What would you do r.e. vet and injury

[Pomeranio9834]

I have name changed for this so it can't be linked to my usual account as it's quite outing.

I took my dog to the vet today to get his claws clipped. He has to be sedated for this as he absolutely cannot stand having his paws touched and gets extremely anxious and can be aggressive (usually a very sweet dog - but go near his paws and it's a no from him).

Any other time this has happened we have been able to stay with him whilst this is all done but the new vet wouldn't allow us through the back. So we said we would go and grab a coffee next door and come back in half an hour.

After about 20 minutes the vet came through to the coffee shop and told me that they've noticed one of his teeth looks infected, And are they okay to remove it. I permitted this and asked how much more this would be (just to allow myself to move money between accounts - he is insured). She said it wouldn't be too much more so I said okay then and off she went.

We went back into pick him up and the veterinary nurse informed me that he had a matted bit of fur behind his ear, and when they removed it, the skin underneath was so irritated that it had split and they had to glue it closed.

Now, I knew this knot was there, And he is booked into the groomers tomorrow. On Wednesday I tried to snip this matted bit off myself, but gave up as he wouldn't sit still long enough. It was in no way irritated or red or sore. Last night I was scratching his ear where the mat was and there was no signs of discomfort or scabbyness etc.
Stupidly, I didn't look myself at the vet office (he is a very long haired dog) and went to pay whilst DP took dog to the car as he was still drowsy.

I've now had a look at home and his ear looks mutilated I genuinely think that they've nipped him with the scissors or a scalpel or something (picture attached). His ear wasn't showing any signs of irritation or discomfort and the wound looks inflicted by something sharp. The wound looks deep despite the fact they have glued it.

I now don't know what to do... I didn't ask them to cut his matted bit off (small bit the size of a 10p coin) as I know he's going to the groomers tomorrow and if they had accidently injured him I woukd rather they just came clean and told me.

From the picture, what do you think and furthermore what should I do? A sternly worded email, a meeting with the practice manager or what? Advice appreciated.

Additionally, but less seriously the additional tooth extraction cost a further £250 so wasn't "a little bit more" and I feel like I should have been informed of this before they proceeded. Again, He is insured and I would have had the tooth extracted anyway if it was causing him pain but it was a shock at the reception when she said that will be £305 not the £60-£100 I was expecting

I would definetely complain, are they open tomorrow? If so I’d be up there as soon as they open.

Looks like a straight cut with some clippers...if such a thing can happen?
Seems odd they are volunteer ing extra treatments.

I'd be complaining, and putting it in writing too. Then I'd want my money back and move to a different vet.

We used to have a rescue pomeranian in the family (same breed, judging by your username) that hated being brushed with a bitey
passion and used to get terrible matts behind her ears that had to be cut out with a pair of scissors. However, nothing like this ever happened. As yours had no skin irritation a few days ago there, and no apparent form for this sort of thing, I wouldn't be best pleased either..

"From the picture, what do you think"

I think that whole patch of skin is very red and irritated looking so I'm struggling to see why you'd think it's just the actual cut that's the issue...

Thanks for the replies so far. They are open tomorrow but just a vet and a nurse on, so might wait until Monday.

I should say he suffers from allergies (to the bacteria that his own skin produces yes my dog is allergic to himself) So his skin does tend to have a more pink hue than is normal. He has a special medicated bath and full groom every three months and injections to control this.

The scabby bits underneath the cut is dried blood mixed with glue, it really is a straight across deep wound.

Plus as he is due his bath and groom tomorrow he is at peak allergy-ness

Bumping for more opinions from the early morning crew

My vets always ask me if there is anything I want doing in addition when he is being sedated etc as it's better to do everything once. Teeth are expensive and if you had a tooth removed later then he would have needed another GA so I don't think the cost is that bad considering. You would have certainly paid a lot more than you did to go back and gave it extracted.

As for the matted fur, on the one hand you didn't give permission for them to remove it but then again you don't know how bad the skin was under the mat so I don't think you can necessarily jump to the conclusion that they caused it.

Informed consent is a legal requirement of veterinary procedures www.rcvs.org.uk/setting-standards/advice-and-guidance/code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-surgeons/supporting-guidance/communication-and-consent/ if you feel that that was not sought or given then you should defiantly take it up with the practice. They should have a practice complaints procedure clearly advertised on their website and in reception.