Advice re injury for foal's leg please

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wynnwith

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Hi there - sorry this is a bit of a long one...

Don't know if anyone can help me but i'm looking for some advice.

Our mare and 4 week old foal went to the vets for a 4 night stay for the mare to the AI'd and the foal came back with 8 staples in her near hind just below the hock. The cut has healed very well but she has been left with a lump that feels like bone at the top, just where the cut started. she cut herself just below the hock on the ouside of her leg and it was about 5 inches long. i'm just wonder if anyone knows if this will go eventually as it does feel like bone to touch. I a little upset with the vets to be honest. they called me one morning and told me that they had had to staple the foals leg as she came in from the field in the morning with this injury, i had specifically told them not to leave them out over night and that she was to be brought in which their answer was that there was a field shelter.

Surely if i had put on the care form that she should come in at night then they should do as i wished not just make their own assumptions as to the care of the mare and foal although i don't dispute they obviously know how to look after horses.

After a discussion about this anyway they changed their minds and said that they had actually brought her in that night but to be honest i am not convinced this is the case. Also a little miffed that they did not call me as soon as it had happened and i found out after the staples had been put in.

if anyone has any thoughts i'd be grateful, i'm not doubting my vet's abilities they do a fantastic job and they work very hard, but i am a little upset that they did not care for our mare and foal as i wished and it ended like this.

sorry to waffle but i'm miffed about it!
 
Well a veterinary degree does mean you are god and can totally disregard your clients wishes you know.
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Sorry, I would be mad too. Have they charged you for care etc?
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i asked them if they were going to charge me for the work and they said yes but no bill as yet. to be honest even if the foal comes out of it without a scar i can forgive but i'm concerned this lump is not going to go away, i just don't know what to do ... !!!
 
dont you DARE let them charge you!!

I'd be livid if this was my foal.. they also should be providing vetinary care for free until it is healed!!
 
Agree with equestrian fairy. You had left your mare and foal in THEIR CARE and any injury sustained whilst in their care is their sole responsibility. After all they are VETS and you do not expect your VET to break your horse. Mad, I'd be raging at this point.
 
thanks for all your advice and confirming my thoughts... i'm a bit of a whimp when it comes to things like this so will have to put my brave head on..
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I totally agree with the others and yourself;
a) you left instructions that she was to be stabled at night and were paying for that service
b) the accident happened while they were in charge and had disregarded your instructions so if they do charge you for that, I would be furious.
Case in point - We've just had a bitch spayed/caesarian and was very ill, stayed in a few days; when I collected her, a little hole hadn't healed, they said it would be alright; not 48 hours later, we had to rush her back for more surgery as it had spilled open. They didn't charge us for any of the op' or hospitalisation for that second op' at all as it had been their fault and they are usually very heavy with the pen; have to admit, I was a bit surprised - but very pleased too!

As Arwen said, a lot of them think they're Gods and you should bow down accordingly. If it was me, I'd pay what you owe but not anything to do with the foal's accident. I would have to be incredibly happy (normally) with their quality of service and care to continue with that practise; I hope they're not the only equine vets around you for that reason.
Good luck with sorting that out and hope foal recovers well too.
 
I would request a meeting with the Senior partner and explain you feel let down.
If he has half a brain he won't charge you and the matter can be resolved.
I would be taking lots of pics and keeping a daily diary re anything said by them or you just incase the injury turns out to be more serious than they are saying, and you end up in court.
 
I agree with HH. Do you know how the foal damaged the leg??? Could it have been through fencing etc??? If so then they are liable if they havent maintained fencing etc... which i would find hard to believe if they are vets but you never know!*****Vibes***** for foalie and let us know what happens.
 
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