Dog owner blames vet for his pet’s death

VERY DISGUSTED writes:

I contacted Kempton Animal Hospital on two separate occasions on Saturday evening, September 20 as I was in urgent need of veterinarian assistance.

My seven-month-old Jack Russell contracted Parvovirus, more commonly known as cat flu, and within two days became violently ill.

I contacted the vets’ after hours emergency number so I could get medical assistance for my little dog. I was advised by the doctor on duty that I had to put down R2 000 cash before he could even consider looking at my dog.

The only problem I had was that I did not have the funds to cover the cost of the vet. I then tried to convince the vet to assist and gave my assurance that I would pay the bill in full once I got paid and again I was turned away.

Unfortunately, during the night my little dog took a turn for the worst and by Sunday morning he was so ill that he just lied around not responding to anything. I tried my best to keep him hydrated by squirting water into his mouth with a syringe, which he could not keep down because he had become so ill.

Sunday afternoon, after calling every number I could, I eventually came across Sandton SPCA, which was willing to assist with not one mention of any payment. Unfortunately we came across this number too late with our little dog dying this past Sunday night (September 21) at 9.40pm.

So, I would like to thank Sandton SPCA and all that assisted in my time of need. I will be forever grateful and indebted to you for all you did for me.

My question is, when did it become more important to be paid before assisting animals that are in need of emergency medical treatment? I just find it very sad that these people that took an oath to do what they could to save and or assist animals in need refuse to assist unless you have the funds available at that very moment that you need the assistance.

My dog could have been saved if he had received the medical assistance he so urgently needed. My dog did not have to lose his life and I did not have to lose my dog, but because of a vet’s greed my five-year-old son, as well as myself, had to sit back and watch how our beloved pet suffered and eventually died.

I know that this mail will more than likely fall on deaf ears but it is really disturbing that assistance that should have be available is not and all because of greed.

Kempton Animal Hospital replies:

The vet that took the call is on leave but we would like to take this opportunity to answer the letter from a veterinary practice point of view.

Parvo is a viral disease seen in inadequately or unvaccinated puppies. Vaccine manufacturers promise that if correctly vaccinated puppies (via three monthly vaccinations by a veterinarian), do get Parvo infection, they will cover the full costs of treatment.

Because Parvo is caused by a virus, and as a virus cannot be treated as such, all the treatment is supportive. The main part of the treatment is keeping the puppy hydrated, treating the nausea and giving the puppy antibiotics to combat sepsis (for an individual other treatment may also be necessary).

We recommend hospitalisation for intensive care and regular monitoring. The medication and treatment is expensive and private animal clinics provide a very high level of care that owners expect.

The pet owner is responsible for paying. Only welfare organisations such as the SPCA receive charitable donations and they cannot provide the same level of care. Private business is plagued by bad debt from pet owners who promise to pay and want all possible done but do not fulfil their financial obligations.

Another option is to manage them as “outpatients” with the same principles in mind as conducted in a hospital (such as hydration at home etc.) Hospitalisation does improve the survival rate but the disease is often fatal due to poor immunity and treatment is not a guarantee of life.

There are surcharges for weekends and night time call-outs, as there are in any business. Waiting for two days before seeking care is irresponsible.

Veterinarians are anything but greedy. Veterinarians perform a lot of work pro bono. The financial remuneration for being a veterinarian is very low compared to a doctor or other professional.

Veterinarians have invested heavily in their professional knowledge and hospital equipment and facilities. The veterinarian concerned is known to help people where he can.

Pet owners have the responsibility to use primary preventative measures such as vaccines; seek appropriate care timeously; and to pay for the treatment.