Veterinary malpractice

[lbb87]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Virginia

I believe I have evidence that three veterinarians royally screwed up in the care of my pet. I spoke to a veterinary specialist who basically indicated that two of the vets should have sought testing for two separate health problems. Had these veterinarians done this, I believe my pet would still be alive today. My pet could have received treatment that would have prevented his two illnesses from becoming serious as quickly as they did.

Through research of my own, I discovered that the third veterinarian screwed up giving treatment to the same ill pet. This treatment caused his conditions to worsen. Had he not screwed up I believe my pet could have either been treated for his illnesses or that he would not have spent two days suffering before he died. I don't know if there is proof of any of this. I think all I have is my word against his, I'm not entirely sure. I need to speak with the veterinarian specialist and get the records from the vet's office.

If I have proof that these three veterinarians screwed up, what can I do about it? I do not have the funds to hire a lawyer. I'm not sure I want to sue these veterinarians. It would be nice for them to pay for their screwups. If that means a disciplinary hearing and a mark on their record, then I'm fine with that. At least then people will know these veterinarians screwed up. Could someone perhaps give me advice on how to handle this situation? Should I collect the evidence and submit it to the state veterinary board? Or is there something else I should do?

 

[lya]

My pet could have received treatment that would have prevented his two illnesses from becoming serious as quickly as they did.

I believe this statement shows the level of your grief and your current inability to think clearly. Give yourself a few months; then, re-evaluate the situation before seeking to harm others.

 

[RRevak]

What was wrong with the pet and what treatments were given...your post is very vague.

 

[Zigner]

Your pet got sick and died in a two-day time period? What proof do you have that ANYTHING could have saved it?

 

[ecmst12]

Your word against his is NOT going to get you anywhere in court.

 

[lbb87]

I don't want to give too much information because I want to stay anonymous for now. Giving out too much info could lead someone who works at that office to possibly figure out who I am. It's unlikely, but possible.

My pet was perfectly fine until the night before I took him to the vet. His only symptom at that time was lack of appetite, which was extremely rare for him. The next afternoon, I noticed he was lethargic and acting unusual, so I called the vet who wanted him brought in right away for suspected urinary blockage. Three days later, I had to euthanize my pet.
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The veterinary specialist (who I'm going to speak with again) told me that my pet's two medical conditions (heart murmur and ureterolithiasis) should have been take more seriously by the two regular veterinarians. The specialist said these two conditions were diagnosed a while back (which I knew) and that further testing should have been done. He told me that ureterolithiasis is something that he takes very seriously and something should have been done (like an ultrasound). Every year since the original diagnosis I asked the two veterinarians that treated my pet about further testing and they said it wasn't necessary. They said the heart murmur wasn't serious enough to warrant further testing and that there was nothing that could be done for the ureterolithiasis.

At the time my pet died, he had heart failure and kidney failure. Less than five months ago, the doctor said his heart murmur wasn't serious and didn't need testing. The heart problem was more than likely present at the time of the exam (I need to confirm this with the specialist), but was missed by the veterinarian. Medicine could have been given to prevent if from getting worse if it had been noticed. Had the ureterolithiasis been checked out more thoroughly, it would have prevented damage to the kidneys that caused kidney failure to come about so suddenly.

Three days before my pet died, I took him to another veterinarian at the same practice that the other two vets work at. This doctor was the only one there at the time and it was my first time seeing him. About 90 minutes prior, I took my pet's heart rate and got a 96 (below normal) and heard gurgly sounds that were as loud as the heartbeat. I did not know at the time what those sounds were. Now I realize they were the fluid that was in the abdomen/chest. I saw this veterinarian listen to my pet's heartbeat with his stethoscope, but he did not say anything. I asked about doing x-rays and he did not want to do them. I asked because of the ureterolithiasis and because the regular veterinarian had told me to come in that day because of a suspected urinary blockage. So this veterinarian ordered blood work because that's what the regular vet wanted done. Then he gave my pet subcutaneous fluids for dehydration (part of the kidney failure and not caused by me). The next day I brought my pet back in and he received more fluids. Later that day the results of the blood work came in. I was told it was kidney failure and I would have to bring him in for IV fluids. They were closed at that time and the next day so I had to wait 36 hrs. During those 36 hrs, my pet's health deteriorated (noted by this veterinarian when I brought my pet in for the IV fluids). I asked a tech/assistant about the prognosis and she said it was poor. She mentioned something about getting x-rays done and I told her if they wanted to do them, then they could. So then this vet told me that the x-rays showed that my pet had fluid present around the heart and I needed to get an emergency ultrasound done by the specialist because it's dangerous to administer fluids to a cat with heart problems. After the ultrasound and examination, the specialist told me that nothing could be done for my pet because his condition was very bad. They suggested it might be best to euthanize him to spare him further pain otherwise he could suffer a heart attack. I agreed with the euthansia and had it done immediately as his condition was worsening.

Upon doing my own research, I discovered that subcutaneous fluids and IV fluids should not be given to a cat with serious heart problems. The day I originally took my pet in to the third vet, I heard the fluid present when I took his heart rate, I just didn't know what it was at that time, but I heard it. The doctor should have heard it too. If he had, he shouldn't have given my pet fluids. Those fluids more than likely caused the deterioration that he told me about. Also, had he done an x-ray (something he should have done based on the history of ureterolithiasis) he should have seen the fluid around the heart and the presence of more kidney stones. If he had, he could have sent me to the specialist then for the emergency ultrasound. Or he could have sent me the next day when he got the blood results back. No matter how you look at it, he screwed up. He worsened my pet's condition my administering subcutaneous fluids. I realize now that it's questionable as to whether my pet could have been saved before the fluids were given based on the high potassium levels shown in the blood work. But by giving fluids, he made my pet suffer more than necessary for 36 hrs.

The bottom line is that the third vet administered fluids when they should have not been given at all. The two regular veterinarians should have sent my pet for further testing years ago. If they had, preventitive measures could have been taken and my pet would still be alive and in good health today. My pet would've had to take pills for the rest of his life, but they would've added several years onto his life. Think of it like being diagnosed with cancer but not doing anything about it. Without treatment you will die within a few years, depending on how bad it is. With treatment, you could live up to 80 more years, depending on how old you are.

 

[ecmst12]

A urinary blockage will definitely kill a pet in a matter of hours/days.

 

[lbb87]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this situation? If I'm overreacting, please tell me. But if this was a human, instead of an animal, would you still have the same opinion?

 

[Proserpina]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this situation? If I'm overreacting, please tell me. But if this was a human, instead of an animal, would you still have the same opinion?

I understand the question on a painfully personal level but the fact remains - the law does not view animals and humans as equals. The question is really moot.

 

[CJane]

Was a necropsy performed?

 

[lbb87]

Was a necropsy performed?

No. There was no reason to do one. I don't thing doing one would've shown anything that we didn't already know.

 

[CJane]

No. There was no reason to do one. I don't thing doing one would've shown anything that we didn't already know.

Well, then at this point, you have no actual cause of death.

Might have been kidney failure, might have been heart failure, might have been dehydration which was either a direct cause of death or contributed to the kidney failure (you did, after all wait 36 hours to get IV fluids into the cat rather than taking him to an alternate practice)...

You claim that it was very dangerous to administer IV fluids to a cat w/a heart murmur, but it was VITAL that he HAVE the fluids due to his severe dehydration.

Were you following a specific diet recommendation? Had the cat previously been treated for the ureterolithiasis or just diagnosed?

Trying to prove malpractice in the treatment of a cat w/so many issues the treatment of which could have exacerbated other issues is going to be nearly impossible.

 

[mun1son]

MUCH info for you

First of all,please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your pet at the hands of these bad vets.

Second, I am not a vet or an attorney so this is not medical or legal advice.

I am a pet owner who has personally dealt with a very similar situation in the death of our Shih Tzu back in 2005. These are my opinions based on my own experience and continuing research.

stempy.net

The advice offered by one poster that you not do anything at all for a few months is actually very bad advice - and here is why... You need to request and obtain copies of all your pet's medical records, including copies of any tests or radiographs performed for the entire time your pet was a patient at this clinic. This needs to be done right away before the licensees have a chance to alter the records. Once you have this information, then you can take a deep breath and try to slowly absorb what has happened.

As soon as you remember certain things or events, write them down as soon as possible in a notebook/log/journal. Over the coming months, you will most likely remember more details. Writing everything down will be very useful if you decide to proceed.

You won't find much help in the courts. In the eyes of the law, pets are considered property. 'Replacement Value' is generally the most you could recover IF you were to actually prevail in court. I know of people who have spent 50k and more pursuing vet mal cases with the only hope of recovering maybe a couple hundred dollars. The result is that it is usually financially unfeasible to pursue for most folks. No accountability there...

Your other option would be to file a formal complaint with your state's veterinary licensing board. Most vet boards are incredibly biased in favor of protecting bad vets, instead of our pets. I urge you to file anyway if you believe negligence was involved.

Over 90 percent of consumer complaints alleging vet mal are flat out dismissed at most state vet boards. In the rare cases when the boards do act, the sanctions are WOEFULLY inadequate to serve as a future deterrent.

Again, I urge you to file anyway if you believe negligence was involved.

The dead cannot cry out for justice. It is a duty of the living to do so for them.

'God could never have been a veterinarian because God answers prayers, and veterinarians answer to no one.'

 

[CJane]

stempy.net

Wow. I get being all sad and junk when your pet dies. I've had lots of pets die in my life.

But I've never become completely and overwhelmingly obsessed like that. My recommendation to the OP is to NOT do what you've done. At all.

 

[Proserpina]

Wow. I get being all sad and junk when your pet dies. I've had lots of pets die in my life.

But I've never become completely and overwhelmingly obsessed like that. My recommendation to the OP is to NOT do what you've done. At all.

May I please respectfully second that?

Thank you.