“I’m Upset That They Couldn’t Explain That Decision”: Guy Is Livid After Learning Vet Did A Surprise Tooth Extraction During His Pup’s Neutering
It’s no big secret that house pets and humans share a unique bond.
Many of us care for our pets as though they are our own children, enjoying their company and doing all that is in our power to maintain their happiness and health, including giving them medical care and emergency veterinary services when they are ill or hurt.
It goes without saying that when you take on the responsibility of getting yourself a furry (or not) friend, vet care becomes one of the most vital aspects of their lives. Similar to how routine medical checkups help people avoid health issues, frequent veterinarian appointments also assist animals and promise them healthy general well-being.
However, even though veterinarians are highly trained professionals, just like human doctors, they’re not always right – thus, you should be confident and question any care, diagnosis, or, as in this case, unexpected treatments.
More info: Reddit
It goes without saying that all healthcare providers ought to be open with their patients
Image credits: cheneyk
“AITA for being peeved about surprise tooth extractions during neutering?” – this internet user sought advice from one of Reddit’s most popular forums about whether it was OK for him to go off at a vet nurse after discovering that the facility unexpectedly removed his puppy’s teeth during neutering. The post garnered over 27K upvotes, as well as 3.4K comments discussing the situation.
Dog owner asks if it was wrong to go off on a vet nurse after learning the clinic did a surprise tooth extraction during his puppy’s neutering
Image credits: cheneyk
The man began his post by revealing that he has a 6-month-old goldendoodle that he recently dropped off at the vet to get neutered. The treatment was a part of a “puppy package” that included all of the required vaccinations, wellness examinations, microchipping, and, of course, neutering.
After returning to pick the pup up and obtaining the aftercare instructions, the author of the post discovered that the clinic had done surprise teeth extractions.
The author of the post recently dropped his 6-month-old goldendoodle off at the vet to get neutered
Image credits: cheneyk
The $20 charge for the two teeth that were extracted while the dog was under anesthesia was the sole expense not covered by the puppy package, the vet nurse informed the owner.
Naturally, the man was taken aback, so he questioned the staff member and said that his puppy was there exclusively for neutering. The nurse went on to say that the pup’s two canines were starting to come in, but the baby teeth were not loose enough, so they removed them.
She then added that it’s a very standard procedure and is regularly recommended by the vet – however, the man said that they did more than recommend it; they went ahead and removed the teeth without bothering to inform him first.
Upon returning to the clinic, the guy found out that the vet performed a surprise tooth extraction while the puppy was still under anesthesia
Image credits: cheneyk
The dog’s owner offered some extra commentary, claiming that he didn’t care about the extra $20 bill. Had he been contacted and told that they recommended the procedure, he would’ve gone with it with no questions asked – however, what got to him was that he wasn’t informed of this decision, nor consulted.
The nurse was stupefied, so she excused herself for a moment, and when she returned, she said that the bill was discounted since the clinic had failed to consult the man first.
Everything else was covered by a “puppy package” – however, the extra procedure would cost him $20
Image credits: cheneyk
The pet owner then convinced the nurse that the additional charge was not the issue. He expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that he came in for one treatment and, without any consultation or discussion, they decided to incorporate a tooth extraction.
The nurse continued to make excuses and shared that it was necessary – plus, if they were to do it at a separate visit, it would’ve cost $250. The guy, once again, argued that the extra bill had nothing to do with his concerns; however, the technician kept justifying the clinic’s actions, claiming that the facility does it all the time while puppies are already under anesthesia.
Naturally, the puppy owner was taken aback and expressed his concerns about the clinic not discussing the additional procedure with him first
Image credits: Marco Verch (not the actual photo)
Image credits: cheneyk
The author of the post asked why he wasn’t told about this on previous visits or even in the morning when he dropped off his dog, but the woman kept beating around the bush, explaining all the perks and potential difficulties that not removing the teeth would’ve brought.
The pet owner seemed to have conveyed his worries a thousand times before the woman once again disappeared.
The vet nurse kept beating around the bush and listing all the perks and potential difficulties that not removing the baby teeth would’ve brought
Image credits: cheneyk
The woman finally brought the puppy back, and the author thanked her and left.
The man then said that he wasn’t trying to be rude, difficult, or cheap in any way – however, that’s exactly how he felt. He even spoke to a couple of coworkers after he got back to his office, but he really needed to hear some unbiased opinions, so that’s why he turned to Reddit.
After the post blew up, the man updated it and added a few words to clarify some things.
After the post gained some attention, the guy edited it and added some extra commentary
Image credits: cheneyk
The pup owner explained that he was really conflicted and that’s why he wanted to hear what other people thought, as many Redditors had initially questioned the man’s need to post in the online community since they thought that he certainly wasn’t being a jerk in this scenario.
He also said that he wasn’t planning on talking about the clinic or exposing it to the public. The guy wasn’t in awe of their service, but he was not trying to hurt the business in any way.
The procedure was then discounted – however, the post’s author left feeling “rude, difficult and cheap”
Image credits: Tony Alter (not the actual photo)
Although he did mention that he will be changing providers.
He reminded the group members that he wasn’t concerned about the choice they thought was essential; rather, he was upset that the staff members weren’t able to explain it or thought it wasn’t even necessary to explain it at all.
What do you think about this situation?
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"Consent matters". In everything. No medical professional should ever do anything without express consent of the patient or guardian- and it doesn't matter if the patient is a dog, cat or wombat.
Just want to add that you are the only advocate for your pet, it's your job to be rude or difficult if needed.
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This man wasn't an AH, it's pretty standard to explain things that are going to happen during a procedure as well as things that COULD happen during a procedure. As an experienced dog-haver myself and someone who treats patients every day, you don't just go ahead and do something of your own volition without making sure that consent is involved. I see children and explain everything I'm going to do with both the child (so they're not scared) and the parents (so they understand what is going to happen). I also talk with them about possibilities of what might arise from different situations (have never in 17 years had anything out of the ordinary happen but I don't want any surprises for my patients). I don't think it should be any different in the veterinary world. I had a dog with terrible teeth and every time she had a cleaning the vet would mention the possibility of extractions happening and get our consent. It's the principle. Consent matters.
He definitely wasn't the AH imagine going in for an operation yourself and then wake up and told they removed two of your teeth at the same time, you wouldn't be very happy. This guy would have signed a consent form stating that his dog was to be neutered and have a microchip inserted, nothing about having teeth removed. I'm glad he is going to be going to a different vet in the future, the vet tech was way too dismissive of his concerns.
Not just the vet tech, but how did the vet not come in and talk to him? If they were in surgery, the tech should have said that and he would receive a call from the vet when they're available. Incredibly unprofessional practice.
Load More Replies... "Consent matters". In everything. No medical professional should ever do anything without express consent of the patient or guardian- and it doesn't matter if the patient is a dog, cat or wombat.
Just want to add that you are the only advocate for your pet, it's your job to be rude or difficult if needed.
Load More Replies... This man wasn't an AH, it's pretty standard to explain things that are going to happen during a procedure as well as things that COULD happen during a procedure. As an experienced dog-haver myself and someone who treats patients every day, you don't just go ahead and do something of your own volition without making sure that consent is involved. I see children and explain everything I'm going to do with both the child (so they're not scared) and the parents (so they understand what is going to happen). I also talk with them about possibilities of what might arise from different situations (have never in 17 years had anything out of the ordinary happen but I don't want any surprises for my patients). I don't think it should be any different in the veterinary world. I had a dog with terrible teeth and every time she had a cleaning the vet would mention the possibility of extractions happening and get our consent. It's the principle. Consent matters.
He definitely wasn't the AH imagine going in for an operation yourself and then wake up and told they removed two of your teeth at the same time, you wouldn't be very happy. This guy would have signed a consent form stating that his dog was to be neutered and have a microchip inserted, nothing about having teeth removed. I'm glad he is going to be going to a different vet in the future, the vet tech was way too dismissive of his concerns.
Not just the vet tech, but how did the vet not come in and talk to him? If they were in surgery, the tech should have said that and he would receive a call from the vet when they're available. Incredibly unprofessional practice.
Load More Replies...
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