Lightning&Stomps

I had to go out of town last week, and I had to put Lightning and Stomps in a kennel instead of having a housesitter in, as Stomps is on restricted activity (more on that in another post) and I knew my regular housesitter wasn't up for the challenge. I knew their kennel cough vaccinations were overdue, so the kennel, which is on the same property as a veterinary clinic, said they'd take them over to get their vaccination. When I went to pick them up five days later, at $20/day, the bill was $450!!! Turns out each dog was charged for a vet visit, which I can understand, then for a WELLNESS EXAM to make sure they were okay to give the vaccinations, then for vaccinations for rabies, distemper and kennel cough. I was only told they needed kennel cough. Then Stomps scratched his nose on something, so they took him to the vet again to have his nose wiped off and antibiotic ointment placed on it. All to the tune of $450. I'm one of those people who really doesn't want my dogs vaccinated unless absolutely necessary, for a variety of reasons, but since they had to be in a kennel I gave in. But I really feel like the clinic and the vet clinic took advantage of the fact that I wasn't there to ask questions, and they certainly didn't tell me in advance that I'd have to pay almost $60/dog before the vet would even give them a shot. I'm absolutely livid. Am I wrong to be so upset? P.S. This vet clinic is not my normal vet clinic (for good reason), so they had no idea whether he was up to date on his rabies and distemper.

ruby_doo (AUS)

Sounds like HIGHWAY ROBBERY to me!!! Are the kennels and vets in any way financially linked??????????????//

((hugs))) I hate hearing of ppl ripped off like this

Mikey T

I wellness visit should be consider standard before the adminstering of any vacine.

If the kennel required a brucellous vaccine I cant image they also did not require rabies and distemper as well. They should have know the status of these as well before the dogs were allowed in. No medical procedures that are no of an emergency nature should not be performed with out the consent of the client. It is the reason most kennels and sitter require an emergency number to reach you.

shakerag

There are some different angles from which to examine your experience.
It is obvious that they seized the opportunity to boost their bottom line---you were taken advantage of.
Then--your babies were well 'covered' as a result of the various meds and attention and "IF" those kept your Hounds alive and safe then they were/are worth the price even though you did not request it all.
You have paid the price to learn a lesson you will never forget.
In the future with your dealings with 'any' business where money is in consideration you will have a absolute understanding and then a mutual agreement to avoid any 'extras' being dished out upon you.
I emphasize with you wholly!
don

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Yogi's Mom

Oh, I would be so very angry! First of all they did not inform you that you would have to pay for wellness exams or office visits. Then they also went and gave your dogs shots when they had no idea of whether or not your dogs had already been vaccinated for them! At the very least they should have called you and talked to you about it before anything was done. You are right to be upset. Sorry to hear this happened to you.
Hope Stomps is feeling better.

Soundtrack

I personally would be seriously ticked off. Sally has allergies to vaccines, if she were vaccinated without my knowledge or permission I would be raising the roof. And for the other dogs, I don't want ANYBODY administering non-emergency medical care without my say so.

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Elmer-n-Button

I hope you didn't just stroke them a check. You do have recourse in this matter. Unauthorized treatments was administered and you were not contacted. I am sure that you left a cell phone number, right?

I would speak to my regular vet and see what he or she suggested. Some negotiations are certainly in order here.

Good luck.

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Nicky's mom

That's crazy and I'm very sorry it happened to you. I sincerely hope you find some legal recourse. I know I would be looking for it. I'd be writing angry letters to everyone, newspaper, BBB, who would listen. I'd even consider picketing the place. If you wrote a check, any chance you can cancel it? Of course you want to make sure your babies are taken care of, but they took advantage of you.

Good luck

Houndsong

I would make a stink, and let them know you are going to complain to the licensing boards both for kennel and veterinary if you don't get satisfaction.

I don't see how the kennel would admit your dog without evidence of vaccinations, especially kennel cough. No kennel I've ever dealt with would do so. That's just plain bad for business, let alone probably not in keeping with the regulations.

You did not mention anything about signing a written consent form for veterinary treatment. Every kennel I used has required me to sign an authorization for medical treatment setting limits on what was pre-authorized in the event of emergency. This last point is also key; the authorization is for emergency treatment only. If you did not sign something you're in a better position to dispute.

Finally, customers of that kennel should want to know about this. Besides that you were jacked up pretty good, they should know that the kennel would admit dogs without evidence of current vaccinations. I wouldn't put my dog in there.

Good luck.

Rubydoo

Any vet other than Ruby's regular one would not allow a pet to be boarded unless it was proven the shots etc were up to date. To be charged something without your permission is illegal here. Did they not have a cell phone number for you? They could have called to ask. I would not have paid it and would be arguing it all the way to the attorney's office, if it were me.

Janice

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