Thinking of you both
Hugs
Sharlene
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Thinking of you both
Hugs
Sharlene
Hi Everyone:
What a day. Tipper in the car fasting with no food and water is not a fun trip. She was very ansy the whole time and kept whinning to me for food and water. I felt really bad it was starting to make me sick I felt so bad.On arrival I told the receptionist I would rather wait in the car with Tipper as she gets anxiety from being at the vets all the time. After they took me in they said the Dr. would be in right away. I guess 1/2 hour meant right away. I had to hold Tipper up in my arms for the whole time as her anxiety got the best of her. The Dr. came in and quickly introduced herself told me what she was going to do and what she thought. She said firstly Tipper does not have Tracheal Disease. I said well my Vet said she does, she said well he is wrong so get that out of your head. Then she asked me a few questions about her Cushings. I told her I had Dr. Peterson for a consult and he said the usage of prednisone probably predisposed Tipper to the Cushings. She said no you are wrong he would never say that. I said why would I come here and lie about what a specialist told me about my dog? She made not attempt to answer. I asked where the anesthesiologist was and she said there isn't one today so I will do it. I told her no I want an anesthesiologist. She very smartly said ok you will have to reschedule an appointment. First of all when I made this appointment they told me one would be there along with a heart Dr. as Tipper's heart is supposedly slightly enlarged. Secondly, she didn't even want to hear about Tipper's history, or see any of her 1 foot thick file and bloodwork, tests etc. I said I need to think all this over and can I see the heart Dr? She left and sent the heart Dr. in to see me. The heart Dr. was a completely different type of caring, kind, and concerned Dr. She gave Tipper an echocardiogram, and a test to see if her heart muscle is working properly. She told me Tipper has some leakeage of her Mitral Valve that is minor. Her valve has thickened with age,and it happens in smaller dogs she told me. It is only leaking a small amount from thickening form age. She said Tipper probably would get no symptoms for 3-5 years from it, if at all. She said because her heart muscle was so strong and working very well she is lucky. It is because she has always had a lot of exercise and it kept her heart in excellent shape. Also she said that Tipper's heart is not enlarged and is normal size!! Do you really know who to believe at this point??? I then paid the 700.00 bill and left. I would never, never ever let a Vet work on my dog without an anesthesiologist there. Also no IMS no matter how big her ego is or how much she thinks she knows will do any procedure on my Tipper without going over her tests, bloodwork, and extensive history. I was so peed off you have no idea, I was boiling. She is lucky I did not send her out of the room with a black eye. How dare someone have the nerve to treat my Tipper with no regard for her safety whatsoever. The first thing I said to her was Tipper's safety is paramount to anything else. She spent maybe 10 minutes with me and was wanting to get out of the room and move on with things. This is totally unacceptable to me. I am just exhausted from all of this today, not to mention my poor Tipper fasting, no water, no Vetoryl all morning. So I have decided that all of these idiots with the big educations, and the big egos can forget my business. I researched a drug that dries up mucus, etc. and asked my vet about it last week if Tipper could have it. I needed to know if it raised or lowered her blood pressure, or interacted with the Vetoryl. He said no it was safe. I stopped at the drugstore and got some and when she got done eating dinner I gave her 1/2 tablet. I wanted to do it while the Vets are in in case she has a reaction, as she can be allergic to things. Well she has had it for about 2 hours now and so far so good. I want to see if this helps with the sticky noise I hear in her mouth when she is sticking her tongue out. I am wondering since she now snores because of the Cushings if she has post nasal drip, and if it is thick and clogging her throat?????That could be why she is opening her mouth real wide to try and clear her throat. Since this drug will not hurt her, it is worth a try to prevent her having to go to another Dr. Who knows it could work. I have never been so disgusted with a Dr. I am writing the owner of the hospital, and telling him she was not even worth the 150.00 she charged me for her half baked consult, and I want a partial refund. I am not going to put up with this kind of treatment. So I know about Tipper's heart now which is important and if she needs anesthesia for something I know she can withstand it. The rest of the throat mystery is still unsolved unfortunately. Hopefully this drug will help her and end all of this worrying. This is the worst money I have ever thrown away while treating Tipper.
This next thing will really get to you. As I was sitting in the waiting room while Tipper got her echo a couple came in and sat near me with a small Scotty dog. They told me they were from Penn State and had come far. I told them I know how far it is as my dad went to school there. I said what is wrong with your dog, and they said he has Cushings disease and our Vet does not know how to treat it. What are chances of this I ask you????? I almost fell out of my chair. I told them my Tipper had it too. There are so many dogs coming down with this it needs to be researched. I am going to ask my Vet when you want someone to start a researh project for dogs how you go about it. I swear if it's the last thing I do I will get one started or die trying. I don't mean to ramble on so I will add anything I forgot to this tomorrow as I am exhausted, and need to rest for a while. God Bless You All and all your precious babies.
Patti
Oh Patti, I am so sorry they let you both down. How frustrating to go that distance and then to come away 700 bucks down and none the wiser. I am mad for you both
I don't understand why they would be in that career and not care enough to look through all the info to ensure they know everything before starting. I too would have walked out
Go for the whole refund as you specifically asked for the anesthesiologist to be there, they weren't so she never did or told you anything to warrant the fee
omg....what an awful ordeal for both of you! You have been so concerned about this and then to be treated in such a way. I don't blame you one bit for wanting that money back or for telling the hospital the way she made you feel. She sounds a lot like Squirt's first IMS. gggrrrrrrrr
I hope the OTC med does wonders for Tipper tonite and you both get some good solid sleep. Let us know how things went in the morning. Sweet dreams to you both!
Hugs,
Leslie and the gang
Well Really!!! I am completely disgusted on yours and Tippers behalf. This is completely unacceptable that they would not have an anesthesiologist there when one was specifically requested and assurance were made.
I'm glad that you did get some answers about Tippers heart and that is reassuring at least, but that IMS is just out to lunch. Really, some people are in the wrong business.
Oh that poor little dog. He was probably going to be seen by the same IMS too. :( How heart breaking.
One of the absolute main things that bothers me with cushings, is that vets Don't always know what they are doing and won't admit it. Instead they just treat willy nilly and go on about their day as if they have not in fact caused more harm than good. :( That is frustrating and heart breaking and just maddening.
I hope that what you found will work for Tipper. There has to be a smart, compassionate IMS around somewhere! arggghhhh
Okay, you get some rest. I am sure you and Tipper are both exhausted. Maybe the little guy you met will find us on the forum and we can help his parents. I sure hope so.
hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin
Patti.
That is beyond disgusting and I also think that you should report this vet to the veterinary association! I'm hoping that the couple didn't have an appointment with the same specialist.
I can't believe what gall she had!!!!!
Get some rest sweetheart. I hope that the meds work and Tippers"s heart being strong is good news!
OMG this is truly disgusting, unbelievable. You should complain to the clinic to everyone you can, today you saved Tipper from this idiot/ monster, but we all have experienced how intimidating this "almighty vets" can be, when we go scared and vulnerable with our babies into their offices and believe we can trust them with our pets:confused:....until one day we wake up.
How on earth can she dismiss Tipper's history? Negate Cushings? And perform herself anhestesia? Cush dogs need an anhestesiologist ALWAYS, because they need to monitor very closely their Blood Pressure, the whole experience is appalling.
I'm so sorry that you and Tipper had to endure this whole day, plus all the anxiety of the appointment. Hope you and Tipper have a deep and relaxing sleep.
http://www.vetabusenetwork.com/savetoc.htm
Patti,
I am so very thankful for Dr. Morgan at Cornell. I wish that you were nearby. I would gladly keep you company while you and Tipper wait.
Praying that the meds help her!
Morning
Hope you are ok and that you both managed to get some rest last night?
Thinking of you, hugs to you and kisses for Tipper
Mel
Xxx
Love a duck.... this is terrible, I do not like her bedside manner at all. There is no need to pay $150 for a whole lot of nothing. Good to hear Tipper's heart is beating away nicely though. I am glad the cardiologist lived up to expectations.
I have forgotten what procedure Tipper was having, was it endoscopy to see what is the problem in her throat? What type of anaesthetic is needed for this? I would have thought very light anaesthetic as it is pretty quick? If that was the case I think doing it without an anaesthetist would be fine as it is a simple procedure and risks involved would be very low. It does not sound like she outlined risks of procedure/anaesthetic so you could make informed decision, or maybe you did which is why you decided not to have the test done. Your stress levels must be through the roof, poor Tipper still not knowing what the problem is.
Hope you managed to get some rest after that horrible day, I would complain too, you and Tipper deserve better treatment than that.
Trish