Despite a previous bad experience, I had no choice but to my trust in the staff of the Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Yorktown, VA for the second time. On Friday September, 8, 2006 I took Ali, my Dutch Shepherd bitch there for poisoning. She drank some primer containing ethylene glycol (I know, why did she have access to it) and I brought her in immediately after inducing vomiting. After checking in I was led to an exam room. One of the female vet techs came in and wanted to take Ali's temperature. I explained to her that she was a dog I rescued with fear issues and that I didn't know how she would act for the rectal thermometer. Even though Ali was fine with me restraining her, I talked to her while she was taking her temperature. I explained to her in case she would be handling Ali, she might suddenly get very scared of something and panic. I told her that she had never tried to bite me but to be careful anyway. I also told her that she was particularly afraid of men. I explained that if Ali did get into that scared panic mode to talk to her gently and as silly as it may sound, it calms her down a lot.

Dr. Bateman was the vet who saw us that night. He came in and explained to me how they were going to treat her with IV fluids and Antitox Tx. He was very condescending when he talked to me. After briefly talking about the treatment he wanted to just grab her lead and walk off. I asked him to wait so I could explain her fearful aggressive temperament to him. He seemed very aggravated and impatient with that but I talked to him anyway to be sure they would carefully handle her. I explained to him that she was abused and very afraid of men. I also told him that she would suddenly freak over something and to not trust her. I also told him that she was in season and to use her lead and collar. I left her with a fursaver choke chain and sturdy six foot nylon lead that she could not slip out of. Nobody told me that they would be walking her outside in an unfenced area.

After he came back with the price estimate, I asked him what the side effects were for the antidote. He didn't want to answer the question. I explained to him money was not a concern and that I was going to have them treat her regardless. I asked him again and he said that there were no side effects. After getting home I looked it up and came up with a list of side effects, some deadly. I called and checked on her to be sure she was ok since I wasn't so assured that they would pick up on any potentially life threatening side effects if they didn't know there were any. Everytime I called they told me she was doing great.

The last time I called was Saturday night. Dr. Bateman was the one who I talked to. He said she was doing fine and that if she continued to do so, she could go home Sunday evening. I then asked him if there were any problems and he said no. Exactly an hour later the phone rang and it was him. He calmly said "one of our staff was walking Ali and she bit her and slipped out of the leash and got away". He said that they had called animal control to look for her. He talked about it like he was talking about the weather no concern, no apology, no worry or remorse, NOTHING. Biting my tongue told him I was coming up there and immediately left. All I could think about was getting there fast and that she might get hit by a car.

My dad went with me and we got there in about 20 minutes. The animal control officer had just pulled into the parking lot. I told him that if he saw her to tell me and not to chase her or anything because she would just run away. He looked very nervous and said to me "you may want to check inside because I just got a call that somebody brought a dog in that was hit by a car."
My dad was already inside when I ran in. He was talking to a short heavyset young woman at the desk. She was being very evasive and condescending. She kept saying that she didn't know anything about what went on in the back. I asked her if it was a dark colored shepherd that was hit and she said I don't know I don't work in the back. Some people in the sitting area interjected that it was Ali. I even asked them if it was a dark shepherd and they said yes. My dad then asked the lady at the desk if she was still alive she repeated the same line that she didn't know because she didn't work in the back. At that time the people waiting answered again that she was not alive.

Finally they took us to the exam room and Dr. Bateman came in. He unemotionally said "Ali bit a young lady who was walking her, got away and she was hit by a car." I asked him how did she bite the girl and how did she get away. He just repeated the same exact thing in a more condescending tone. Then my dad asked if she was alive and he said no. Then we were both crying and the entire time Dr. Batemen just stood there and watched. He never once said he was even sorry or admitted responsibility but just blamed Ali for getting away. Then he just walked out of the room without saying a word. Nobody apologized to us that night.

The next day my dad called the clinic and talked to Dr Bateman. He told my dad that they would take care of the bill. It was not until my dad called several times that they finally refunded my credit card. They mailed me a receipt inside a dirty crumpled folded piece of paper in a business envelope. Again, no apology. In fact it has been over 6 weeks and I haven't received any sort of apology.

When Ali's ashes were ready to be picked up, Dr. Bateman called our house. He did not apologize even then. My mom answered the phone and during the brief conversation she asked him how Ali bit the girl. His reply was totally inconsistent with what he said numerous times before. He said that she did not actually bite her but "bit at her hand".

I would hate for something like this to ever happen to another person. The fact that Ali slipped out of a lead shows that the person walking her was not properly trained to handle a large freaky dog. It is hard to know exactly what was done by the vague replies to all of my questions. I am assuming they used a kennel lead or something equally inadequate. The leash and collar I left was impossible for her to slip out of. So not only did they ignore my advice to use her own lead, they didn't properly use their own equipment. The fact that Dr. Batemen didn't know the side effects of the medication he was treating her with really disturbs me. Overall, the rudeness and lack of concern was as bad as the neglect for my dog's care.

oh my.
i am so sorry.
I know you know this, but you need to start writing letters. Even copy what you just wrote here. This is unacceptable, jobs need to be lost, and new rules about staff training set in place.

wow, just wow.

Tresa, So sorry to hear about Ali. What an awful story. I hope you are looking for another vet.

I am sorry for the loss of your dog. I am confused, did this happen in 2006 or was this recently? As an aside, why wasn't she spayed if she was a rescue dog?

If you have concerns about this veterinary clinic and its staff, I would suggest writing a letter not only to the clinic but to the state's licensing board outlining your concerns about inappropriate care and treatment. I had a poor experience with a clinic in my area and I wrote to the state licensing board as well as the clinic and it seemed to make the clinic take my concerns a little more seriously. Albeit I never went back to the clinic after the poor experience. It is never easy to lose a dog but it is worse when it is due to the negligence of others.

Tresa, that's awful. Very sorry to hear about the loss of your dog.

This happened a long time ago...but every now and then it kind of resurfaces in my mind. Never ever trust a vet that won't pay attention to me ever again...I didn't have a choice then.

FYI: Ali is a dog I rescued, not acquired from a rescue group. My personal preference was not to have her spayed.

I did write a letter and had some friends who said they would edit it for me and all that, they never did and I got tired of asking, it was painful enough to even have to think about. But that doesn't mean I can't do it still. I have since hear some horrible things from other people about that place.

You are right, it is never too late to write that letter. It sounds like the clinic might not have learned from their mistakes in handling your girl. Good luck.

They had no business walking your dog in the first place. Did you sign a consent saying she could be uncontained? My guess is no. I volunteered at a vet clinic and we couldn't take the dogs out of the building, even to pee.

I am sorry for the loss of your dog, it was so tragic and unnecessary. I agree with those who say you should write a letter to the veterinary licensing board. Ive seen stories like this on the news, I would call an investigative reporter and get this story out there.

 Quote: Ingrid Rosenquist

You are right, it is never too late to write that letter. It sounds like the clinic might not have learned from their mistakes in handling your girl.

I totally agree and suggest you cc the vet as well, and you may want to describe your first experience with them as well. Complaints to regulatory/licensing agencies tend the get the attention of businesses like this. I think in a small way you can honor the memory of your dog knowing you attempted to save someone else from equally irresponsible treatment.

Mike

Right now life's hectic with starting my own business (2 actually), a pending lawsuit (got rear ended a few years ago, long story), just broke up with my b/f...etc. But when I've got my life under control a bit more I will consider contacting the news and will definitely write the letter...and in fact I know of some others who have had horrible experiences at that clinic (one dog died from negligence and was treated the same way) so I am going to contact them. Having several people on the news will really get the ball rolling. The dog who died had a tumor removed and when the owner went to get it they casually informed her that her dog was dead. The dog hemorrhaged to death and THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW or try to save it! They treated her like crap just like they did me...I believe it was the same @$$hole vet too. I may even talk to my lawyer about it, not because I want money but for JUSTICE...is that still possible in this country?