people......argh.

Re: people......argh.

Beholden — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 03:18:25 GMT

'I'm just ringing to see whether my dog's lab results have returned'

Checks file, right, she had the lump removed tuesday evening (a lump she had for months) it was sent on weds morning, and it is now ... Thursday. I'm sorry but it will probably be at least Monday before we get the results ...

'Its just, I'm really worried about her' ... ok, explains no need to worry, the lumps been removed and a few days isn't going to change the results, we'll call you as soon as they get in.

'Well can you ring the lab?' Head/desk.

Re: people......argh.

meep_ kitten — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:43:37 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]

[quote user="SmegSlayer"]

It's a load of b*****ks in my opinion. I;ve read several scientific papers on the subject as there is little to no scientific evidence for it.

[/quote]

Happily I dont share your opinion, but then we are all different - I prefer to look at all available options

[/quote]surely a *scientific* paper on the subject is an oxymoron? :D]

Re: people......argh.

meep_ kitten — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:38:52 GMT

Exactly Shelly - you've hit the nail on the head!! Why do people with no money, go out and deliberately acquire something that will OBVIOUSLY cost a lot of money to keep, then expect charities to fund it for them? I'd love to have more animals but I can't afford it, and can barely afford the ones I have - thats just basic maintenance and standard vet treatment. And by have more, I mean I foster the unfortunates/waifs/strays/orphans but I know its not practical to keep them indefinately so I pay for short term treatment and then have the heart breaking situation of handing them over to someone who CAN keep them - if I had funds of course I'd keep 'em all!! But imagine if any of them got sick and needed serious treatment!! Keeping animals is a luxury, not a necessity, it costs money, and if they don't pay for it themselves, then it comes out of other people's hard earned money, ie donations from fundraising. And also, that diverts funds away from other animals in serious need and puts sucha burden on charities that the are bursting at the seams and many have to turn away other animals due to finances and space constraints, so money for your new pedigree pups vaccines could be well used elsewhere!! Maybe subsidised medical care for animals should be provided in the same way student loans are? ie have to pay it back when circumstances improve? At least that would make people think twice about adopting pups from pedigree farms and expecting free or subsidised lifelong health care...

Re: people......argh.

Shelly vn — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:59:41 GMT

i completely understand that people fall on tough times and need benefits (my dad's just been made redundant) and in these circumstances, people who already have pets from when they could afford it need help. I just get so annoyed by people who have been out and brought a new pedigree puppy, knowing full well they can't afford the treatment.

Re: people......argh.

Sal the 1st — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 10:23:45 GMT

[quote user="SmegSlayer"]

It's a load of b*****ks in my opinion. I;ve read several scientific papers on the subject as there is little to no scientific evidence for it.

[/quote]

Happily I dont share your opinion, but then we are all different - I prefer to look at all available options

Re: people......argh.

SmegSlayer — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 10:13:08 GMT

[quote user="Selena (Hypnorm) Carnell VN"][quote user="SmegSlayer"]

[quote user="meep_ kitten"]

And people giving out that homeopathic consults/treatment are not offered at a reduced rate!!!!! Defies belief!!

[/quote]

If you're stupid enough to want homeopathic treatment in the first place, you should pay for your stupidity, IMHO.

[/quote] I think that is a bit harsh, I have seen cases successfully treated with homeopathy with a well respected vet. We offer homeopathy, acupuncture, reiki, and conventional treatment.

[/quote]

It's a load of b*****ks in my opinion. I;ve read several scientific papers on the subject as there is little to no scientific evidence for it.

With regard to charity clinics, it would be better of they refused to see people on benefits except that this wouldn't make these people give up their pets but could, and probably would be to the detriment of animal health. It angers me so much that charities have to deal with these people so much when they weren't set up for it- they were set up for honest hard working people on low income and little old lady pensioners with their ancient cats!

Re: people......argh.

Selena Carnell — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 10:02:22 GMT

[quote user="SmegSlayer"]

[quote user="meep_ kitten"]

And people giving out that homeopathic consults/treatment are not offered at a reduced rate!!!!! Defies belief!!

[/quote]

If you're stupid enough to want homeopathic treatment in the first place, you should pay for your stupidity, IMHO.

[/quote] I think that is a bit harsh, I have seen cases successfully treated with homeopathy with a well respected vet. We offer homeopathy, acupuncture, reiki, and conventional treatment.

Re: people......argh.

Jacquelyn Smith — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 17:21:01 GMT

As someone currently relying on benefits because i lost my job in a crap economy i can honestly say that we are not ALL stupid (i do agree that these idiots exist though as i get to see them several times a week at the job centre and work clubs about town), and i know you werent tarring us all with the same brush, just offering my two cents (which is actually all which is in my purse since i am on benefits rotfl). I actually rehomed my cat and 3 ferrets when i was made redundant as i knew i wouldnt be unable to afford veterinary care for them should anything happen. it broke my heart and i miss them every day but as a pet owner i knew i had to put them first and that meant somewhere they could afford to keep them in the manner i had gotten them accustommed to when i was working. lol

I think some charity veterinary services are a little unresonable in what they reccomend for things, when i first lost my job and was in the process of rehoming one charity suggested i pay 65GBP for a ferret consult that lasted less than 5 minutes and the vet wouldnt even touch my incredibly tame ferret 'because they bite and smell' (she had been bathed 2 days before so she smelled of apples and she is so tame that a feather poses more of a danger to your health!)

I think some animal owners are ridiculous in what they expect and dont know what they are doing though... and the thought of a lethal inch long catapillar nearly made me pee my pants with laughter... sounds as funny as my gf running away from a frog.

Re: people......argh.

Meow1950 — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 16:59:46 GMT

I'm so glad to read all of these posts because now I know it's not just our practice! We get the whole "What!? I have to pay!?" the whole time.

Re: people......argh.

Nicola Smith — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 15:45:52 GMT

I had someone ring up who wanted me to go and pick up a venomous snake from his garden. On further questioning it was about 1 inch long and furry - it was a caterpillar!!

Even so he still wanted me to go and collect it as it was venomous and dangerous to his dog and children apparently!! He got quite upset when I said to just leave it where it was.

Re: people......argh.

SmegSlayer — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 14:07:42 GMT

[quote user="meep_ kitten"]

And people giving out that homeopathic consults/treatment are not offered at a reduced rate!!!!! Defies belief!!

[/quote]

If you're stupid enough to want homeopathic treatment in the first place, you should pay for your stupidity, IMHO.

Re: people......argh.

meep_ kitten — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 11:44:45 GMT

I'm all for affordable veterinary care - just because people's circumstances change shouldn't mean their pets have to suffer - but WHY do people take on new animals when they are already in dire straits financially, then give out to YOU about the cost of pet care??!!

Then give out about the inconvenience of having to go to a mobile clinic that offers them reduced cost pet health care - aren't they just glad that there IS a reduced cost service?

And people giving out that homeopathic consults/treatment are not offered at a reduced rate!!!!! Defies belief!!

Re: people......argh.

Katie Mansfield — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 08:56:46 GMT

I'm at a charity practice that see ppl on benefit and relies solely on donations. We spent a lot of time working on a dog yesterday that was healthy enough not to PTS but due to his temperament the owner decided (after the dog woke up) that he wouldn't be able to carry on tx at home and asked for PTS. They were happy enough to pay out for private crem but only donated us the same amount I give my son for pocket money

K x

Re: people......argh.

Bouteloua — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 01:31:01 GMT

When I volunteered for the local shelter, I got the "I'm going to take the pet out and shoot it" statement quite often because people couldn't get their way. I would just tell them to please do the job humanely and quickly by not missing and wounding. I reminded them that missing and wounding would get them a cruelty to animal charge. I was very polite. Most times I heard the angry click of the phone being hung up. A few times I actually heard the owner gasp. I had one woman call me a hateful B____! To my knowledge none of the pets were shot.

We also have the welfare people come in demanding credit because they cannot pay at the time of service. What's even worse is when the wealthy retirees make sure that you don't forget that senior discount.

Re: people......argh.

KizzieB — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 21:57:34 GMT

You know we should fill pages with this stuff & next time we're havin a bad day, go back & read them all again & I bet you'll be laughing!!! Having said that..... Thought of some1 going & shooting their dog to avoid vet bills is really rather scary!!

Re: people......argh.

StMongo — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 21:14:57 GMT

we get the benefits excuse all the time and it makes me mental. "yeah, I just bought a dog, but I'm on benefits. do you offer any discounts?" ah, no. if you don't have the money, you don't go get an animal! it's pretty damn simple.

Re: people......argh.

Mark Hedberg — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 18:13:06 GMT

I was working at an RSPCA charity clinic some years ago, treating a dog for some mild ailment. (ear infection or something.) anyway, made the diagnosis, discussed treatment options; owner pipes up: "will it take long to sort? I'm on holiday in cyprus next week!!!"

Re: people......argh.

Shelly vn — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:42:55 GMT

my favourite at the moment is 'Do you do a discount for people on benefits?'! I've got no problem with people needing to claim benefits but this is usually from people who have brought a pedigree Bulldog puppy (£1000?), and have put their brand new iphone and the keys to their BMW on the counter!

Re: people......argh.

nin86 — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 15:38:40 GMT

[quote user="SmegSlayer"]All of these were in the same practice in East London and I could easily see someone shooting their dog to avoid vet bills...[/quote]

I'm from east london and worked there for the first 3 yrs after qualifying...east london produces a different kind of stupid...it never ceases to amaze me the rubbish people come out with. And yes i agree, could also easily see someone shooting their animal to avoid vet bills.

Re: people......argh.

meep_ kitten — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 17:07:20 GMT

Another one I like: owner querying his cat's anatomy: "He doesn't seem to have any bits". Had to explain that they remove his testicles to neuter him. Cue much shock and surprise! :-)

Re: people......argh.

meep_ kitten — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:06:18 GMT

Yes, people are definately mad! And here's one that baffles me, appointment schedule is full, but you're desperately trying to find a space to squeeze in a critical case...and whilst taking a history and symptoms the owner mentions, as an aside "oh he/she's been like that for weeks"... How can people leave a sick animal and do nothing FOR WEEKS??

Re: people......argh.

SmegSlayer — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 11:33:28 GMT

A woman who's cat had had kittens but only one survived but the mum wouldn't feed so she gave this kitten her own breast milk, giving it an aspiration pneumonia and then refused to PTS on religious grounds (Muslim).

The gentleman who came in with his cat without an appointment one Saturday. Saying his cat is scratching and loosing fur. No appointments left so I take a quick look. No evidence of fleas, a little scurffy and could see from record had recently got flea stuff from the practice. Explained that coudn't see a cause but as the weather had suddenly turned very hot possibly loosing fur from moulting. Gentleman said that it was unacceptable and what could be done to stop it because he couldn't have the cat shedding fur in his house as there were young children. I explained it was a completely natural and normal process. He wasn't happy, stating that he would give the cat up and get a new kitten because the kitten wouldn't shed hair...

Had a women (not registered) ring up and explain that her little JRT had had puppies about a week previously and had been feeding them fine and everything was going well except that the mum had swollen teats that were very hot and painful. This was during lunch break but the vet was still around and he agreed that it sounded like mastitis so I explained that to the owner and said that she needed veterinary attention asap and would she like to book an appointment? Lady asked how much so gave consult fee and then said tx would be on top but cannot say how much that would be. She repeated the consult fee back to me then said "Oh well, I should probably just go and shoot her" to which I replied "I beg your pardon?" and she said "We'll just shoot her" and then hung up!!! Had no way of following up on it.

All of these were in the same practice in East London and I could easily see someone shooting their dog to avoid vet bills...

Re: people......argh.

Bouteloua — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 00:23:25 GMT

Yes we have our share of SOD's (Stupid Owner Disease). Some days you look at the book and see a cold coming on so you can call in sick and avoid the ignorant.

I did have a look of shock one day when a client tried to give a diarrhea tablet as a suppository. No you cannot fix stupid.

Deana, CVT

Re: people......argh.

meep_ kitten — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:57:43 GMT

Here's one I thought was a bit mad. A couple who've had their two cats for over a year querying why they are being charged for annual boosters "We thought it was free because we adopted them from the animal shelter?". Ehm yes free healthcare for life because you're doing such an altruistic job by owning cats. Sure....

Re: people......argh.

KizzieB — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:38:33 GMT

Some practices do have them!! Honestly you couldn't write the stuff. My favourite was the client who scoffed when i asked her if she would carry the bag of dog food which was 15kgs. She would get her husband to carry it coz she had a sore back. Her cavalier, which she would carry everywhere, was the same weight!!!!

You have my sympathies!!!!!