[Gpdd] Gpdd: [MISC] I have a big issue with the vet's office, ready to go elsewhere

[Ellen Garrison]

Hi Sandy and all,

I am having a major meltdown with the vet and their (office) procedures.  I
almost feel like  a burden to them.
There are other ones not exotic specialists but one I may be calling for
help.



After trying to get my two guinea pig sows in for an appt.--these are Sammie
(Samantha) and her daughter, Sheila, and after the vet tech saying they
would call me back last Saturday to see if I could bring them in on Monday,
and they never did call me back, the excuse was the exotics vet was spending
time with her daughter, and her husband, the regular vet, was there on
Monday but no one ever found out for me if he could see the two sows (like
they said they would); then I had an appointment today that was for the
bunny, who has dental disease on the right side, (this was confirmed last
week when I brought her in) for 10:45 am, then I get a call from the vet but
they don't leave a message, saying that the bunny was supposed to be dropped
off between 8:30 and
9am for anesthesia, and I was not aware of that;  That they like to have the
bunnys dropped off early for the anesthesia procedure, but they could still
take her in today.

Then she (all of this I got when I called them to see why they called me)
the receptionist, asks if I was coming in anyway, and I said yes, and then
she says " and what's going on with the guinea pigs" as if I had never told
them before but I had and the reason I was bringing them in was that 1) they
had never had a vet check up yet and 2) one of them --I do not know which
one--had red pee and it was only intermittently and only a couple of times,
but they already knew this and I did not understand why, the questions.  She
wasn't trying to be mean or anything, they just seem disorganized.  Well, I
had about one hour of sleep and when I woke up something told me 'don't
go'.  Well then the vet calls.  Well, they left no message because the
"other phone was ringing".

Then I'm saying that I am trying to get the rabbit to go into the carrier,
and she said "we'll see you when you get here".  Well this bunny ran all
around the room (she is litter box trained) and avoided me for about 20-25
minutes. She knew something was up.  I blew it and I did not want to claw
her with my fingers or hurt her but it was exasperating.  i mean, she is
half Himalayan and half lop-eared, and she is feistier than her mom (the
Himalyan) ever was, but she was pure scared, is all.
She kept running and I kept trying to catch her, it was awful.  Finally it
ended when I thought I had caught her near one of the two twin beds, and she
let out a scream and I did not  know it until later but kind of scratched my
arm.  That was when I gave up the "fight" realizing that I had been the one
that messed up, not the poor bunny.

So, I called Valerie back and told her I wasn't going to come in.  I was
very upset and nearly crying.  She started to protest and I just said
thankyou and hung up on her.  They probably do not know what to do but I
still want my babies to get the help they need. I know of another vet I used
to go to with my first guinea pig and bunny although he is not a
specialist.  He is also closer (the exotics vet is about 65 miles away).
It is not anyone's fault b ut something told me "take care of me".  I mean,
I can't be driving in traffic when I am so tired.  It is not good. I told
Valerie "it's not the right time". Now i was so mad, I re-parked my car in
the sunny spot where the car is too hot to get into.  I mean, we are
supposed to be in winter but it is too hot.  I had parked in the shade to
cool it off .  Sometimes I wished I did not live in the tropics.  Then I got
the hose and washed off everything in the front of my front door, including
the door and the screen and the windows (all shut) they were so dirty.
I will tend to my tiny wound and make sure bunny is ok, then lie down and
decide what to do about the vet situation.  am I imagining it or are vets
greedy sometimes? I do not think this other vet,  Damien, is greedy although
he is not an exotic,  I mean, enough is enough when push comes to shove and
I could not drive up there to Dr. Cindy's in this state.  I am not mad at
them or anything, just sad.  I came back inside looked at the bunny and
started to cry.

does anyone know how this feels? so frustrated and not wanting to hurt the
bunny and wanting the piggies that need to see a vet, to see one?  being so
tired.  I will try to give the other vet Damien a call in a while.
Any feedback??
Ellen