Incompetent vet. What would you do? (long)

[SIChins]

Back in August, one of my chinchillas broke her leg on the bottom of the cage, this chinchilla was heavily pregnant, and due any day. My husband was on holidays at the time, so I called the exotic vet office, who I normally never would have to use, as I usually have no serious problems, and the minor stuff is dealt with at a different vets office, as they have come to know my animals over the years. When I called them, they said that I could bring Nikki out to see the doc that morning. I gave hubby my credit card, told him what I knew about broken legs on chins, and re: her pregnancy, I told him they will cast it or amputate it. He took her out there, and they put a cast on it, and sent her home. The next day, she went into labor, but her labor was not progressing as it should on a chinchilla. I waited and watched through the alloted *SAFE time* that I allow with my chins, and then I called the vets office, I explained that Nikki had been in labor for 2 hours, and it is quite obvious that she can not give birth. I told the vet that she is probably in some discomfort from the surgery, as well as tired from the anesthetic the day before. I also told the vet that the babies had been moving around a lot all morning, but that they had started to slow down at this point. The vet decided that she wanted another opinion, and called my friend at the exotic animal sanctuary, and well, basically she was told the same thing that I told her, that the chin needs to be seen now. The vet then called back and told me what my friend said, then, I said that I need to bring Nikki in now. She refused to see her, saying it would just stress her out to intervene. GGGRRRRR!!! I felt helpless, there was nothing I could do. I spoke with the vet office again before they closed (7 PM), and again, they refused, and said that IF I really HAD to take her in, to take her to the central animal hospital. I told her, they do not deal with exotics, and that Nikki needed to see an exotic vet, and that they are not set up for that at the animal hospital. I was still refused. I sat up with Nikki all night, and early the next day, we took Nikki back out to the vet, and told them that we knew the babies were now dead, and that Nikki is in obvious distress. the vet decided it was time to step in ( a day late), and Nikki had a c-section and a spay. Both babies were dead, and had been since the day before (hmmmm, how come I knew that and she didn't?), and an infection had started to spread through little Nikki's body. Nikki passed away before I even got to see her again. To me, this was all incompetence on the vets part. AFTER all of this, I paid the vet for the cast, etc, and I paid for another chinchilla that I took in for an eye infection, but I didn't pay for the c-section and spay because I felt they were incompetent and did not listen to a word I was saying. Oh, and get this, they even had the nerve to charge me an overnight stay for Nikki and her kits, even though they were dead, they charged for cold storage. Anyways, after all of this, I find out that the stupid vet on call wasn't even an exotic vet, nor did she tell me that, nor did she refer me to another exotic vet that she knew about (that I now know about). They advertise that they are exotic vets, but of three vets in the office, only one of them specializes in exotics. So, my friend at the sanctuary and I both took this matter to the actual exotic vet who runs the practice. He made like he was so sincere on the phone, but then he spoke to the vet, and I got a letter saying that he felt she was right in what she did because she was not comfortable with the situation. TICKED me off, I called him and said she should have TOLD me that. Anyways, I refuse to pay this bill, and yesterday, I get a bill that is now up to $266 (interest charges), and they are threatening to send it to a collection agency (they are so dense). Now, I can not sit back and take this, it was total negligence on her part, so, I have 2 options, and I can go for both if I so choose, so I would like feedback. First - I can just report them to the better business bureau, and go ahead and pay the bill. But they may never know that I have filed a report. OR second - I can take them to small claims court, and file a lawsuit for the loss off 3 chinchillas (Mom was worth $500, and each baby was worth $300), by doing that, small claims court costs me $100, plus I pay the outstanding bill, which would no doubt be awarded back to me due to their incompetence. I am for sure writing another letter to the vet in charge, to let him know I am ticked off. What would you do in my situation?
I know I'll never get Nikki back, but by doing something, I'm hoping it makes them realize their mistakes, and that this will never happen to anyone else in this situation.

[Flemish]

That is horrible Firefox!I think that you are doing the right thing.As far as I am concerned the vet is totaly wrong and should not make you pay the bill.As far as the cold storage charge goes that is just plain cruel and disgusting!I will never deal with this vet ,ever!Best of luck with this horrid situation.Lisa

[dragonmaster]

I would definitely report them to the better business bureau, reguardless of what else you decide to do.

As for small claims court...I would only do that if you think that you can stand to lose another 100$ over this. I mean, I am in agreement with you that the vet was a moron, and that some of those charges were absolutely ridiculous. I agree that you shouldn't have to pay them. But, that doesn't mean the court will see it that way. I think it is definitely worth a try, and if you can get the money, then that is great. But just be ok with the possibility that you could lose.

I wish you much luck, and I am so sorry that all of this happened.

[DirtySouthChins]

!!WOW!! Okay where to begin on this one, first of all I am so sorry this happened to you, and that in the process you lost a Chin and 2 Kits, in my eyes it sounds like a Negligence Suit to me. If it were me I would contact a lawyer, and not even bother with a small claims court, the only reason I'm saying this is because alot of the times especially with professionals (Doctors,Nurses,Vets ect.) the court tends to lean more their way when giving a verdict. Also in the mean time if I were you I would contact the Veterinarians board of Associations for you area, and get the ball rolling that way, or you can try that first then contact a lawyer if that doesn't seem to going as you may hope. I wish I could help you more on what to possibly do but I hope what I have said helps a little..... But I would DEFINITELY CONTACT THE VETERINARIANS BOARD OF ASSOCIATIONS, here when it comes to matters like this, they usually get investigated pretty quick, of course all areas are different. I wish you the best of luck in this matter, and again I'm sorry for your losses here's a hug because it sure sounds like you need one

[SIChins]

Wow, thanks, I never even thought about contacting the vet board. But, that is a great idea. I do have the sanctuary backing me up too, so I am sure that when I speak with the vet board, I can use the sanctuary as a witness in this case, as well, my husband heard the whole conversation to the vet via phone, so he is my witness as to the conversation. Thanks for the advice, I would have never thought of that.

Thanks for the condolences as well, it is so hard to not be able to put this behind me, I still miss Nikki so much, and all this is doing is making it harder to let go

[DirtySouthChins]

Your Very Welcome Best of Luck!!

[Christi]

That's a toughie. I think you have gotten some great advice here, let us know what you decide to do and how it goes!

[SIChins]

Yes, great advice. It's good to get other points of views on this

[SIChins]

Well, the vet got the letter that I wrote to him, telling him how I felt and what I planned on doing about it, and he just called me a few minutes ago. I explained to him that I was happy with the fast treatment Nikki got the first day, and the treatment that Chiquita got the week after that, but it was the "stalled" treatment that Nikki received that made me angry. He dropped the fees, and appologized to me. I asked him to remind the other vets how important it is to listen to the owners, as they really do know their pets better than anyone, as I knew Nikki was in distress, but they just wouldn't listen to me.

Oh, and he also said that he respects me for standing up and saying something, and he said that most people would not say a word, and they would just let it eat away at them. He also said he wants to be able to come to me for advise re: chins in the future, as he has done in the past. He also hopes that we will continue to use their services. I explained that I was happy with the service that he himself provides to my pets, so therefore I have no problem bringing them to him in the future.

[Sassy]

It is good to hear that he was "man enough" to pick up the phone and listen to you....