Lump in mouth

M

M.F.

Update: You wouldn’t know Snowie had an op or has a wound in his mouth. Perhaps it’s the Previcox, but he’s happy and energetic, perhaps more so being on the meds! Eating as normal.

Was chatting to my cousin who’s a radiologist. He says that in humans you get bony growths in the palate that aren’t cancer. Where they start pushing up, they can cause an ulcer on the soft tissue. Hoping Snowie’s results will be benign.
 
M

M.F.

Was just looking at the bill (yup, we just pay and don’t ask questions, just relieved our dog survived the procedure), and I’m SO ANNOYED that almost a 1/4 of the bill is for dental cleaning. The vet told us he has magnificent teeth. “Now they’re extra sparkly.” They obviously never needed cleaning. And my concern is that by polishing them with an abrasive (that’s on the bill, too, the abrasive), she’s compromised their integrity. He went in for a lump removal, not dental cleaning. Since a big vet company took over this local practice, I feel they’re encouraged to load the bill. I’m f*%g annoyed. It’s so easy to load the bill when the customer is feeling so vulnerable.
 
M

M.F.

No, no consent. She just said before he went in: while I’m in his mouth I’ll give his teeth a clean. We said nothing, we were too much in shock that we found the lump. And since she said after that he has magnificent teeth, why fix something that ain’t broke? I am so annoyed. And find it unethical. My trust is broken.
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
M.F. said:
My trust is broken.
Click to expand...
For me, this would be the worst part. :sad:

Since otherwise you seem(ed) to have a good relationship with the vet, could you arrange to go in and sit down in person with her to discuss as calmly as possible why you are legitimately so upset? She apparently thinks she did a good thing judging by how she told you about Snowy's teeth, so likely has no clue how upset you are and why. It seems pretty clueless on her part, but if she genuinely thinks this is ok, it would be worth trying to educate her as to why is absolutely isn't. Beyond the possibility of reducing the bill, her reaction could tell you whether you want to continue seeing this vet or have to find someone new. It won't solve your concern about possible damage to Snowy's teeth, but best case it could open her eyes to how this is in fact not ok and help her change how she obtains informed consent prior to surgery. Worst case is she knows exactly why she did this (an unnecessary procedure to make more money off someone already in a high state of stress), and you know you have to find a new vet.

I also totally understand if you want to avoid the stress of a confrontation and just find someone else. Just do what is best for you and Snowy. :hug:
 
M

M.F.

I called yesterday already! But she’d gone home already. I told the receptionist how angry I was. She said she’ll ask the vet to call me today.

I’ve just discussed with my husband what I’ll say when I speak to her. He’s a conflict expert (his profession!) so it was a useful discussion! As you say, broken trust is the key issue. We’ve even waited days to see her because we’ve trusted her rather than the other vet in the practise. And the worry that descaling and using abrasives on perfectly clean teeth is potentially harmful. I’m still seething though. And very upset.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top