With the ever increasing concern over our loved companion animals and the need to give them proper medical attention, this means most of us will be taking our companion animals to a Veterinary Professional once, twice or several times a year. Most of us unconditionally trust these professionals and everything they tell us concerning our companion animals. We do not stop and think that sometimes these professionals could be dangerously wrong and even endanger or not care about our loved ones as much as they indicate, some even just see our loved ones as dollars going into their pockets. Some of us at sometime will fall victim to these professionals neglect, mistreatment, and sometimes even abuse!! Sometimes our loved companions will suffer physically from injury or even die at the hands of these professionals we trust, and when this happens it helps to know where to turn!!
If you experience or suspect that your loved companion has fallen victim to a professionals neglect, malpractice or abuse:
(1) Take your loved one to another veterinary professional for another documented opinion, if your loved one passed away due to suspected neglect or malpractice - then take their body to another veterinary professional for a necropsy and documented results. (Some Veterinary Colleges will also perform a necropsy on your companion animal for you).
(2) If you still suspect neglect or malpractice then contact the ALDF (Animal Legal Defense Fund) to get their "Malpractice Kit" which will include referrals for attorneys in your area that will take Veterinary Malpractice/Neglect cases. The ALDF can be reached online at: www.aldf.org
(3) Consult with an attorney and decide how you want to handle this case. Remember an animal, even your loved companion animal of many years, is still considered chattle in the eyes of the law and has the same rights as the wrist watch you are wearning or the chair you are sitting in. As sad as this is in this age, the most you can get for recovery is the replacement cost of the animal, and most states will just award this value. I know to you and myself there is not enough money to replace our loved ones, but the law sees differently and will "most of the time" award the value of replacing a "pure breed" or in a mixed breed case, the ammount to adopt another; plus the ammount of the veterinary bill and sometimes other incidental cost. However, in some states "when these cases go to court" there has been awards for punitive damages, mental and emotional distress and other related damages. This is why I urge you if all possible and funds permitting take this case to civil (not small claims) court!! This is how the laws and awarding of damages in such cases will change!!
Here is a list of places to register complaints remember some have 'time limits') over your experience and misfortune:
(1) File a written complaint with your State Veterinary Medical Board. The State Veterinary Board or Related Department are the ones who issues the license for the veterinary professional to conduct practice in your state, and they will also investigate your complaint and take appropriate action. I do not have a list of all the State Veterinary Medical Boards, but have some listed (CLICK HERE). You can also call your State Capitol and ask them for the contact information of your State Board or other Department that Controls Veterinary Practices.
(2) Complaints can also be submitted to the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) head office in your state and or county. Almost all Veterinarians are members of the AVMA and subject to their bylaws and rules, and they can take their own action on the complaint. You can find your States AVMA Head Office by going to: http://www.avma.org/statevma/default.htm
(3) Some Veterinarians and Animal Hospitals belong to the AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) if your first vet is a member of them you can also file a complaint with them on your experience and misfortune. The AAHA can be found online at: http://www.healthypet.com/
(4) You can also file complaints with your local Better Business Bureau (BBB), you can find the contact information for you local BBB by visiting their National Site at: www.bbb.org
(5) You can also file complaints with your local Business Associations, Chamber of Commerce, and other such places.
Here are some tips for selecting a good veterinary professional and to prevent you and your loved one from falling victim to neglect, malpractice or abuse. This is not a 100 percent safe guard, but a good start.
(1) When selecting a veterinarian to care for your loved companion, ask around. Ask you family, neighbors, friends, local Kennels, etc. and get their input and experiences.
(2) When you have a list of possibilities, call the Veterinary Offices and set up an appointment to meet with the Veterinarian and to tour the facility. When touring, note if there is a fenced in outside area for the staff to take the animals into, the condition of the kennel or boarding area, cleanliness and organization of the facility, and generally how the staff presents themselves. Also you may want to ask the staff and Veterinarian some questions and concerns you may have on their views and procedures concerning specifics and treatments you may have (many times I will ask such questions if they declaw cats or debark dogs, as I consider these an abusive surgery, if they offer to perform them openly without expressing concerns to the animal then I know they might not be truely concerned with the animals well being), their hours of operation, if they take after hours calls or emergencies, if they make house calls for an extra fee, if they staff the building when they have overnight and/or weekend patients, if they would honor and sign a contract of care outlining some rules you may have on treatment, etc. if you have to leave your loved one there without your presence, if they make you sign a waiver of liability when leaving your loved one there, and any other concerns you may have.
(3) Check your States Veterinary Medical Board, State AVMA Office, BBB, Local Chamber of Commerce and Business Associations, and the AAHA (if the Vet is a member of them) for any past and current complaints on the Veterinarian and Facility you are considering. (Links to these can be found in the Where to Complain Section above).
(1) Does your veterinarian and/or facility have staff present 24 hours when you have to leave your animal all night or over the weekend at the facility?
If the answer is "NO", then what happens if the building catches on fire or floods? What happens if vandles break inside and injure or kill your loved one? What happens if your loved ones condition gets seriously worse or they chew through the IV's, etc.?
(2) Does your veterinarian and/or facility have you sign a "Waiver of Liability" when they operate and/or board your loved one overnight or over the weekends?
If the Answer is "YES", Why do they need to waive "liabilities"? Why do they want to "not be responsible" for your loved one? Do they care about your loved one or more about money?
(3) Does your facility have a "fenced in area"?
If the Answer is "NO", What if your loved one is boarded and has to be taken outside for a walk? Who will be taking your loved one for the walk and what experience do they have? Do they have a "double leash" policy? What will they do if your loved one gets loose and runs off?
(4) Does your vet explain all the potential side effects (from minor to life threatening) of a drug he/she prescribes?
If the answer is "NO", then when prescribed medications for your pet ask your vet for more information on the drugs prescribed. Ask for the informational materials supplied with the drug, conduct research online, ask other pet owners about side effects they experienced and ask if there are less dangerous alternatives. If you don't get answers from the vet it may be wise to get another opinion and/or find a new vet!
These are just some areas of concern, but you may want to evaluate the Veterinary Professional you currently have and also ask them questions about their policies. Until someone asks them the Whats? and Whys? and seeks another satisfactory professional, they will not change their policies and how they care for our loved ones. Did you know that in most "Veterinary Colleges and Courses" these future and now practicing professionals conducted experimantal operations on live healthy pets that either die or have to be euthanized after the class procedures and they are also desensitized and taught not to have emotions for our loved ones? So careful consideration has to be taken when selecting the professional that will make life and death decisions concerning our loved companions!!
TO READ THE STORY OF WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR BELOVED TOASTY AT THE HANDS OF VETERINARY PROFESSIONALS AND TO VISIT TOASTY'S PET-RIGHTS WEBSITE PLEASE CLICK THE BANNER BELOW!!
ALDF's Veterinary Malpractice Factsheet
PETA's Veterinary Malpractice Factsheet
Dog Bit Law's Vet Malpractice Page
Better Business Bureau - Good place to look up for complaints or to file complaints!
Various States Veterinary Medical Boards - Links to Various States (hopefully all soon) Veterinary Medical Boards & a good place for vets and techs to find out state requirements on licensing - and for the pet owner to file complaints!!!!
Americian Veterinary Medical Association's (AVMA) State Links - Contact Listing and Websites of all 50 States Veterinary Medical Associations!!!!!! and another place to file veterinary complaints!!
AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association)- Good Pet Info. and place to email complaints over a vet or animal hospital affiliated with them!!!
Animal Legal Defense Fund - They will send you a "malpratice kit" with referrals for attorneys that take animal cases!!!
Mr. Fluffy's Veterinary Malpractice Links- Good National Links (Very Good New York State Links covering this area!!!)
Pet Overnight Medical Care Association - ever wonder if leaving your loved one at the Vet's all night was safe?
SHEBA'S STORY ... an unbelievable series of Vet tragedies to the same person and her pets ...
The Story of Lucy - Read How Lucy Was Physically Abused By Her Vet!!
Pet Gate - A one man crusade to give us the right to our pets medical records!
Malpractice in Northern Illinois - Information on "Sneakers" another malpractice case!
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