Arguments with vets -is it worth it?

Last Thursday I developed the 'Real McCoy' flu, my OH went into hospital with chest pains and Treacle stopped eating. Yup, I know, you couldn't make it up... Bottom line: I'm getting over it, the OH needs a thyroid operation and hasn't a heart problem and Treacle is dead
Treacle spent 3 nigths in the vets not being diagnosed after 3 vet exams and being given basic nursing care. We were told Sunday night we could collect her and that she was eating (cost £200). OH went and got her - she was weak and a lot thinnner but we trusted they knew what they were doing and that she wsn't eating at that point as she is a very nervvy rabbit and put her back with her companion over night. Next morning still no sign of eating sO I phoned and talked to our rabbit specialist who had not been on duty over the week end. OH brought her down again, William diagnosed a tooth abcess and general teeth problems, we agreed to an operation on Tuesday but by Monday evening she had died (had a fit while being fed). She had been examined by Will three weeks earlier while getting her myxi so this had come on really quickly.
Do you think I should make a fuss about her treatment over the weekend or am I just wasting my time- £200 for what Why couldn't they diagnose her? (I'm feeling bad myself probalby I would have realised it if I'd been half healthy enough to check her jaw line). How do they know she was eating? It seems unlikely from the way William explained the problem... I can't help thinking this would not have happened if this was a dog or cat.

Im so very sorry.What a rubbish time youve had and now youve lost your bun.
((hugs))

So sorry for your loss.

It's always worth writing a letter of complaint if you are not happy with a service (which a vets is) try and stick to the facts so they take you seriously.

They say things come in threes! I'm so sorry you lost your bun, but glad that you are your hubby are doing 'ok'.

Whether you pursue it is completely up to you. If you do, I think you need to have an aim in mind (like a full refund, or the vets getting more rabbit training, or something).

It can't bring your bunny back, but it may add some peace to you, it may help you know that you could have helped prevent that happening to another bunny, but equally, it could add to your stress levels.

There's not a right and wrong for you guys, just what you think is best.

On a personal level, I didn't complain about bad vet care and years later no regret it. I would complain nowadays, I think.

So sorry to hear of your loss.

I think you have a right to complain if an obvious problem was missed, but wait until you able to write a factual letter, not an emotional one is my advice.

Thanks everybody - that's good advice. I'm going to leave it til I calm down a bit _ I guess my aim would be to put pressure on the night vet service to improve - it is not the first time I've been unhappy with them. The whole thing has made me realise how frail we all are - buns and humans! We have much older buns and sicker buns than Treacle (who was 3) so it is all much more of a shock when a young one goes.

so sorry about your bunny.....thats so so sad....

Hope you feel better & OH op goes well....
Id write a factual letter for sure....sounds like the vets do need more training or the bun savvy vet should have been called due to their inexperience....so sorry about your loss....

If you feel that there was a problem with the care then you have every right to discuss it with the vets. Write down what you perceive to be problems now before anything is forgotten but wait until you feel calmer before contacting them as emotions can easily overcome discussion of the facts and make your points less clear.
Contact the senior partner/practice manager (in writing may be best initially to make sure you give a comprehensive but concise account - I always get diverted and lose focus when talking issues that really matter to me) and they will be able to address your concerns.
If you have real worries about the service then it is always better to address them. They may justify what was done and put you mind at ease that some things couldn't have been avoided/done differently, or if a real issue has been pointed out then they can work to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Sorry for your loss,
Marie

definately worth it. they may use an out of hours company, so if its a complaint they will be able to address the company themselves (or change company to better people!!!)

So sorry to hear about Treacle

Did William say anything about the misdiagnoses over the weekend? I would definitely talk to him about it, and see what he thinks was missed and why.

As I use the same vets I would be worried if the night vets aren't up to the job, and definitely think it is worth speaking to someone and knowing William I am sure he would be concerned too?