Signs of a Negligent Veterinarian

The signs of a negligent veterinarian... is not something I would normally consider sharing. But thank you for the A2A. Now that you have me thinking about it, I'll share some experiences I've had with negligent veterinarians. These practices often raise red flags that should alert pet owners to potential issues with their veterinarian.

Disclaimer: It is important to note that even with my personal observations, Joe Public may not be able to accurately identify a negligent vet. This is because negligent behavior is often masked by superficial politeness and professional conduct.

Throughout my lifetime, I have come across two veterinarians who were negligent. Both were highly successful business owners with wonderful personalities and a semblance of caring, knowledgeable, and competent professionals. However, there was a dark side they tried to keep hidden.

Red Flags of a Negligent Vet

1. **Lack of Continuing Education:** Negligent veterinarians typically do not attend continuing education courses and may not belong to their professional associations. This indicates a lack of commitment to staying updated with the latest and most effective animal care practices.

2. **Disliking Colleagues:** They often have a negative attitude towards working with colleagues, whether as employees or associates. This can signal a reluctance to share knowledge and a focus on maintaining a monopoly over their services.

3. **One-Person Practices:** Many negligent veterinarians operate one-person practices, which can limit the level of professional support they have access to during their work.

4. **High Complaints:** Regardless of their popularity, negligent veterinarians often have a higher rate of complaints to professional boards, suggesting a pattern of malpractice or unethical behavior.

5. **Client Letters of Support:** While these veterinarians may have many clients willing to vouch for them, this does not necessarily reflect the quality of their care. It simply indicates a lack of accountability and transparency.

Concrete Examples of Negligence

The first veterinarian I observed was a very fast surgeon who prioritized speed over quality. He never examined an animal before surgery, never shaved the surgery site, and did not clean or sterilize instruments between surgeries. Most shockingly, he performed unnecessary surgeries, claiming the deaths of several animals were due to the animals' own fault and not his practices.

He also had a history of revisiting surgery cases because of suture dehiscence, which he blamed on the animals, not his methods. He frequently made extremely rare diagnoses and 'required' surgeries to fix them, concocting stories to fool clients into believing he did what was best for their pets. He stored dead animals in plastic bags outside his back door and disposed of them weekly, despite charging clients for their burials.

When I observed his practices, I noticed several hygiene issues and failures. For instance, when he didn't have a vaccine, he pretended by injecting a milliliter of saline. He used far more cortisone and antibiotics than necessary and made incorrect diagnoses. One client required a second opinion and an X-ray, which proved the first vet was wrong. He even used another animal's X-ray to support his argument.

The second vet was often the subject of hearsay from dissatisfied clients, but there were common themes in their stories. He never took blood tests to help with diagnosis and did not own an X-ray machine. Virtually every animal that came through his door received a shotgun treatment of broad-spectrum antibiotics, cortisone, antihistamines, and multivitamins. While this treatment seemed to work for minor issues, it often failed for more serious cases, leading to more serious problems.

Recognizing the Signs of a Negligent Vet

1. **Overreliance on Art over Science:** Negligent veterinarians rely more on guesswork and intuition rather than rigorous medical diagnosis and treatment.

2. **Dirtiness and Safety Concerns:** Poor hygiene and safety in the veterinary clinic can be a red flag. If the clinic smells bad or is restricted from client entry, this may indicate lack of care and cleanliness.

3. **Excuses for Treatment Failure:** When treatments fail, negligent veterinarians often provide inconclusive or vague explanations, often blaming the client or the animal.

4. **Community Reputation Based on Personality:** A vet's reputation in the community should be based on competence and skill, not just a pleasant personality.

5. **Observing Care and Respect:** Clients should notice whether the vet shows due care and respect for the animal, and whether the interaction feels more like a joke than a serious and caring consultation.

While it can be tricky to spot a negligent veterinarian, being aware of these signs can help pet owners make informed decisions and ensure their pets receive the best possible care.