Been made to feel awful by vet

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Treacle24

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I have posted about my difficult to handle mare, and needing to rehome her due to moving. Anyway since then she has come down with a chest infection so I had the vet out. I tranquilised her as usual and the vet came and she was actually very well behaved. She even let the vet inject her (she was obviously feeling very poorly). So I was left with various medicines to administer orally, but also one to inject. I did explain that usually she was not that easy with a vet, and usually is tranquilsed by me, then the vet uses a twitch while he injects her with a sedative. I have even had a vet who did not manage to examine her as he could not inject her. So was not sure I was going to be able to do this.

Right, so I contacted my local stables and the owner came with a stable hand to help me. My horse was sedated by me before hand, but even with three of us it was impossible. So I called the vet and the receptionist has made me feel like I am not fit to own a horse. Really peed off to be honest.

I was sold this mare as a beginners horse, and was basically done over by the club who sold her to me. I have not given up on her though and in our years together have worked through so many issues with her. We really have come so far together.

V. cross and just needed to vent.
 
Sometimes receptionists vet, Gp even hospital forget why they are in the job!!! She prhbably had a bad day. Ignore her and certainly don't let her upset you. She has absolutely no idea of your horse' behaviour or how you handle it. If she had an inkling she would have been way more sensitive. I really admire your determination
 
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Hilary'smum said:
Sometimes receptionists vet, Gp even hospital forget why they are in the job!!! She prhbably had a bad day. Ignore her and certainly don't let her upset you. She has absolutely no idea of your horse' behaviour or how you handle it. If she had an inkling she would have been way more sensitive. I really admire your determination
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Thank you
 
So it was the receptionist who made you feel like this? Honestly depending on your real crossness I would either point out to the vet when you see them that you do not appreciate her attitude or I would just let it go as in the long view her opinions have no bearing on you and your horse :hug:
 
Handsome Jack said:
So it was the receptionist who made you feel like this? Honestly depending on your real crossness I would either point out to the vet when you see them that you do not appreciate her attitude or I would just let it go as in the long view her opinions have no bearing on you and your horse :hug:
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Yes, sorry. Have reread title and in the anger of the moment but vet, but it was infact the receptionist. I think when the vet comes past to collect the unused medicine I will explain the whole situation.
 
You are doing the best you can, horses arn't robots. Don't take it to heart, perhaps she was having a bad day and she doesn't know all your girls history either xx
 
I`m sorry you are left feeling this way. Even if the jobsworth felt you were the worst most unfit horseowner ever it is not her/his place to convey their prejudice to you in this way. It is highly unprofessional. Write/email the practice manager and complain. Veterinary care is not cheap and is the equivalent to private health care in humans. I hope you feel better soon and realise just how good you are.
 
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sula said:
I`m sorry you are left feeling this way. Even if the jobsworth felt you were the worst most unfit horseowner ever it is not her/his place to convey their prejudice to you in this way. It is highly unprofessional. Write/email the practice manager and complain. Veterinary care is not cheap and is the equivalent to private health care in humans. I hope you feel better soon and realise just how good you are.
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Agree with this. Vet receptionist is in no place to place judgment. I would write a letter of complaint, You'll probably find your not the first to complain.
 
Having been a vets receptionist albeit for a very short time the following applies:-

a customer always right
b empathise always
c keep to instruction given by vet if has to be passed to client
d no excuse for animal owner to be made unhappy be it horse dog cat cow pig budgie hamster snake etc etc
 
Thanks everyone, feeling better from all your positive comments. Am going to make a written complaint, as it really is unacceptable to judge with no idea of the horses history. Thanks
 
Agree with above posters, plus, if you chose to call the practice to have them inject horse instead of you doing it, surely that is your prerogative entirely, regardless of your ability or horses behaviour good or bad. ...You pay for the service!

Ignore the attitude she had and carry on! ..horses are not always easy! Although maybe more pleasant than some people! :-P
 
Gosh don't feel bad. What a stupid receptionist unless someone has owned a needle or vet shy horse I don't think they can honestly understand how hard this can be. I worry for days simply about worming my 17.1hh WB as he is such a nightmare with a wormer and I would challenge anyone not to feel the same after they see his reaction. I am no novice owner either.
 
gmw said:
Having been a vets receptionist albeit for a very short time the following applies:-

a customer always right
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Not in France it doesn't!

Treacle24, are you still living there? I wouldn't worry about it, honestly. Horse people in France don't understand our obsession with faffing, not just 'getting on with it' and what not.

Is there any way you can work on her issue with the vet? It sound like your mare is anxious because she knows what's coming (i.e. you getting tense, the twitch, etc.)
 
SpringArising said:
Not in France it doesn't!

Treacle24, are you still living there? I wouldn't worry about it, honestly. Horse people in France don't understand our obsession with faffing, not just 'getting on with it' and what not.

Is there any way you can work on her issue with the vet? It sound like your mare is anxious because she knows what's coming (i.e. you getting tense, the twitch, etc.)
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Yes still in France!! I actually thought we had had a breakthrough this time when the vet came and she was so much calmer. But looking back it was obviously that she was feeling very poorly. I have the vet out for checkups, vaccines and what ever else calls for a vet with her!! There really is no improvement. I am not sure if it doesn't help the same vet never comes twice, or if this does not make a difference. She must sense something, that is for sure, whether it is my reaction or she jsut knows. The vet only has to walk into the field and you can see my horse tense up. I am not sure if she had a bad experience in the past??

My previous horse was a gem with the vet, he even had all four wolf teeth taken out with no sedative. He was honestly the bravest horse ever, and my first horse. So her reaction was a real shock to be honest when I first got the vet out!!
 
Treacle24 said:
Yes still in France!! I actually thought we had had a breakthrough this time when the vet came and she was so much calmer. But looking back it was obviously that she was feeling very poorly. I have the vet out for checkups, vaccines and what ever else calls for a vet with her!! There really is no improvement. I am not sure if it doesn't help the same vet never comes twice, or if this does not make a difference. She must sense something, that is for sure, whether it is my reaction or she jsut knows. The vet only has to walk into the field and you can see my horse tense up. I am not sure if she had a bad experience in the past??
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Is there anyone else who would maybe go up for you when the vet comes to see if that makes a difference? Someone who is impartial to the horse and who (in the nicest way possible!), doesn't really care about her?

It really sounds as though she's picking up your vibes.

Horses can definitely tell, though. My old horse was as brave as a fox for everything but the vet. His eyes would quite literally pop out of his head and he would physically jump if the vet did as much as stroke him! Completely bizarre as I'd had him from a youngster and he had never had a bad experience with one.

Where does the horse usually stand when the vet comes?

If possible, have her outside and not confined somewhere. She's probably panicking more if she feels she can't get away. Also, hold her and don't tie her and when the vet isn't doing things to her, move her about so she's thinking about where her feet are and not what the vet's doing.

Have you had any luck in trying to find her a home?
 
SpringArising said:
Is there anyone else who would maybe go up for you when the vet comes to see if that makes a difference? Someone who is impartial to the horse and who (in the nicest way possible!), doesn't really care about her?

It really sounds as though she's picking up your vibes.

Horses can definitely tell, though. My old horse was as brave as a fox for everything but the vet. His eyes would quite literally pop out of his head and he would physically jump if the vet did as much as stroke him! Completely bizarre as I'd had him from a youngster and he had never had a bad experience with one.

Where does the horse usually stand when the vet comes?

If possible, have her outside and not confined somewhere. She's probably panicking more if she feels she can't get away. Also, hold her and don't tie her and when the vet isn't doing things to her, move her about so she's thinking about where her feet are and not what the vet's doing.

Have you had any luck in trying to find her a home?
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It depends what we are doing, but either in the field, tacking up area or in her abri ( better for examining eyes). I always hold, I have never tied her up for the vet, only the farrier. Would be interesting to see someone else with her when the vet comes though.

Not much luck with a home yet, all though someone has contacted me about her and her compagnon. They have a farm with lots of land, with field shelters. They have other horses, so fingers crossed.
 
Having an EDT phobic TB x Girraffe and a 16 2 WB opinionated tart, I feel your pain, but you will benefit from doing groundwork, my TB is really bad, 3 injections of sedative and he still fought it, hurting himself and the vet in the process, so I've been working on running my hands up to his ears, trying to make it nice for him, being 17 2hh, he's a big lad and having experimented with an illegal substance, I will have him stoned before the EDT comes next time, as for the WB mare, I don't give her an inch, at her size she knows how strong she is and will take advantage at which point she is worked in a dually halter till she remembers her manners, she is a diamond but just takes the 'P' sometimes and needs reminded that 8 st me is the boss
 
What a shame, you can't necessarily help having a horse that resents treatment, especially if it involves a needle. Someone I knew had a 5yo ID and she was a nightmare to inject, but for no apparent reason. I guess I was really lucky as the receptionists at both the practices whose vets treated my horse were just lovely. It has to be said I spent a fortune there and either phoned or visited them monthly, but they always recognised me on the phone as soon as I said can I have a repeat prescription, supported and encouraged me constantly and were so kind when I told them I had decided to call it a day. I really regarded them as friends.
 
sula said:
I`m sorry you are left feeling this way. Even if the jobsworth felt you were the worst most unfit horseowner ever it is not her/his place to convey their prejudice to you in this way. It is highly unprofessional. Write/email the practice manager and complain. Veterinary care is not cheap and is the equivalent to private health care in humans. I hope you feel better soon and realise just how good you are.
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You should do this the receptionist was out of order
 
Treacle24 said:
She couldn't understand why I couldn't do it, even with help. And if I had a horse I should be able to inject them as one of their basic healthcare needs.
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Well given the number of times I've injected other peoples' horses over the years, because they either didn't have a clue, or just didn't want to do it (it IS hard to needle your own horse, anyone else's is just a furry target!), the receptionist doesn't know what she is talking about. In the ideal world, yes everyone should be able to do it competently, but the truth is, they can't. Look how many people quaver at the thought of willy washing.
 
Personally I think the attitude of the receptionist is naive and out of order, I really don't think injecting a horse comes under the umbrella of basic horsecare.
It requires training and confidence.

I actively desensitise the area with grooming and patting/scratching the area before injecting. As well as stimulating the other side as a distraction.

Please be careful not to injure yourself, a needle phobic horse can be dangerous.
 
Have you tried blindfolding her? My old boy was a git for the vet - not frightened, just an arrogant s*d! Vet would call me from the bottom of the lane, I'd pop a folded towel over his eyes and tuck it under the cheek pieces of his bridle (he'd wear a bridle for vet just in case) before vet got there. We wouldn't even speak when he arrived so he didn't hear his voice. He would then nip in and do what had to - often jabs or blood tests - with him barely even noticing.

Now and again I'd pop a blindfold on him for a few minutes even if vet wasn't coming so he didn't associate it - not sure if it worked or if he was just too sensible to move when he couldn't see!

Obviously this didn't work if he had to be trotted up or when he needed his eyes checking - we just had to suffer the consequences then!
 
had this with a horse that was impossible to shoe and hated vets. if its any help we injected him the horsebox if we had to. Jammed him in tight in the partitions and twitched him. He was traumatised before I bought him, the previous owner bought him on the way up the meat man's ramp and managed to break him in. i got on with him brilliantly but he used to start shaking as soon as he saw the blacksmiths van and the vet had to sneak round the corner to see him. We tried everything but he never improved, luckily he was always healthy so it didn't cause too many problems. wormer had to go in behind a double bridle so he didn't notice etc etc. Made a Grade A show jumper and I had him twenty years the best horse I have ever had. heart of a lion and as safe as houses both to ride and handle. I don't know what happened to him when he was young but I turned down half my house in pound notes for him and ensured he stayed safe with me all his days. Some issues can't be sorted so stick to your guns and insist on the same vet again. Mine did have one that he tolerated on his own terms eventually.
 
It is a well known fact that to be a GP,s receptionist ,and therefore presumably a vets. You have to be a soulless ******** and basically a complete bitch. I hope my sister is reading this ! Guess her profession. Oddly enough she is usualy as nice as anything ,but at work she becomes a monster.
 
Incidentaly , Bob the notacob is mortally afraid of vets . he is even more afraid of needles . I have a couple of tried and tested methods that when I have used them I have been surprised that the vets and veterinary nurses hadnt been taught them . ALWAYS cup your hand round the eye as the vet produces the syringe . They arnt stupid and definately dont want to see that!. Even more effective . throw your coat over the neck ,then in one smooth movement ,pull it forward over the head. With a little practice this becomes so easy and it works wonders . The only wonder is why they dont teach it.
 
Mike007 said:
Incidentaly , Bob the notacob is mortally afraid of vets . he is even more afraid of needles . I have a couple of tried and tested methods that when I have used them I have been surprised that the vets and veterinary nurses hadnt been taught them . ALWAYS cup your hand round the eye as the vet produces the syringe . They arnt stupid and definately dont want to see that!. Even more effective . throw your coat over the neck ,then in one smooth movement ,pull it forward over the head. With a little practice this becomes so easy and it works wonders . The only wonder is why they dont teach it.
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For some of us nurses the above is common sense and something we dont need teaching. I had a very needle shy pony when I was little and I used this technique long before I started equine nursing.
 
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