's apparently fine except that he's going bald!? (I can hear the "hare tonic" jokes coming on... lol)


On a positive note, I have (sorta) found a new bunny vet. A cousin linked me to the vet who treated (and saved!) his ferret for cancer. I hate starting from scratch but think it's best.



As for the other vets... not a word from them.
I had planned on writing a letter of complaint and getting it in today's post, but that didn't happen. I'll probably let it go until after finals.

[tatsxxx11]

Oh Tonya, I was so furious when I read how rudely and UNprofessionally you and Piper were treated! Even if the vet felt he had a point re: some scheduling issue, that was not your fault or your problem and he should have treated his client and family with the professionalism that is to be expected and dealt with his staff, policies etc. another day!

However, I can't honestly say that I'm shocked to hear how you were treated. Having worked with drs. and medical people most of my adult life, I have often been witness to such arrogant, rude and unprofessional treatment of patients/families by drs. Not all, but it certainly is not a rarity! I'll never forget one occasion when I was discussing with my vet (from years ago) a similar type experience a friend of mine had with her vet. In addition to being rude to the owner, his treatment of the animal was less than compassionate. Technically appropriate but unfeeling and "cold." His response to me was, "Sandra, just because someone becomes a vet, doesn't necessarily mean he/she loves animals; or people!" Now THAT shocked me! I suppose there are many reasons why people go into veterinary medicine, not all of them alturisitc. Still, the job title does require a modicum of tact, gentleness, compassion and patience.

I am so thankful for having been blessed with the most exceptional vets. Last year I rushed my kitty Mr. B to the on call vet at my hospital for breathing difficulties. (He has asthma and a heart condition) Of course Mr. B decided to hide under the bed and we arrived there late...with my vet and his wife waiting at the door decked out in a tux and formal gown! On top of that, once we got there, Mr. B was fine! I felt SO bad to have dragged him from a formal occasion for "nothing" and he told me not to worry one bit and gave him a complete exam. That's what he's there for, he said! One other time, Oliver would NOT get out of the kitchen sink and sat there lethargic for hours hoping I would turn on the water so he could stick his head under it! I finally broke down and called the vet and rushed me to the "ER." Again, no apologies needed! I hope that little Piper begins to heal and that you find a vet worthy of you both! I know you well enough to know that NOTHING you did warrants such treatment! I hope you do write that letter, too!

[ramanth]

Oh Piper. *hugs and bunny kisses* Please don't lose anymore of that beautiful fur!

Tonya, you mentioned you have finals... is it possible that Piper is sensing your stress and subsequently losing his fur? If you already have considered that possability, my apologies. It was the first thing I thought of.

I hope (after your finals of course) that you write them a letter. That is positively rude of them to not contact you.

I'm so sorry you have to go thru this.