Upset with Vet, Need advice
- Thread starter Corgimom
- Start date
Good post.
I believe where the fault lies is that the vet didn't verbally tell you about the possibility that a tooth (or teeth) may have to be removed. We mention it to each & every client that brings an animal in for a dental although it's also stated on the paper they sign.
And wow have I seen some outrageous prices for dentals! We charge anywheres between $60-100 & that's with pulling a tooth or 2. It's really a simple procedure although anesthesia is required for obvious reasons (hey, WE don't like the noise from the scalers & drills, what makes you think your dog or cat will?
).thats just frustrating. After reading some of these posts, i do agree that the vet should have gone ahead and pulled the teeth.
HOWEVER, the vet/secretary should have given you a brief synopsis of what you are signing...i know its your responsibility and all, but come on...we all skim those things...especially when there is tiny font and confusing sentences. I think its just bad business on the vets part to not draw your attention to the fact that you may be charged for unauthorized services.
HOWEVER, the vet/secretary should have given you a brief synopsis of what you are signing...i know its your responsibility and all, but come on...we all skim those things...especially when there is tiny font and confusing sentences. I think its just bad business on the vets part to not draw your attention to the fact that you may be charged for unauthorized services.
I certainly feel for you in this type of situation. I sometimes have to really push my husband to have vet care done on things that HE feels are unecessary...such as dental cleaning. He said that he has NEVER heard of anyone having their dogs teeth cleaned and found it ridiculous. I've had to do a lot of extra explaining and educating with him. It's hard & frustrating at times. I understand what you're facing!!
What's really funny is I called my dentist to make an appointment this morning for myself. I have insurance that covers cleaning and a check-up which includes x-rays. I asked what the charge would be if I didn't have insurance and she said it would be $130.00 for everything. The hygentist laughed when I told her it costs more to have my dogs teeth cleaned. She said she's heard that before when taking appointments, but then said "But most people prefer the laughing gas over being put to sleep" HA!
I'm sorry that happened to you. =[
When we took Fozzie in to get neutered (at 6 mos), he was still losing baby teeth, and his canines hadn't come out yet. My Vet examined him before-hand and told me they might remove the teeth if they're loose enough. They also gave me the option of signing a release that stated to do NO extra procedures, to do extra procedures only after calling & telling us about it, or to do extra procedures if needed. I asked that they only do any extra stuff if they called first. They called me, and explained that 3 large baby teeth were loose, and it'd be safer/cleaner to remove them while he's under. I gave them permission and they did end up removing the loose canines, and stitching them up, which was definitely a good thing! I think it costs about $100 extra to remove/stitch/medicate the teeth, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I would definitely be disappointed in my Vet if they hadn't even attempted to call me first. It takes, what, 5 minutes max to make a phone call? I'm sure you would have given them the ok to extract the molar anyway, but it's the principle of it.
When we took Fozzie in to get neutered (at 6 mos), he was still losing baby teeth, and his canines hadn't come out yet. My Vet examined him before-hand and told me they might remove the teeth if they're loose enough. They also gave me the option of signing a release that stated to do NO extra procedures, to do extra procedures only after calling & telling us about it, or to do extra procedures if needed. I asked that they only do any extra stuff if they called first. They called me, and explained that 3 large baby teeth were loose, and it'd be safer/cleaner to remove them while he's under. I gave them permission and they did end up removing the loose canines, and stitching them up, which was definitely a good thing! I think it costs about $100 extra to remove/stitch/medicate the teeth, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.
I would definitely be disappointed in my Vet if they hadn't even attempted to call me first. It takes, what, 5 minutes max to make a phone call? I'm sure you would have given them the ok to extract the molar anyway, but it's the principle of it.
I agree...if the tooth was bad and needed to come out, then I would have wanted it out. It was not only less expensive to do it while the dog was already under, it was much safer. Decay is not the only reason for tooth extraction. Sometimes a tooth gets broken and you don't realize it until you get in and get a good look at it. This is pretty much standard practice with most vets that I deal with...now if you go in for a spay and get a tooth extraction, that's a different story, but removing any bad teeth goes hand in hand with a cleaning procedure in my opinon.
Thank you. This is what I've now come to believe, and my husband agrees. It could have saved me the stress from the initial shock of the bill and the embarrassment of getting upset and the guilt I now feel from being so upset over a tooth that probably needed to come out.
It could have actually taken less than 5 minutes and the vet would not have had to stop in the middle of a cleaning, she obviously had my doxie under longer than the 20 minutes it takes to clean his teeth if she had to develop two sets of x-rays. Her vet-tech could have told the receptionist to make a call just to tell me what they found.
It could have actually taken less than 5 minutes and the vet would not have had to stop in the middle of a cleaning, she obviously had my doxie under longer than the 20 minutes it takes to clean his teeth if she had to develop two sets of x-rays. Her vet-tech could have told the receptionist to make a call just to tell me what they found.