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dodgy vets

Last post 03-19-2009, 3:39 PM by beesirius. 2 replies.
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  •  03-17-2009, 11:19 AM 813215

    dodgy vets

    I have a Yorkie, he's just turned 14 years of age and I've had him for just over a year.  I have 4 other canines, all of mixed breeds and sizes and decided he could come and live with us when his previous owner became too ill to care for him, she has since died.  When he came to live with us he was being treated for Cushings Disease and a heart murmer, he was having 3 different types of tablets daily.  I had to change his vet to mine and my vet did various tests and sent for his medical notes from his former vet.  The test results showed no sign of either Cushings or heart problems and now my little lad is having no medication at all and is fine.  As Cushings is non curable, this seems strange.  His previous vet prescribed all those tablets without having done any bloodwork or, as far as anyone can tell, any tests at all other than using a stethoscope.  His previous owner had him insured and all this insurance money, running into 1000s of pounds, has been used up by the previous vets for, apparently, no good reason.  Can anyone give me any advice on what action I should take, if any, to see if any refund can be obtained from the previous vet surgery?
  •  03-18-2009, 11:23 PM 813916 in reply to 813215

    Re: dodgy vets


    Speaking as a qualified veterinary surgeon, I am surprised to hear that a diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism (HAC or Cushings Syndrome) was made without any blood tests being performed.

    To diagnose this disease I would expect a minimum database of haematology and blood biochemistry, and then either an ACTH stimulation test and/or a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test to have been carried out.  Only if the results of these, and the clinical signs (including some or all of the following: excessive drinking, excessive urination, enlarged liver, changes to appetite, changes to skin and coat, associated diseases) were suggestive should medication for HAC be started.

    As for the heart murmur, these can be very dynamic things which can change over time - depending on their seriousness and underlying cause they can be more evident one day thatn another and in some cases can disappear.  It may have been there, and the medication may have helped... but, there is a chance that that was also a misdiagnosis.

    If you are worried that the previous vet was incompetent, or worse, unscrupulous, you should contact The RCVS (Royal COllege of Veterinary Surgeons) who regulate our profession.  

    There website is: www.rcvs.org.uk

    I would expect that they would contact the previous vet and ask to see the notes he made on his original diagnosis...

     Hope this helps.

    It would be interesting to hear the outcome.... 

  •  03-19-2009, 3:39 PM 814073 in reply to 813916

    Re: dodgy vets

    Thanks for your reply, I'll let you know what happens - if anything.
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