Emergency Vet Nightmare

I am at a loss right night as to what happen at the Emergency Vet the other night. I posted awhile back how our older Lab got her 3rd cancer and we decided not to do the surgery and let her live out her days as she had suffered enough. Long story short they only gave her a month (this was back in April) to live because of the aggressive cancer she had. She surpassed all of our expectations and was doing well until the past two weeks. Sunday night we noticed she was panting bad and whining, which she never whines. We were going to call our regular vet in the morning but decided because of kind of cancer she had (anal) there might be a blockage or something going on. We knew her time was limited and the phone call to our vet would have involved setting a date to have her put down. But we obviously didn't want her to suffer any pain until that time. My DH took her up to the Emergency Vet where the vet said we don't have xrays tonight and was very dismissive. She told my DH she would give her an injection for pain and call our vet in the morning. The vet gave the pain med shot and warned my DH after not before the shot that she might pant more and have the runs. My DH was upset as our dog has advance anal gland cancer and they give her something that could cause her to have to go more and strain. DH gets home from the ER vets (its a 20 minute drive away) and our dog is whining more than before, could barely walk, she needed to go potty so we let her out and she fell down the stairs, proceeded to than cry really bad while trying to go to the bathroom.She had blood coming out from the tumor which never happened before and now we didn't know if she really hurt herself by the fall down the stairs. I immediately called the ER vet and ask what the hell did you give my dog that she is in a worst state than when we brought her in. The vet than informed that it wasn't exactly a pain shot they gave her but a sedative/pain shot they give for surgeries and that we shouldn't let her use stairs or anything. I was furious that they never told use that they were giving her a sedative of anytime.

In the mean time we know had to figure out how bad our dog was hurt from the fall. So we called the other ER Vet and explained the situation.We brought her in and they were wonderful. They checked her out the best they could but couldn't do any x-rays to see if there was a blockage or breaks from the stair fall until the sedative wore off. She was also still bleeding from the growth spot. My DH and I decided right than and there enough was enough and after the horrible drama that just happen we decided to have her put down.

I am just so upset and angry with the first ER vet and I don't know if I am overreacting or not? Why would they not warn my DH about the side effects of the shot first or not tell us it was a sedative after they gave it? I don't know if I should say something to the ER Vets or let it go? I know her end was near but we would have never agreed to the shot they gave her had we known before hand. We would have simple took her home called our vet in the morning and decided on her date to have her put down. I know she is not suffering anymore and we obviously knew it was coming, but I wished our last hours with her wouldn't have been that nightmare because it didn't have to be. I really hope she was too out of it to even know all of what happen, and the thought that she knew what was going on, suffered further pain and distress her last hours of life is what is killing me right now.

You’re not over-reacting. The first emergency vet did not give you appropriate care or information. I’m so sorry this happened to you, and my condolences on the loss of your girl. May her memory be a blessing, and the memories of the good times will eventually overshadow the bad memories of her last days (this I know from experience).

I am so, so, sorry...and I know that nothing I can say can make you feel any better. That was horrible of the vet in several ways.

I've had "last hours" nightmares that I tried unsuccessfully to prevent (thank you, ER doc, for refusing to euthanize my cat because he "looked too good"); medication nightmares from things contraindicated in a seizure dog that were prescribed (and administered) before I knew the contraindications...and then the vet wouldn't even let his office person talk to me on the phone about serious side effects underway; and problems that made themselves known after a vet didn't do what I requested (certain x-rays at time of other x-rays) and then lied. So....those stories abound. Not every vet has a good bedside manner and not every vet earned a degree at the top of his/her graduating class.

I'm sending you a big hug and a ton of commiseration. Your girl knew you were there every step of the way...she may have been in pain but she knew she wasn't alone. I truly believe that has to make a difference. At least, that's what I've told myself in the past.

I'm just so sorry. :image019:

I am so so sorry you had to loose her under such traumatic circumstances :(

You have every right to be upset with the first vet, they were not clear or helpful in any way :(

Hopefully with time you can remember the good times. I lost my last dog suddenly and it took a long time to be able to remember the good times, all I could do was hear/see the seizures. But with time I think more of our good times and less of the horrible end.

Sorry for your experience. ER's are tough. Some suck. Some are OK. Some are only OK if the emergency isn't serious. I had to help a friend with a litter of puppies being born and the ER we had to go to pulled all the crap we warn other breeders about if you have to go to a random ER for help. My Griff is in the ER now, for 2 days, but fortunately, her main care is under the neurologist who happens to work out of that office.

Try to let go of the bad and let the good come back. And then remember the OTHER ER is a better choice if you need services again.

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Originally Posted by JenC

Sorry for your experience. ER's are tough. Some suck. Some are OK. Some are only OK if the emergency isn't serious. I had to help a friend with a litter of puppies being born and the ER we had to go to pulled all the crap we warn other breeders about if you have to go to a random ER for help. My Griff is in the ER now, for 2 days, but fortunately, her main care is under the neurologist who happens to work out of that office.

Try to let go of the bad and let the good come back. And then remember the OTHER ER is a better choice if you need services again.

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Thank you JenC and I am really sorry that your pup is in the ER. Yes we will never go back to the other ER vet. We still have our other Lab and we will never just trust a vet ER or not to give our dog a pain relief shot without knowing exactly what it is/does and what are the side effects etc.

I'm so sorry. That was an awful thing to have to go through, for you and your girl. Thank heavens the second Vet was able to help you ease her pain. I wish you and your girl both could have been ready for that parting in calmer circumstances.

I'm so sorry for your loss and traumatic experience you went through. Sending hugs and prayers for you.

We're so very sorry to hear about the circumstances regarding your last moments with your girl. My you treasure all the good moments and memories she gave you.

I'm sorry about the loss of your girl. It is hard no matter how it eventually happens. I think all of us who have been through it like to think we can plan for the "best" ending, but unfortunately it often doesn't go that way for a million different reasons.

Just like in human health care, there are good medical providers and a lot of bad ones. I've had bad experiences at vet ER's as many others have. The first ER vet you encountered was not communicative with appropriate information, and sounds like was not all that caring. At this point, as another poster suggested, I would focus on the fact your girl went with you there comforting her and there are so many positive memories to cherish. Maybe call and complain about the first ER vet if you wish, but I would quickly let the anger go and focus on the great parts of your dogs life.

Take care.