Puppy or client behaviour??

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Nicola Smith — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 09:34:57 GMT

Thanks everyone. I think I will contcat the kennels middle of this week to see how he is doing with them and then decide from there what to do. I thought of a visit to look at the set up but not sure I would feel happy doing that. I will let you know when I have spoken to the kennels.

In answer to the question, she is a new client to us so no previous history. Has only been in with this puppy never any other animals. Apart from vaccs she just comes in for weight checks and as mentioned before quite changeable, sometimes cries beofre you have even spoke to her, others gets defensive and aggressive. Does have children but generally see her on her own in school hours so cant establish much about family etc.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Polly P — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 01:28:21 GMT

I agree, Sal has made some very valid points and presented a very sensible set of ideas for a way forwards.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Katie B — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:43:17 GMT

Also agree with Sal speak to everyone at your practice. Ultimately if you do call the rspca they will realise it is a serious case and should be looked at promptly due to all of you being concerned. Poor little chap! Please keep us informed.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Katie B — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:35:40 GMT

Let us know the outcome.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Katie B — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:33:51 GMT

Not sure if you can but I would call the RSPCA and get them to go round to her house and check. It sounds like she may be attention seeking by starving the puppy. If you call them and tell them your concerns they will take a visit and check up on her until they are satisfied the dog is in the best care. At the end of the day you work for a vets so obviously the pup is going to be your priority. I know the RSPCA will be able to talk to her and figure out if she has a problem. If the dog is eating like it has been starving it most proberly has. You hear about people doing this to their own children to get attention. It sounds like the pup is really suffering so if I were you give them a call, if your wrong then fine but at least you called, it will ease your mind. The inspectors are taught how to speak to every individual and if their concerned then they will do the right thing. It's so difficult though as your in a tough position but ultimately pup must come first, it's only a baby. I aren't qualified yet but if I were in this position I would give them a call just to ease your worry and concerns.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Saskia Quinn — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:25:30 GMT

I had a very similar case not so long ago with a boxer.

Owner kept bringing the dog in as it wasnt eating and losing weight. The dog was very thin. We hospitalised the dog for almost 2 weeks, it ate like a horse every day and managed to put weight on. This was ongoing for a few months with regular visits to the hospital before we decided to hospitalise the dog.

The final straw came when we told the owner her dog would have to undergo surgery where we would take biopsies etc to try and explain the weight loss and also the fact she could lose her dog under ga due to the poor state it was in. Thankfully this seemed to scare the owner, the sheer thought of losing her dog, the dog continues to do well and is at a healthy weight now.

I wouldnt recommend this to be honest, in case it backfires, however, it did work in our case. Good luck.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Sal the 1st — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 00:13:17 GMT

just out of interest does the client or the household have any other pets past or present registered with your practice? how often are they seen? and what sorts of things are they seen for?

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Doolally — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:57:39 GMT

I too agree with Sal's approach.

In a way its good that the puppy will be in kennels for a weeks as you can get some feedback from them...before I read that he was going into kennels I was going to suggest you try to get her to hospitalise him for a few days so you could check on feeding habits.

Offer her all the help you can, with the nurse clinics etc, hopefully that'll help. Work out how long a bag of food should last, and as she nears the end tell her you'll order her another so that she definitely is getting the food. If with all your help things don't improve then call the RSPCA to pop round for a chat. IME they're good with advice and monitoring.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Sal the 1st — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 20:18:45 GMT

the reason I didnt suggest a home consult was the mention of clients erratic behaviour, and the fact there are other family members - if you can do this and stay safe its a really good way to gain insight and trust with the client but if there is even an ounce of doubt dont try it

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Steph Worsley — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 19:17:50 GMT

I agree with Sal's approach.

Be very careful talking about things like munchausens, as there is very very very little evidence that sufferers do these things to pets

I would prob also offer a consultation at home so you can see the set up and so you can advise from that perspective

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Sal the 1st — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 18:02:28 GMT

my advice would be to see how the pup does in kennels.If it has good appetite and gains weight fair enough. if it definitely isnt a medical problem and if you are suspicious the client may be the root of the problem then discuss the case as a team and together formulate an approach.

you could try getting it into a nurses clinic every couple of days for weighing so that you can keep an eye on things - maybe explain to the client that her puppy is a special case and needs regular checks so that if it does become sick again you can tell early so it doesnt get so ill.

If this is an attention thing (and it might not be) regular trips into the nurses clinic should provide the client with the attention but also more importantly give the opportunity to keep an eye on the puppy's development.If you have a client that misses a lot of these appointments or puppy isnt thriving and no medical reason can be found for this then that would give you grounds to involve RSPCA at an early stage. If the client does decide to come in regularly and the pup maintains its growth/weight let the client know how well they are doing in keeping their pet well - get them interested in training classes, dog groups, novelty dog shows and the like, anything that gets owner and dog out and about together (and seen ie visible) within groups of other doggy people- that way they get 'attention' from other dog owners as well, and others will notice if something is amiss with pup or owner

If you do involve the RSPCA discuss it with colleagues first and voice your concerns as a group rather than as an individual but do it carefully. There is a danger if things are perceived by the client to be 'official' then they may be scared off seeking help at all and knowing how long it can take a welfare case to be investigated this will not be doing the pup any favours.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

am.coulson — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:50:35 GMT

Hi. I agree with with Polly. My first thought was Munchausen by proxy. You usually find people use their childeren, or other family members, and there's nothing to say that they wouldn't use their pets. I'd contact the RSPCA, as there is definately a welfare issue. Poor little pup. It's a shame they can't pick their owners.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

Polly P — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:17:26 GMT

I would be suspicious too, at the risk of coming across as if I am trying to psychonalyse, Munchausen Syndrome By Proxy, with her subject being the pet?

I would also speak to the RSPCA if only because I would not know who else to talk to for help.

Re: Puppy or client behaviour??

FINNIGAN — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 17:10:29 GMT

this is tricky, my first thouts are the owner has an attention problem (her needing it), i would be concerned for the puppy, my first thoughts would be to get rspca to investigate, but not sure this is right tactic,can you offer to visit at home saying you will come and offer help there, u coul get a look to see whats going on there maybe.