You can tell I'm not happy, can't you? Every time I am at that hospital spending money, and large amounts of it, I am treated as if I am a bit of a nuisance. Eyebrows are raised when I hand over notes. Dismissive "nothing will go wrong" comments are made. I certainly don't feel like I am either being listened to, or treated like a customer spending two grand with a supplier!
The door was shut when I got there, there was someone with a horse already waiting outside, and no-one came out to speak to us for several minutes because they were busy operating on another horse. Bearing in mind that I got there when they asked me to, and could have gone any time they asked me to, I was less than impressed right from the start.
I put him in the stable, and for the first time in his life, he got overexcited, spun. and stamped directly on my foot. Thank goodness he trod on it quite high up, where the red bit is, because if his full weight had landed like that on my toe bones, they would definitely have broken. This is just three hours old:
When the excruciating pain had worn off, I did take Radar round the farm ride and he really had his eye in. He was popping today, making a much better shape and really getting up off the floor. We whizzed round six miles in about 35 minutes. It was a nice stress buster.
All the way home he was very unsettled. That is very uncharacteristic of him, and we could only assume that he was attempting to let us know that we had left Ace behind. I can't think what else would have made him paw like he was.
The operation is scheduled for two o'clock tomorrow. I will be there before then, and waiting there til it is done, and they aren't happy about that either! You'd hardly credit it that he's my 'property', would you?
C
Not fond of their "bedside manner" myself. Then again, it could be they are more used to hysterical horse "mothers" who cannot leave their "babies" to professional care.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, I love my vets because they treat me as intelligent and important in the care of my horses. Years ago, I remember a vet telling me he liked people like me because he knew I would do what he told me to do for follow up care and nursing. Apparently, a lot of people don't.
I agree about your complaints. Unless that other horse was some kind of emergency, if you were supposed to arrive at a certain time and did, there should have been someone there to greet you and help you with Ace. Maybe then your poor foot would have escaped damage. Ouch!!
I am sure Radar was worried about Ace. Glad to hear he did such a good ride for you, but I suspect he might be a little unsettled back at home base. There's where having that third horse would help. Then again, what does the third horse do if horse #1 and #2 are off on an adventure?
Just something to keep you busy thinking while you are waiting for news of Ace. *G*
There's no need for them to be so uncooperative is there. I feel annoyed on your behalf! When Tyler was in at Cambridge Equine Hospital for his SCC removal & chemotherapy I couldn't fault them. What a shame not all Equine hospitals are like that. I hope all goes well tomorrow, I will be thinking of you & your boy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah. I have made up my mind now to change vets. I've had enough of them.
DeleteC
The operation underway this morning was scheduled. There was no reason I could see why I was told to arrive between nine and twelve. I'm still cross and so is SH, not only because of them upsetting me but because of their sheer unprofessionalism.
ReplyDeleteI'm paying £250 an HOUR for this surgeon. I expect him to at least consult me about my horse's treatment.
C
Above one is reply to Jean
ReplyDeleteHello Caroline, sorry for the extended absence, due to new computer and me not being able to remember the link!
ReplyDeleteI hope the vet trip improves drastically from here on in and I've got everything crossed for a great outcome.
I'd be there too tomorrow, take lots of supplies and stay for the duration.
Good luck
Why d they look at me as if I'm being a total pain to want to be there Tracey?
DeleteIt doesn't seem reasonable to me when neither my mobile nor my landline are reliable at home
C
It's the "we're the professionals, you're just the owner thing" they're so used to clients handing the whole thing over to them due to most operations being paid for by insurance they've lost the ability to see you as the payee and client! Maddening isn't it, plus most owners would be jibbering wrecks at this point, so they're not prepared for your interest/ability to cope with seeing the operation at first hand. I hope you get to see the problem up close.
DeleteOff line til late tomorrow, send ing you much luck.
Xx
I've already had it spat at me 'you can't be there to see the operation!'
DeleteWhy not? I'm paying for it! Besides which, I knew that and I didn't even ask!!!!
C
P.s. I have hada few feet looking like that, it'll go blacker before it clears up, but hurts less when black!
ReplyDeleteTa! Currently a fetching shade of purple :-)
DeleteC
It is so different at the Colorado State University Teaching Hospital!!! They would ask you rather than you offering care tips etc. They call twice a day to report how the horse is doing. They can check you out day or night as long as they know ahead of time so can get paper work ready. It's just not right - the way they treat you. Now if there was some competition, they would have to improve their customer relations.
ReplyDeleteOuch! I have had a few of those in my time. Poor Maria, owner of barn where I kept Tetley has a similar looking foot, only she was unfortunate enough to have broken a bone or two. Make sure you ice and elevate it!
Elevation was my excuse for being in bed all afternoon :-)
DeleteC
Keeping my fingers crossed for the op tomorrow. Don't blame you for deciding to change vets but you will make sure to tell them - in writing - why you are doing so, won't you? ;-)
ReplyDeleteYes I will write, but I won't tell them I'm actually leaving. They have a zone day for flu jabs with no callout fee which I'll still use - they can keep that bit of my business. You'll know who he's with of course Sam :-)
ReplyDeleteC