Boxer Breed Dog Forums banner

So nervous

3K views 31 replies 13 participants last post by  Leopardprey 
#1 ·
Amor is having a dental cleaning tomorrow under anesthesia. I've checked, double checked, and triple checked that they show NO ACE in her file. When they bring up her name in the computer there is a? When they click on the? it shows no ace. I'm also paying extra for a different anesthesia. I'm just worried something could go wrong. I know this is a routine procedure but it doesn't stop me worrying. Her vet is not doing this procedure but a different one in the practice that she has not seen. She is going to be gone from 8 am to anywhere from 4 to 6 pm.
 
#6 ·
Just dropped her off. They will have a team of 3. They already ordered the different anesthesia, something that starts with M. They will do an ekg, blood work, urine test...all before they do anything else. If anything is out of normal range they won't proceed. They also have some atropine sulfate I believe on hand as well. They said she should be done by noon and then will keep her another 4 to 6 hours in recovery. They will also have a breathing tube.
 
#7 ·
Sounds like they are well prepared. I know you will be on edge until she is back in your arms again. Try to do something to take your mind off of it if you can. Maybe do something for yourself that you haven't had time to do? She will be a big loopy when you pick her up but otherwise I am sure she will be fine and wiggling her bum when she sees you.
 
#10 ·
They were supposed to be done around noon, I just called and they haven't even started yet. Said she is next in line. They had some spay and neuter first. Maybe a longer time to recover from anesthesia. My dad thinks I'm crazy for calling to check on her.
 
#14 ·
Well, Amor is home and doing fine. Her teeth are nice and white and clean. She is still a bit groggy and not her normal self yet.

I am, however, beyond pissed at the vet who did the procedure. She discounted my request and chart records and used ACE on my dog. I asked to speak to the vet who did it to make sure I was reading it wrong or they typed it wrong. She asked me what was the reason I didn't want to use ACE . I told her that boxers cannot have it because it is dangerous. It can cause their heart rate to go down and or make their heart stop. She said my dog was perfectly healthy. She said that it's an "old wives tale" and that they don't have to use much for a teeth cleaning anyway. I told her that if she had bothered to look at her chart where the ? was she would have seen it. And this morning they ordered in her chart that I looked at a different type of anesthesia and was given the cost for it. She stated she didn't see anywhere that she was allergic to it. I told her that it shouldn't matter what she believed. I am Amor's owner and if I say NO ACE, that means NO ACE. She could have killed my dog by not honoring MY request. I am contacting the corporate office of banfield and making a complaint against this vet. There wasn't even an apology that I can remember.
 
#15 ·
Ugh...I really don't care for Banfield at all. That is ridiculous that you went over and over the fact that you did not want ACE used on your dog. I would notify the office in writing, and the corporate office along with your regular vet who agreed that you would be charged additional for the non use of ACE. Boy Armour is not my dog but this really makes me angry.
 
#17 ·
The main reason I even went to banfield is because when Amor got pancreatitis they were the only place open on Sunday. I ended up signing up for the wellness plan special care because I could pay in payments for her treatments and such. It covered her xrays, blood work, ekg, etc. It saved me almost 1200 just there. Figured I might as well take advantage of the free office visits and her covered teeth cleaning, vaccines, etc. Her vet there did not push the Lyme or leptosperosis shot, although she did prescribe a probiotic that contained dried poultry liver when she is allergic to chicken. I was actually refunded for them because it was there fault. I don't think I will be renewing the wellness plan when the year is up.
 
#18 · (Edited)
I work in the veterinary industry (in Canada) and I can say that it is NOT ok for your vet to do something to your pet against your instructions, it doesn't matter if the vet thinks your concerns are valid or not. The animal belongs to you, the vet is hired by you to do a job, and they are not allowed to do anything outside of the scope of what you have agreed to without discussing with you first. I'm not sure who the governing body is where you live, but in my province we are governed by the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association and they handle complaints and take disciplinary action against vets who have done things they should not do. There is a process you have to follow, you first write a written complaint, the ABVMA decides if your vet actually did something wrong or not, if they deem the vet was in the wrong they will try to work with you and the vet as a sort of mediator if it was something minor, and if it is something more serious they may suspend or fine the vet involved. If I were you I would look into who the governing body is in your area and file an official complaint. The vet clinic is legally required to obtain your informed consent before beginning any procedure, which did not happen since the vet used a medication you specifically asked not to be used. I think you have a valid complaint.

Honestly, the risk of using ACE in boxers has been blown out of proportion in the last few years and there are no scientific studies to back up the concerns about the drug, it is all anecdotal accounts of negative reactions, and the drug would not be harmful in the vast majority of cases with boxers. However, many veterinary pharmacology and anesthesia textbooks say that the anecdotal evidence is enough that the drug should be used with caution, if at all, in the breed, and since many other tranquilizer options are available it is advised to use another drug for the premedication. But regardless of whether it is proven to have adverse affects in the breed or not, the bottom line is you were told specifically that the drug would not be used, and they used it anyways, which is not ok.
 
#19 ·
AKC says:
American Boxer Club: Warning on Acepromazine

Link to studies:
Acepromazine and Boxers! | The Daily Boxer

As was stated you said "NO'" Ace and they used it anyway!! Check your bill and see what they used and "if" you were charged extra!

My understanding is that "whatever" the other commonly used anesthetic is...it could be used "safely on a Boxer" if you use 30% less! That comes from a vet tech that works with vets at a spay and neuter clinic. Some areas they have no choice.

Either a "NO" Ace but with Boxers we use 30% less because of their sensitivity, would be acceptable to me. It would show that they "realize there is at least the potential for problems with the use of ACE on a Boxer. I would still say no.

But to say sure..we won't use Ace and then use it anyway??? Is basically a criminal act in my view! And to tell you it's a myth!!! In essence they were gambling with your dog's life! And they got "lucky" because "apparently" they are "unaware" of any issues, with Ace and Boxers!

Glad it worked out for you and your girl! I would not let it go! They are as far as I am concerned "clueless" as regards Ace and Boxers!

I had this discussion with my vet and he said "sure" no problem and "NO' Ace was used on Struddell! To tell you you're full of crap (in essence) is beyond belief!!!

As regards no "proven studies???"... when the AKC retracts it's position on the use of ACE in Boxers...then I'll retract mine!

Just saying. :)
 
#20 ·
As regards no "proven studies???"... when the AKC retracts it's position on the use of ACE in Boxers...then I'll retract mine!

Just saying. :)
The AKC is not a research or scientific body, so their opinions are not necessarily based on science. I also won't allow the drug to be used in my boxer, I was just pointing out that 'evidence' against the drug is not based on science but on anecdotal evidence. Scientific evidence would require a large controlled sample set of boxers to be injected with the drug and then monitor their reactions to the drug to find if there is a statistically significant correlation between the drug use and the adverse reaction. No one would fund such a study, since it is just easier to avoid using the drug in boxers. I'm not saying science wouldn't back up the anecdotal evidence, I was just pointing out that no scientific studies have been done.
 
#22 ·
Well Amor is still kind of out of it. She has been sleeping most of the time since she has been home. Didn't eat anything tonight even though I offered it but they said she might not want to. Said the anesthesia might make her have an upset tummy. The vet tech that brought her out said her teeth were perfect. She has no more stinky breath. I need to find dental chews that have no chicken in them. She cannot have any hard bones for 7 days.
 
#23 ·
Regardless of whether ACE is harmful or not the vet is wrong for proceeding against your requests. She should have called you to discuss her reason for using it. Period.
If your dog had died and your request was in writing Banfield would be in a world of legal trouble. You need to call headquarters and report the incident. In the meantime, it is time to find another vet and sign up for health insurance. I am glad Amor is ok. Make sure she is drinking and she will probably start to perk up and eat today.
 
#24 ·
Looking to hear that armor is doing well today. I am still disturbed by the fact that Banfield went against your instructions.
I can understand that perhaps the ACE is overstated and that it may not be a problem, but again it may be so before they went against your instructions this should have been discussed with you. Personally I would take legal action against Banfield, I would at least want a thorough explanation on why your instructions were not followed. While their plan sounds pretty good there is no way I will ever take my dog to a Banfield vet if this is how they treat their clients. Well hopefully Armour is doing well today and getting back to herself.
 
#25 ·
Yes, exactly, regardless of the fact that ACE's adverse affects may or may not be exaggerated, you SPECIFICALLY asked that it NOT be used and it was documented in Amor's file, and they went ahead and used it anyways.

I would definitely put in a complaint in writing!
 
#26 ·
To me this is just the reason why Vets and MDs get on my last nerve! Some have the "God" complex and feel they have been the college, have a paper that says they are a Dr and they know better than you. Both Mds and Vets need to realize in this day and age the internet has made it quite possible to do your own research. Im not saying I know more than a Vet obviously I do not. However, I will always do my own research and make my own decisions about how my dog or myself receive treatment, and it's the Vets/MDs job to do what I request. Ive hired them to provide a service same as an electrician or a plumber. Totally blowing off your request because the Vet thinks they know better than you is unacceptable and yes a formal complaint should be submitted.
 
#27 · (Edited)
I am so sorry you are going through this and none of us
here want you to feel like we are judging you for using Banfield. You did what you thought was right and no one can fault you for that.

I wanted you to be aware of this Facebook page. Other people have had major problems at Banfield. If you look online you will find thousands of complaints. Awareness is important and we don't want Amor to go through needless suffering.

I hope everything is alright.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Banfield-Pet-Hospital-is-the-Wrong-Choice/151680344859815
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top