Should I complain to vet??

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flash1

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I very sadly had to have my horse put to sleep. This was done by injection.
After going down very quickly she tried to get back up and the vet had to give another injection which she messed up as she couldnt find the vein a second time.
I was very upset and this made the whole situation worse. I am so worried that she suffered at the end and knew what was happening.
I didnt say anything at the time because I was so upset but do you think I should complain to the vet.
 
I would deftinately put a complaint in. Poor you....it must have been so upsetting. I must admit i have never had a horse put down by injection, I have them shot, it is less traumatic. I really do feel for you. Take care X
 
No, I wouldn't complain.

Complications with the injection do happen. I had my mare done by injection last year and, luckily, there were no problems, but after the vet explained what COULD happen, I chose not to stay and my husband (whose horse it was) stayed with her. I stayed until the very last moment and saw her when she was gone.

Once the vet has administered the injection, the veins begin to collapse, which would then make it very difficult, especially if the horse is struggling to get back up and moving around, to find a vein again. It is unlikely to have been due to vet error, and more to do with how that particular horse reacted to the injection. Some horses go down and begin making a lot of noise which is another reaction to the injection.

I would speak to the vet and ask what the horse would have been feeling and why that would have happened, if it helps you, but no I wouldn't complain as, in my eyes, it is not the vet's fault.
 
i dont think you should complain to the vet at all. i know it wouldve been an absolutely horrific thing to see but the vet would not have done it on purpose. they were acting with their interst in the horse using their knowledge and experience. unless you know more than the vet then i dont think you can complain. i dont mean for this to sound harsh and i really do feel for you. vets just always seem to get the stick for stuff which they cant control.....
 
The reason I am thinking of complaining is that the vet clearly did not give a large enough amount of the drug, also she was panicing which is unprofessional and also seemed rushed.
It was a very upseting situation and I realise that there are sometimes problems but am very upset.
 
Do you mean clearly because you saw the measurement and felt it was not enough, or clearly because of the reaction the horse had? If the latter, then that does not mean it is clear that not enough was given. Some horses do get back up, some kick around and squeal.

I don't blame the vet for panicking - it is very dangerous when a horse does that, and I'm sure she wanted to get the horse gone asap to stop any suffering to you or the mare.
 
I would have said it is very difficult to judge how much is required too unless a very accurate weight is known and each horse reacts differently. I know it is harrowing and upsetting and i have lost a horse like this too but the vets do the best they can.
 
The dose is calculated as opposed to a rough estimate. It would've been as precise as syringe measurements will allow.

What happened will undoubtedly have been very upsetting, but I'm afraid that it is well known that horses can have atypical reactions to the injection, and can 'fight' the injection and require a second dose.

Sorry for your loss.
 
Sorry for your loss.

Unfortunatley it happens - have seen it several times. As the other posters say the reaction depends on the horse. It is upsetting and will no doubt play on your mind but the vet did not do it on purpose and was probably trying to be quick to spare you and the horse any distress.
 
No I wouldn't complain. The very situation you describe is why I have always had my horses put down with a bullet.

For some horses the injection can work very well - for others not.

Sorry for your loss.
 
I'm sorry for your loss
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but I am in agreement with Megan and Lankydoodle in their reasoning, and would not complain.
 
I agree with lankydoodle and co. Dose calculation is complicated and there are many factors involved. You don't mention the circumstances, but any existing disease/other drugs/injury/stress/pain/old age etc. will all alter the required dose considerably. Unfortunately there is a narrow margin of error for barbiturates. You might imagine that it is best to completely overestimate, but this can cause sudden, massive shut down of the vascular system before the horse is actually dead, leading to a long and drawn out death. The only thing you might have cause for a grumble about would be if the vet did not expain a bit about the potential complications, and mentioned the alternatives (captive bolt)
 
I wouldn't complain, I think you should try and think what the vet felt at the time, it's very difficult for them, they don't know how the horse will react. You are obviously very upset at losing your horse and my heart goes out to you, but I'm sure your vet feels upset about it too. Leave it for a few days and realise that in life very few things go according to plan, sad as this may be...my advice is to let it go.
 
How awful for you.

I was there with my daughter when her horse was PTS and we were lucky he went peacefully and quickly but I know the injection can produce odd reactions in some horses.

I would not complain - but I would quietly request a meeting or phone call with a senior partner to discuss your disquiet.
I am sure nothing wrong was done but you need to have your mind put at rest as you will always have the fear that she suffered otherwise.

This is a terrible time for you and I think they would be very sympathetic towards you and explain everything - which people on here cannot do as we do not have the facts to hand.

I am sorry for you loss and many people on here know how you feel. (((HUGS)))
 
Can I add twopennorth worth from the other side of the fence?

As a vet by far and away one of the most unpleasant and stressful jobs we do is euthanase horses. It is a difficult job particularly given that the majority of horses are on their feet when it is done (cf cats and dogs, which you can generally get to sit or lie down) - therefore the horse is going to fall to the ground, which is always dramatic.

With the best will in the world every horse reacts to the injection differently, regardless of dose rate (it's always a massive overdose, that's how it works). Some will be dead before they hit the floor, others will continue breathing for a number of minutes. Some horses will require a further dose. Some will fail to respond to injection at all, and will need to be euthanased by shooting (I have had this happen, and it was horrendous for both the owner and myself).

So please give your vet a bit of a break, remember we are only human and she will have been as upset by the incident as you were (even if she didn't show it at the time). Unfortunately things do not go to plan 100% of the time, and I'm sure she was trying to do the best she could in a very difficult situation.
 
I'm sorry for your loss but, no, absolutely not. Even the very best vet can struggle with veins on a sick horse, the vet really was unlikely to be at fault. This is one reason I prefer my horse to be shot.
 
I would like to change my mind on my previous reply. I think that a complaint is not needed, however perhaps a chat to one of the senior vets would ease your situation. It is an extremely difficult job to do and I am 100% sure that the vet in question was doing her best. I really feel so sorry for you.XX
 
Thanks for all your replys, I know I cant think properly at the moment and I will leave things for a while I know the vet did her best and It was a difficult situation I just expected it to be quick and peaceful.
 
How upsetting for you. When our dear old boy was put to sleep the vet administered 2 full syringes, one immediately after the other. He explained that the first syringe should stop his heart, but he would administer 2 to be sure - he also warned us of muscle spasms after the heart had stopped. In the event, it was actually very quick and peaceful. Your post has made me appreciate my vet's thoroughness. I would write a letter to the vet surgery, as it will lay the matter to rest for you and may encourage that vet to adminster 2 syringes at the outset as a precaution in future. If the letter is worded appropriately, I can see no reason why you shouldn't share how upsetting it was you.
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I'm so sorry this has happened Flash - I really, really feel for you. I think you are wise to give it a little time. You are right when you say it is not easy to think objectively at the moment - and understandably so. Do give it a little while and then, if you still feel the need, have a chat with your vet surgery and ask them to talk you through what could have happened. I do agree that a complaint at this stage may be a little premature - this does happen unfortunately.

I hope things get a little easier for you - big hugs from me....

xxx
 
I'm so sorry you had this experience.I would wait until your emotions are a bit less raw and then discuss it with the vet. We have had a few horses put down with the injection and our vets insert a catheter into the vein and administer a full bottle of the drug - apparently this is an'overdose'for any size horse but they like to play it safe. We have never had a bad experience, all have gone peacefully. Sending my sympathies to you though - it must have been dreadful for you.
 
You did the right thing. Shooting is not perfect either. My last horse "ran" for over five minutes when shot and was still "running" while his dead body was being winched into the lorry.

You did your best. Your vet did her best. Cry, cry again, and again, and let her go.
 
[ QUOTE ]

You did your best. Your vet did her best. Cry, cry again, and again, and let her go.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree with this. We had an old horse with a broken leg who took 3 injections and even then the (senior) vet was in tears trying desperately to find someone with a gun. You can only do your best- i know my vet was doing theirs. My only regret was that the vets are no longer allowed to carry a gun and the hunt kennels were too far away to help
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Your emotions are very raw.

I would not complain about this. From what you have described this is what can happen when you have a horse PTS unless you have them shot.

Give your vet a break as Im sure she was as upset by the whole situation as you were, no vet wants to put an animal or an owner through any additional trauma in that situation.
 
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