Help....I need your advice!!!

[Scooby85]

So, I have a condition where my body produces more sweat than normal, I shower multiple times a day, wear deodorant and fragrance, but can still sometimes smell a ‘bit off’.
I go to a vets practice in a small town, and have done so for years, other vet practices in the town are crap. One day one of the receptionists turned to her colleague and whispered ‘he stinks’. I was the only male there at the time, and another customer who was stood next to me also heard this as when I looked at her she gave me a really awkward smile. I never said anything, paid by bill and left. (I am very ‘hot-headed and am suprised I didn’t say anything, but think it was due to the humilitation)
Today, as I was walking into the practice, one of the original vets who was there at the time of the ‘he stinks’ incident, turned to her colleague and said ‘he stinks’. I didn’t hear this, but I lip read, and it was pretty clear, as the one she said it too looked at me as though ‘oh shit, he realised what you said’ look.
This is real I’m affecting me, as I can’t stop thinking about it and it is REALLY getting me down!!!!!!!!!!! I feel sick each time I think of it!!!
Do I complain and explain everything to the practice manager??? I am worried it may affect my dogs treatment at the vets, but the incident is going to make me ill!!!!!!! 😢

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

You sure they were talking about your dog? Because they do stink sometimes.

[Scooby85]

I didn’t have my dog with me at the time, and the receptionist defo said ‘he’, an the customer next to me heard it, was as though she didn’t know where to put her face!! Just don’t know what to do...can’t stop thinking about it

[dudsville]

How awful Scooby, this would have got me really down too, especially, as you say, you take extra measures to try to lessen the impact. I don't know about complaining. On the one hand, that/these staff should be brought up for their behaviour. THEY should feel the shame, NOT you. On the other hand I don't know that I'd have the guts. Whichever you choose, you can take the moral high ground at least, keep your head up, keep your dignity.

[Tinkobell]

Hi OP, really sorry to hear about your condition. My DH once had a young chap who worked for him who suffered with the exact same condition in a client facing business and really struggled with it. Have you visited your GP at all?
I do think your treatment at the vets as a client is outrageous indiscretion. In your shoes, I would write to the practise manager and raise the incident. It is by the way, very easy to switch to another practise and the new vet to request a clinical record transfer.....so do consider doing that. I'm with Medivet who are a national group and are thrilled with the service we've received to date for both dog and cat. The fact of the matter is, these businesses should welcome everyone, all walks of life, young and old, rich or poor, able and non able bodied etc etc ...the treatment is deeply unprofessional!

[Tinkobell]

Slight aside, last year DD17 shadowed at a few vet practises. One practise gossiped indiscreetly about owners and was quite sloppy behind the scenes too - scrubs not worn for ops, no drops placed in dogs eyes, poor hygiene, staff casually milling in and out chatting during an op.......At another practice, things could not have been more different in professionalism front of house and also behind the scenes. So do bear this in mind when you are thinking about what's best for your dog.

[Scooby85]

Hi guys, thanks for your comments...I appreciate it greatly!! I don’t feel they should get away with how they have, and are, making me feel. Without wanting to sound as though I’m feeling really sorry for myself, an I know as I guy, this isn’t goin to sound great, but what they’ve done, and are continuing to do makes me tearful, and makes me feel like piece of crap.
I have to go to the vets regularly as my dog is having regular treatment, and don’t want it to affect my dogs treatment in any way as she means everything to me, which was why I didn’t know whether to complain.
I have seen my gp in the past who has given me repeat prescription of medicated shower gel and deodorant.
My prob is that the vets I go to are the best practice around, and will mean considerable drive to an alternative practice if I do change, with how often my dog needs treatment

[ChardonnaysPrettySister]

You can try some sage tablets, they help with keeping the sweating down.

[Scooby85]

Ah ok cool thank you!! I’ll look into this

[Tinkobell]

Maybe go and see the practise manager OP and do a face to face. I honestly believe, if you explained your medical condition to them and what you know you heard them say...they would hang their heads in shame! They are medics fgs, how very ignorant!
Don't feel crap! You're a kind loving and responsible owner needing their services. TBH I'm amazed they're so sensitive about smell....vets deal with the most revolting pongs day in day out. It's not a rose garden fgs!

[OliviaBenson]

That's awful op. Are you being treated for your condition? My friend had similar and was treated with Botox for a while and then had an operation.

This doesn't excuse how rude they are though.

[Scooby85]

I think I will need to see the practice manager..otherwise every time I go it is going to continue/get worse!!

Do you know if they can refuse treatment for my dog if I make a complaint?

I never thought about the smells they must have to endure from pets on a daily basis until you mentioned it, maybe the receptionists are exempt from having to experience this?

[Scooby85]

I wasn’t aware of Botox to help the problem until it was mentioned earlier, I’m only on medicated shower gel/deodrant at the moment. I will enquiry about Botox when I next see my dr

[OliviaBenson]

It's changed my friends life so you should definitely pursue it.

[Samewitches]

You absolutely should complain to the manager, calmly explain that you have heard this twice now and are very upset about it because you have a medical condition (obviously only mention the medical problem if you're ok with sharing that info, you shouldn't have to really). Tell them that their unprofessionalism has upset and hurt you. They can technically refuse to treat your dog but why would they? You're a paying customer. If I were the PM I'd be horrified to hear the staff are behaving so badly, I really don't think anything would come back on you as you in the wrong at all! If you are shouty or sweary in your complaint yes, but otherwise not at all! I'm sorry this has happened, it must be very upsetting for you.

[furlinedsheepskinjacket]

yy to botox or an op

someone i used to know had the op

[Samewitches]

Also, when you say excessive sweat do you mean pits or all over? If pits try Driclor, if all over I used to have a colleague who had similar, she took tablets that didn't stop her sweating but neutralised the smell a lot. I didn't know her before she had it under control but she mentioned it a few times as she was often visibly sweating from her face and didn't want to shake hands or take her jacket off as her back was wet and it'd show up on our uniform.

[Scooby85]

Thank you!! I think I need to complain otherwise it is going to continue maybe.

My greatest fear was that they would refuse to treat my dog, but I understand what your saying, they have been taking my money for a long time, and there is a lot more to come their way, unfortunately.

I would make sure that upon discussing with the pm I do keep my cool, which I think I wouldn’t have a prob with as the issue isn’t with him and in that would be fine being more professional than his staff are

[dudsville]

Reading what you've said makes me think you should try and tell the practice manager. Can you find out the names of the ones who spoke about you?

[Scooby85]

It’s all over, I am very much in that position that your friend was once in not wanting to take jacket off etc

[dudsville]

So long as you complain with grace they shouldn't stop treating your dog. You're giving evidence that they might even be able to verify with their cctv.

[Scooby85]

I know one of their names, she’s the head receptionist, and I wonder whether the PM will just back her due to her position. The second is easy to describe

[dudsville]

I'd have that fear too, but what if this isn't a first offence and this receptionist is already on a warning. Maybe the practice need more evidence. It's a risk. I'm not sure I could do it but I'd respect whoever did and likewise totally understand if you don't.

[Scooby85]

Hey...having slept on it last night and following all of your messages of support and advice I have sent a detailed email to the practice manager!! I felt I couldn’t let them get away with treating me like that, and continue going to the practice regularly. Thank u for all the support!! It means alot

[Tinkobell]

Well done OP, there's some good suggestions too from people who know about this condition. I really wouldn't worry about your poor dogs treatment. I hope you get a professional response from the practise manager ....if you hear nothing, do be brave and call them or pop in. They're a business but also a community service and should treat all their clients with the upmost respect.

[Tinkobell]

Just a quick thing before I forget ..... Dettol laundry cleanser (add a capful with regular detergent) plus conditioner is fab for getting any smells out of clothes etc.