My Story of The Bad Veterinarian continued...

[MopsMeister]

Some of you may recall my thread from March 9th of this year about my money-hungry, disinterested Vet. Well, the story finally came to a head yesterday.

Well,... it was almost 3 weeks ago that I called my Vet Office and asked them to please send me a copy of my pugs lab results from both this month as well as the first test done 6 months prior. The Tech on the phone said that would be no problem and she would mail them to me asap. Well, 3 weeks later I had recieved nothing by mail and it was time to take my other pug (Kiska) in the get her nails trimmed back again. So...I called the office and explained that I would be there in about an hour with Kiska. I told her that I'd like to pick up the copies at that time.

An hour later I arrived and Kiska got a quick nail trim. When the Tech brought her back I asked about the copies and she said she would go ask the Doctor. I was a bit flustered. Hadn't this already been done? A few moments later the Tech returned to tell me that the Doctor says "Those are a part of your dogs medical record so we can't give you any copies". I'm sure my expression must have been comical at best. "That's ridiculous" I responded. "I just paid $145 for those tests but I can't look at or have a copy of the results? You know...all I have is a receipt that says how much money I paid. I haven't actually seen anything that confirms that the testing was actually ever done. Is there something he doesn't want me to see?" She apologized and then made the statement that was to put an end to this ridiculous comedy of the absurd. "I'm sorry that we can't make the copies for you. The only people we can release the records to would be another Veterinarian." I stopped dead in my tracks, turned around and told her that they should not be surprised if that is exactly what happens.

I went back home and called 3 Veterinarian practices just to find out if there might be some "industry norm" or common practice to NOT let pet owners have copies of their pets' lab results. All 3 responded, with the sound of surprise in their voices, that a pets' owner can have copies of anything they want. All they have to do is ask. Finally I went by the office of a Vet that a good friend had recommended highly. The Tech at the front desk and I talked for about 4 or 5 minutes. I had a good feeling about them. I then asked what they would charge for the same battery of blood work that had been done twice by Dr.A**hole for $145 each time. THEIR price will be $68 for the same thing!

I returned home to call Dr.A's practice and instructed them to send the medical records for both of my pugs to my NEW Veterinarian. If it's not done by later today ...I will be sending the request by Certified Mail with a signature required.

This whole debacle has really made clear to me that not all Vets are equal. In fact...some of them are even crooks.

[Tinker's mom]

Excellent decision!!!It will be interesting to see if the labs were ever really done!

[Lola's Mum]

oh no that sounds fishy - i hope they actually ran the tests they charged you for! i've never heard of such a thing - my vet is always willing to provide records whenever i need them...i hope your new vet is better!

[sugarskullz]

It sounds completely fishy to me. Do the words 'RIPPED OFF' and 'CROOK' come to mind?
Good for you for changing Vets and standing up to them!

[Estrella_Luna]

Wow!!! That is just crazy! I have been thinking about switching vets too. In the last year their visit fee has gone from $35 to $53!!!! Just to walk in the dang door. Oh, did I mention that they got all new computer systems and are building a large addition to the practice??!!!! Yea.....

I hope you are very happy with your new vet!

[6 Beautiful Pugs]

My vet always faxes me blood/lab work and gives me a disc with x-rays on it so that I can keep good records and if I am ever needing to take a dog to an emergency vet, rescue vet or out of area vet, I can take those essential records with me. Also if the dog gets adopted, I can turn it over with it's complete records.

I used to have a different vet for well over 15 years. I loved him. He was very caring and compassionate. However he got married and his wife took over the offfice and she was BITCH! You would have to pay for the office visit upfront (cash or CC only) and then after the visit, pay again (cash or CC) for any other procedures or meds given. She charged .15 a sheet for copies of labs or records. I gave up on them and went across the parking lot to the wonderful vet I have now.

Take care,
Lisa

[Cheryl7777]

I love my vet. She completely understands how I feel about vacinations and the problems Gus seems to have with any injection. She owns two little French bulldogs so I feel she is more familiar with the issues squished faced dogs have. She was the one that put my old Shi Zu down and was just so nice to me and so tender with the dog, I will always be grateful. She used to work for my old vet and then opened her own practice. I transfered to her after trying several vets that I just didn't care for. I was with my old vet probably 30 years or so. I was happy for him that his practice grew and was successful. I just was not happy to see a different vet every single time I had to go in with one of my animals. The front office staff was always changing too and they always treated me like I was a stranger. I just got sick of the revolving door they have going on there.

[Pugpillow]

Veterinarians are regulated under your state law and must be a member of their governing body. I'm not sure if it is the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association (Missouri Veterinary Medical Association) or not but if it isn't, they'll tell you who is "in charge of" clinicians like Dr. A**hole.

Contact the governing body and get them to tell you how to get a copy of the Regulations that apply to all clinicians in your state (this is probably on-line). It should state in those Regulations that clients are the owners of the content of all medical records pertaining to their dogs. Note I said content, so that they are probably entitled to just give you a verbal report rather than an actual copy of the records and reports. however, most clinics don't have a problem providing written copies. I request them all the time for dogs coming into our rescue and those who have been fostered by us. I then forward those records on to the adopter. If Dr. A**hole is out of line with the Regulations, there should be a mechanism whereby you can file a formal complaint through the governing body. Good luck.

p.s. I know a bit about this because I went through the complaint process with our province's association regarding non-provision of medical records for one of our fosters.

[TNPUGMOMOF2]

Your dog, your money, your test results! Most rediculous thing I have ever heard and I would have made a scene until they provided me with a FULL copy of all my pets medical records! Course, that is just my personality, but that is like telling me that I can't have my childs medical records. Total BS! I would report them to what whatever governing body you can.

[MopsMeister]

Hi Estrella Luna,
Thanks for your comments to my thread. I just read them and then saw the birthday photo of your pug. THAT photo is more than precious! I may have to do that with my pugs!