The vet operataed on the wrong leg! What do I do???

amcfox0 · 06-06-2008

So I finally decided to get my first dog. She is a small, very sweet, black Chihuahua named Bella. She started to limp pretty bad so I took her to the vet. He said that in small dogs it is not uncommon for their patella's to be out of place and he could perform corrective surgery to fix it. Of course, I absolutely LOVE my dog and could afford to go through with it so I opted to get it done. Yesterday, I went to pick her up at the vet and the doctor totally did surgery on the wrong knee!!!!! I tried to keep it together but I was pretty upset. The most upsetting part was that he made me pay the full price, $400, and said, "If she is still limping in 3-4 days, then bring her in and I will fix the other one for half price since that is what I would have charged to fix both in the first place." I told him that of course she is still going to limp because he didn't fix anything!!!! He was completely not sorry, did not offer to give me my money back, and did not offer to fix the right one for free. And to top it all off, he said that this happens all the time! He said that he looked at the X-ray and there was a problem in the opposite knee, not the one I brought her in for. The funny thing about that is that he NEVER TOOK X-RAYS!!! If anyone knows anything about this topic please HELP or give me advice!!! I have never had this happen before, am completely ignorant on this, and do not know anyone that is willing to help!

ADVICE????

LadyA · 06-07-2008

How AWFUL for you!!!!!!! First of all, I would get a lawyer; keep all the documentation that you have on her exams and all information you told us. If nothing else, you should be able to go to small claims court to recoup the money. And the most important thing of all......FIND A NEW VET!!!! This is outrageous behavior, and should not be tolerated!! I don't know how you ended up with this particular vet, but I would start getting referrals from friends and dog owners in your town to find a QUALIFIED vet!!! Get in touch with the ASPCA, either through the internet or by phone, this has got to be something they would be interested in. I honestly don't know how you didn't lunge at him in the office...maybe it's just me but I'm pretty sure that once I had my dog in hand, I would have lost my marbles all over his butt!!! But I'm sure that by keeping your cool, which will help you, as he can't come back and try to sue you for assault. I would definitely spend a lot of time getting information from a lawyer, and the ASPCA and get this guy if you can, so he can't do it to any one else!!! This is just appalling!!! Please keep us updated on what happens, as I am sure that there are others, just like you, who will come to this site looking for help. I am glad to say (though sorry that I can't give you first hand advice) that I have never heard of anything like this happening before, however I am sure that it does. Best wishes, and know that we are here for you to vent anytime, and to give any support you need that is in our power! Give Bella a kiss for us and tell her that we are in her corner!

amcfox0 · 06-07-2008

Thanks for your advice!!!! I went to the vet, again, this morning after I took the night to cool off. I spoke with him and explained to him that I wanted copies of all of his documentation, the x-rays, and a full refund to help me pay to take my dog to a different vet for the check-ups and the correct surgery. The vet gave me copies of all of my papers, told me he never said that he took x-rays (even though I had a friend with me that heard him refer to x-rays), and refused to give me a refund because "I was not deserving." He did however say that he would fix the right leg for free but he is the last person that I want to touch my dog. I am going to call around to other vets around here and get some more advice and maybe go talk to a lawyer.

Thanks for your help!!!

rogansmummy · 06-08-2008

How absolutly awful for you and your dog, i dont blame you for not letting him near your pup again. Hope your baby gets fixed soon

mrandrei · 06-27-2008

That's absolutely awful. Such an irresponsible vet. I suggest you get a lawyer and file a case against your vet. That's punishable by law.

Jacole · 06-28-2008

That is terrible...I would so get a lawyer...and I would have explained to him that the dog was not deserving of such an idiotic mistake. You behaved alot nicer than I would have. I would also see if he has a history of botching things up. My prayers are with you and your dog!

wishbone · 07-01-2008

I terribly sorry for what happened. Better seek legal advice of what was happened, also consult other vets about the papers he gave if what he was said was true that the other knee got problem.