Woman shares story after dog dies due to veterinarian negligence

If you have a pet, you know how hard it can be to find a good veterinarian. A Buena Vista woman tragically found out how important it is to do a thorough search.

[@Greenpeppersandeggs]

I once had a wonderful Dog who became skinny quickly, we took her to a non-regular Vet who had immediate space. He said within five minutes of seeing her to put her down, and then proceeded to say I had starved her. We took her to an ER right after and they found she had a heart murmur and the sudden drop in weight was quickly fixed with meds. Over the next years she had a few more episodes but played every day except for two. She even played on her last day, as we drove to work she had heart failure and was gone before I could pull over. She looked right at me and fell over and that was it. She lived six more wonderful years after the first Vet said to put her down. Thank you to Brewer Vet who even offered to come to our house on Christmas if we had needed her to put her down due to the murmur. We were so glad we got a second opinion. Imagine? She was so loving and loved and had so much fun hitting her bucket list every day after that non-euthanasia day. I’m so grateful for the Veterinarians who truly care. ❤️

[@MlSS.S]

Thank God you cared enough about your dog and you're not one of those stupid people who would put their dog down for the slightest thing that goes wrong with them. Your dog was blessed to have you as a pet parent. I'm so happy you got to spend six more wonderful years with your precious fur baby.

[@KillTheCupcakes]

Your story made me tear up. Rest in paradise to your doggy. 😢❤️

[@Here4TheHeckOfIt]

I can understand this woman's feelings. Like doctors, veterinarians are also trusted until they're not.

[@donkeyballs3307]

A veterinarian is a doctor ,an animal doctor

[@sylviagerritsen7975]

My dog recently had a Caesarian and my vet told me to feed her puppy food. I told her this is not a good idea due to her history, and they should read her files first. She is on single protein meals, and multi protein meals could kill her and to please check her files. They told me it is for the good of not just the mum but for me to consider her four puppies as well. So I fed her as they recommended. Two days later I phoned them and told them she wasn’t doing well, they told me to keep feeding her as they recommend, it’s just a reaction to the change in diet. That night we rushed her to the hospital and the next morning they phoned and said she wouldn’t make it and they want my OK to put her to sleep. I said no, treat her as they had done previously ‘in her files’ that they hadn’t yet read. They did and the following morning they said she was getting better. When I went to pick her up they said based on her files she should not have had a change in diet. I told them I was furious and I had warned them they might kill my dog and to read her files. I told them I hoped they had learned to listen to pet owners and that I had learned not to trust them. She is now OK but she was unable to feed her puppies and we hand raised them from day 3. We didn’t consider their advice when feeding or dealing with the puppies and now have a new vet. So very sorry for your sad loss.

[@spocklover110]

I hope you left a one star review on Google or somewhere for the first veterinarians! I don’t want anyone else’s pet dying needlessly. Glad your doggie is okay. 🐶

[@nrey4255]

I think the lesson here is also that you knew better and let them convince you other wise. The failed to listen and that was your 1st red flag.

[@YW2324]

That just sounds like laziness

[@MlSS.S]

I'm confused. Why would you rush her back to the same hospital that neglected to acknowledge your dog's pre-existing condition and neglected to read her medical files?

[@tinbarnranch]

Always trust your gut when it comes to vets. I didn't and it cost me my pets life! The amount of arrogance and ignorance in the vet community is unbelievable. If you find a capable vet that you feel is competent please post a review on social media. This is exactly what happens when no accountability is demanded. I now drive 4 hours to a vet I feel confident in. Animal ER Care in the Springs.

[@MlSS.S]

You are so right! Referrals and reviews go a long way. I definitely leave reviews whether I get good or bad service. I actually take my dog to the Humane Society's Vet Clinic. I trust them more than some of these ridiculously expensive veterinarians out here. Just under 2 years ago, my senior rescue dog needed to have a few teeth extracted. I went to 3 different veterinarians and the cost ranged between $3000 and $6,000! My neighbor recommended the Humane Society as for a senior dog had a full mouth extraction done there So I took her advice and was very pleased with both the price and the outcome. My dog had six teeth extracted and it only cost $700! The amazing veterinarian who performed the surgery split his time between the Big Cat Sanctuary and the Humane Society. From the start I knew he really cared about animals.

[@snookers8687]

I’m so sorry that you lost your furry friend…. I had a similar experience. I have a chi weenie that I too rescued. At the beginning of the pandemic shut down my male chi weenie developed intermittent shaking- like shivering. I took him to his normal vet but I could not go in due to the shut down. After 30 minutes the vet told me that my fur baby had a problem with his joint popping out of socket and that the shivering was from pain. He told me to try to keep my dog immobile and it would heal over time. Flash forward two days the shivering got much worse and my dog would not eat or drink. We too him to the emergency vet hospital. Again we could not go in to talk with the vet and communication over the phone was all we could do. We authorized them to do blood tests and x rays. His x ray came out good but his blood test was off so they did electrolyte testing and found that his electrolytes were abnormal. My fur baby was diagnosed with Addisons Syndrome. I’m so lucky I took him to the emergency vet because we almost lost him. I had a feeling that it was something more than what the first vet told me. If I would have listened to him my fur baby would be gone. He has been on monthly shots and small dosage on steroids every day and he is doing just fine!

[@MlSS.S]

I'm so happy that you were able to take your fur baby for a second opinion. Thank God they were able to treat him and it did not end up in tragedy. I'm curious though - did the vets take an x-ray of your dog's joint that was allegedly popping out? They would have had to show me that x-ray.

[@FVWhimsy2010]

I took my cat to a "trusted" vet in Hawaii and lost him to gross negligence. My vet failed my cat...but so did I, because I shouldn't have left him there. If you don't see improvement within 36-hour of treatment, get another vet opinion. Same as we would do for people.

[@deathbycake7637]

Last year I took my dog to get groomed (also in Hawaii) by the time I picked her up she was already dying

[@deathbycake7637]

I am sorry about your cat

[@Ketowski]

@@deathbycake7637 So sorry that’s heartbreaking.

[@deathbycake7637]

@@Ketowski tyvm Ketowski I'm still not over my dogs death. The day it happened is like a nightmare.

[@Ketowski]

@@deathbycake7637 So sorry. My heart goes out to you.

[@Lisa.G412]

Wow how did this vet mess this up!!!!! Come on man do better

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

No kidding!! After just watching Animal Planet for a few years, even *I know what basic medical treatments should have been done for this poor baby! 🤬

[@ouropinion2738]

a veterinarian in Flowood MS lied to my neice told her her dog needed to be put down and I told my neice take her dog home and ask for medication the vet refused. I said ask her for antibiotics the vet refused I said why she said she wants to put the dog down and my neice said the woman didn't like pit bulls I was pissed I told my neice to bring her dog home and go get a certain over the counter antibiotic $22 and start your dog on this particular pain med 1 pill for pain this is what my vet told me when my dog had Pyometria and white gums years back so she did and now her dog is fine all the goop in her vag came out and now she is running skipping eatting normally. Do you know that vet had the nerve to send my neice a condolence card

[@cordeliabuffy6419]

My former "trusted vet" tried her best to kill my little cat. Her negligence cost me over 6k in emergency vet bills and my cat has a head tilt and every few weeks has another ear issue. Like this lady, I find it hard to trust anyone with my animals. Its criminal that you can't sue a bad vet and its criminal that the most that can be done is fine them and they can continue to injure,maim and kill our pets. Awful.

[@lovemusic1963ify]

Seriously, sounds like we had the same vet.

[@MlSS.S]

I'm so sorry that happens to your cat 😥. I too would find it impossible to trust another veterinarian after that.

[@JustMe-bg3gn]

Poor baby he suffered in tremendous pain. So sorry for your loss.

[@Darci3333]

This breaks my heart😢😢😢 There are some who should NEVER be Veterinarians and if they dont really love animals and put them first then they NEVER should be in that field period 😢 Most people their pets are their children and cherished members of the family.....and it breaks your heart when you lose them😢😢😢

[@YW2324]

Ya exactly 💯

[@RC-no3dr]

Wonder if it’s the same vet that moved to our state from Colorado and killed my sweet cat just recovering from a surgery. She’s a demon

[@hellsbellez]

RIP lil sweetie pie, May your days be happy and joyful across that Rainbow Bridge, chasing all the little squirrels and eating all the treats and jumping and running happily for hours in your healed body 🙏🏼🐶 🌈

[@mrsdraper171]

I'm very sorry for your loss. He was a beautiful boy. I know your pain.

[@DanielOrtegoUSA]

I had a local groomer kill one of my dogs years ago, and I never have gotten over it completely. Complete negligence on the part of the business owner. 😡

[@deathbycake7637]

Almost similar thing happened to me last year with my dog after taking her to the groomers by the time I picked her up she was already dying. The groomers paid for everything even her cremation I'm sorry for your loss I'm also not over her death.

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

@@deathbycake7637 I'm so sorry! That is horrific! 💔

[@deathbycake7637]

@@i_love_rescue_animals Ty and it was... I'm still not over her death.

[@YW2324]

I'm so sry

[@MlSS.S]

@DanielOrtego - I'm so sorry your dog (and you) had to go through that nightmare. I keep hearing stories like this on the news way too frequently. I DO NOT trust groomers. I don't care how "sweet" they appear to be. This is why I learned to groom my own dog. I know myself and I know how I am when it comes to my dog, so before I end up locked without the possibility of parole, let me just go ahead groom own darn dog. I would never be able to forgive myself if my little rescue fur baby were to die at the hands of a groomer. I think it should be a REQUIREMENT for every pet grooming salon, every pet boarding facility and every doggie daycare to have cameras whereby people can check in on their animals at any given time.

[@ThePriceisRight4094D]

I had two vets kill my 2 Chihuahuas.

[@Segra13]

Im so sorry for her and her pup.. what a tragic story..

[@elladoz1966]

They're expensive then when theyre misdiagnosed they die, thats wrong 🥺.

[@belindaguzman450]

My boy had a bad hit when he was a puppy while playing too rough with our other dog he was very lethargic didn’t want to eat I took Him to the vet they did blood work and gave me meds they told me nothing was wrong with him next day he was worse I went back and demanded to speak to another vet or I was going to sue turns out he had his organs inflamed from a hard hit point is follow ur gut if u feel like something is wrong follow it demand answers most vets will just bs u and it’s sad there not just our pets there part of our family

[@poodlemom1109]

So sorry for ur loss. 🙏🏻♥️🙏🏻

[@greensteelusallc7862]

When you lose a dog or a pet it’s like losing a child. Veterinarians need to take the highest standard of the law especially when I was a little ones kid speak and tell us what’s wrong with them. I’ve been with so many animals throughout my life and so many veterinarians that like to rob the outside public to do their jobs. Once I moved to Georgia I found a beautiful vet along with his beautiful clinic that does even charge an arm and a leg to even be seen an office visit $15 a new patient office visit $25 an x-ray $45 an ultrasound only $125 which is nothing compared to what most vets be charged in big cities. I pray for this woman I really do because I dog sit still be here with her from the lack of concern from her first that she took him to. I hope she sues him and I hope she is awarded damages for her pain in distress. Fly high little boy fly high no more pain no more tears wait at the rainbow bridge for mama to appear.

[@hayamreah7891]

losing a pet is NOT like losing a child, and this is coming from a vet student

[@SugarMollyHazel]

@@hayamreah7891 To some people, who cannot have kids, they're like their babies. Their pets mean so much to them, that they would die for them. Like a parent would die for their children.

[@shanaazgafar8052]

pain is pain it doesn’t matter if it’s your pet or human

[@hellsbellez]

*"all the animals in Courtney's sanctuary" and she DOESN'T HAVE A REGULAR VET??????* 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@krisniznik3953]

Covid caused a vet shortage. Many retired. It's hell trying to get care. If you had pets you would know this.

[@andreaandrea1717]

It’s not that hard if you just put in a little effort.

[@lynnberry169]

@@andreaandrea1717 depends on where you live and how far you can travel. Our clinic has been refusing new clients for 2 years

[@fredsnake13]

i am sorry for your loss pets are like family

[@22lyric]

I can't watch this but prayed for her.

[@chrismorgan283]

I interview vets whenever we move. I had one once that told me he went to vet school in the Philippines. Okay, we can work with that. Then, he told me he went to the food market on the weekend, bought live dogs, then killed them for his classes. I was out of there so fast, I think I broke his door.

[@teresewecker]

I'll bet he ate them too!! And I'm not being facetious..

[@MlSS.S]

You should have shared that information with others in your city. Anyone who could do that to animals is a sicko and has no business whatsoever treating people's furry family members!

[@justinshades6652]

Omg. Poor baby

[@BrandonG-km5rs]

It sucks, but dogs are considered Chattel property in the eyes of the Court. The most a pet owner will recover for damages in most jurisdictions is the cost to purchase the same animal on the open market. It's not like when a medical professional commits medical practice against a human and the human can collect millions.

[@brandywiNe001]

Maybe the first vet was wrong, but waiting another 2 days to take your dog to another one, while he's yelping from being in so much pain!!! C'mon!! Despicable

[@garlictyme2472]

Some people can't get to another vet or they don't have any appointments. Maybe you should educate yourself about the shortage of vets and not be judgemental and despicable.

[@darcychurch9749]

My PTSD service dog (still in training) was slaughtered by two incompetent “veterinarians.” They took out his prostrate instead of his cryptorchid testicle. I will never forgive myself because I chose them, not him. I’ll never be okay again. No one is a safe person.

[@silviaconrad8401]

How come incompetent providers is so wide spread these days,I have lost confidence in all medical providers whether for human or animal.

[@janieburnias6210]

I am so sorry for your loss

[@2ladybughippies569]

I feel your pain and am so sorry. my 22yr old cat was horribly treated it has left me with PTSD.

[@KiiKiiMC]

💔😔🐶🤦🏻‍♀️

[@jessicapearson9479]

Vets should be held to the same standards as human doctors!

[@dianastoyanova3643]

A month ago we lost our baby. For one week he seen 3 diffrent doctors in tree different clinics.Wrong diagnoses, wrong meds. 3 months before that he had IVDD surgery. We paid lots of money he to have a good life and to be able to walk. Little over a month after surgery he was able to walk and he was happy but not for long. One day he got very lethargic and for one week he was gone. They killed my baby. He was only 7 y. old.

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

I had a trusted Vet who I really liked (and think still was a pretty good Vet). However, after giving my cat YEARS of yearly checkups (including listening to the heart), I had to take my cat to the ER because one of his paws suddenly swelled up (he stepped on a bee, they figured). In the checkup at the ER, this different Vet listened to his heart and in just a few seconds said, "oh, so how long has he had this grade 4 heart murmur?" Yikes! I took him to the U of M Veterinary hospital and they did a full workup on him and found he is in heart failure. That was almost 6 years ago and he's laying on my lap now (he was given about a 2 year prognosis). He is still a happy boy, but his failing heart is causing more coughing. He is on two medications for his heart and most likely wouldn't have had all these extra years without this (somewhat earlier) diagnosis. I couldn't believe my Vet had listened to his heart at least 8 times and never caught the heart murmur (which they figure he was born with). Granted, it is possible he developed the heart murmur later in life, but she should have heard it in the previous exam, before the ER visit.

[@i_love_rescue_animals]

How horrible!! This poor dog! I mean, even I know the dog should have AT LEAST been put on anti-inflammatories and had a scan done (with loss of the hind legs - really?!). I feel so sorry for the owner too. She not only lost her beloved dog, but now she also blames herself too.

[@natalieryan6026]

This breaks my heart and I yes had a bad experience with my former vet. He only charged for medication and then everything is done right inside where everyone can see everything just inside a building. I took my chihuahua Ceasar of only 13 yrs and my mom had just pasted less than yr ago. I went to him for whooping cough and he wasn't getting better so bring him back well looking back I wish I hadn't because his assistant which also an older gentleman about mid 60s overdosed him because thankfully he admitted that and long story short my vet I have now tried everything to keep him alive however he died of kidney function.

[@MlSS.S]

A fine and some online videos??? That surely would not have been the end of it for me if it was my dog! His house just may have accidentally gone up in smoke. Just thinking of how much pain that poor animal was in, yet could not speak to tell his owner what he was going through really, really breaks my heart. I hope this woman spreads the word about that quack. . .I mean vet in the towm where she lives so that he loses business.

[@mypeeps333]

Exactly why I Didn't report that veterinarian that killed my dog. With the wrong diagnosis. Can i sue ?

[@otrsbg]

I learned this by taking dogs I had to a petco and instead of writing a pres for a ear infections they kept saying it’s fleas and I need to get a heart worm text when in fact I never came for any of that I knew what was wrong but they didn’t care then got mad becuse I asked if I could go back with my dogs. Don’t trust no fucking person who only gets paid to care not love ur pet!

[@kattysaez962]

I always said when I wanted to be you when I grow up it was a vet 👁️💧👄💧👁️

[@gothlizzie1665]

A vet in Denver also ended up killing my dog last year in November. My heart breaks for you, I am so sorry!

[@ARBlack-cc9tu]

Yeah, I would like to know something too. Because my veterinarian kill my 1 year old cat He was perfectly healthy and I still can't find a lawyer to help me in the state of tennessee

[@Anonymous-cn6zl]

My deepest condolences. We are paying the vets whether they fail or not. So unfair

[@alwaysyouramanda]

That’s not enough for a new dog 😢😢 not that you can replace your baby

[@Littlekitten_]

Everyone knows how expensive it is to take your pet to a veterinarian.. it’s sad that they do these things

[@normandothegreat]

😢🙏

[@darleenskzlover8900]

That is sad that’s awful

[@LayalBlossom]

Rest in peace 🕊️

[@danababy1977]

Vets laziness

[@sassysister8552]

Last November i took my 14 yr old fur baby for a physical and was told he looked great, bloodwork of a 2 yr old. He did receive an injection for Arthritis and Rabies .. He died a month later at an Emergency Vet Clinic from congestive heart failure we knew nothing about

[@freedomfirst4590]

So sad

[@gaylemarcus7413]

😢💔🙏

[@tandiannlewis2491]

I am so sorry for you and your dog. 😢 ❤

[@andreaandrea1717]

This story literally made me nauseous. I cannot believe she waited two days to get a second opinion. This basically happened to me with my hamster I did not believe the first vet and took my hamster immediately to a second vet. And she’s running a sanctuary?

[@krisniznik3953]

Perhaps you don't currently have any animals. If you did, you would know that there is a vet shortage right now that covid exacerbated exponentially, and it is very difficult to get appointments even when you have a long established relationship with a vet. Don't be so judgy.

[@andreaandrea1717]

The incident with my hamster was just a year ago during Covid. And I took her to an emergency vet who saw her that day because that’s what emergency vets do. It’s not hard to google emergency vets in my area. The second when I went to was over an hour away but I still took her there.

[@krisniznik3953]

@@andreaandrea1717 You were very lucky. When my dog was dying I was unable to get anyone to see her for days. A friend finally found someone from another town, who usually saw horses but was able to come, and I have a regular vet.

[@andreaandrea1717]

At the very least if you cannot afford the vet care or you cannot find a vet and it’s an emergency you could surrender your animal to a no kill shelter who will give them all the medical care they need immediately. I know that sounds crazy but if your animal is dying or in pain and there’s nothing you could do about it for days that’s always an option.

[@andreaandrea1717]

Just wanted to say sorry you had to go through that getting vet care.

[@echang1572]

Vets All about money, money, money….and money and more money.

[@Shastasnow]

As cold as this sounds, she probably got more out of his death than she spent on the dog. Hopefully, she can use that money to help another dog and not just put it in her pocket. I could see people abusing this system; I hope not.

[@duckzncatz]

I am amazed that the original vet didn't send them home with Carprofen (brand names: Rimadyl®, Zinecarp®, Canidryl®, Aventicarp®, Rycarfa®, Rimifin®, Carpox®, Tergive®, Carprodyl®, Carprieve®, Norocarp®, Novox®, quellin®, Rovera®, Vetprofen®, Levafen®) which would have also killed the poor little dog.

[@sfstoryteller1227]

And the state this veterinarian works in will do NOTHING about this!! She should still make a complaint to the board of professional misconduct. Our dog died from bladder cancer April 2023! I took her to our then very incompetent vet 11 times with worsening symptoms. Never once did she recommend any imaging! Finally I said she needs an ultrasound. Sure enough my worst fear came true and I was right! Sarah had TCC Bladder Cancer! Inoperable. She died two weeks later. If you live in Saratoga Springs NY never use Dr. Sara Ryan Spring Family Veterinary. She’s terrible and should have lost her license! I pray she sees this post