Labrador with dragging toes after operation. Should I confront the vet?

Question

My 10 month old Labrador just had a femoral head removal to fix his hip dysplacia. Since then his hip has recovered nicely but he has been curling & dragging his toes along the cement which in turn has made him get a sore of top of his foot. He has also worn away all of his toenails. I went back to the vet that did the surgery and asked why Boss was doing this. The vet said that because he is still in the healing process it may be more comfortable for him to walk like this.

I did not believe this so I went to another vet for a second opinion. I have since found out that when the first vet did the surgery he cut through a nerve in Boss' leg and now he has no feeling in 3 of his toes of the back right leg which in turn makes him drag his toes under his foot. The vet I went to for the second opinion said that I have three options: 1. Not do anything 2. Cut his leg off 3. Put him to sleep.

I am so angry at the vet that did the operation and I have not contacted him yet to tell him. I want something from this vet who has basically ruined the life of my puppy. Please help me on what I should do.

Is there anyone else in the same position? If so I would like to hear what you did. I have ordered a custom made leather boot for Boss which should help him with the sores on his foot.

Answer 1

What? This sounds like gross mis-conduct on the part of the vet. Nerve damage was the first thing that came to mind and your poor dog is going to require special measures in order to live a some what normal life. This is so sad because the dog is young. You are owed back any monies you paid out for the original surgery. There is a fourth possibility that can help your dog out. He will require a special orthopedic brace and again, the doctor that caused this should be held liable for the cost of this. You need to start researching for DVM's that are willing to work to design a special brace so your dog can have a some what normal life. You also need an attorney that will work with you on consignment. This is a clear cut medical failure. Of course the Vet is not going to admit this is their fault. If I knew what state you were in it would be a big help. It's medical malpractice and the person that did the surgery has no business operating on any animal. Do what you can to go after this vet. Get some legal assistance. Both my pets are rescue animals and my girl friend actually has a dog that was born with a cleft palate. It took a lot of asking around, but she managed to get a Vet (DVM) and a Dental surgeon to correct this situation. I believe your dog can still live a full life with some assistance. So sorry you are going through this. Best wishes and many prayers. So you know, my dog was born with 3 legs and he does get around just fine. But your dog has nerve damage as a result of a botched surgery. Amputating is the last resort. To tell the truth I am shocked it was suggested. Don't give up. If this leather boot helps then that's wonderful. But I am thinking your pup may need a special brace and the Vet that caused this should be held liable for the cost of this.

Answer 2

Thank you for being a good pet owner. I've not heard of this but encourage you to learn more and see what legal action you can talke against that vet. God bless you and Boss.

Answer 3

Surgery is not exact science.  And unfortunately not every single one of them goes perfectly.  There are risks involved.  I assume (and hope) that you took him to a veterinary *specialist* for the hip surgery and not just your average community vet.  If not, then a specialist is the first person you should see now because they may be able to repair the nerve damage...3 toes is not that bad.  You need to understand that the doctor didn't do this on purpose, and your dog's life isn't ruined (dogs do VERY well with 3 legs), and unfortunately there anything that can be done to undo the damage.  Now, having that said, the doctor that did the surgery is absolutely responsible for making things as right as possible.  I would recommend writing a letter instead of calling for several reasons.  #1.  It will be easier to get your thoughts and arguements sorted out and stated in a reasonable manner.  If you just call and start screaming at this person, you probably aren't going to get very far.  After all, your whole purpose of confronting them is to get some sort of resolution.  #2.  You are more likely to get a letter to the boss than you are a phone call.  #3.  It leaves a "paper trail".  A record that you have made an attempt to contact them and have the problem fixed... on the same note...be sure to keep a copy of what you send to them.  

Next, I would recommend asking the vet that gave you the second opinion to give you some sort of documentation of their diagnosis.  You may even want to get a 3rd opinion and get documentation of that as well.  Mail in those documents with your letter to the surgeon.  Keep copies of them as well.  Make sure that you have some sort of solution in mind.  What do you expect for the surgeon to do now?   What do you want from them?  A refund for the hip surgery?  For them to pay for the treatment from here on out to treat the new problem (whether it be amputation or boot or physical therapy or whatever)?  20% discount off of annual vaccines for the rest of his life?  You need to come up with a solution that would satisfy you and then make your requirements well known to the surgeon (in a letter of course).  

Then, if the surgeon refuses to accomidate you, I would take it further.  Do they work for someone else?  If so, go to their boss.  If not, contact the veterinary board or file a complaint with the better business bureau.  You could even file a lawsuit if it came down to that.  Don't let it go.  They made a mistake and they should pay the consequences, but give them a chance to try to fix it first.  

On another note...and 10 month old with hip dysplasia??  If you got him from a breeder, you may be entitled to some money back if the dog came with a health guarantee.  It is a genetic disorder and any responsible breeder should have had the parents screened for it.  

Lastly, I am very sorry for the situation that you and Boss are in.  I wish you the best and hope that some physical therapy or other treatment may be able to save his leg.  If not, I beg of you not to consider euthanasia.  Three-legged dogs do just fine and live just a long, happy lives as their four-legged counterparts.  I promise Boss wouldn't even miss it.  

Answer 4

i do agree that dogs can live perfectly happily with only three legs. if the foot is kept then it does mean abit more work for you it sounds like because if its causing a sore than thats something that will need to be monitored and kept clean and possibly wrapped. thats really a tough call, im sure your hearbroken :(

Answer 5

I have a 10yr old border collie mix that has severe hip dysplasia in both of her back hips. When we found this out she was around the same age as your dog and we decided to have the same surgery done on the hip that was worse. THE EXACT same thing happened to my dog!!! Eventually she got a little better and started to use the foot a little more and a little more. Now she can walk pretty well on it but when she gets tied or runs she drags the foot. She only has 2 toenails left on that foot and has permanent missing fur and scar on the top of her foot. We confronted the vet about it and he also said she was just healing blah blah blah. When we found out this wasnt the case we turned him into the better buisness bureu but thats about it. My dog has lived this way for 9 years and she is happy and healthy. Dont put your dog down unless you think he is in horrible pain. Good idea with the boot hope it works out.

Answer 6

Sorry to hear. Malpractice lawsuit? Unfortunately dogs are seen as property so you will probably only get back the cost of the surgery- there is no pain and suffering option for an animal lawsuit (property doesn't feel pain).

Answer 7

The vet screwed up.  it is little comfort to say that we all make mistakes, but I think this vet's real mistake was lying to you.  The vet probably won't do anything, but you should confront him/her and try to get whatever you can.  Personally, I think they will probably tell you that was a risk you took.......  maybe do some research on suing for malpractice?  I wonder if you can do that to a vet?  At least you could tell them that you will never be coming back and that you are warning all of your friends about him/her.  The second vet is the one you should stick with.

...dogs can live full, happy lives with three legs.  And although I'm sure you are very attached, consider this: if the dog already has hip dysplasia at ten months, it probably has other congenital defects that you don't know about.  If you got the dog from a breeder or a pet store, they are the ones that really gave you the heartache.

Answer 8

BEAT that vets A555

I think u should be even madder at the breader. why does a 10 month old have hip displacia?

Answer 9

I think it is possible that some nerve damage can occur with orthopedic surgery that would take months to heal. I know from personal experience that this happens in humans so it is likely it could happen in dogs as well. Nerve problems can be VERY slow to heal I think you could take a wait and see approach rather than resort to amputation. And I suggest that you clarify with the vet exactly what he means by "in the healing process" and ask what to expect and when in terms of progress. I think it is possible that this is not a mistake but a side effect, if you will, of the procedure. I do think that even if that is the case your vet screwed up by not explaining things to you well enough to understand what is going on. Always ask a lot of questions of health care providers and if they seem unwilling to answer or annoyed go to another. Good luck to you and Boss!

Answer 10

how horrible!!! confront the first vet for sure!!! Report him or something!! Please don't put you dog to sleep. =(