This is rather lengthy story so please bear with me.
Two weeks ago, my girlfriend and I decided to adopt two puppies (3 month old) that were about to be euthanized at the pound. We already own 3 dogs: one Yorkshire Terrier (3kg, 8 years old) and two Maltese (1.3kg 2 years old and 1.7kg 3 years old)
My girlfriend asked a vet before she introduced the rescued puppies to our home if there is any risk in introducing the rescued puppies to our three dogs. The vet told her that there would be no problem since the puppies were vaccinated.
About a week later, my 1.3kg 2 years old Maltese started vomiting and having loose stool. We immediately took the dog to another clinic since the original vet was on vacation. The 2nd vet told her that my dog was suffering from IBD (irritable bowel disease). They ran ultrasound and gave her IV as well as antibiotics. They assured us that it was a simple bacterial infection, possibly a parasitic infection, and insisted the dog stays a bit longer so they can closely monitor the dog.
Since my girlfriend has extensive experience in raising many dogs, she thought a simple bacterial infection IBD would not require an overnight stay so after the IV and antibiotic shots, she took the dog back home.
That night, the dog started vomiting and having diarrhea again. Next day morning, we immediately took the dog back to the 2nd vet for the second time. This time, since we had to go on a vacation, we left the dog with the vet for 36 hours. During this 36 hours, the vet updated us on the exacerbating condition of the dog. Then we asked the vet, if it would be possible that it was not a bacterial infection but a viral one. The vet ruled out the possibility that it was a viral one. (this is message is recorded on the instant messenger on the phone)
After coming back from the trip, we took the dog back home. The dog was lethargic and weak. It continued to vomit and had series of diarrhea. Finally, the dog puked and some of the regurgitation went into the lung and the dog went into to a shock. We took the dog immediately to the vet again for the third time.
Then the vet decided to run a viral check and it turned out that my dog was infected with parvovirus. Although not completely sure, I am guessing that the parvo came from the rescued puppies. The dog died that night.
I am guessing that the parvo came from the puppies since we never take the dog outside of our homes. In addition, we never came into contact with other dogs at all.
Now I have three questions.
1) Is this a negligence/malpractice by the vet? How could the vet not know that it was parvo after 3 visits?
2) Also, in regards to the first vet who assured us that it was safe to introduce the rescued dogs to our home, is he liable for anything?
3) Lastly, the vets at the rescue center, are they liable for anything? How could they just release puppies that had parvo. Although the documents claimed that they were vaccinated, how could they just release them without any warnings? (I do not know definitively if the puppies have parvo yet)
The dog was healthy. It received 3 vaccinations. It never had any prior medical problems.
I am just so angry at the incompetence of all three actors! Our medical bill is now racked up to almost a grand and more importantly, my dog is dead! My dead dog seeks justice!
Any insights would be greatly appreciated.
Two weeks ago, my girlfriend and I decided to adopt two puppies (3 month old) that were about to be euthanized at the pound. We already own 3 dogs: one Yorkshire Terrier (3kg, 8 years old) and two Maltese (1.3kg 2 years old and 1.7kg 3 years old)
My girlfriend asked a vet before she introduced the rescued puppies to our home if there is any risk in introducing the rescued puppies to our three dogs. The vet told her that there would be no problem since the puppies were vaccinated.
About a week later, my 1.3kg 2 years old Maltese started vomiting and having loose stool. We immediately took the dog to another clinic since the original vet was on vacation. The 2nd vet told her that my dog was suffering from IBD (irritable bowel disease). They ran ultrasound and gave her IV as well as antibiotics. They assured us that it was a simple bacterial infection, possibly a parasitic infection, and insisted the dog stays a bit longer so they can closely monitor the dog.
Since my girlfriend has extensive experience in raising many dogs, she thought a simple bacterial infection IBD would not require an overnight stay so after the IV and antibiotic shots, she took the dog back home.
That night, the dog started vomiting and having diarrhea again. Next day morning, we immediately took the dog back to the 2nd vet for the second time. This time, since we had to go on a vacation, we left the dog with the vet for 36 hours. During this 36 hours, the vet updated us on the exacerbating condition of the dog. Then we asked the vet, if it would be possible that it was not a bacterial infection but a viral one. The vet ruled out the possibility that it was a viral one. (this is message is recorded on the instant messenger on the phone)
After coming back from the trip, we took the dog back home. The dog was lethargic and weak. It continued to vomit and had series of diarrhea. Finally, the dog puked and some of the regurgitation went into the lung and the dog went into to a shock. We took the dog immediately to the vet again for the third time.
Then the vet decided to run a viral check and it turned out that my dog was infected with parvovirus. Although not completely sure, I am guessing that the parvo came from the rescued puppies. The dog died that night.
I am guessing that the parvo came from the puppies since we never take the dog outside of our homes. In addition, we never came into contact with other dogs at all.
Now I have three questions.
1) Is this a negligence/malpractice by the vet? How could the vet not know that it was parvo after 3 visits?
2) Also, in regards to the first vet who assured us that it was safe to introduce the rescued dogs to our home, is he liable for anything?
3) Lastly, the vets at the rescue center, are they liable for anything? How could they just release puppies that had parvo. Although the documents claimed that they were vaccinated, how could they just release them without any warnings? (I do not know definitively if the puppies have parvo yet)
The dog was healthy. It received 3 vaccinations. It never had any prior medical problems.
I am just so angry at the incompetence of all three actors! Our medical bill is now racked up to almost a grand and more importantly, my dog is dead! My dead dog seeks justice!
Any insights would be greatly appreciated.