Euthanasia c*ck up!

[KJJ]

Firstly HUGE hugs.... well done for being so brave and staying with your boy.

What a horrible horrible situation for you

I certainly would be writing to the vets... I would pay the call out and that is it!! Sorry but that is bl**dy ridiculous to expect you to pay for putting you hrse in distress n his last hours (I'm sure he never felt anything - however the distress for you must have been HUGE)

Hugs again....

The practise NEED to know about this vet!!

Did you friend complain previously?

 

[Tierra]

Firstly, my heart goes out to you

Its bad enough to have to say goodbye to a much loved friend without dealing with things going wrong as well.

I personally would contact the surgery because, as many others have posted, they should at least be made aware that this problem occured (especially if there have been issues with the same vet before). While its true that everyone makes mistakes, its a hard and traumatic decision to make in the first place and one where YOU really need everything to run according to plan. Experiences like this are the kind of thing that can cause serious trauma to the owner involved

Again my heart goes out to you

*Edit* - Couldnt decide whether or not to add this part in my original post but its kind of related I suppose...

Several years ago my horse suffered colic very early in the morning and a vet was called. It wasnt my usual vet but he gave the horse appropriate drugs and told me to call back if there were any further problems. He returned 4 times during that day before my YO (who'd been at a show) finally told him to refer her to an equine hospital. By the time we got her there, the vets said there was nothing they could do at all and surgery would be futile and they asked precisely why we had left it so long before having her referred. Now, I was only 16 at the time and didnt have a clue about colic... my YO had been away for the day so wasnt on hand... and it turned out the vet specialised in small animals and didnt deal with horses (except they were having some kind of staffing crisis that day).

I received a written apology from the surgery in question (without any complaints being made), along with a huge bunch of flowers, card and all the related costs to that terrible day were written off (they even picked up the bill for the transport to the hospital and the costs related to the treatment she received there.. including having her PTS and her cremation)

 

[Kelly1982]

that is so bad!!!!!!!

Can you please PM me with the vet?? If it is the one i am thinking off i have heard nothing but bad things about them recently and they diagnosed BOTH my horses wrong!!!!!

 

[Louby]

Oh god, thats awful. Im so sorry for you, it must have been the worse thing ever. Ive heard of things going wrong before but 2 hours to wait for your poor horse to then be shot. Wasnt there another senior vet in the practise who could have come out straight away to assist. I think you definately need to get in touch with the practice. Its a heartbreaking decision to make in the first place, then to have to go through what you did. Poor poor you.

 

[Vindaloo]

Ah but GT's I would NEVER forgive myself if I wasn't there for him right to the end.

He owed me nothing at all and it was the least I could do for him. If someone else had been there I would have forever wondered if I could have done anything, changed anything.

I know what you mean, It's a terrible last image BUT I do have all the good memories and there were many, many more of those.

I'm not the hysterical type thankfully and not prone to making snap judgements. I thought about this long and hard before writing. General consensus seems to agree that there was a fair level of incompetence.

I'm going to put pen to paper.

 

[Vindaloo]

Apparently not! They were all out too.

David Funnel was already on his way and thankfully he did the deed.

I have to say too that he was wonderful.

I did feel for the poor vet too though. She was clearly distressed and she stayed with me right to the end.

 

[Vindaloo]

No, she didn't! She didn't know until weeks after as she wasn't there at the time and so didn't witness it first hand.

I guess she just thought well, it's too late now.

Right off home from work now.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR REALLY KIND WORDS OF SUPPORT.

LOT'S OF LOVE. xxx

 

[debonhorse]

I have tears streaming at the moment, my heart really goes out to you big time, how can anyone be so un-professional,and very unethical to bill you like that too. I expect the practise dosn't know what happened, so the system just took over and billed you as they would have done normally, you really should phone them and ask to speak to the practice manager and also write a letter so that there is no comeback at a later date.
You definately have my sympathy, and if the ethics of the practice are sound, you should have theirs too.
Good Luck, let us know what you decide.

 

[Ginn]

Oh hunny, my heart really goes out to you. Having to make the decision to say goodbye to a beloved friend is bad enough without what sounds like a truely terrible ordeal for all.

Personally I don't think you should have to pay the euthanasia costs but then it may (or may not) be emotionally easier to pay up and move on. Talk to your vets in a day or so when it has all sunk in and see what they say.

Huge hugs hunny

 

[eekmon]

How terrible for you

Lets hope it's the last time she ever puts a horse to sleep unaided! At least as someone said he felt nothing. As an owner of a 29 yo I am so leaning towards having him shot when the time comes and this has just made me sway a little further.

 

[maisie]

Firstly so sorry for your loss made so much worse by your ghastly experience. I work for an equine vets and would strongly suggest that you write a LONG letter to make your feelings known. I would recommend that you tell the practice manager/senior partner everything in minute detail and suggest that a reduction/credit would be appropriate as they did not even finish the job. We always do our utmost to ensure euthanasia's go smoothly and that every vet has plenty of the drug on board - although we are lucky in that we are a large practice and there is always someone else within a max of 30 mins away who could assist. Please don't just suffer in silence and pay the bill without saying anything to them - we always prefer to hear about the good AND bad things we do - hopefully so that the bad things never happen again - Good luck and try to remember the good times with your ned!

 

[Alex_kate]

i am so sorry for your loss and also the traumatic experience, i'm sure with that amount of drugs your horse wouldnt have been in pain. i agree with GTS think about the good times you shared.
on the matter of the vets i would plainly refuse to pay the bill and be looking for some kind of compensation.

 

[Sooty]

It is absolutely dreadful when you make the kindest decision for the horse, which is the hardest for you, and all you want is a peaceful end - then this happens. It is so weird because the vet who came to put Wurzel down today had three goes at getting the needle to stay in the vein, eventually having to use three legs. That was bad enough, but with a horse it must have been so much worse, then not to actually do the job - it doesn't bear thinking about. I would definitely write to the partners at the vet practice, even if you don't get any money off it may ensure that in future they have the tools for the job and nobody else goes through what you did. I am so sorry, it must have been too dreadful for words.

 

[Tia]

That is atrocious - sorry no other words to describe it, and no matter how much anyone tries to justify this, I believe there is no justification. A bad job done....end of.

I am so sorry for you - what an awful thing to happen and yes I would certainly not be taking this lying down. Make some noise about it and hopefully she won't be able to do this to yet another horse at any time in the forseeable future.

 

[JadeWisc]

I actually cannot imagine how they had the NERVE to bill you. I am so sorry you had to go through this. I felt so ill reading it. I am also glad that it seems you have decided to do something about it. That is certainly what I would do. I totally disagree with the idea of the owner not being there at the end of their beloved friend. If they are strong enough and choose to...I think it is the best way. You made the right choice and it sounds as though you remained very strong. Once again , I am so sorry ~Jade~

 

[ru-fi-do]

Gosh how terrible, sorry i'm gobsmacked and don't know what to say! Thoughts are with you. x

 

[air78]

I'm so sorry for you. XX

 

[wizzi901]

obviously not knowing all the circumstances its hard to judge, firstly I am very sorry for your sad loss, especially with these circumstances, it doesnt bear thinking about.

YES write to your vet, expect a hefty amount off, a very big apology and hope that they always carry a gun in future.

Personally I prefer a sedative then a gun, as it does give the option if you have problems like this which is not the first time I have heard similar.

Doesnt sound like you had a choice but however you lost your horse, its truly awful to have to go through this.

 

[mandy4727]

How awful for you. So so sad to see a loved horse go through that. Even though I wasn't there I can imagine it and really feel for you.

 

[TheresaW]

Really sorry for your loss.

 

[judymoon]

Dont even thnk of paying the bill, talk about gross incompetence! and then the double hurt of sending you a bill. From my experience of being a vet nurse working on the road with the vet, we NEVER charged for euthanasia to our clients, and the drugs DO NOT cost £600 also i must emphasize having being the person who does billing for a vet that the a sizeable proportin of a bill is down to 'proffesional services' ie you paying for the skill of the vet - not much skill going on here it sounds. Stuff goes wrong, it happens, but to have the nerve to charge you for it is plain offensive. Talk to one of the partners, go straight to the top, do not go to the blling department but to the No 1 person. Hell i'd do it for you im so fired up after reading your post and you poor thing.

 

[cobwithattitude]

OMG that is so horrendous - you must be terribly traumatised - no one could imaginge that happening. As for sending you a bill-callous beyond belief. Do not pay and write a letter saying why-they should be paying you!. Poor poor you and poor poor horse.

 

[brighteyes]

I have read the post again going purely off the details written, and think that although very distressing to watch, your lovely boy was not struggling to live. I think he was probably in a deep sleep and not suffering at all. Do not beat yourself up over this very distressing event.

I disagree with GT's in that you should be there at the end if you possibly can. I want me to be the last memory mine have, not some stranger, possibly worrying them. When it is over, it is over for them, but not for us. You did your absolute best. Never forget that or your happy memories of him. GTs is spot on there.

I stood with my boy and he died very peacefully so I was lucky, but it must be one of the hardest things to do and in this instance your vet let you down. I imagine they felt pretty awful about it, too.

I would certainly not pay anything before a proper discussion, in person, with the chief vet. You need to know why this happened and be reasssured your boy didn't suffer. It does smack of incompetence but there might be a reasonable explanation which might make you feel better.

 

[Vicki1986]

Oh Nat this is so sad. As if its not traumatic enough for you. Im so sorry i hope your ok?
And yes i would certainly have a thing or two to say to the practice as i personally wouldnt feel that is a satisfactory service.
Hope your alright hunny chin up, lots of kisses from us all XXXXXXXX

 

[Sags_Deer]

goodness my heart goes out to you how awful. and take it up with the practise without a doubt.

pm me 6.6" masta under rug available.

 

[Dovorian]

Of little consolation in these sad circumstances, but personally I would either write a strong letter or ask for a meeting with the senior partner at the practice. If you do meet take somebody to support you.

I sincerely hope that anyone facing the final decision doesn't read this and have doubts, your actions were right and the kindest thing for your horse. Let the Vet practice argue where the fault lies - vet or drug.

We all just feel so sorry to hear your story and hope that you can remember many happy times.

 

[Accy]

This is totaly disgusting i am so sorry for what you had to go through and for a very stressful time to be made worse, i would write a strong letter explining the whole situation you should not have to pay for a service that was not carried out correctly.

i wish you all the best with this, may he be running free forever now.

 

[minesadouble]

Really feel for you - it must have been a dreadful experience.
As far as your bill goes you certainly shouldn't be expected to pay. I know of a situation where a vet scanned a mare in foal then asked if the newly qualified vet accompanying him could be allowed to scan her for experience. Owner agreed new vet internally damaged mare & owners nearly lost her. The vets billed owners for the treatment - a strongly worded letter was written and the bill was revoked.
Don't expect them to admit any liability though- I can virtually guarantee they wont!
My sympathies once again for this terrible experience.

 

[hotpot]

hi douglas mum have just loged on and read your letter i am so sorry he went through all of that he was a lovely horse, and i agree with all the other readers dont pay the bill and i would go to the top partner and say that you are going to take this further as this is not the first time that she has done this. good luck see you out hacking x x

 

[MissDeMeena]

Just had to add my sympathy!!
And also, that there's no way i'd pay that vets bill!!!