Just lost Odin en-route to the vet - the true story is worse

[rhapsody]

Okay, I have to get this off my chest. I didn't feel it was worth mentioning earlier, since it wouldn't change the fact that Odin is gone. I not trying to blame anyone - I know it was just a horrific set of circumstances. But the more I think of this, the more upset I get.

Odin didn't die en-route to the vet. He died on the way to one of my rescue's folks BECAUSE I WAS TURNED AWAY FROM THE VET.

Couldn't see that vet without an appointment, and the next available one was in the middle of next week. Didn't matter that my rat was dying. "You need to go to an emergency vet, then get referred to our clinic, and then we might be able to see him later this afternoon," the receptionist said. I tried to reason with her. "He's dying! I can't waste time going to an emergency vet. None of them know how to treat rodents." Couldn't budge her.

Maybe its unfair for me to think that a clinic might try to squeeze in a pet that is in severe distress. Maybe I've just been spoiled by my own usual clinic who (when the vet is in) is more than willing to help me with rodents in obvious distress at a minutes notice, even if it was to ease their passing.

 

[hopefloats]

Okay, I have to get this off my chest. I didn't feel it was worth mentioning earlier, since it wouldn't change the fact that Odin is gone. I not trying to blame anyone - I know it was just a horrific set of circumstances. But the more I think of this, the more upset I get.

Odin didn't die en-route to the vet. He died on the way to one of my rescue's folks BECAUSE I WAS TURNED AWAY FROM THE VET.

Couldn't see that vet without an appointment, and the next available one was in the middle of next week. Didn't matter that my rat was dying. "You need to go to an emergency vet, then get referred to our clinic, and then we might be able to see him later this afternoon," the receptionist said. I tried to reason with her. "He's dying! I can't waste time going to an emergency vet. None of them know how to treat rodents." Couldn't budge her.

Maybe its unfair for me to think that a clinic might try to squeeze in a pet that is in severe distress. Maybe I've just been spoiled by my own usual clinic who (when the vet is in) is more than willing to help me with rodents in obvious distress at a minutes notice, even if it was to ease their passing.

that isnt unfair. I showed up at my vet with rat giving birth and 4 boys as soon as they opened one day. I was not turned away. I was helped. Was it your normal vet? I would call the office manager or the vet themselves see if they even knew about you being there with an animal in need.

 

[Petunia]

the fact that they "Might be able to see him later that afternoon" is what gets me, if they thought there might be time in the schedule and would be willing to look at him later, why the h*ll not when he needs it?
that makes no sense to me whatsoever

none

if they simply didn't think it would be possible to squeeze him in at all. but just because they wanted a referral?

did they not believe you that he was in severe distress?

that's all I can think, is that they wanted an "expert" opinion on how bad off he was..........?

still that was a crappy thing to do. I am so sorry this happened to you

 

[temblabamomo]

I am so sorry this happened. It is unbelievable to think people who are dedicated to the welfare of animals would turn an animal away. I understand that there are days when owners will rush in with "emergencies" that aren't true emergencies, and clinics get tired of letting these "emergency" walk-ins take precedence over an appointment. There are people out there who really take advantage of the fact that some clinics will bump a walk in emergency up over an appointment if the owner is willing to pay an emergency fee - it's the "I can't really afford to take off work this week, so I'll just walk in Saturday morning as an "emergency" appointment" mentality. I've seen people do it over a broken nail, or just to get their cats up to date on shots, and the rest of us wait 2 extra hours because of it.

But to go to your vet desperate for help with a creature that obviously needs immediate attention? That is inexcusable. And if that clinic's front desk is manned by staff who don't see the difference between the types of "emergencies" that aren't really emergent, and REAL life and death situations...well that's just not right. The staff should be at least trained enough on different species to recognize when something is an emergency.

You have every right to be insanely upset over this. I would write them a nice letter explaining what happened and let them know how wrong they were in this situation. That's just unbelievable. No one should have to go through that.

 

[SQ]

Most vets leave time in their day for emergencies.
That is horrible!
Please report them to whatever association regulates vets.

:hugs:

 

[rhapsody]

No, that wasn't my usual vet.

And one of the more sucky parts of the whole fiasco, I mention the rescue while yelling at the receptionist. The rescue has a good relationship with the vet, and I didn't want to jeopardize that. SO LATER THAT MORNING I CALLED THE CLINIC AND FRIGGIN' APOLOGIZED FOR TRYING TO MAKE THEM SEE A DYING RAT!

This is basically the timeline of what happened that morning:

7:00am - Call my vet, but find out he's out sick.

7:15am - Rescue recommends a different vet.

7:25am - Call different vet. Office doesn't open til 8am, so I leave message that I have a desperately ill rat and that I'm on my way.

7:30am - Pack Odin into the car and take off.

8:21am - I am two miles away from the clinic when the receptionist calls. Yes, they received my message, and no, they can't do anything for me. I pull over so I could try to reason with the receptionist. Can't talk to the vet since she hadn't come in yet. I tell the receptionist that I'm almost there anyway so I'll just come in and wait for the vet. Got a "Don't even bother" reply. Some yelling on my part ensued.

8:34am - Texted rescue that I'm out of options.

8:35am - Nearby outpost of the rescue calls and said that she could try to help.

8:50ish - I am 10 minutes away from the outpost, when I see Odin spasm. Distracted, I hit a turn too hard, and his body falls over lifelessly. I know immediately that he's gone.

Granted, maybe it still would have been to late for Odin if I had just gone over to the clinic and dared them to make me move. But at the very least, his last moments would have been spent in my arms INSTEAD OF BEING BOUNCED AROUND IN A SPEEDING CAR!

 

[Dazzle87]

That is really disturbing, I'm so sorry. I've never heard of a vet who didn't push down appointments for emergencies, especially life threatening ones . I thought vets were kind of ethically bound to see emergencies first the way hospitals are.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

I'm shocked. I can't believe they would turn you away. I have had receptionists ask if it can wait until tomorrow but never refuse. My guess is your situation never made it to the vet's attention so I would suggest by trying to get in direct contact with the vet to let him/her know what happened.

I'm so sorry you had to go through this :hugs:

 

[trillium]

Ugh! This sounds so awful -- I agree that a follow up with that veterinarian might make sense since the receptionist was likely running interference and never informed the vet of the conversation. You did everything you could for Odin -- He had you to help him through that last night and he had your presence with him when he passed on - speeding car or not, he wouldn't have known the difference, but he'd have known he was safe and not alone from your smell and your sounds carrying to him as you drove. :hugs:

 

[mamarat]

That was horrible, can't believe you were treated this way. I am so sorry.

 

[Dazzle87]

Part F of the AVMA ethical guidelines:

In emergencies, veterinarians have an ethical responsibility to provide essential services for animals when necessary to save life or relieve suffering, subsequent to client agreement. Such emergency care may be limited to euthanasia to relieve suffering, or to stabilization of the patient for transport to another source of animal care.

 

[Joanne]

My guess is your situation never made it to the vet's attention so I would suggest by trying to get in direct contact with the vet to let him/her know what happened.

I agree.
I'm so sorry...

 

[Sharlees rattakisses]

I have MANY different vets over the years and many animals in distress needing them.
I have NEVER been turned away.
Animals should always come first as they should have in this circumstance.

 

[ChrisK]

This is so horrible. I am so sorry you had to deal with this utterly unacceptable situation.
I would not worry about having called later to apologize, and, after you catch your breath, would still call back and request to speak with the vet directly and tell him/her what happened. If the vet doesn't know, he/she should because this kind of thing should not be allowed to happen again.

You are a super rat mom. Your actions showed how much you loved Odin, and how hard you were working to advocate for him, and to do everything possible for him in his time of need. Whether in a car or at home, Odin must have known how much you loved him, and died a happy rat, just for being with you.

 

[TheHermit]

yes, please call the vet or go there in person and speak to the vet him/herself. That receptionist was clearly irresponsible. A morning euthanasia, as soon as the vet is there, is ALWAYS possible. If this was midday and the vet was bogged with appointments and emerg. I wouldn't feel so strongly that you need to let that vet know. Doesn't matter if the receptionist is new. Please don't let her get away with this because every vet %lve ever spoken to would be appalled that you were turned away while your furbaby was suffering.
I am so sorry this happened to you. It's a horrible decision for a veterinary

 

[jennifervb]

Okay, I have to get this off my chest. I didn't feel it was worth mentioning earlier, since it wouldn't change the fact that Odin is gone. I not trying to blame anyone - I know it was just a horrific set of circumstances. But the more I think of this, the more upset I get.

Odin didn't die en-route to the vet. He died on the way to one of my rescue's folks BECAUSE I WAS TURNED AWAY FROM THE VET.

Couldn't see that vet without an appointment, and the next available one was in the middle of next week. Didn't matter that my rat was dying. "You need to go to an emergency vet, then get referred to our clinic, and then we might be able to see him later this afternoon," the receptionist said. I tried to reason with her. "He's dying! I can't waste time going to an emergency vet. None of them know how to treat rodents." Couldn't budge her.

Maybe its unfair for me to think that a clinic might try to squeeze in a pet that is in severe distress. Maybe I've just been spoiled by my own usual clinic who (when the vet is in) is more than willing to help me with rodents in obvious distress at a minutes notice, even if it was to ease their passing.

Who was the vet you went to sweetie? Vets, as far as I know, have a moral obligation to assist in the event of an emergency. You need to report this vet's office and your experiences with her/her staff. :redhot:

I have also had a similar experience with a receptionist who would have been MUCH better off in a job with no human contact so I know the self righteous type you were dealing with. I had been scoping out vets for my first pair of boys (Ben and Jerry) and made very clear to her that her employer would not be reaping the benefits of me as a client because I considered her to be a hideous biotch. She was thrilled to say the very least. :redhot:

I have to wonder if the vet in question had any CLUE that her receptionist turned away an animal in dire need. It would be beneficial for you to speak with her to determine if she too is such an @$$. She may or may not be... but if she is, you should report her. Odin did not deserve to be so blatantly disrespected by the very professionals whose very existance should revolve around their love of animals. I would have nailed that cow to the wall! (sorry... but I have a very soft spot for the world's smallest, fuzzies and am very much an advocate for their rights and needs.)

I'm so sorry you suffered through this. It was so COMPLETELY unnecessary! :flowers: :heart: :hugs:

 

[*Rebel_Angel*]

Well said jennifervb!

Don't let Odin's death be in vain! What if she turn's away other animal's in need!!

 

[Bundyrats]

How awful. As if you weren't under enough stress without having to deal with unacceptable service like that. So sad to lose him in the car like that.
I'm so sorry.

 

[TheHermit]

Please let us know how the chats go with that cun- i mean, *ahem*, receptionist and the vet him/herself. I think we would all be satisfied to know she got any flack for it, or even better, a nice, old fashioned "YOU'RE FIRED".

 

[Aida]

I agree. Please, speak to this vet. Tell her that you are heartbroken and utterly astonished that this happened. If the other people had appointments, then apparently their pets are not in so much distress that they need care at EXACTLY THAT SECOND. Also, write a horrible review on the clinic on those pet vet websites(if you google a clinic, the first thing that comes up is directions, then reviews, then a website). :redhot: