Re: Newly diagnosed, our beloved Buddy
WOW! I don't BELIEVE this!!! My vet just "fired" me!
I called my vet on Monday and asked (the receptionist) if I could get Buddy's specific test names and his results. I had also talked to her on Friday about using a nebulizer for our other dog, Dolly, who has Mega Esophagus Disease. (Dogs with that disease often DIE from aspiration pneumonia, which Dolly is suffering from right now). She told me she would find out how I could get a canine mask for a nebulizer and let me know on Monday, or Tuesday at the latest. She asked me if I had enough antibiotics to get Dolly through the weekend and I said yes, but that she was almost out. She ran out Monday morning, so that was another reason I was calling.
I told her from the beginning of Dolly's disease that I was on a support group for Mega E and also had found this one for Cushing's. When Dolly was first diagnosed, I printed out some of the information I found on that site, and showed it to her, such as the names of medications other vets were using on Mega E dogs and other things, (like the nebulizer) that others had found to be helpful. Except for treating the frequent infections that often happen with Mega E disease, she has not tried any of the other suggestions to help Dolly.
Okay, now that you have a bit of the background, back to today:
It's now Wednesday afternoon and she still hadn't called me back. Dolly is still out of antibiotics and her temperatire is 103.8 and she's shivering uncontrollably.
So I called my vet's receptionist and politely asked again. The receptionist said, "Oh, we mailed you some information yesterday." I hadn't checked the mail yet, so I thanked her very much and asked her if I could get more antibiotics for Dolly's fever. she said she'd ask the vet and call me back. So I went out to the maibox to get Buddy's information that they supposedly sent and I found this letter:
Karen,
I think you are extremely fortunate to have time to spend in internet chat rooms all day. Unfortunately I do not. My days are filled with providing the highest quality care for hundreds of patients, all of which I am equally dedicated to, and although a great deal of information available on the internet may be accurate, much more of it is no more than idle dribble. I am confident that the care you have received from this practice has been exceptional, all the while respectfully working hard to remain within your financial constraints.*
I have no idea how other veterinarians respond to clients doing their own internet research. I for one feel extremely insulted every time my research is reviewed and critiqued by on-line, uneducated laypersons, who have absolutely no idea the amount of time and diligence involved with the on-going educational process required to achieve the level of excellence in patient care that veterinarians strive for.
At this time, I feel that perhaps you should consult with your colleagues in the support group regarding another appropriate veterinary care facility to meet your needs. Please let us know where we may forward your records, and to which pharmacy we may forward Dolly's prescriptions.
Sincerely,
(her name)
*(I just paid her over $750 for two check-ups, Bloodwork on Dolly, Buddy's Low Dex test, and antibiotics for Dolly).
I'm just in shock! I am a very polite, un-demanding, cooperative person. I feel like I've just been kicked in the stomach! Any feedback, please???
Thanks,
Karen, Buddy & Dolly
WOW! I don't BELIEVE this!!! My vet just "fired" me!
I called my vet on Monday and asked (the receptionist) if I could get Buddy's specific test names and his results. I had also talked to her on Friday about using a nebulizer for our other dog, Dolly, who has Mega Esophagus Disease. (Dogs with that disease often DIE from aspiration pneumonia, which Dolly is suffering from right now). She told me she would find out how I could get a canine mask for a nebulizer and let me know on Monday, or Tuesday at the latest. She asked me if I had enough antibiotics to get Dolly through the weekend and I said yes, but that she was almost out. She ran out Monday morning, so that was another reason I was calling.
I told her from the beginning of Dolly's disease that I was on a support group for Mega E and also had found this one for Cushing's. When Dolly was first diagnosed, I printed out some of the information I found on that site, and showed it to her, such as the names of medications other vets were using on Mega E dogs and other things, (like the nebulizer) that others had found to be helpful. Except for treating the frequent infections that often happen with Mega E disease, she has not tried any of the other suggestions to help Dolly.
Okay, now that you have a bit of the background, back to today:
It's now Wednesday afternoon and she still hadn't called me back. Dolly is still out of antibiotics and her temperatire is 103.8 and she's shivering uncontrollably.
So I called my vet's receptionist and politely asked again. The receptionist said, "Oh, we mailed you some information yesterday." I hadn't checked the mail yet, so I thanked her very much and asked her if I could get more antibiotics for Dolly's fever. she said she'd ask the vet and call me back. So I went out to the maibox to get Buddy's information that they supposedly sent and I found this letter:
Karen,
I think you are extremely fortunate to have time to spend in internet chat rooms all day. Unfortunately I do not. My days are filled with providing the highest quality care for hundreds of patients, all of which I am equally dedicated to, and although a great deal of information available on the internet may be accurate, much more of it is no more than idle dribble. I am confident that the care you have received from this practice has been exceptional, all the while respectfully working hard to remain within your financial constraints.*
I have no idea how other veterinarians respond to clients doing their own internet research. I for one feel extremely insulted every time my research is reviewed and critiqued by on-line, uneducated laypersons, who have absolutely no idea the amount of time and diligence involved with the on-going educational process required to achieve the level of excellence in patient care that veterinarians strive for.
At this time, I feel that perhaps you should consult with your colleagues in the support group regarding another appropriate veterinary care facility to meet your needs. Please let us know where we may forward your records, and to which pharmacy we may forward Dolly's prescriptions.
Sincerely,
(her name)
*(I just paid her over $750 for two check-ups, Bloodwork on Dolly, Buddy's Low Dex test, and antibiotics for Dolly).
I'm just in shock! I am a very polite, un-demanding, cooperative person. I feel like I've just been kicked in the stomach! Any feedback, please???
Thanks,
Karen, Buddy & Dolly
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