Owners and treatments

Re: Owners and treatments

Roberta Prina — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:30:42 GMT

[quote user="Hannah Wynne Richards"]

This is one of the ways in which things have got harder since I was a new grad-every improvement comes with an increased price tag, so these circumstances become more frequent. Wynne

[/quote]

That's certainly part of problem: there is much more that we can do but cost of veterinary health care have increased a lot!

I find it difficult not to think to the animals I cannot help: maybe I am just too soft

Re: Owners and treatments

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:37:03 GMT

1st 2 there really is nothing you can do-very frustrating, but just try to forget them, and think of all the animals you are able to help.

The 3rd was definitely in acute agony-the owners are either in denial, or deliberately lying, so I wouldn't hesitate to phone RCVS and set the wheels of a prosecution in motion. I know it can be more difficult for you, as you also have to keep the boss happy

This is one of the ways in which things have got harder since I was a new grad-every improvement comes with an increased price tag, so these circumstances become more frequent. When I 1st qualified, Optimune didn't exist, and neither did the cascade, so the best advice I could give the owner would be to buy artificial tears from the chemist-they're non prescription- the cost would then be something between the owner and the chemist

Wynne

Re: Owners and treatments

Roberta Prina — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:15:49 GMT

[quote user="salome2001"]

could you be a bit more specific about "chronic conditions... when the animal is not currently suffering" because I'm trying to think of one

[/quote]

I was thinking to those situations where the animal is not obviously in pain or obviously unwell. Cushing is certainly one of those, as is hyperthyroidism: these patients often look bright and have normal or increased appetite. I also remember seeing a dog with untreated KCS. It had been diagnosed years before I saw it and its owners had treated the condition for some time. Then, one of them lost her job and they could no longer afford to pay for treatment. To me, it seemed that the dog had to been in pain, beside being almost blind, but its owners claimed he had still a good quality of life.

I checked once with the RCVS about owners that leave their pets untreated: apparently it is not clear-cut if this situations qualify for animal abuse and, if you decide to report them, you may breach client confidentiality. I find them difficult situations because I feel the urge to do something for the animal but there is not much I can do apart trying to convince the owner, who, sometimes, really cannot afford the cost of medication.

Re: Owners and treatments

Hannah Wynne Richards — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:10:16 GMT

No simple answer, if grumbling long-term condition where the animals quality of life is not markedly affected. Drugs are expensive, even cost-price, and the profit margins in veterinary practices are simply not there to allow free treatment (also assistants and support staff must be paid, plus all the other overheads )

In cases where the animal is not (in my judgement ) suffering sufficiently for a prosecution to be likely to be successful, then if unable to pass on to a charity clinic, have to go with the owners decision, however much this goes against the grain. I'm lucky that Swansea has a PDSA branch, so I don't often have these cases-having said that I'm expecting one later this morning-owner is eligible for PDSA, but doesn't drive, neighbour will drive to me, but not to PDSA at the other end of town. I already know that the owner is only coming here because my fees are likely to be less than 2 taxi fares, and will grumble non-stop

If the suffering is sufficiently severe to warrant a prosecution, then I'm blunt-either yountreat this, or euthanase it, or I'm phoning Royal College for permission to call in the RSPCA

Wynne

Re: Owners and treatments

Hanna Bennett — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:13:14 GMT

think cushings counts

Re: Owners and treatments

salome2001 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:12:40 GMT

could you be a bit more specific about "chronic conditions... when the animal is not currently suffering" because I'm trying to think of one

Re: Owners and treatments

Hanna Bennett — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:09:40 GMT

[quote user="Jacquin Mitchell"]Maybe it's more common for vets from 'downunder' to have dealt with the situation of the client who can't or won't pay up for the best possible treatment for their pet? Since coming to the UK 12 years ago I've not had to euthanase many animals that could have been treated.[/quote]

or just you've been lucky enough to work in an area with charity clinics? we don't fall into the catchment areas for any, so euthanasia is definitely one of our options for treatment for acutely ill patients ie. parvo puppies/ broken legs.

but this thread is aimed at chronic conditions, so difficult to justify euthanasia when the animal is not currently suffering

Re: Owners and treatments

Jacquin Mitchell — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:03:49 GMT

[quote user="salome2001"]Ultimately I think it comes down to the welfare of the pet: Is the pet going to suffer pain/ unacceptable quality of life without treatment? If so I think you have to offer either euthanasia or rehoming (not always a realistic option)[/quote]

Maybe it's more common for vets from 'downunder' to have dealt with the situation of the client who can't or won't pay up for the best possible treatment for their pet? Since coming to the UK 12 years ago I've not had to euthanase many animals that could have been treated. Charity clinics have stepped in or the owner has found the money 'from somewhere'. Back home ( in NZ), not treating was depressingly common.

Jacq

Re: Owners and treatments

salome2001 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:53:37 GMT

if anyone ever works out the answer to this problem, they'll be hailed as the saviour of the profession. I don't think there is an answer. Ultimately I think it comes down to the welfare of the pet: Is the pet going to suffer pain/ unacceptable quality of life without treatment? If so I think you have to offer either euthanasia or rehoming (not always a realistic option). I have also referred some people to the charity clinics if they qualify.

Re: Owners and treatments

Hanna Bennett — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 21:01:19 GMT

depends on the welfare i guess. some chronic conditions get very expensive (cushings springs to mind) without there being massive welfare compromise if not treated. have had clients who were unable to medicate hyperthyroid cats and did not feel surgery was in their best interest. the most recent lived happily for 18 months before going into heart failure, at which point we put her to sleep, which i reckon is a fairly good outcome for a 16 yr old cat. the stress of medicating this cat far outweighed the benefits of treatment. cost was a factor in this case, but not the overriding one.

conditions like diabetes are far more a concern as far as i am concerned, as the welfare can be compromised very quickly if not treated.