Aftermath of x-rays and dealing with the vet. - Page 2

I think that I would write a letter to the vet, explaining why you are leaving his practice, and how, as a customer service business, you feel that his facility provided poor customer service.

I would send that letter registered mail, and make sure that they only allow the vet to sign for it.  Otherwise, it might not get to him.

He may not know what the tech said to you.  Sometimes staff members at vet clinics tend to be "pit bulls" in that they don't let anything disturb their boss.  Doesn't make it right, and you can do that without being a asshole, like this tech was.

If you want to PM me the vet's information, I would be happy to have my vet(boss/friend) call him and give him a heads up....

How frustrating.

I agree that you need to call and either speak with the OFFICE MANAGER, or THE VET.  It happens too often that a bit**y tech or head receptionist takes the liberty of running the practice how they think it should be run.  These same people are absolute brown nosers to the vet(s) so the vet(s) have no idea this is going on.  Maybe the vet was out of the office that day and the office staff decided they didn't need the doc.  A lot of them get cocky and think they can diagnose and treat just as well as a Dr.  I don't know, but I've sure known some clinics where there was weak management, so the staff took over.  Go into the clinic and politely demand to speak with the Dr. or the clinic manager if you have to.  The certified letter is a good idea, too, if all else fails.

The vet probably never even got the messages you left for him/her.

If this is not the case and the Dr. truly is a pile of poo, then go to a pawn shop, buy a baretta, file off the serial #s....

Having been one of those bitchy techs for a long time, I can also tell you the SOME vets issue orders that they are not to be bothered by a client under any circumstances.  Many times the vets assign duties to the techs that they are not really qualified to do like administering anesthesia, doing xrays unsupervised, declawing cats and neutering male dogs and cats. Some become vets because they like medicine, but do not want to be bothered by humans and have no "bedside manners" whatsoever. The tech may have only been carrying out her boss' orders. I agree that the vet needs to know, but I wouldn't be too surprised to learn he/she already does.

If this dog was anesthesized or tranqed, there would be no excuse for excessive manipulation that would cause discomfort unless  a wedge was used to try to luxate the hips as they do with the Penn Hip scheme. If the dog was awake during the manipulation and resisted it, that would explain it better to me. In either case, I suspect there is some malpractice or, at the least, a breach of ethics involved here, but trying to prove it will be a study in futility. Vets all talk to one another too and most here would be disappointed to know what goes on behind closed doors.  Make enemies with one and you are likely to make enemies with  most of their peers as well. The local society meetings consist more of who is charging how much for what than anything to do with animal health and welfare.  In every area there is usually the maverick vet, the guy who fell off his motorcycle, busted open his head and hasn't been "right" since. His peers will not call his abilities into question. No different than the world of human medicine, is it? If you have a good vet, appreciate him or her.

I don't advocate turning a blind eye toward this sort of conduct. However, it might not be in your best interests to press it too hard. I'd just cut my losses and look around for a new vet, one that is recommended by local dog and cat breeders. They generally know who the best vets are.

skimming over this thread i wondered just who actually did the x-rays.  perhaps the vet tech did them and while trying to position the dog correctly she injuried your dog? and is now trying to keep you and the vet apart so her mistake isn't discovered?  sounds crazy, though i've heard stranger things:) but it does explain the weird behavior. 

what gets me is vets are used to people showing concern for their animals, so why would your calls bother the vet? even if you called 3x as much it should still be manageable.  makes you think.  it sure seems like someone there is a bit loopy just a matter of who - the vet? the vet tech? both? anyway just a thought.  i do hope it's turns out to be nothing major and please post about her progress though if it is a ligament or muscle strain it may take a little time for it to heal.

I actually told the vet tech there must be a miscommunication issue, and she said "no, you are clearly unhappy, so he feels its best you find another vet"   All I wanted to know were answers to my questions, which I deserved after paying that amount.  I just wanted to talk to him about the results...it is very unprofessional to not have access to my dogs records, or a vet to speak to when I go pick my dog up after having something done that I feel is very important, especially since this is my first time having a dog OFA'ed.... I did recieve her bloodwork in the mail today though.  Thankfully the OFA is letting me send in the money to get the radiographs, and that the positioning looked fine.

It's called the god complex.