I found the comments of the veterinary expert interesting, as he seemed to think there were a number of incidents where the welfare of the pets being treated was at risk due to the procedure employed.
The RCVS chap just seemed embarrassed and ill at ease when answering questions about whether "trainees" (not junior student veterinary nurses") should be undertaking any of the procedures such as taking blood while the vet was absent etc as he knew it shouldn't happen but clearly expected that it had already happened given the presence of the Panorama investigator. And I have to say that if I found anyone treating either of my pets the way that Aron the Vet Nurse did witht he Shar-pei, or the way the girl who couldn't administer the anaesthetic properly to the cat that Lesley refers to, I'd have been very likely up on an assault charge.
I also think that despite what medivet had to say about not being a well-balanced programme (well no, it wouldn't be - they're made to expose malpractice not extoll good practice) they could hardly deny the blatant potential intention to re-use transfusion blood (of which the veterinary expert engaged to comment on the practice was highly critical and agreed it should have been binned, end-of) the over-charging for items which were never used, and the unnecessary "testing" to rackup costs.
Julie, thanks for explaining what the vet was doing while distracting that cat. I still didn't like to see it, and wouldn't be happy if I discovered my vet using that method on my cat.
Our vet is a sole practitioner, and he's up against it in terms of competition and the latest up to date hospital equipment etc, but for all that, he assesses an animal's behaviour prior to any action. He's occasionally said to me when Paddy's needed an injection or tartar removed from his teeth (for which he can't have any anaesthetic procedure) "hold him tight, because this will hurt and he'll scratch..." I've never had to hold Paddy tight, and he has never made any attempt to scratch, a fact of which our vet always comments "I keep forgetting, he's a very respectful patient..."
If a vet assumed he was going to scratch and deployed a method such as that "just in case" I'd be horrified and disgusted, and I just don't know after watching last night's programme whether many of those vets were particulatly committed to their jobs. There was a marked contrast between the older mixed animal practice vet, and the younger vets, one of whom seemed very unsure of herself. Trying to intubate a cat when she hadn't given the anaesthetic throat relxant, not realising she had got it wrong but persisting anyway not only looked uncomfortable to watch, but the expert did comment that it was dangerous and could have seriously damaged the cat.
And what about the dog who had a skin condition? He injured his paw when the vet nurse caught it in the door of his cage (after accidentally hitting his head too, she said) and as a result he had cut his pad. They admitted it had definitely happened in the surgery but then made a blatant phone call to the owner saying it must've happened on his way to the vet and that they could sell her a cream for £13 if she wanted it. The girl then crowed about what a good job she'd done flogging the cream and blagging the cover-up. Not pleasant, and no way they could deny that wasn't what they did.
I'd agree that lack of adequate supervision appeared to be the biggest problem.
The programme did say that most of the procedures which were carried out were carried out correctly and with a good standard of care, but highlighted that really we need to be aware of what can (and does) go on in some practices, and to have an awareness about us when taking our pets to the vet. The fact Medivet made a 20 million pound profit last year was quite telling. They took free blood from rescue greyhounds, sold it on at a massive profit, but in return gave free dentals to the rescue dogs. After the way one of their vet nurses carried out a dental, I'd elect to keep my blood and do without the dental if I was a greyhound. Then again, as to the dogs in question, they don't get the choice, do they?
Lots of food for thought.
