My dog was taken to the vet for an operation on her eye, I explained to the vet that she is very nervous and could get aggressive if scared. I stayed with her until she was sedated and put a muzzle on her. When they came to take her out the cage although sedated she got aggressive through fear. At this point the vet used a pole to get her under control (I dont know who removed the muzzle or why) she bit the pole and broke two canine teeth and alot of brusing to her face. The vet said they are fine just ignore it, but her teeth were bleeding so I believe the pulp to be exposed and this is dangerous.
The advice I need is who is responsible for repairing the teeth and should I just ignore it as recommended by the vet. Please help, my dog is 14months old

The vet is responsible!

The vet is responsible. I'd take my dog to a different vet for a second opinion, and present vet #1 with the bill. If he refuses to pay, I'd see him in court.

You gave the vet every warning and took all precautions you could in the position you were in, just ignoring broken teeth IMO is not an appropriate response or action. I could understand them not being too concerned if we were talking about the puppy teeth knowing that they will grow back at some stage.

I would for starters, put in an official complaint about it, and tell the vet clinic that you are not satisfied with the outcome of the matter.

Escalate your complaint if you are not completely happy with the resolve. I know it is more expense initially, but I would be inclined to take your dog to another vet, and get the mouth/ teeth examined and a report of the outcome made, so you have evidence in future if you do need to escalate the issue to the legal system. Take photos too of her mouth and face so there is picture evidence.

Im sorry this has had to happen, it certainly would make me reluctant to ever go back to that clinic or reccomend them to other pet owners.

Hope it all goes well and your lady recovers from her ordeals.

thank you all for your help

I wouldn't except that. i would make a complaint and ask them to treat your dog for no charge and make sure they are careful next time and not go back to them again.

I would NOT take him back to the same vet! Its kind of like sending your food back because your steak wasn't cooked right. You KNOW they do something to returned food.
Who knows what or how they will treat your dog on the second visit. I agree with vetgroomer and get the second opinion and present vet #1 with the bill with proper documentation and photos so that you have proof.

well trust the vet, they know what they are doing..

NOT ALL VETS KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING!!! The vet I used to use almost killed one of my dogs after FORGETTING to put a drain in 4" surgery incision!!!She had to go back in for a second surgery at my expense to fix all the tissue damage he caused and had a SEVERE INFECTION...Just because they are a vet does not always mean they are right... they are still human and can and DO make bad choices.

its is deffinately the vets fault and like others have said i would go to another vet and get a second opinion, and give the bill to the first vet.
i wonder how your poor dog damaged its teeth so badly what on earth did the vet do.

I would find a new vet!!! Where I work if we have a caution or fearful dog, we tie to leashes to them and leave them on while they are in the cage so we can easily get them out. BUt have those teeth checked out by another vet

Originally Posted by jv17

well trust the vet, they know what they are doing..

Know what they call a vet student who graduates at the bottom of the class?

Doctor!

There are vets who know what they're doing, and vets who graduated at the bottom of the class.

But regardless of whether they know what they're doing or not, when you leave an animal with a vet, they are required by law to take "reasonable and customary care" of that animal, and are responsible for injuries the dog may suffer while it's in their care!

Is it reasonable and customary to break a dog's teeth while attempting to get it out of a cage? I think not. We'd never be that irresponsible, and we'd fix the problem at no charge if something like that happened. Broken teeth are nothing to mess with. If the tooth dies, the dog will develop a nasty abscess. Then you have a more serious problem. Dental abscesses can lead to heart and kidney infections. Occasionally the infection can travel to the brain. I lost a Bull Terrier to a brain infection from an abscessed tooth.

Hi
Just to keep you all in the picture. I spoke to the vet with my concerns and today my little girl had both her teeth fixed by his specialist free of charge. He didn't admit liability but problem solved shes a bit groggy from the anethstetic but her teeth look good as new.
Thank you to everyone for your help and advice.