Need Advice

[Guest TBSFlame]

Jeremy has just finished his 8 weeks of AB (Clindamycin 300 mg 2 caps twice a day). This all started back in September when he broke his toe. The vet wrapped it and did not check it again until 4 weeks had passed. He got sores on two of his pads and one on his leg. He was treated with AB and we thought he was well. On Christmas morning his toe was swollen 3 times what it should have been and he could not walk on it. We took him to the vet and found he had an infected toe. The reason for this latest AB. Jeremy seems to be fine after 8 weeks of this strong AB. Right now I am mad at our vet and looking for another one but I didn't want to say anything to our vet until we had Jeremy well. I blame our vet for this. We were taking him in every week for what i thought was a bandage change. They would take him in the back bring him back out with what looked like a fresh bandage but it was just a clean layer of bandage. If they had not waited 4 weeks it would not have gotten so bad. Anyway, my question, should I insist on another x-ray. I have not been told anything about bringing him back in for a recheck or they have not called to check on him. This vet is a friend, his wife (also a vet) is a friend, Her parents are good friends. I know this is going to cause hard feelings when I do say something or move to another vet. We even got an invitation to his birthday party and I don't want to go and did not respond. So wise friends, should I insist on another xray or asume the AB took care of the infection completely since Jeremy is doing well. Also, I am planning to worm the dogs and have purchased Drontal to give them. I was waiting till after Jeremy finished the AB. Should it be okay to now worm him? Thanks.

 

 

[Guest Energy11]

What a mess, huh!

 

Bandage changes, through ones, are usually done once a week, and that doesn't mean, just changing the wrap.

 

Yes, friendship aside, I would find another vet. I would also get a quick x-ray to be sure all is well, as you don't want this happening again. It should be fine to de-worm now, as well.

 

I am sorry you had to go through this, and yes, leaving the cast on WITHOUT checking it for four whole weeks, to me, now this is just me, was negligent on the vet's part.

 

Good luck and I hope this is finally over and done for you.

[Guest multigrey]

Linda.....please get another xray. And if you have any doubts as to what it shows, have it read by a radiologist who may see things that another vet may miss. Jeremy has been through enough and you need to be sure he is totally healed. If this was a bone infection and not just a tissue infection....well, those take a long time to heal and they can be very stubborn.

 

I wish you luck with the vet situation but you have to be able to trust your vet to know what's best for your dogs. Hope this works out well for all of you.

[Guest PreciousMom]

I would want another x-ray after everything the dog has been through.

 

We had a dog in the group that was good while on the AB, but once finished the infection would come back, the vet cultured the site and we did a new around of specific AB.

 

Good luck.

 

IMHO I would let the vets know you are unhappy with how the dog was care for.

[SAVED2]

Never darken his door again.

[Burpdog]

Another xray and as Marilyn said, have it read by a radiologist.

 

When you say "they" took him back, who do you mean--the staff or did Jeremy see the vet?

[macoduck]

Linda, could Jeremy go to a place like the Carolina Veterinary Specialists in Charlotte? Do you have copies of his treatment record from the current vet? If you'd need a referral, perhaps Dr Crawford, the kennel vet, would provide you with one. It's either that way or directly face your vet/friend with your concerns.

Considering his past, Jeremy deserves the best of care and your family has been doing wonderful things for him.

For Jeremy: :dogcookie

Edited February 20, 2010 by macoduck

[MaryJane]

I may be missing something here but, x-rays are not usually done for skin infections .... cultures are.

 

Do you suspect that there may be an issue with the bone? If so, then an xray might be worth getting but I would probably talk this over with your new vet.

[Guest wmlcml6]

I second what Marilyn said.

 

Jeremy will be fine because I know you and Woody will make sure of it. I think that friendship aside, the proper care for your dogs - which you are paying for - is the top priority. It sucks that you can't completely depend on your vet to do the right thing, but I've found that is not always the case. Customer service just ain't what it used to be. :-(

 

I'm thinking that you need to have a sit down with your vet, since he's a friend. Let him know why you are considering using another vet. If he's relying on his staff to do a good job, but not supervising, he may not realize they are doing wrong. (He should, but that doesn't mean he does!) If his staff is inadequately trained, then they shouldn't be taking care of people's pets. You might prompt him to institute better procedures that will help another dog down the road. I have seen my share of poor bandaging which has caused unnecessary delays in healing, and we often redo what the vet does because often times, I think we do it better.

 

Smooches to Jeremy!