Veterinary error - ?negligence

JanetGeorge

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I have a nice young mare about to go to the specialists to have a rear tooth removed. She had her mouth seen 4 times by my vet in the last 12 months - 1st when we were about to back her. She wouldn't settle in her mouth and was quidding badly - another check. Then another - oh gee, she has a ramp on one side. That was treated - still trouble and FINALLY - oh gee, she has a nasty hook RIGHT at the back - and an ulcer - and the tooth has gone crooked. The quote to have it removed - £1500 - and that's without all the money I've spent on her mouth in the last 12 months to no avail! Just to complicate things, that vet has just retired. (He'd been my vet for 30 years and never had a problem with him before.) OH insists I should do my vets for negligence - has anyone had to do this?

Once 'sorted', the mare will be for sale and obviously this problem ill have an effect on her value - she'll need more frequent dental treatment than 'normal'.
 

twiggy2

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Often problems in the mouth are caused by poor conformation of the mouth/ teeth so the likelihood is you would have had to have had the tooth out anyway.
As a young horse could these problems have just been showing themselves as the tooth 'settled' and it is not now till the tooth has done that that the tooth has shown itself to be crooked.
My understanding is the tooth would not have 'gone' crooked, the teeth are formed before they come through so the chances are it has been the crookedness of the tooth that has caused all the problems not the other way round.
 

Red-1

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I would not as long as you think the vet did his best. They are paid for their time and experience, not to get it right 100% of the time.

I have three times had a second opinion when I thought a vet had got it wrong. Once was where the first vet had said PTS, and the horse was saved. Twice it ended in an operation where an earlier intervention would have been less fuss. I did not seek to take action.

I am reading a book atm, apparently with doctors with a second opinion 30% of the time the second opinion differs from the first. People all have different perspectives, talents, experience.
 

JanetGeorge

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At this stage I'm waiting to see what the expert thinks. Current vet thinks the hook was the cause of the ramp etc etc. - and the reason the tooth went crooked - but she's not the dental specialist.

And don't START me on the subject of medical specialists! Vascular specialist a toss pot, neurologist somewhat better - but no treatment on offer! Aaagghh!
 

PorkChop

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I think if it were me I would have a chat to the Vets to see if they will give you some discount, especially as you say you have used this particular Vets for years and been happy with them.

Sometimes things get missed or only show up once other stuff is done. I would be annoyed as well fwiw, but I doubt you would get a refund and/or the removal for free without falling out with them.
 
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