Happy freaking fourth of july....

Oh, fourth of July.  A very exciting day for beer and sun, and a not so fun day for pets.

But this isn't a story about fireworks, phobia, lost dogs or hit by cars - the classic fourth of July ER stories.


This is a story about clients with no sense.


Clients arrived to our hospital, reporting that their 8 year old German Shepard dog was having difficulty giving birth. (Yes, you read that right.  EIGHT year old LARGE breed dog). The dog has no socialization, has not been trained at all, cannot be restrained, does not use a leash and alligator rolls if we try to handle her, even to listen to her heart or try to look at her mucous membrane color.

Already frustrated, a technician quickly gathers some information from the client.

Tech: Is the female vaccinated?
 Client: Well, I do them myself.  How often does that usually happen?

Tech: 1-3 years, it depends on your dog and the vaccines.
 Client: Oh, yes, definitely I do them in that time. Oh, yes, I definitely gave them.

Tech: What about rabies vaccine?
  Client: Oh, yes I definitely gave that one too.

Tech: You realize that you can't legally purchase a rabies vaccine and therefore it can only be given by a veterinarian according to many regulations and laws?
  Client:<Stammers> uhhh, I guess she doesn't have that one.

Tech: Was this an intentional breeding?
  Client: Yes.  She's eight years old and I wanted her to have her first litter.

Tech: Did she have any pre-natal preventative care, deworming, or x-rays to see how many? Do you understand how to whelp puppies?
  Client: No.

<SIGH>.

The client reports that the bitch had one puppy at home, about 4 hours prior to arrival, and immediately bit the entire back leg off.  They have the puppy in the hospital for an evaluation, but don't want to have to pay for an exam.  I look at the puppy anyway, and it's grave.  Two legs and a tail are missing; this poor newborn has pretty much no chance at a normal life.

I return my attention to the female.  On exam, another puppy is in the birth canal.  I assist delivery of this puppy and it resuscitates easily.  And that's the very last thing that goes right.

The clients admit they also have no funds to pay for any sort of care for the female or her litter.  As in, absolutely zero dollars and zero cents. It quickly becomes apparent that these "owners" were trying to make some quick money by breeding their geriatric dog, and it has gone terribly, terribly wrong.

For better or worse, they were able to come up with $200 total.  Imaging confirms 2 more puppies, one in the birth canal, and one behind it.  Another exam reveals the next puppy is in the canal, but is not making progress. As time passes, medications given to try and assist labor have no effect. Manipulation to try and move the puppy forward has no effect.  The puppy is too large, and the female needs an immediate c-section.

I discussed with the clients the unfortunate situation and recommend the only next steps to get the puppies out - surgery.  The clients re-iterate that they cannot agree to proceed with surgery and after arguing with me, take her home against medical advice, with the puppies still stuck and her unable to make progress.

I try my best to helpfully explain the situation, monitoring at home, and some low-cost options for spay the following morning, as the clients are out of options for middle-of-the-night care.  As they leave, I ask them if they have any questions.  Snarkily, the man replies,

"I'm just worried about my dog. I don't think you get that."

Seriously? It's MY fault that you didn't spay your dog, bred her on purpose too late in life, didn't educate yourself on the birthing process, didn't save or plan for possible complications and now she's in dire straits?

Instead of that reply, I actually said, "I'm sorry, sir, that you're in this tough situation.  However, it is completely preventable with spaying to prevent pregnancy, and if you did really want a litter, education and financial planning for emergencies, as well as realizing that allowing an 8 year old large breed dog to have a litter is comparable to a 60-70 year old woman.  I am very sorry that you have to leave without surgery this evening, but you have to understand that there's no way we can provide free several thousand dollars of care and still manage to pay our bills and keep our doors open.  We wish you the best, and I hope you find a solution in the morning when the low cost clinics open up for the day.

An awful, frustrating situation.  As much as I did not approve of the client's attitude and treatment of their pet, I was highly concerned worried for her welfare.  I called to check on her the next day.  The clients reported that they were forced to surrender her as no clinic could provide low cost options due to her very risky status.  She was no doubt turned over to a family that will provide far superior care -any care is superior to level of these lamewads.