Some things can't be scheduled...

[ellyssian]

So my neighbor calls the local animal hospital last Friday and says "My dog is dying, can you give her something to keep her out of pain?"

Local animal hospital says: "We can get you in on Tuesday."

Neighbor: "She's dying, she won't be alive on Tuesday, can't we just come by to get a shot?"

Local animal hospital, paraphrased: "No."

Neighbor spends four hours that Friday night with a dying German shepherd, who formerly acted as security detail for their store in Allentown, and lately has been kept entertained by our cats, and she did not go quietly.

Local animal hospital calls Monday night: "An opening came up, we can fit you in tonight..."

Comments

[blackbyrd2.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry..my response isn't fit for print in any medium.
I'm just glad I wasn't there to answer the phone.

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

Neighbor gave them an earful or two of choice words, from what I heard.

[wisedonkey.livejournal.com]

And I thought they required veterinarians at those places. My vet, no matter how swamped or weird hour of the night, would have said, "Oh that's horrible. Bring her in."

[ellyssian.livejournal.com]

One would think. I'll have to check with him and make sure exactly which local animal hospital it was so I can make sure to avoid it.

I know one of the places - an hour or so from here - was picked up by a corporation, and run with all the good that can be imagined as coming from such a thing. The vets had their hands tied in regards to many such things they used to be able to do.

[nyxalinth.livejournal.com]

(has no words) That's just awful.

[jadecat9.livejournal.com]

OMG, that's HORRID.
My vets have always made the time for things like that.

[thewrongcrowd.livejournal.com]

That seems to me to be in direct violation of the veterinarian's oath:

Being admitted to the profession of veterinary medicine, I solemnly swear to use my scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of livestock resources, the promotion of public health and the advancement of medical knowledge.

I will practice my profession conscientiously, with dignity and in keeping with the principles of veterinary medical ethics.

I accept as a lifelong obligation the continual improvement of my professional knowledge and competence.

Veterinarians are state licensed and there is almost certainly a procedure to report such an incident to the licensing board. Even if "the front desk didn't let the vets know" is offered as defence, this should be reported. In addition, a little local publicity would be very much called for.

[kk1raven.livejournal.com]

That's horrible. Time for the neighbor to find a new vet to deal with, I'd say. I don't care how busy they think they are, they need to be flexible enough to deal with an emergency.

[rowancat.livejournal.com]

There's no excuse for this, you or your neighbor should
let your local media know about it or even one of the
tv news programs.

[puddock.livejournal.com]

That is ridiculous. About a month ago my cat had a urinary tract infection and because of my stupid work rota I couldn't make any of the appointment times for about 4 days and they told me to bring her in when I could and a vet would see her outside of appointment times, just because they didn't want her to be in discomfort for a few days. Your friends need to find better vets.