I am so sorry for what you and Mateo had to go through. As you probably know from my previous posts, I have had my issues with vets , all of which have turned out badly so I can understand your frustrations VERY well. I was really hoping that since you went to this specialist and you seemed so happy with them, it would turn out okay.

Please know that we are here for the two of you if you need to rant and rave about it. Go ahead and rant all you want! It should never have happened and you have the right to be angry with them. If I were you, I would spend the next two weeks doing more research and hugging Mateo. Maybe there is something else you can do or another specialist you can consult that is better. Even if there isn't, at least you still have your baby with you.

 

oh no. not mateo. not you.

whilst i will say that these things can and do happen and it is not always the fault of the surgeon because they really cannot tell until they get in there, i'm glad to see they immediately acted upon the information they saw and did not mutilate your baby.

this is not good news; but in a way, they did act responsibly by closing him up because they did need a different set of instruments.....

i know this is not what you want to hear....and believe me, putting the dog through a second surgery is not something anyone wants to hear.....poor mateo. and you...

but i also believe they did the right thing...as did you by closing him up until the get the proper instrument so they can do it right and fix the problem once and for all.

interestingly, that they noted the sheer amount of muscle mass may not be something they are used to or expect...even if they are proponents of raw feeding...they may not see it as much on the operating table.

i hope both you and mateo recover from this...i do. you are both in my thoughts...

 

I was relieved that they did not cut into his shoulder (and through all of that muscle mass) with a scalpel....that they called me first with options.

This is the thing. This animal medical hospital is the cream of the crop in NYC. In fact, I met a vet in Central Park over the weekend walking her dogs and we were talking about Mateo's surgery. She asked who was doing it, I told her, and she said "good!-- you have got the best surgeon for the job... I know who that is."

Believe me, I realize they are beyond embarrassed, and feel horrible (he has said as much.) And re, I realize things happen when you actually get in the body cavity that you just can't anticipate.

It just sucks. My heart hurts for my boy. He's the one paying the price for this error. Well, him and my mental/emotional state...

But nothing to do but get him home, help him heal....so he can finally get his shoulder issue taken care of, second time around...

 

Must be the raw diet!

Poor Mateo. Hopefully he understands At least he gets to be lazy and spoiled for a little longer...:redface:

They aren't charging you extra are they?

 

No-- I will be charged for just the one (successful) surgery.

Yeah, he's thick in the shoulders, as he should be.

But, but... they SAW him, manipulated him, weighed and measured him....

Again.

Damn.

 

Oh no. I was waiting on good news from you and Mateo.
You did the right thing though, and the surgeon seemed really responsible about it. They made a mistake but Im glad they didnt just cut into his joint and consulted you first.
Im really glad that Mateo is okay, though. Poor baby. Spoil the crap outta him in the meantime. :redface:
If you need to vent, we're here to listen.

But, if they charge you extra, give them hell. They should be giving you a discount!

 

I can't even imagine your frustration! No one wants to think about their dog undergoing an unnecessary procedure. :frown:
I took a rescue in for a spay before and discovered she was already spayed and was so upset, and it wasn't even my dog.
I'm so sorry you have to face this again as well as your precious boy. Give him lots of hugs and kisses and treats and what the hell ever else he wants until he's through with his successful REAL surgery.
We're pulling for you both. Big hug for Mateo from the Little clan...

 

Awww man. Super frustrating. Try not to let it keep you too down for too long. Spoil the heck out of your boy and on to the next one!

 

All you can do is to try to think that Vets and Dr's are only human too, they do make mistakes.
But, you wish like hell that those mistakes were made on other people's dogs, not your own.
I'm sorry, that totally sucks. Especially when you (and we) thought it would all be over and done with by now and Mateo would be on his way to recovery.
Poor Mateo and poor you, having to go through 2 recoveries in a young energetic dog, that's hard.

 

Yep. They are the "experts." They should have known. That's why you pay them a fortune to do stuff like this.

Too bad you can't get pain and suffering for Mateo. Personally, I don't think they should charge you a dime since this was their (huge) screwup.

A good reputation doesnt' give anyone a pass on poor performance. In fact, I would expect he be held to higher standards since he's "top in the field."

I'm sorry for Mateo and you. Please give him a big hug for me.

 

I may get the equivalent of pain and suffering compensation. When I picked up Mateo today, the surgeon talked with me a lot about what happened, how devastating it was to the whole surgical team... and how he didn't sleep well last night (me either!). He and the head surgeon are talking with the financial dept. for an adjustment on my final bill, due to the circumstances. Well, at least this shows good faith. Yes, it happens, but this was negligence on their part; they should have been prepared for EVERYTHING, pure and simple. In fact, he said he understood if I wanted to blame them... We shall see how this all plays out.

Meanwhile, this is Mateo after I brought him home. He is out of it.

I owe this kid a lot: beach time, swimming, lots of green grass... and play. I will make that happen, just not yet.

Just have to get through all of this...

 

That really SUCKS! I'm so sorry you have to go through this. Poor Mateo! I'm sure they will do all they can to set it right.

 

Oh no, I'm so sorry, poor you and poor mateo

 

ohmygod! Things like this happen but never to us. Your anger and frustration are certainly understandable. When trusting the best of the best there is no place else to go. I would have made the same decision as you. Please give Mateo a gentle hug and let us know how both of you are doing.

 

Buzz kill.
So, what's the next step?

 

I'm so sorry to hear this about Mateo!!! I just love him!

Dodger & Daisy send him lots of big, squishy hugs and super sloppy boxer kisses!!!!

 

Oh no!!! But to be honest, I was incredibly relieved to see that's what the problem was. I read the title of your thread and thought MUCH worse. Luckily, he is young, and strong, and raw-fed, and he should recover really quickly and happily from both procedures.

Poor kid. =\

 

I know. But my worry is that having to drag him through this surgery again may open the door for more complications...

But really, I have no other option at this point. This is going to test my stamina and patience and emotions--- and I hope it's harder on me than it will be on Mateo.

 

Oh jeez, when I read the title my heart sank! Don't get me wrong, this totally sucks!! I find it strange that this surgeon would not have this equipment on site. At least they didn't decide to just cut through him to get the job done since they were already in there!
I agree that since they saw him you would think they would have a better idea of the tools needed. I go back to when Zeus had his first TPLO. The surgeon saw him, knew his size etc. yet when I spoke to him after the surgery, he explained that the plate they had to use was A LOT bigger then what they thought/typically use. So I guess this would be somewhat the same.
Yes they are human, and yes they can make mistakes and things happen; but THEY are the experts! THEY of all people should be able to react to those unknown issues and still get their job done!
Give Mateo lots of TLC. He's young and STRONG (that's a FACT!) If he was a couch potato we wouldn't be having this discussion!! LOL
Khan sends slobbers!

 

oh that picture makes me cry! Poor Mateo. bless his heart. Oh jee, all for nothing. man, they shaved alot off.

I know that the people will suffer alot more than Mateo will. He'll be happy as punch once he gets over the anesthesia.

I hope the surgeon would understand if you wanted to blame him. Who else would be to blame? And honestly, they should take a financial loss on this. He should lose a little sleep. I am glad he cares enough to lose sleep. Maybe he's not so bad after all.

 

ooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, poor baby.....

i am glad the surgeon lost sleep. he should.

i know things happen. i hope they do right by both of you......that he's apologising all over the place and feeling guilty already tells me there is maybe some honour in there....

 

Poor baby Mateo. This was a major boo-boo on the surgeon's part, no doubt about it, but I'll at least give him points (just a few) for "owning up" to it. I'd wager the majority would be back pedaling and doing their best to lay blame elsewhere (and charging for 2 surgeries to boot ..... I think I must know some pretty crappy vets!). I'm just so sorry this happened and that he (and you) have to go through another surgery. Hugs and best wishes to you and you boy.

 

Yes, my gut instinct is that there is integrity within this surgeon, surgical staff, and hospital. That is really what their reputation stands on. They are non-profit; they also treat guiding and service dogs for free...

I feel that, in the end, things will be okay. This is what I tell myself.

Now........patience.

BTW, the surgical assistant vet with whom I had been talking with, told me today that, he is a resident. Which translates into working sometimes 100 hours/week. He makes $29,000. per year.

 

Yes, my gut instinct is that there is integrity within this surgeon, surgical staff, and hospital. That is really what their reputation stands on. They are non-profit; they also treat guiding and service dogs for free...

I feel that, in the end, things will be okay. This is what I tell myself.

Now........patience.

The gut never lies (well, once I followed my gut, turned out to be indigestion, but that's another story) :biggrin: Little Big Man will come through it all okay. I just know it.

 

It sounds like you got a really unique set of veterinarians and should probably stick with them. When I lost my two chows in one month I not only didn't get an apology, but was out almost $10,000 so they are not all understanding and up front like that. You and Mateo seem to be in good hands with yours and they seem to be honorable (which is kind of unusual now-a-days).

Give your baby some extra hugs because he is so darn adorable in that picture!

 

Poor boy. I am sorry that you and him have to go through that again.

 

Oh poor thing...
He looks so little in this picture. Which makes you feel even worse.
I'm glad to hear that the surgeon lost sleep, and feels bad. I promise you, they are not all that way! When Shelby went into kidney failure from being over medicated by that vet. It took phone call after phone call, after in person visits, and almost 4 months later I still heard crickets!! When I finally got a call, it was too little too late and she could have cared less!!

 

Wow--- your vet's behavior during such a traumatic time is inexcusable! I am fortunate in that Mateo's surgeon and assistant have been very much in communication; he is even away at a wedding in Michigan this weekend but has taken the time to call, to check in with my pup-- and has encouraged me to email him as well. This support goes a long way, and it helps.

As does all the support I have here on this forum!

 

Oh no. Poor Mateo, and poor you.
You and him were on my mind all day yesterday.
I had expected to hear good news about his surgery.
I am so sorry that you both have to go through all of this.

 

Awe poor guy, I hate when there feeling bad. I hope all goes well for him.

 

Just checking to see how y'all are doing. Does Mateo have to go up and down stairs to relieve himself?

 

This morning Mateo is better-- drinking water and eating most of his food. And the "spark" is coming back in his eyes.

Fortunately, there are only 3 steps up to my apartment building, and he is handling them like a pro. I have a feeling by next week he will want to be running and playing- but I have to keep him to leashed walks until he goes into surgery again (2 weeks).

This will be the summer of surgery and strange haircuts for Mateo... and lots of patience for both of us!