RampantRabbits
Mama Doe
The first time i had a problem with my vet, Dolly had a reaction to the Cylap VHD. I suggested this to my vet but he dismissed my thoughts and told me that i shouldnt believe everything i read on the internet!! I had planned to send a report and a list of side effects but i didnt get round to it.
I finally found a great vet this week so they called Markse Vets to get the buns records. I got a letter today from Markse vets wanting to know why I am leaving and if i could fill out a questionnaire!! :roll: I got kind of annoyyed by the questionnaire, especially when i was given a tiny box to explain my reasons for transferring. So i decided i would write a letter and include the report and list of side effects as well as all the other little things that i wasnt happy about.
Please can you proof read it for me? Im not sure if im going too far or if im nit picking.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing this letter in response to the questionnaire sent to me after transferring my rabbits to Wilton House Veterinary Clinic.
I have a number of reasons for leaving the practice. Firstly, I brought my doe in for a VHD vaccination on the 17th June. 48 hours after vaccination the hair around the injection site fell out, the skin was red and swollen but not broken (See enclosed image “2 days after Cylap VHD Vaccination”). I did some research and found that Dolly’s symptoms were side effects of the Cylap injection that was used (please see enclosed NOAI: Cylap: Contra-indications, warnings etc). I then found some reports in which 8 of 16 rabbits had the same or similar reactions (please see enclosed Report detailing serious reaction to the Cylap VHD vaccine, September 2008 to May 2009.).
I brought Dolly in to be seen and when I suggested a reaction to the vaccination, the vet rejected my thoughts on the matter and said “I’ve never seen or heard of this” and “not everything on the internet is correct”. I was surprised at how dismissive the vet was and due to his reaction doubt that the incident was even reported to the manufacturer. Dolly was prescribed Baytril for what I still believe was a reaction to the VHD vaccine. Days later, she developed another lesion which got larger over the period of 2-3 days. It eventually extended from her shoulder to her chest and under her chin and the skin looked dead. The hair has now grown back grey.
I understand that this reaction couldn’t have been prevented and that Dolly would still have been left with the scars however it has made me question the amount of experience the vet has had with treating rabbits due to the way he handled the situation. I feel that the possible side effects should be made clear to all rabbit owners before rabbits are vaccinated, especially the younger or less experienced owner so that they know what to look out for. After this incident I felt that Marske Vets would be unable to give my rabbits the appropriate care should they ever suffer from a potentially fatal illness such as Gastrointestinal Stasis, Myxomatosis or Pasteurellosis for example. This is the main reason I began to look for another vet.
Secondly, on the 9th September I brought both of my rabbits in to be examined as I suspected they had syphilis (vent disease). I wasn’t sure if I saw a vet or a nurse however they confirmed the diagnosis and gave each rabbit a dose of penicillin. Everything went straight forward apart from the member of staff was speaking to my friend rather than myself, even though I handled the rabbits and explained the problem myself. This happens every time I am accompanied by someone, I may only be 18, but I am their main carer and take responsibility for all of their needs. The rabbits have never been brought to the vets by another member of the family and I expected that the staff would be used to seeing me with them. I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding however I have never been treat like a child by Wilton House Vets or White Cross Vets. I was also told that I could not administer the penicillin at home on my own, I wasn’t told why, but I know a number of other rabbit owners who have been able to do so.
When it came to paying for the treatment, I was given a bill for £65.16! £44.00 for 2 consultations which I have never been charged for in the past, not even for our dog. I understand if you have only recently begun charging for consultations; however £22 per rabbit is a bit excessive. The charge for the Crystapen was £10.58 per rabbit which is again very excessive. This bill would not have included the price for the following 6 injections and I’m sure any pet owner would find this incredibly expensive, but as a full time student, I feel prices are now unreasonable.
I would be interested to hear your views on the way Dolly’s reaction was handled but after this situation and the increasing cost of treatment I felt that it would be in the best interests of my rabbits and my bank balance to transfer Marley and Dolly to a different practice.
I finally found a great vet this week so they called Markse Vets to get the buns records. I got a letter today from Markse vets wanting to know why I am leaving and if i could fill out a questionnaire!! :roll: I got kind of annoyyed by the questionnaire, especially when i was given a tiny box to explain my reasons for transferring. So i decided i would write a letter and include the report and list of side effects as well as all the other little things that i wasnt happy about.
Please can you proof read it for me? Im not sure if im going too far or if im nit picking.
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am writing this letter in response to the questionnaire sent to me after transferring my rabbits to Wilton House Veterinary Clinic.
I have a number of reasons for leaving the practice. Firstly, I brought my doe in for a VHD vaccination on the 17th June. 48 hours after vaccination the hair around the injection site fell out, the skin was red and swollen but not broken (See enclosed image “2 days after Cylap VHD Vaccination”). I did some research and found that Dolly’s symptoms were side effects of the Cylap injection that was used (please see enclosed NOAI: Cylap: Contra-indications, warnings etc). I then found some reports in which 8 of 16 rabbits had the same or similar reactions (please see enclosed Report detailing serious reaction to the Cylap VHD vaccine, September 2008 to May 2009.).
I brought Dolly in to be seen and when I suggested a reaction to the vaccination, the vet rejected my thoughts on the matter and said “I’ve never seen or heard of this” and “not everything on the internet is correct”. I was surprised at how dismissive the vet was and due to his reaction doubt that the incident was even reported to the manufacturer. Dolly was prescribed Baytril for what I still believe was a reaction to the VHD vaccine. Days later, she developed another lesion which got larger over the period of 2-3 days. It eventually extended from her shoulder to her chest and under her chin and the skin looked dead. The hair has now grown back grey.
I understand that this reaction couldn’t have been prevented and that Dolly would still have been left with the scars however it has made me question the amount of experience the vet has had with treating rabbits due to the way he handled the situation. I feel that the possible side effects should be made clear to all rabbit owners before rabbits are vaccinated, especially the younger or less experienced owner so that they know what to look out for. After this incident I felt that Marske Vets would be unable to give my rabbits the appropriate care should they ever suffer from a potentially fatal illness such as Gastrointestinal Stasis, Myxomatosis or Pasteurellosis for example. This is the main reason I began to look for another vet.
Secondly, on the 9th September I brought both of my rabbits in to be examined as I suspected they had syphilis (vent disease). I wasn’t sure if I saw a vet or a nurse however they confirmed the diagnosis and gave each rabbit a dose of penicillin. Everything went straight forward apart from the member of staff was speaking to my friend rather than myself, even though I handled the rabbits and explained the problem myself. This happens every time I am accompanied by someone, I may only be 18, but I am their main carer and take responsibility for all of their needs. The rabbits have never been brought to the vets by another member of the family and I expected that the staff would be used to seeing me with them. I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding however I have never been treat like a child by Wilton House Vets or White Cross Vets. I was also told that I could not administer the penicillin at home on my own, I wasn’t told why, but I know a number of other rabbit owners who have been able to do so.
When it came to paying for the treatment, I was given a bill for £65.16! £44.00 for 2 consultations which I have never been charged for in the past, not even for our dog. I understand if you have only recently begun charging for consultations; however £22 per rabbit is a bit excessive. The charge for the Crystapen was £10.58 per rabbit which is again very excessive. This bill would not have included the price for the following 6 injections and I’m sure any pet owner would find this incredibly expensive, but as a full time student, I feel prices are now unreasonable.
I would be interested to hear your views on the way Dolly’s reaction was handled but after this situation and the increasing cost of treatment I felt that it would be in the best interests of my rabbits and my bank balance to transfer Marley and Dolly to a different practice.
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