Ultrasound scans - does your vet let you stay and watch?

kerilli

kerilli

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The vet's practice which I have used for over 20 years has brought in a policy whereby they do not allow owners to be present in the Treatment rooms for leg scans, x-rays, etc.
Does your vet let you stay in and watch?
I have seen literally hundreds of scans over the years and am good at reading them, and, since I am paying for the scan and it is my horse being done, I always want to be present and to watch it being done.
I've asked whether I can be given permission to stay, and said that I am happy to sign a disclaimer, but they have said No.
I am seriously thinking of changing practices over this, what do you think?
 
I've always had x-rays done at the yard, so am always there as someone needs to hold the retched creature, as well as adding some style and sophistication to the proceedings in a snazzy protective apron
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Did they give any reason why they've brought the policy in?
 
I know quite a few practices have a policy where people are not allowed to stay in xray unless it is essential for them to be there. Just radiation safety advice, I guess.

I see no reason why an owner should not be allowed to stay for a scan, in fact I would encourage owners to do so, as it increases their understanding on their horse's problem.

I think it creates a good bond between a vet practice and their clients if the clients are involved as much as possible. I've worked in practices where owners are encouraged to watch surgeries through a sound proof window- I've seen onwers watch colic ops and I've seen them watch their horses die/be PTS on the table. If nothing is hidden, they will never be left wondering if anything would have changed the outcome.
 
thanks for the answers.
i think it's an insurance or health&safety policy... i was told that an owner got hurt when their horse tried to jump out of the stocks (or something), but if i recall correctly, the owner was in a wheelchair...
since i am able bodied, i'm a bit worried if they think i'd be as slow to get out of the way as someone in a wheelchair might be... no offense intended to anyone!

i'd rather watch everything, i agree... if nothing is hidden etc. but they've refused me permission to watch every time my horses has been operated on, even though they have a viewing window, and i'm not the daft fainty/interrupting/screaming type at all.
hmm, change coming at this rate, i think.
 
Always been there to hold/trot up/twitch etc.

So far this year, I've had to pin my foal down for her checks/jabs, hold my heavily sedated mare for an eye exam and flush, then she had a scan on her leg, fluid drawn off and it medicated plus a nerve block....so yep, I get to see everything. TBH I wouldn't want to leave my mare, she has issue about being held onto tightly, yet has a tendancy to rear if not held enough when they jab her.
 
I am always there for scans/xrays- apart from when he went in for the MRI scan but that was an away stay. I think its a vital part of understanding the lameness/vet work, helps to 'see' . For the MRI scan I still havent a clue how the injury should be visualised! Would love to be talked through it.
 
I'm always there for x-rays or scans unless I leave the horse for the day. But for the many x-rays etc I've had done on my horses and others that I've brought to the vet I've always been present and talked through the interpretation of the images. Personally I would not be happy at all about your vets policy - it seems extreme and unnecessary. You are paying and you are a competent horse owner. Plus, surely they sedate the horse for such procedures anyway?
 
Yes, I've always been present. Tbh it has never occured to me that I wouldn't be (or not allowed to be).

Most of my horse(s) treatments have been at home - using portable equipment. But even when Amy went to the practice to be x-rayed I was present.

It's a great way to learn - and to be fully informed about your horses problem and subsequent treatment. And like you, I'd be very unhappy not to be able to be present if I wished to be.
 
When my horse duffed her DDF, the vet brought his portable ultrasound. He knows I like all things veterinary, so having showed me how to read the print-out, he even let me have a go at scanning her leg myself!
 
Hi Kerilli, I *think* I know which practice you use from some of your previous posts: have you tried speaking to one of the partners about this? I've been with the same practice for 20 years and get on really well with my favourite partner, I think if he thought you would take your business elsewhere because of this he'd seriously reconsider...And if he does tell me cos I wanna be there for my ned's scans too!!!
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I worked at a vet practice as Head Nurse for 7 years and can see no reason why you could not be present for an Ultra sound scan... for X rays, the owners normally left the room while we were taking the shots , but returned as soon as we had finished and were normally present when the vet was assessing the x rays... but for scans the owners were always there unless the horse was left for the day.
I would definately want to be present for a scan if it was mine.
 
hi Bubbles, i've emailed one of the senior partners about it, (haven't managed to get hold of P), but emailed M, and he said "our insurers would not be very happy about it" (if they made an exception and let me stay in for scans, even though I offered to sign a disclaimer) = No, I think.
Hmmm. not happy at all, and looking elsewhere now... *sigh*
 
That's really odd - I held my horse whilst he had an endoscopy done today - why wouldn't they let you be present?!

Have to say if I were excluded then I'd be looking elsewhere too.

In fact during the first endoscopy the vet gave me a chart to look at so I could 'read' the video images of the insides of my horse as he took the pics - very interesting and has been most informative because I have been able to see improvements (or not!) on subsequent visits.
 
Been at all my mare's many scans on her tendon this year, plus x-rays - have to wear a lead apron for that, but have always been there to hold my mare and watch - I would not accept it any other way I'm afraid.

Mind you think my vets prefer it too, as the only time I exited the x-ray room for a chat with my vet, the nurses couldn't control her..........!
 
Hhhhhm, I must admit I've never had that much joy with M over the years, and I always have S no matter what. I've only ever once been allowed into the treatment rooms and that was to check out some xrays, but I do know that an old friend of mine was allowed in to see her horse during surgery, but that must have been a good 8 or 9 years ago now. I'd keep pushing the issue if I were you...
 
We always used to allow owners into the treatment rooms with the exception of under 16s and pregnant women in Xray. I have seen a few horses jump out of the stocks (and one break a leg doing so) but the owners knew we had done nothing wrong. If they hadn't have been there then they could have thought all sorts of things.

If a horse was particularly difficult then the nurses would take over and the owners would be asked to stand behind large bars in the clinic but only once did I see a vet ask them to leave (the horse was a pig and they were winding it up!)
 
QR - I've never been excluded from anything (Xrays, ultrasound, endoscopy, sedation etc) apart from having my old TB pts. I think it adds so much to owners' understanding if they can see things for themselves, even if it has to be very patiently explained!
 
I can't believe they have 'barred' you. The only reason that I could think is that some owners wind their horses up and make them anxious by the way they react around them when they are injured, and constantly patting a horse and whispering words of encouragement to it every couple of seconds in a tense nervous voice will not aid the horse in its belief that it will not be harmed. If anything it will make the horse more nervous than ever. I have seen this happen with owners first hand and all the words like 'good boy' 'ahh I know it hurts' and 'Oh bobby I'm so sorry' makes me cringe. Horses are not stupid. Possibly this has happened at your veterinary practice in the past and therefore it is easier for the vets and less stressful for the animals in they make universal policy to exclude everyone
 
i have also been involved in all my horses care and would not have it any other way if i wasn't allowed to stay im sorry but mey business with go else where after all you are the paying customer
 
I would not be happy if banned from seeing MY horse's diagnosis/treatment. I'd consider changing practices if there's another good vet in the area
 
That sounds really odd to me When one of mine went to Rossdales Andy Bathe was great at pointing out things as he scanned, answering my questions and generally being clear in explaining what he was looking at. What do they hope to gain from you not being there if it's not a H&S/insurance issue (which sounds like a lame excuse tbh)?
 
[ QUOTE ]
The vet's practice which I have used for over 20 years has brought in a policy whereby they do not allow owners to be present in the Treatment rooms for leg scans, x-rays, etc.
Does your vet let you stay in and watch?
I have seen literally hundreds of scans over the years and am good at reading them, and, since I am paying for the scan and it is my horse being done, I always want to be present and to watch it being done.
I've asked whether I can be given permission to stay, and said that I am happy to sign a disclaimer, but they have said No.
I am seriously thinking of changing practices over this, what do you think?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would definitely change practices! What are they hiding?

My vet always asks the owner, if at all possible, to be present! He is an equine vet who is also a equine reproduction specialist. He is not afraid to admit if the film taken is not correct (because eg the horse moved) and he discusses the results on screen.
I will admit the lead apron weighs a ton! And I always get teased because I'm small and the thing lies on my toes ... but all the discomfort is gladly taken if my horse is calmer because I'm there!

There would be hell to pay if I wasn't allowed to stay during the x-rays or any other treatment!!
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I've always been present at all investigations/operations/treatments of my horses. To be honest I would actually be pretty peed off if I couldn't be there, so much so, that yes I would also consider changing practices, providing there was as good another vet practice in the area. I wouldn't compromise expertise though.

I can't believe they have done this - what reason have they given for this? It's rather arrogant to say the least!
 
That seems really odd, even with all todays H&S and so on, I would be annoyed to be honest.

My Vet EXPECTS me to take an interest (I wouldn't have it any other way) and always tells me exactly what is going on and why and if possible gets me to do it, I've even done a scan with him AND he doesn't charge me a fiver (like the hospital did for my daughter) for a printout!
 
Our vets allow for ultrasound. They are great and talk you through everything they see. however being a college they treat most things as a teaching session for their students,
Xrays it depends a little on who you get but the Xray room is visible through glass you can see everything.
I have been asked to leave by the student and then asked to come back and hold my horse by the vet as he was clearly less anxious when I held him.

For the MRI which was done elsewhere, I was sent off and not even supposed to wait on the premises so had to find a local pub. This practice while being very good medically had a little work to do on their customer facing skills.
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Thats a bit odd!

My vets are brilliant! When I had to rush my old pony in back in September ( vets though she had a tumor, she was standing fine one min putting her head down then flipping and chucking her self round the stable head up the walls ) they where great they let me in with her where I led her in the stocks and they sedated her, they did an endoscopy where my vet was explaining everything to me and also let me hold and look down the camera and explain what I was looking at etc! I've been there for scans everything before, my vets have always asked me when they take my horse in do you wanna come watch? no matter what there doing, I think thats really nice that they offer!
 
I used to love going to the big practises so i could see the Xrays/scans being done, and used to get involved all the time! Can you PM me who you use Kerilli? *Touches wood* G has never had to go, but if he did, I would want to be involved.
 
When my boy Mickey was scanned (extensively
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), I was there every step of the way.
Personally, if my vet said no, I would think of changing.
 
I have never been rerfused when asked if I can stay.

All treatment/ investigations have been at home. I did take my friends horse to liphook and weas allowed to stay and watch.

One of mine had a abdominal op and I was allowed to watch that.
 
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