Help, castration gone wrong

[Btomkins]

Hi all

I recently booked my yearling colt in for a routine castration. I did notice that one of his testicles was slightly more descended than the other and pointed out this to the vet. He was happy to go ahead with the procedure but then only managed to remove one and had to leave the other in...

I am now left with a rig and they are trying to charge me the £411 for the procedure (which I agreed to for a FULL castration) and have informed me it will cost another £200+ to send the vet out to finish the job off.

Is it just me or should he vet be coming back free of charge as he did not complete the job and I agreed the £411 for a full castration only...

Thoughts appreciated, thanks!

 

[el_Snowflakes]

Hmmm he didn't complete what u asked so u certainly shouldnt have to pay extra?!

 

[Cortez]

Well, first of all £411 for a castration is outrageous! Not alone for a failed attempt!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I guess it depends on if the vet could reasonably have been expected to know that the spare nut might erm...what? what has it even done, gone back inside?.. Anyway I think it depends if it was a genuine case of these things can happen and nobody can be expected to know when, until it does. Or whether the vet knew it might happen, took a chance, but didn't explain the risk to you and now its backfired.

 

[cptrayes]

He took a judgement call after you alerted him to the problem. As far as I can see the risk was on him at that stage unless he warned you he might only be able to get one, and the second testicle should be removed at no extra charge.

 

[Btomkins]

Well, first of all £411 for a castration is outrageous! Not alone for a failed attempt!

Just to clarify, this included a tetanus booster jab, but still I knew it was pretty expensive at the time of booking, but having used the vets on other animals before and them being highly recommended to me, I thought what the hell, at least I know they will do a decent job! Silly me! I am trying to argue it out at the minute with them, but not really sure where I stand?..

I was also told that the vet would be bringing an assistant along but magically only he appeared and I didn't think I would need to bring an extra pair of hands, does make me wonder if this had happened if the procedure could have gone to plan the first time round?

 

[navaho]

that is expensive for a job not completed. £135 inc the tetanus i paid last year. Think you need to have a serious word with them.

 

[Tiffany]

Sorry to hear about your boy and no it doesn't sound like you should be paying more. £400 for castration?

Unfortunately, I've yet to meet a vets practice who own up and pay for their own mistakes Friend's horse was diagnosed by her vet with a condition that required an operation. Horse went in overnight, got prepared for op next morning then specialist surgeon decided he didn't want to operate that day because he wasn't convinced diagnosis was correct after seeing horse move. After he did full lameness assessment he re-diagnosed and horse was re-admitted and operated on the week after.

Friend still had to pay for original lameness assessment, admission and incorrect diagnosis eek:

 

[Shadow the Reindeer]

My vet would have said to wait a bit longer and do them when they've both dropped.. seems this vet wasn't thinking ahead at the time.. would have saved both you and the colt a lot of stress (poor little mite, having to go through it again )..

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

OP were you paying extra because they were charging for two people then only sent one? If so that's ripping you off IMO, never mind the bodged job.

 

[FfionWinnie]

Complain. Have you paid the bill? Phone other local vets and see what they charge. Then complain some more!

It doesn't even make sense, 411 to bodge it and only take one out and only 200 to come back and fix it? If its the horse having an "issue" surely it would be vet hosp and more than original bodge job.

Did I say complain? Phone the RCVS for advice. BHS helpline.

 

[Clippy]

I did notice that one of his testicles was slightly more descended than the other and pointed out this to the vet. He was happy to go ahead with the procedure

He took a chance at your expense. Not fair on you or your colt No, you shouldn't be paying another £200 on top of the £400+ which is way too much for a castration anyway!

 

[honetpot]

I would ring round local vets and ask for a quote then offer to pay the average going rate and says they can take you to the small claims court for the rest. My friend was over charged by a vet and that is what she did and she won at the small claims.
£400 seems way above the going rate and if they have to knock him down to take out the other testicle its going to cost more than £200. I had one done at a vet school and it cost me £400 and that was subsidised.

 

[Ladyinred]

that is expensive for a job not completed. £135 inc the tetanus i paid last year. Think you need to have a serious word with them.

Same sort of price round here (south east)

If the vet made the call to go ahead in spite of only one testicle being properly descended then it seems hardly fair to charge you again!

 

[Spring Feather]

The vet should not have removed the single testicle. He should have tried to locate the hiding one first and if not able to get hold of it then he should have left things as they are for the moment.

I check my colts on a fairly regular basis from when they are born and always daily for a number of days before the appointment date. If anything changes then I postpone the surgery.

The price you were originally quoted is extortionate IMO. The vet came ill-equipped and under-manned. The vet performed a procedure which he should not have done under the circumstance. Now they want to extort more money out of you. Damn right I'd be complaining! Shortly before changing vet practices!

 

[Tnavas]

That's an outrageous amount to pay for gelding especially as he didn't have a rummage around and find the other testicle.

I'd definately be stamping my feet and be expecting him to come back to finish the job AND have the original bill at least in the process.

My last colt had one good sized testicle and the other vanished at the sight of the vet but she had a rummage around and found it. She didn't charge any more or for the follow up visit a few days later to clear excess fluid.

Guess your vet must be wanting a new car or a skiing trip this winter!

 

[flaxen]

In your other post on this you said that your horse was knocked out? Was he fully anaesthetised with ketamin or was he just sedated and fell over? A full ga castrate will always cost more than a routine standing castrate. However, your vet should never have attempted to do a ga without experienced help from someone used to handling anaesthetised horses particularly when they are down with drugs and not on a machine as they can come round very quickly.

It was also very unprofessional of your vet to half castrate him, he should have checked the horse thoroughly first and if there was a chance that he couldnt reach one side then he should have been left longer to give the testicle chance to descend or done under sterile conditions in a clinic where a bigger incision can be made to ensure he is done properly not just to one side. What he has done is malpractice.

Im sorry but the vets I work with would never half castrate a horse. Im sorry but I would be making an official complaint to the practice and also to the RCVS.

http://findavet.rcvs.org.uk/complaints/i-want-to-make-a-complaint/

 

[fizzer]

Similar situation with one of mine, vet could only safely get one done so advised to take him to vet hospital where they did the other whilst under. My whole vet bill was only £450 ish.

 

[Thistle]

OP, I'm in a similar area to you and had two boys gelded last year. Both were done standing sedated, although the youngest was very sensitive to the sedation and ended up being done flat out on the floor. (he had very little post op bruising and swelling though). The horses were done at different times so not a multiple booking. They cost £150 each for castrate and sedate. Antibiotics were extra if required.

 

[cob&onion]

Hi all

I recently booked my yearling colt in for a routine castration. I did notice that one of his testicles was slightly more descended than the other and pointed out this to the vet. He was happy to go ahead with the procedure but then only managed to remove one and had to leave the other in...

I am now left with a rig and they are trying to charge me the £411 for the procedure (which I agreed to for a FULL castration) and have informed me it will cost another £200+ to send the vet out to finish the job off.

Is it just me or should he vet be coming back free of charge as he did not complete the job and I agreed the £411 for a full castration only...

Thoughts appreciated, thanks!

I have a rig colt - he has an undescended testicle, i have been quoted anywhere between £600 - £1500 for the same procedure, so if the other needs to be taken into surgery then that sounds about right

 

[SarahAndScout]

I had a 7 year old stallion castrated, he had to be knocked out due to his age and was done lying down, he also had his tetanus booster, a course of anti biotics, pain killers and a check up visit a few days later, my whole bill was £150!!

 

[Clodagh]

Hi all

I recently booked my yearling colt in for a routine castration. I did notice that one of his testicles was slightly more descended than the other and pointed out this to the vet. He was happy to go ahead with the procedure but then only managed to remove one and had to leave the other in...

I am now left with a rig and they are trying to charge me the £411 for the procedure (which I agreed to for a FULL castration) and have informed me it will cost another £200+ to send the vet out to finish the job off.

Is it just me or should he vet be coming back free of charge as he did not complete the job and I agreed the £411 for a full castration only...

Thoughts appreciated, thanks!

I'm only down the road from you and I paid £100 for mine, although I did take him to the surgery. Can you pm me with the vets practice? I am appalled!

 

[navaho]

In your other post on this you said that your horse was knocked out? Was he fully anaesthetised with ketamin or was he just sedated and fell over? A full ga castrate will always cost more than a routine standing castrate. However, your vet should never have attempted to do a ga without experienced help from someone used to handling anaesthetised horses particularly when they are down with drugs and not on a machine as they can come round very quickly.

I usually have mine knocked down & there isnt much difference in the price usually. Ive had a vet on his own out to do this a few times, though i have noticed the last couple of times they have sent 2 vets.

 

[Tnavas]

In your other post on this you said that your horse was knocked out? Was he fully anaesthetised with ketamin or was he just sedated and fell over? A full ga castrate will always cost more than a routine standing castrate. However, your vet should never have attempted to do a ga without experienced help from someone used to handling anaesthetised horses particularly when they are down with drugs and not on a machine as they can come round very quickly.

I'm surprised with the modern drugs anyone wouold have their colt gelded standing - there is enormous risk to the vet and its far harder for the vet to do a clean job. I've had colts gelded over the years since 1970's and my vet has never had an assistant while gelding.

I've always had mine knocked out and on the ground, first with a sedative then with whatever it is that will knock them right out.

My current vet rolls them onto their back so both hind legs are in the air and she then works from behind. Totally negates the need for roping the hind leg up. Something I will never have done after a friends foal coming around early and trying to stand fully roped - it ruptured its pelvis and had to be put down.

Rolled onto the back gives her a great clear view so she can work fast and cleanly.

 

[evilmavis]

I had the same with my boy earlier this year, initially he said he could feel both testicles, got one out then could not find the other one, the vet only charged me for the drugs used and has came back numerous of times since to check if it has dropped which it hasn't! My only option now is to send him to be operated on. If it would of dropped the vets would of done the procedure for free again.

 

[cornbrodolly]

Our vet will not castrate while horse laid down - last bill £300 for a yearling.....

 

[Btomkins]

Thanks very much everyone for your opions - glad to know that im not the only one who thinks im being ripped off and appalled at this veterinary surgery.

My colt was fully knocked out laying down in the field - the vet did mange to get a hold of the other testicle 3 times but just wasnt able to remove it in time for him coming round from the ketamine.

The testicle is obviously there now, after examining him I can definitely feel it and just about see it there, so he definitely hasnt got a retained testicle which would need further invasive surgery.

 

[navaho]

Quite amazing to read how different vets work over the UK.

 

[BeckyCandy]

My boy cost a fortune he had retained a testicle so needed full surgery at the vets it was very deep inside him and tiny... BUT I was advised to wait until autumn to see if it would drop and told to bring him in.. Even if the vet could see the slightly retained testicle, I'm surprised he didn't advise that he was taken in to the vets as I know if they get worried or cold they can suck them up !!! I'd be having words if I were you as it was risky itself him not bringing an assistant to a castration that he knew wasn't straight forward

 

[Btomkins]

Quite amazing to read how different vets work over the UK.

I agree - the price differences and techniques vary so much. As this surgery came so well reccommended to me I thought I was paying a premium for a guaranteed excellent service - obviously not!