Can You Trust Your Vet?

[myiaross]

Can you trust your vet?

Selecting a vet for me is a very important part of raising a dog. I am Thai and have lived in Thailand for the past 28 years and had numerous pets. So I have been to many vets and again I have made a mistake with a tragic result.

I normally have two vets: One is near my house used for injections and other small check-ups. The second one in the city is where I go when my dog is really sick. Your criterion is very important for choosing a vet. I chose a vet based on wrong criteria thinking that the more expensive the vet, the better they would be. I chose Charoensuk hospital and now I lost my best friend (Hugo) four days ago.

And here is the story about my Hugo (a 1 year - 50 day old beagle):

Hugo died of Canine Parvovirus at 1230 am 7th October, 2005 after suffering from the disease as well as stress and endless test procedures including blood test, ultrasound and ultrasound with barium.

If you are a dog owner you probably know, how I felt. Seeing your dog suffer in pain, while the doctor is unable to tell what is wrong is very traumatic. When they finally figured it out, it was too late for Hugo. This is a summary of what Hugo and I have been through over just one week.

Hugo started to get sick Thursday 29th Oct with symptoms of loss appetite, lethargy, high fever, and Diarrhea. I took him to the hospital on the same day and they carried out a blood test and ultrasound on him. Still they could not confirm the finding of what caused him to get sick. They concluded with two theories: 1) Parasite in the blood cell (from ticks and fleas) or 2) Object blockage in his stomach.

I was not at all convinced since my dog did not have ticks and in addition they could not find any parasite to prove that he got the disease. Again, I am not a vet so I agreed to treat him as the doctor suggested. The doctor prescribed many medicines and allowed me to take him home.

A day later, he got a very high fever so I took him back to the hospital and left him with a doctor to carefully monitor his fever. They put him in the ICU room. In front of all the crates where other dogs were being treated and he had another bout of diarrhea. Still the doctor did not bother to test his feces or assume that this could be a sign of Parvovirus! In retrospect, Hugo should have been isolated at that point from other dogs in the ICU room at the clinic.

Almost a week had now passed, my dog was not improving. He could not eat, he was immobile and he kept throwing up and had diarrhea. And still the doctors could not find an explanation and continued to investigate.

A week has now passed since the first examination. The doctor showed the first hint that he doubted his initial evaluation -- parasite in a blood cell. He ordered another ultrasound by inserting barium to Hugo’s stomach. The procedure was done repeatedly for the whole day and finally at 1730 on the same day the doctor called to apologize saying he had not found any obstruction in Hugo’s stomach.

Just a few minutes later another doctor called and said that they had finally tested for Parvovirus and it was positive. He informed me that they had immediately isolated Hugo.

Seven hours later my Hugo passed away lying in a pool of blood and diarrhea in a small outhouse enclosure, very much alone and in dreadful pain, unable to recognise or respond even to my presence. It was a painful sight one which I will never forget.

I researched Parvovirus and Hugo’s symptoms were classic symptoms of Canine Parvovirus. Why did the doctors not bother to check! According to one resource, my dog chance of survival should have been 70-80% since he is an older dog and has already been vaccinated. However my dog did not even stand a 10% chance on the last day when they finally figured out the disease. So here are the questions:

• Can you trust your vet to be professional and figure out what is wrong with your dog?

• Why did it take such a long time to diagnose a disease that is one of the seven most prevalent diseases for dogs? You can find information so quickly on the web site?

• Why did the vet fail to explain or warn about a potential deadly disease? For example, Do you know that even if your dog has been properly vaccinated against Parvovirus, a small percentage of dogs remain susceptible to infection.

• My dog suffered bouts of diarrhea on the hospital premises. It can live up to 9 months so what about the other dogs at the hospital?

During the time the vet failed to make a correct diagnosis my dog was sharing the same premises as other sick dogs. He was only isolated on the last day, when the vet finally came to the correct conclusion. I wonder if the hospital bleached out its treatment and ICU facilities as a precaution?

I hope my story will remind dog owners of how important it is to choose the right vet. Take care of your best friend as mine will never return. For Hugo my beloved friend, I hope his story can save some lives.

[Neeranam]

Firstly, my condolences - Hugo - RIP.

I have to trust my vet, as they know a hel_l of a lot more about dogs than I. What can I do? If something tragic happens - change. It is good to let other people know about bad vets, but beware, when we lose a loved one, it is easy to blame the medical staff, when in fact, there was nothing they could do.

I lost someone a few years back in a Thai hospital, and I think that the doctors could have done something to prevent it. When it is someone who is part of your own family your judgement goes out the window, which I am starting to realise now.

At the time, I was going to kill the doctor involved and blow up the hospital. I am not joking, I was mad This resentment against the doctor and hospital nearly drove me over the edge. Any parent who has a lost a child will understand. I couldn't sleep properly for months, my work suffered, as did my relationship with my wife.

Remember it is difficult to see clearly when you are not a looking from a detached, impartial viewpoint.

Don't go back to this vet. Maybe he is good in another field of vetinary medicine. True what you say about more money not meaning better service - take Bumrungrad, a prime example of a hospital that makes things wrong with you for more money.

Hugo is gone, remember the good times you had and forget about the vet.

Edited October 14, 2005 by Neeranam

[dr_Pat_Pong]

Firstly, my condolences - Hugo - RIP.

I have to trust my vet, as they know a hel_l of a lot more about dogs than I. What can I do? If something tragic happens - change. It is good to let other people know about bad vets, but beware, when we lose a loved one, it is easy to blame the medical staff, when in fact, there was nothing they could do.

I lost someone a few years back in a Thai hospital, and I think that the doctors could have done something to prevent it.  When it is someone who is part of your own family your judgement goes out the window, which I am starting to realise now.

At the time, I was going to kill the doctor involved and blow up the hospital. I am not joking, I was mad This resentment against the doctor and hospital nearly drove me over the edge. Any parent who has a lost a child will understand. I couldn't sleep properly for months, my work suffered, as did my relationship with my wife.

Remember it is difficult to see clearly when you are not a looking from a detached, impartial viewpoint.

Don't go back to this vet. Maybe he is good in another field of vetinary medicine. True what you say about more money not meaning better service - take Bumrungrad,  a prime example of a hospital that makes things wrong with you for more money.

Hugo is gone, remember the good times you had and forget about the vet.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great advice and very worthwhile input to the grieving owner of Hugo. RIP

[BambinA]

Can You Trust Your Vet?, Vet in Thailand

no no... just dont trust

just treat you lovely doggie by yourself ...

Bambi

sorry im a vet and im TH

anyhow, im not a cruel person, i will relpy your clue a FARANG BLOKE

Hugo started to get sick Thursday 29th Oct with symptoms of loss appetite, lethargy, high fever, and Diarrhea. I took him to the hospital on the same day and they carried out a blood test and ultrasound on him. Still they could not confirm the finding of what caused him to get sick. They concluded with two theories: 1) Parasite in the blood cell (from ticks and fleas) or 2) Object blockage in his stomach.

where on earth you come from ..?? if your dog infected Parvo .. the way to diag. are

- history taking / and also about Vac.

-ELISA test kit

I researched Parvovirus and Hugo’s symptoms were classic symptoms of Canine Parvovirus. Why did the doctors not bother to check! According to one resource, my dog chance of survival should have been 70-80% since he is an older dog and has already been vaccinated. However my dog did not even stand a 10% chance on the last day when they finally figured out the disease. So here are the questions:

well .. fact is 70-80% of dog death .. do you know the nature of viral disease??

- no drug in this world cant cure Virus Disease ( even just common flu)

- animal / human will be better.. it just from their immunity that can fight with virus

-drug when we give when animal/human (viral infeced) .. just supportive drug and antibiotic for prevent 2nd bacterial infection

* * in cas of CPV (canine parvo-v) 80% dog will die ..coz lost fluid,electrolye ,blood and too weak an all happend before their body can improve the immune

* * CPV make other lesion at other organ too .. it will attact at heart .. destroy myocardium .. it makes doggie get heart attack and die

• Can you trust your vet to be professional and figure out what is wrong with your dog?

i have no idea ..follow your instinct ..or just find farang vet

• Why did it take such a long time to diagnose a disease that is one of the seven most prevalent diseases for dogs? You can find information so quickly on the web site?

if you know in 1st day or 7 day later... nothing will change the way of treatment ..as i told you b4 .. viral disease has no specific drug to cure... even your vet know its CPV but they can do all their best just

1 fluid therapy

2 supportive Therapy ( antiemetic /vitamin..etc)

3 antibiotic (for preven 2nd infection)

what can we do .. just wait till pateint can improve thier immune

• Why did the vet fail to explain or warn about a potential deadly disease? For example, Do you know that even if your dog has been properly vaccinated against Parvovirus, a small percentage of dogs remain susceptible to infection.

and you'd read and search some info be4 u have animal too..

but yes.. some vet /doc dont give much info .. some just wanna shag with the client's wallet

anyhow .. im sorry if i talk a lil harsh and im really sorry about your dof .. i know how you feel

and next time if you still wnat to have a dog .. please feel free to PM me and ask some advice.. i will do my best (no doctor-fee)

Bambi

[Jai Dee]

Good on you Bambi.

[meemiathai]

my condolences.

but pls think of it in a more positive way that your lovely friend was able to enjoy a whole one year meaningful and love-receiving life which when comparing with billions of other animals' lives in the world is a luxury.

I can almost feel the pain here but pls don't be too sad.