Vet removed 22 teeth without asking me

[MyJollyJadeBird]

AIBU to think this vet should be reported?
I left my dog (8yo) with my vet to have a dental clean and polish, but when I collected him, they had removed all his upper teeth and some lower. He was wailing. My regular vet had warned me there were 4 teeth that might have to be removed. But a different vet did the surgery. My regular vet apologised and said they stood over their assessment of 4 teeth that day, but couldn't explain the other vets decision. Since then they've been careful to put nothing in writing.
AIBU to think this was criminal and if so, what recourse do I have? I don't want to report the whole practice because they've been so lovely up until this, just the surgeon vet!

But they didn't charge any extra. So it doesn't seem that money was a motivation at all...had they charged extra, I would question that but they haven't.

Dental extraction can cost way more than £200 (my dog cost almost £1000) so if anything, the practice has short changed themselves by not rebooking the procedure and charging a separate fee

I think they acted in the best interests of the dog, whilst already under GA. It certainly seems that way

I suspect the vet looked in the mouth of the anaesthetised dog and said “Fuck me, these teeth are fucking awful, this poor dog, what the fuck has the owner been doing, I feel so sorry for this poor mutt that I’m taking them out on my own dime!” 22 healthy teeth do not come out in 90 minutes, especially when that includes anaesthetic and waking up enough to breathe time. They must have been on the brink of falling out.

At least read the thread before responding.

Indeed! Even a low to mid priced vet around here would charge around £1300 minimum for that.

I have just been quoted £6k for periodontal work. I wonder if I could ask the OP's vet to see me?

This happened to me - I think my dog had 16 teeth out - and they just needed doing. Dogs are really good at carrying on as if they have a full set of teeth and my dog lived for a good number of years afterwards and you’d never know he lacked teeth to watch him eat.

If they extracted 22 teeth in 90 minutes (or less, you state he was only in there for 90 mins so maybe that includes dropping him off and collecting him) they must have been mobile teeth so lost their attachment and no saving them. Yes you should probably have been contacted rather than come and collect him to this news but imo you should be thankful the dental disease has been treated in one very inexpensive procedure. Sometimes dogs wail post anaesthetic due to the drugs. He should have been treated much, much sooner.

I was just thinking that myself!

£200? Wow, that’s an absolute bargain! It cost me £600 to have a similar number of teeth extracted about 15 years ago!

None of this adds up. Especially the £200.

If there's been a genuine error they may have waived the charge and just paid for a scale and polish. Maybe op will post the invoice.

Irrespective of whether the vet fud the right thing or not (& after reading all the posts by vets I think he probably dud). It has been handled appallingly.

An owner should not be dropping their dog off for a clean & polish & then pick it up minus all its top teeth & some of the bottom ones. With NO phone call warning them.

Her vet didn't even know why 22 had been removed.

it's just not good enough communication.

My dog has had an annual check on time every year we have always followed our vets guidance. They were not falling out he was not in any pain and this was confirmed by the vet prior to the procedure.

We had a Frenchie, who are notorious for having bad teeth. She was a vicious little shit so there was no way I was putting my fingers in her mouth but we sent her in for a dental when her breath got so bad, we could smell her coming. Vet had to remove 19 teeth and they were purple with decay. Frenchies do not do well with GAs so there was no way I was having her kept under for longer or coming back to do it again. But I trust my vet to do what is best for my animals and I have a good relationship with them. I doubt your vet took all those teeth out for shits and giggles and from the sounds of things, they certainly didn't do it for profit. Why would you think it was criminal?

So, presumably, they said nothing about dental maintenance in all of that time? That doesn't sound typical?

We have always followed our vets guidance, I never said he didn’t have previous dental checks under anaesthesia

Ok, was your vets guidance to consider the fact that the dog will need cleaning at some point? To brush?

I think as a owner you’re quite rightly in shock seeing your dog wailing and upset and expecting a polish and maybe 4 teeth out.
i used to work in a vets and I’m guessing during the time the dog was under they could see it was a hell if a lot more serious than 4 teeth and like @powershowerforanhour said , they don’t have the time once they’re under to fanny around with calls.
i would be grateful that it was done in one go rather than my dog having to go back and have it done again , i am always terrified they won’t survive the anaesthesia ,
and if anything tell them it was a huge shock but they have saved your dog future pain, we all know how terrible toothache is.
hope your dog is doing well now

That could happen. Like Shergar could turn up tomorrow being ridden by Lord Lucan.

Your vet doesn't sound very good to be honest.

There is no way these teeth were healthy and the vet who performed the surgery should be the one you're listening to.

I would have listened to him if he had spoken to me, he still hasn’t

If a vet said your dog needed 22 teeth out are you saying you might have said no?

But you've already decided he's done something wrong even though you've not actually spoken to him. I can't understand why you would trust the word of your normal vet who seems to think 18 of the teeth he removed were fine (if he's standing by his assessment only 4 might need to be removed) when clearly they cannot have been fine given how quickly they were all removed.

We have always followed our vets guidance, I never said he didn’t have previous dental checks under anaesthesia

Ok, but I can't see where you've said he did, either. This is why I'm asking. I wouldn't have thought that this would have been as shocking if you were able to recollect some previously given advice or procedures which would highlight the issue, even if not acted upon, at the time.

If your dog genuinely had no history of vets telling you that you need to clean your dogs teeth or prepare for extraction during cleaning etc, then just get the medical records and do what you have to do.

But, if this isn't the case, you do need to accept some responsibility in your part in this and be thankful that it has been sorted at a bargain.

I can't tell from what has been said, which is the case, only you know.

Hope your dog is doing ok tonight. Presume they sent you home with aftercare instructions? Mine was on scrambled eggs for a few days and then went in for a check up to check on the dissolvable sutures.

Vets won’t remove healthy teeth, ones that are firmly attached are an absolute pain to remove.
Im surprised they gave you an exact number in the beginning, usually they won’t commit to a number because until all the plaque and tartar are removed, it’s impossible to tell if any have roots exposed etc
it will or should be written into the consent form that extractions may be necessary, but it is usual to give owners a call once the dog is under anaesthesia and they’ve cleaned and can see what they are working with if a large number of teeth need to be removed.
You should put in writing that you’re disappointed with the lack of communication. But it’s not criminal I’m afraid, someone really should have explained the process better to you when you took him/her in for her pre-op apt.