Partipaws Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Hi, I just wanted to get some advice and some of your opinions on what should be correct service provided by a vet? Firstly this happened to a friend of mine, not me, so I apologise if I cannot answer some of your questions regarding the situation that unfolded - however the reason I ask is because my vet is no longer doing after hours/emergency so I would almost be forced to attend this new afterhours vet clinic, and as it is I have a bitch soon to whelp so I need some sort of guidance as I am very worried! My friend and I exhibit and breed Pomeranians. The story is.... In the early hours of the evening my friends bitch goes into labour - She calls this vet and notifies them that her bitch is in labour. I am not sure the exact time she let her bitch try and whelp but it was only a matter of an hour and a half of intense pushing with no progress that she decided to call the vet and tell them she was on the way. She informed them over the phone that she would be there in 30 mins and to expect an emergency c-section so they can get prepared. My friend checked heart beats of puppies and all seemed fine, she also noted that her bitch was stable and not starting to stress. She turns up to the vet and was served by the vet on duty who she described as being a little unorganised, she wastes time with the paper work and kept ringing her "boss" to try and find out information and fees on the procedure. My friend points out to the vet the urgency of the matter and that no time should be wasted as the bitch really needs to be taken in for the best chance possible for her and her pups! The vet explains that there is not enough staff on to undergo such a procedure as apparently they have other emergencies that need attention and at this point my friend is getting very anxious about her bitch! There is much discussion and argument over the risk of holding off too long but the vet doesn’t want to hear it - eventually they take the bitch in and virtually kick my friend out of the clinic - my friend obviously wanted to stay and wait with her bitch. She eventually gets a phone call to come pick up her girl and her pup. There was a total of 3 pups but only one survived. My friend learns that her bitch was taken in and put on a drip and then waited a further 2-3 hours before they eventually did the c-section on her..... for me I would be extremely angry with this as you should never wait so long for a c-section, especially on a toy breed and any other breed for that matter. They then proceed to charge my friend a cracking $1,990 for the emergency c-section, on the paperwork the c-section alone cost $800, there was a consultation fee, and theatre fees?? But surely that would not add up to nearly $2000!!!...... Yet no antibiotics were given on discharge!!! and no they don't cover taking the stitches out in 10 days - My friends was told to contact her usual vet to organise the AB's and to book an appointment with them to take her stitches out!!! Sorry but not only does this sound hugely expensive for an emergency c-sections, but what about all the missing extras??? I just had a bitch c-sectioned and it did not cost me anywhere near this, fair enough it was during trading hours, but in the past it cost me around $1,100 at the most for an emergency c-section after hours, and I have also had one performed in Sydney which you can expect to be a bit on the higher side yet that still cost around $1,300. BUT AB'S were given on discharge, and the price covered a 10 day follow up appointment to check on the bitch and remove her stitches.... My poor friend has ended up paying close to $2,200 as having to book two appointments with another vet to get AB'S and to get stiches out! And sadly lost two puppies that night – BUT it could have been worse..... waiting that long and they could have lost the lot!!! What are your thoughts on this?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkyTansy Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I think that an afterhours clinic that cannot provide emergency services is terrible, particularly as it was called ahead. i'm sorry for your friend to have lost 2 pups... would have been just terrible if it had been all of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Partipaws Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 I think that an afterhours clinic that cannot provide emergency services is terrible, particularly as it was called ahead. i'm sorry for your friend to have lost 2 pups... would have been just terrible if it had been all of them. Thanks SparkyTansy - I am glad you can see the error too in this situation - it really just does not add up does it? In more ways then one! My friend is very lucky to still have her bitch and her puppy, but yes it could have been a lot worse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avalanches Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Yes i would be really pissed offif that happened to.really sorry about the two pups.had recently a c section done on my girl had a the some experience they wait to do c section about two hours but did not have any problems cost during the day was $1203.75.but if i taken her to over night emergancy vet which my friend have to do about a year ago it cost over $2500.00 up front before they do anything thats in canberra so seems these vet dont mis thats for sure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tentapride Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I think that an afterhours clinic that cannot provide emergency services is terrible, particularly as it was called ahead. i'm sorry for your friend to have lost 2 pups... would have been just terrible if it had been all of them. What a terrible experience for your friend. I once had to use the services of an after hours emergency vet but I point blank refused to leave and wanted to be in there to revive pups. I didn't manage to get in to the surgery but they eventually gave in and brought pups to me & a friend, in a consult room to revive. By refusing to leave and insisting on taking part in the pups revival I am sure this aided in the c-section being done straight away even though they were scrambling with other emergency cases. Actions of the vet may well have influenced the poor outcome but unfortunately they must prioritise cases as they do in hospital emergency rooms. Unles your friend can prove negiligent care of the bitch and pups I don't think there is much that can be done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hilaryo Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Around 3 years ago I paid over $2,000 for an c-section in the middle of the night at a Emergency vet clinic. I hate to say it but I would imagine this is fairly typical of most after hours clinics. I feel bad for your friend loosing 2 puppies and there shouldn't really have been such a long delay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 After hours emergency centres are a complete lucky dip because they usually have different vets from different practices rostered and you may strike one that knows bugger all about breeding and caesars. They also charge whatever they like and it seems to be even more than the specialist centres that at least have very competent vets on. Regular pet vets tend to put off a caesar as long as possible usually with dire consequences. I have been told by friends in the ACT that this sort of after hours emergency centre is the only after hours service they can get now so they use vets further away in NSW in places like Yass. You friend needs to find a recommended "breeder's vet" who offers after hours service, even if they are an hour or more away and become a regular client. At least you know they will deal with the situation immediately you get there. This is why most breeders in Sydney only use a small handful of vets no matter where they live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I paid $1423 last week for an unplanned c-section last week during business hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverHaze Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I have had two after hours c-sections at the same emergency vet clinic - both cost approx $1900. Both times we were there to help with the pups - in the middle of the night clinics should be ready to use all available hands, including your own! The first time the vet on call met us at the clinic by the time we arrived. The second time they already had an emergency occuring (horse with colic i believe) but even so were very prompt at monitoring our bitch and then performing the c-section. So cost wise the vet sounds on par - action and attention wise, i wouldn't be using them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andisa Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I feel very sorry for your friend having gone through the same thing not once but twice! I hate the A/H Emergency Clinic with a passion but I brought home 2 healthy mothers each time so that was a bonus. I have paid $2100 (3 1/2yrs ago) for a Rottweiler who was 6 days premature, they wasted an hour before doing the surgery and would not go any further until I gave them the credit card up front - 8 delivered (one dead 2 died soon after delivery), 5 live - only 3 survived.. I swore black and blue that I would never get caught out again like that but I did, could not get hold of my reg vet so had to go back to the em clinic this time with a Pug - same story...money up front before they took her in, 3 delivered, 2 died soon after the delivery, one live and that was $2200 a year after the first one. They refused to let me stay. Both bitches are now spayed pets. Oh and when the Rottweiler was spayed years later the vet was horrified with the condition of her uterus - said he had never seen anything like it before and had he done the c section on her he would have been disgusted with himself, very difficult spay due to heaps of scarring. He said she would never have fallen pregnant again had we tried to breed with her after that c section - they must have butchered her. My regular vet was $1000 less than the A/H em clinic. Has been over 2 years since my last litter and I just hope for better luck later this year when I try again, if not I doubt I would have another litter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 in the middle of the night clinics should be ready to use all available hands, including your own! Yes!! Lots of willing helpers , warm towels and energy required ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Partipaws Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 As my friend said, its never about the money - you just want what is best for your girl and if possible her puppies..... for that price what are your thoughts about the fact they did not send the bitch away with antibiotics, telling my friend she will need to arrange this with her regular vet, and no follow up appointment to check on bitch and have her stitches out?? I have never gone to an A/H vet that purely specialises in that a lone so maybe it is different - they just do what they can A/H and the rest is up to the regular vet?? is that right - still for that amount of money paid I would expect a course of AB's and a follow up consult - I know most probably take their own stitches out but still??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) Reading all this I am so blessed with my recent litter delivery. Firstly I have 4 amazing vets with always two on call. However, when my bitch recently had one puppy and six hours later no. two was yet to arrive I called them and they were about to start a C-section on another dog. As my bitch was not stressing he said he would call me back when he'd finished in about two and a half hours. If I was at all concerned about her condition he said to call an Emergency Clinic. I waited it out as my bitch was telling me she was fine and this boy was a bit big but she was working on it and when my vet rang me back he had been delivered and his sister followed on 20 minutes later. Phewww! Seven and a half hours between pups one and two, no. three twenty minutes later. I was quite prepared to give my girl a c-section had she needed it but my vet said next day when he checked them all over that he would not necessarily have given her one as it is not always best for the puppies and bitch and you will often loose pups in a c-section. He would first have evaluated her progress and physical state. As she was doing her job, albeit slowly, it wasn't an emergency, just nerve wracking. From what I have heard $2K is about normal for an AH c-section. I have had that money put aside since she was diagnosed with a singleton the previous litter, fortunately also a natural delivery. But I won't spend it because I may need it someday. Edited June 14, 2012 by LizT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Partipaws Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 Also on that note can anyone recommend a good vet with after hours emergency around Central Coast NSW? I live near Gosford but will be prepared to travel a safe distance to get the best possible service for my poms - I am feeling really scared about the changes happening here - My vet is great but they have since ceased afterhours/emergency - I really don't like the sound of these new afterhours clinic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wazzat Xolo Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I am so sorry to hear this, sympathy to your friend, and people ask WHY I dont breed!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 As my friend said, its never about the money - you just want what is best for your girl and if possible her puppies..... for that price what are your thoughts about the fact they did not send the bitch away with antibiotics, telling my friend she will need to arrange this with her regular vet, and no follow up appointment to check on bitch and have her stitches out?? I have never gone to an A/H vet that purely specialises in that a lone so maybe it is different - they just do what they can A/H and the rest is up to the regular vet?? is that right - still for that amount of money paid I would expect a course of AB's and a follow up consult - I know most probably take their own stitches out but still??? It's no different to go to Hospital emergency, your follow ups are done by your regular DR. My bitch doesn't need stitched removed are dissolvable, and when you look you can't see any stitches, all the handi work is done from the inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pockets Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I am lucky my vet will be on call for a small fee and will do an emergency c section if required. They give you there mobile number so that you can phone for advice etc. You don't get the money back if you don't require the services but all in all I don't mind paying for the service of an on call vet :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasha Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 Some vets are only open after hours. They are there to provide a service after regular vets are closed. They don't open normal hours so they can't have follow up things because that would have to happen after hours when they open again. Like Sway said, its like hospital. They send you home with a script to get pain killers or antibiotics and send a letter toy your regular GP for follow ups. They may have given her an antibiotic injection that lasts for 24hours to give you time to get some from regular vet the following day. The price does seem a lot but I don't think is unjustified entirely. It would also depend on the time of night you came in. Fees can vary for that. EG 7pm-10pm maybe $X then 10pm -2am would be more and so on...... A vet I used to work at had a separate after hours vet. When we would get in at 8am, we would look in cages to see what new arrivals we had. Read the paperwork to see what was wrong. Sometimes he would pop back in later to let us know any details necessary but otherwise the history and treatment was written down and that was it. He didn't do follow-ups. If the owner wanted they could collect pet to take back to regular vet in am if preferred or they would leave for us to treat until discharge. He ALWAYS got a deposit before he would treat the animal (except under extenuating circumstances) because although you may be honest and have all intentions of paying........... there are a lot of people that don't. Sorry you lost 2 pups of the litter and had bad experience. I hope you don't have such bad luck next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christina Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 The money part is the luck of the draw. They can charge what they like. Yes it was expensive. The see your own vet for aftercare is standard. It is an emergency vet. The part that troubles me is that you say there was intense pushing for an hour & a half before they went to the vet. It would concern me that the dog was left for so long at the vets having contractions & nothing happening after they told them this. If it was merely a break in labour, contraction free, then that is different & it happens. Making them leave the dog at the clinic & it labouring for so long before the ceasarian would upset me. It must have been so stressed. Only once have I needed a ceasarian on a cat that was contracting but could not produce the kitten after an hour & a half. When I got to the vet they examined & operated straight away. This is what I would expect & want. Guess neither of you will be using their services in future. After hours care that you can use with confidence is an essential & many are pot luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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