Got a Dog Problem - Need Advice

[DHC]

About 7 months ago we got a new female puppy - 2 months old at the time. We enrolled with a veterinary puppy program that included getting her spayed. At about 6 months old, and prior to her first menstruation, we took her in for the surgery. We were told all went well, and a week or so later took her back for a follow-up and received a clean bill of health.

About 6 or 8 weeks later, we noticed she was bleeding from her girlie-parts. We took her to the vet to check it and they ran a test for a urinary tract infection that came back negative and then told us they need to do a blood test to check for two other possibilities - one being that she was in heat. The cost of those 3 tests was a bit more than $200.

Couple weeks go by and no call from the vet with test results. I finally call the office and demand a call from the vet. Day later I get that call. Test results show the puppy is, indeed, in heat. This means the spay surgery was unsuccessful. The vet tells me they will repeat the surgery and refund the cost of the tests. Vet wants to wait till she is in heat again to perform the 2nd spay surgery, so maybe 6 months.

Couple of more weeks go by and today I receive a 3-page "Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims" to be signed before they refund the $200.

Now this has me alarmed. Previously, I was just annoyed at their incompetence, but trying to be understanding that the vet is only human and sometimes mistakes get made - so long as they are relative harmless and the situation can be corrected. Now, with reading through this release, it makes me wonder why they are trying to CYA with legalese.

Oddly, the "Settlement Agreement" makes no mention of having to re-do the surgery as part of the agreement. It only addresses the refund of the $200 - which is less important to me than having the surgery done correctly. At least, that is my initial thought.

Anyone ever have something like this happen with one of your pups?

How common is it for a spay surgery to go bad?

Should I be concerned about being asked to sign this release, at this time?

What do y'all think?

[theGinsue]

Don't sign anything until ALL promised services and refunds are identified in writing on the settlement agreement. Also ensure that if the second surgery is unsuccessful, future surgeries/tests will be covered.

[rondog]

I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV, or even smell like one. And I haven't stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in months. But that kinda sounds to me like it means "we'll fix it and make it right, and you agree not to sue us". Kind of a CYA document.

Where is this at? Both of our girls were signed up at PetSmart/Banfield as puppies for their wellness programs, and it's saved us thousands of dollars. Been a really good thing for us and the girls. What you're describing sounds pretty similar. Both of their spay jobs were uneventful, but IMO any procedure done laproscopically is kinda scary.....I mean, how can the surgeon be absolutely certain of what they're looking at/working on? Other than by lots of experience.

Vets like Banfield seem to have a high turnover rate, so your dog may have been worked on by a student under supervision, possibly, and a mistake may have been made. As long as your dog is otherwise healthy and happy, I'd go ahead and let 'em fix it. If your dog isn't "right", or is in a lot of pain, then you may consider another route. I doubt you can even think about suing for anything without it costing you a fortune, even if you win.

<edit> I'd also heed Ginsue's advice as well!

[TheGrey]

That's ridiculous. How the hell do they screw up something like that? Seriously, what the hell did they do to her?
Don't sign that paper. Call the vets, explain that you want the paperwork to reflect your verbal agreement before you are willing to sign anything. Make them send you a new one.

Frankly, it sounds like an old-country-vet attitude. I've worked at a vet clinic before, and they always wanted to do the spay surgery when the bitch wasn't in heat. When they go in heat, everything is engorged and the dog could easily lose more blood during the surgery. Waiting six months is absolutely stupid.

Call around to other vet clinics and speak with them about the best time to spay, and how common or uncommon it is to botch a spay. Get other opinions and consider just getting a refund on the surgery and taking her to a more competent vet clinic that doesn't act all shady.

Have there been complaints about this clinic?

[sandman76]

Maybe it would be worth it to forget about the $200 and start looking for a different vet. That seems worrisome. I've never heard of a spay not working.

[Mazin]

Thats BS.
One thing to be aware of is when they have to go back in they will be cutting through scare tissue and the pup could develop a hernia because of it. Do not sign anything and go to another vet and have her checked out. Once you find out that she is ok and what hell the other vet removed then proceed with dealing orginal vet.

[DHC]

Thanks for the replies so far guys.

Some answers to the questions:

* This was a Banfield vet connected to PetsMart.
* Turns out they do not use a laproscopic procedure - it was an open procedure and there was about a 4 inch incision in her abdomen that is now scarred over.
* I asked (just now) about the choice to wait till she goes into heat again when the organs are engorged. Vet admits this increases the chance of blood loss, though claims it is not a significant risk and not a life-threatening consequence.
* The vet agreed that the re-do of the surgery needs to be included as part of the agreement they sent - as well as their obligation to cover any complications arising from having to do this surgery twice.
* The pup seems to be just fine in spite of the bungled spaying. She is active and energetic just as she should be.
* I also asked about the incidence rate of a spay surgery being unsuccessful. The vet says he has done several hundred and this is the first one that was not successful - but he is not certain of the overall incidence rate of unsuccessful spay surgeries.
* He also told me the "Chief of Surgery" from one of the other Banfield offices will 'scrub-in' with him on the re-do.

I hope the re-do will be uneventful. I *hate* to see her having to go through this again.

[dwalker460]

I no longer use Banfield, they seemed like they did an aweful lot of unnecessary procedures, and never really "fixed" the issues we were there for.
After Banfield we tried a couple other vets, including seeing some "specialists" and felt very taken advantage of, as in the problems we went in for- mainly skin issues on our pug- were never correctly diagnosed or treated and it was test after test and visit after visit, to the tune of $200-$400 each time.
Through the pug rescue people we found a great vet who is a no BS kinda guy and actually wants to have your pet get well, not line his pockets with test after test. Be glad to provide his info if you need it.

In your situation I would make sure everything is in writing and that you have the correct understanding before you go much further.

[TheGrey]

DHC- Glad you were able to clarify some of the issues. I'd demand it be done when the dog is not in heat- he's already goofed once. This isn;t some way for him to "practice" surgery on a dog when things are engorged, no matter what he says about "not a life-threatening consequence." The spay is more expensive when they're in heat. Her tissues will tear more easily while engorged, and even organs that aren't involved will seep more. It's just more stressful on the dog. It's also more lucrative for the vet because you may have to bring her back for another visit, and they can charge you.
I'd still be giving them the hairy eyeball, and I would honestly find another vet to begin taking her to after they work on this procedure and try to fix it. Banfield is essentially a retail store in vet form. Get everything in wriitng, to include the "Chief of Surgery" scrubbing in with him. (Seriously, that's like saying "yeah, my district manager will be watching me do my procedure." This guy screwed up.)
I'm sorry you're going through this, and I'm glad your pup doesn't seem to be affected by it. Let us know how it goes.

[newracer]

I'd demand a full refund for all services and take the dog to someone else. I'd also ask for them to cover the additional costs for the next surgery.