Bad First Vet Trip.. Advice Please

[A_Couple_In_Love]

So as some of you may know.. I took Clumsy to the vets for the first time yesterday as she has a large lump on her side that I was concerned about.

P.s Sorry for such a long post!

Well.. to say the least it was terrible, i went and sat in the waiting room and everything was fine and the staff were friendly, got called into the room and that's when it all went down hill.

Firstly i couldn't understand the vet as she didn't speak much English so it was hard to explain what the problem was etc. (it was fine that i couldn't understand her just it didn't help and made it stressful), then she was scruffing Clumsy quite horrible and held the poor thing like that for about 5-10 minutes while talking to me, me and my OH felt to rude to ask to put her down while we talk as didn't want it to look like we were saying she's doing anything wrong. I've never seen Clumsy nervous before till she was handled by the vet i felt terrible, bless her she ran straight to my partners hand and hid there shaking.

That was only the first part.. which i ended up to think ok maybe that wasn't as bad as it could be, BUT then the vet started to chase us out (only 5 minutes into our late appointment), rushing what was wrong with Clumsy as apparently she had other pets that she's got to keep an eye out on that are more important apparently, yet she spent a whole 20 minutes over on my appointment for someone else's rabbit! Then she asked us to wait in the waiting room till she could have time for us so she could give me the right medication, then 10 minutes later she came out quickly to me gave me a syringe and medication, said to me " here you go, here's a syringe give it to the hamster and ripped it out packet and flung it on floor and said do you know how much that is on there im not sure :S " then said sorry i cant help no longer then walked off!

So i paid all that money for a rushed consultation which has left me half knowing what im doing with the stuff and she was going to give me two lots of medication and then she said see how it go's on this yet still charges me for 2 medications when i only got given one!

Sorry for the rant, i just had to let it out as you lot understand.

Also please could someone help me with a few question's..

They want me to come back in 2 days to check on her after medication but are asking for more money then last time just for the consultation, and i really don't want to take Clumsy back there as i'm not paying for such bad customer service and all to stress my little one out as she clearly doesn't like that vet, so what im asking is, can i take her to another vet to get her checked after medication and for a more of a better opinion on what's wrong?

I've just read it's baytril she's on and I've got to give her 0.05 twice a day for five days but want me to bring her back in 2 days for a check up, is that quite normal for a lump? They seemed quite worried about it and said they will try her on medication first before they take some blood cells or something like that (was hard to understand). Also apparently it could start pusing from the lump if it is something small is that ok and has anyone experienced that?

Also, if its the dreaded "T" what are my best options as to what to do about it as the vet says she's to small to operate even thought she's only 12 months old, where do i go from there.. e.g. 2 medications have been tried and cant operate what can i do? Finger's crossed its just an obsess or something else though.

Thank you for all the help and thank you for listening to my rant

[RubyDooby]

They sound like complete idiots! If I was in your position I'd complain to the manager of the practice, they need to know what their staff are like, maybe ring round other local vets to see if any have vets who have a particular interest in small animals, etc.

I say this cause I worked at a vets on reception and if someone was bringing an exotic or rodent/small furry we would try to put them with the best vet for the job

I hope your little one isn't too traumatised by the nasty vet!

[Nush]

I wouldn't take my hamster to the same vet. If you don't feel comfortable complaining by phone, you could write a letter.

But more importantly from a vet, you need to understand what medication is being given and the reasons for it. Most vets that I know try oral medication like Baytril before doing more invasive procedures. And I'm guessing that's what your vet was trying to do. But 2 days is very short for the Baytril to start working. I'm not an expert though, may be someone else can comment.

I pretty sure a 12 months old hamster can be operated on but your vet might not be confident enough to carry out the procedure. But as far as I know, it does depend on the general health of the hamster.

Where are you based in the UK? May be someone could suggest a different vet if they are in the same area.

[kyrilliondaemon]

I'd personally ring the practice to complain, then see what they say. If thats normal treatment then I'd definetly go to another practice, my vets always make sure they have plenty of time for us and our pets - and they make sure they handle the hams carefully.

I really hope you can get an explanation, especially about why you've had to pay for two lots of meds when you were only given one... Thats really not on

[BrainGirl]

Definitely complain! There's no reason for a vet to be so rude or unkind to her patient. Furthermore, isn't there some kind of legal requirement to explain the medication they're dispensing? I would start with the head of the veterinary practice you went to (assuming it's a multi-vet practice) and then move up to the governing body of veterinarians. Do you have a website like VetRatingz or RateMyVet where you are? It might help you to find a good one and you can leave your opinion of the vet you saw.

[Tutu]

I would've complained there and then! In fact I would've thought twice before I give my monies! Over the years I've been at various vets with various animals and follow up checks/ second visit to related to the first one are FREE! I most certainly recommend you to find different vet as there are plenty of them about here in the UK!
Best of luck

[kimlck]

I would complain if i were you.
Disgusting practice from a vet.
Now look for a better vet, i found my vet thru word of mouth, ask some of your friends that have pets and see what they say.
Good luck and i hope Clumsy isn't too traumatized

[fluffydd]

I'm sorry that you had such a bad experience at the vets. I hope you and clumsy are feeling better now. I wouldn't have paid for treatment as bad as that but I know that is easier to say than to actually do. I agree with everyone else that it would be better if you found another vet. I wouldn't have any confidence in what they've told me. And you really should complain too. Most importantly though I hope you are able to get some good treatment for Clumsy from another vet.

[caro317]

How awful for you this must have been! Whether you complain or not definitely go to a different vet. Looking forward to hearing how you get on.

[gutterglitterxx]

I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

I think this process sounds similar to what GiGi has been going through. When she had her first appointment for her lump, they put her on antibiotics. It was not as strong as Baytril so it was a 2 week course. My vet also did a needle aspiration to take a sample of what was inside the lump. But she wanted to finish the antibiotics no matter what. And then we conversed again.

Unfortunately for GiGi, she did take the antibiotics but the lump only proceeded to get worse very quickly. So I had to bring her back again and at that point the vet was able to say that it was a tumor. She can't be operated on either, it would be too dangerous and she could still live rather normally for a while even with the tumor. I have to just keep a close eye on her. She may eventually, because of the location of the tumor, lose the use of her leg. At that point I will have to remove her wheel and saucer. I also wipe the tumor with a cotton ball sometimes, if it leaks a little. But for the most part, she is still living life normally right now. It doesn't seem to bother her much at all.

I think the process you're going through sounds right. But I would definitely complain about the charge and the treatment. You and your hamster don't deserve that.

Good luck.