Oliver's Saga

I haven't figured out my way around the new Idog yet, and I was afraid of loosing Olivers story in the transition. Thank goodness you posted again Karen. Seems things might be looking up for you!
Great,,,hope they continue!

I've been wondering how Oliver is doing.  Glad things are looking up (at least poop wise!).

Hey everyone...
Still trying to figure my way around this new site for the past day since the change, then I saw this!
Lost my avatar and can't figure out how to change my password. Tried to load a new avatar and something fails lol, I think the file might be too big.
Thanks to "owned by dogs" for posting my last post.... thanks for thinking of us! I was kind of sad i'd lost everyone in the transition.
Things really are looking up in a way. Even if I have to keep Oliver on the lactulose for good at least I can keep him with us! I've had to up the dosage because he was straining to go again today I've been able to breathe lately though, because he's doing a little better a change from earlier in the week. He's feeling a lot better and is trying to be more active. Of course that's not allowed due to the complication and new surgery trying to heal so I keep him pretty doped up on Acepromazine. He can't afford that narrowing to get any worse so i don't feel bad at all drugging him this much.

Oh.. and I was wondering if any of you that have been following this have any suggestions as to how to approach the surgeon/vet that we have our appoitnment with on monday? what should I/should I not say? Obviously there's no solid proof he did something wrong, but i feel like the fact that... his office wouldn't reach him on vacation, he knew about the complication and left without telling us, and he made decisions for me.. something needs to be said. Also... is it ok to ask if the exascerbating of the complication could have happened while oliver was in his office's care? how does one word that?

Even if I have to keep Oliver on the lactulose for good at least I can keep him with us! I've had to up the dosage because he was straining to go again today

The great thing about lactulose is that it's totally adjustable.

I'm glad that he seems to be doing well. I hope he continues to heal and improve.

I'd probably start with something like "Well, I'm not sure how to bring you up to speed on Oliver -- he gave us quite a scare again, so here's the vet records from those visits."
 
As he'reads' then I'd say something like "Let's start with that loose screw ... tell me about that please?" and let him open his mouth and go from there.  But along the way I'd ask pointed questions like:
 
1.  When did YOU know the screw was 'loose' (or came out).
2.  Why wasn't I informed of that then?
3.  My choices would have been different had I known about that, and obviously things have changed ...I'd like you to explain to me why you didn't tell us ___________________."
 
I would make no bones about the fact that NOW you have different and more choices to make -- expensive ones.  I would definitely tell him he needs to catagorically DISPROVE the other findings ... because you've had a VERY sick dog on your hands who was in pain and who couldn't go to the bathroom.  And then you'll need to ask how HE is going to fix this.
 
The sticking point will need to be that you would have chosen differently had you been properly informed.  And since you were denied that information, then HE needs to make it right, or, refund your money so you can go elsewhere and have this, NOW MORE EXPENSIVE, thing fixed. 
 
Will he just haul out money?  No.  Will he get mad?  Probably.
 
However, I would make a list -- things like how many times you tried to phone him.  That he went ON VACATION leaving you no recourse but to go elsewhere to consult about this dog who became toxic because it became literally obstructed because it couldn't poop.  That your dog was in pain, and it should have been preventable.
 
Don't throw around words like "pain and suffereing".  He's going to be loaded for bear, otherwise, so simply saying "how are YOU going to fix this" gives him that option and if he denies anything is 'wrong' then you pack up and say "I've got other information that leads me to believe this is not correct, and I also know how sick my dog was and the fact that I had to spend additional money on an emergency vet simply because I couldn't get a response out of YOUR office, nor could I get you on the phone for input, so I had NO choice but to go elsewhere. Bye!"
 
And then you contact the attorney I suggested and get a demand letter done asking for your money back. 
 
Did you call the Maine vet board??  You'll have to keep on this ... in order to have the funds to get Oliver help ... and frankly, to hold this guy accountable. 
 
I'm not one of those people who thinks you need a board-certified surgeon EVERY time you do surgery.  However, if you screw up I'm going to hold you accountable so you can't do it to another dog.
 
Not fun -- take copious notes.  Don't threaten ... that's the short trip to losing.  But state what you will do, or don't 'say' .... but whatever you do say, make good on it. 
 
And if you haven't checked that vet board, man I sure would before you go on that appointment.  That's the info you need to arm yourself with.

Awesome advice, Callie!  That works wonders no matter what the issue is!  [sm=proud.gif]
 
Karen, I was so happy to see that Oliver was doing better that I yelled out "Oh yay, he pooped!"  However, I was in the college library at the time.[sm=smack.gif]  Oops.
 
I have my fingers (and paws) crossed tight for you!

I think Callie did an outstanding job of describing how you should prepare and approach this vet visit.  I really have nothing to add.  Let us know how it goes.
Sally

If possible, bring another person (read 'witness') with to the appointment.

This is one of those places where being a legal secretary has its uses.  Learning to barrel into a situation like that, not exacerbate it but get what you want accomplished is not a 'talent' -- it's hard work.
 
In Karen't situation she lives in a different state than the dog was treated -- so she's got more legwork to do (and we've already talked about this on the phone).  But man, it's tough to get your 'back up' to confront a situation like this, but I'm glad to see she's got so much support on here.  That, in itself, is worth its weight in gold!

That Callie, she's so smart!  Darn!!! 
I sure have nothing to add except a wish for good luck!
I also know if it were me I would need to make a list of what I was going to say, go over it in my head several times before walking in there. Practice makes perfect!

Good ideas!  If you take in a note pad, legal pad preferably, with WRITTEN questions and jot down his answers, you might just intimidate the tar out of him.

     Callie's advice is excellent! Karen, we'll all be with you in spirit when you confront the vet tomorrow, so just imagine all of us standing behind you and supporting you when you're there. I'm very glad to hear Oliver's feeling better.

Glenda, I love it ... "intimidate the tar out of him" tee hee[]
that inspires me to do just that!
 
Has anyone seen Nancy lately? Did we lose her in the transition?
I can't recognize people with the different avatars and different names.