Hi I am new to this forum and wonder if anyone has any advice please. I'll try not to ramble too much and cut it short! I have a 7 year old black lab bitch who was a little lame on right hind a few weeks ago, took her to vets and I told them her hock was slightly swollen. He disagreed and said it was hips (hip score excellent). Anyway prescribed metacam. Got no better, foot swollen now very lame. Took her to same practice but asked for second opinion. Took x rays and agreed it was the hock, possible partial rupture of tendon and prescribed rimadyll(?), Anyway within 24 hours, poorly, sick, diarrohea and then blood in sick. Took her back to vets who injected her and took her off of the drug. After 36 hours very poorly, blood in poo, not eating, up all night etc. Took her back to vets who kept her in for 36 hours on a drip with various pills, injections. Picked her up yesterday, loads better but will have to sort leg out when shes completely recovered. My question is the bill is going to be quite a lot, shes not insured, will the vets take any responsibility of the reaction from the rimadyll which she had, as they admitted it was this which was stripping the stomach lining? I couldn't find any veterinary ombudsman that I could get advice from. What do I say to them? Thanks all for reading this.
Re: vet problem Hi there, and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear your dog has had such a horrid time. I cannot answer your question as to whom is legally responsible for the bill when an animal has to be treated for a reaction to a drug prescribed by the vet in question. If anyone is responsible it is possibly the drugs company rather than the vet. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons may be able to advise you. Or at least put you in touch with someone who can. My approach would probably be to negotiate, and ask the vet if he would be willing to waive his fee for the treatment for your dog's reaction to Rimadyl. You have nothing to lose by asking nicely. If he did not warn you of the possibility of side effects, you might gently mention this. He could turn round and say that you should have read the (microscopic) warnings and recommendations sheet, that came with the drug. Though of course none of us do! I appreciate you must be feeling very upset, but often the best results are gained if you can stay friends and deal with this objectively. Good luck, Pippa
Re: vet problem I cant add to whats been said , excellent advice, but so sorry that your dog is so poorly . These NSAI drugs can be wonderful, but like any drug, they carry risks and some dogs can become poorly after taking them, its a bit of a lottery .One of my dogs suffered really nasty side effects of metacam years ago , it made me a little paranoid about using it ever again and yet my little rescue has had this same drug for a poorly leg and was fine . I agree though , Vets should have a responsibility to point out risks , no matter how minority the risks are, good luck and I hope your girl is better soon .
Re: vet problem So sorry this happened to your dog, and I hope she is better soon. I suppose the thing is, vets are only human too, and they make mistakes just like anyone else. But it's a bit more important when a vet or a doctor makes a mistake than when an 'ordinary' office worker makes one... I agree though, you are probably better off being reasonable and trying to negotiate with the vet rather than getting upset and emotional. Good luck at any rate, and I do hope your dog is back to full fitness soon!
Re: vet problem A very similar thing happened to us - in that a month or so after being on an NSAID we had the vomiting, diarrhoea and blood. Luckily we didn't need any inpatient treatment, but had a week of gastro-protection meds, easy digest foods (which were expensive and also vomited), and a couple of anti-sickness jags. No mention at all of any culpability, but I'm pretty sure the "small-print" will be an effective opt out. If it was given to your dog "in good faith" for a legitimate reason, I suspect you might have to take it on the chin. Mine is now on an even more expensive product : but she hasn't had any problems with it at all (Previcox) and that has been around 18mths now. I have insurance but am reluctant to use it, knowing she is going to need a couple of joints done within a few years I guess this isn't much help, just wanted to offer my sympathies and my experience. Jacqui
Re: vet problem There's no harm in asking the vets. Maia had a reaction to metacam, she's had it on and off for years but in January it affected her breathing. We now have previcox as a back up painkiller, she has cartrofen injections - seriously not cheap , but they work on her damaged nerves better than any of the other NSAIDs Sorry we can't really add any more but wish you well.
Re: vet problem Just to say welcome to the forum and I really hope your girl recovers very soon. Helen
