[tsk1979]

As most of you know, in case of medical negligence, you can drag the hospital to a consumer court.
I wanted to know, is this valid for vetenary doctors too?
Our dog back home was almost killed by a silly doctor who prescribed 10mg Ivermectin tablets to be given for a period of 10 days(Total 100mg dose)

We spoke to a few senior doctors in the same dept, and they were shocked. 100mg dose for a dog weighing 12kg is too much, and can cause death.

Thankfully, after 4 days of dosage(40mg total), my BIL noticed that she was disoriented and would keep stumbling.

We stopped the dosage and rushed her into emergency care. With electrolyte treatment, she is getting normal, but it can take a few days.

We do not want to let the doctor who did this unpunished. without thinking, she prescribed such a large cattle dosage to a small dog!

Anyone have any idea about what the law says? Are veterinarians also bound by the same consumer court and other laws as normal doctors?

[vkochar]

Very shocking !

I am not sure of dragging vet doctors to court BUT you can surely give him a piece of your mind.

My Golden Retriever died at a very young age of 4 years in 2008. Call it doctors ignorance or anything. So I know what wrong dosage means.

Please be very careful !!

[tsk1979]

Its actually a "her". She is a very junior doc. The senior doc was out, and since the dog just had ticks, we thought it would be a simple two tablet course(within 14 days). Thats how it was earlier.
One tab and then after 10 days second tab.
She prescribed 10 tabs of 10mg each! Luckily we have the card of the hospital where she has prescribed the dose, so if vets are covered under consumer court, we have a case.

[Samurai]

You are talking about animals, one specialist doctor (MD) did something similar to my grandmother. Upon taking second opinion, we found that he was giving a very strong dosage, fit for 20+ year old to a 88 year old woman. She went into a semi-vegetable for the next 3 years and eventually passed away.

[tsk1979]

Negligence can happen anywhere. I have seen a doctor prescrible medicines, without looking at the allergy history in the case sheet.
However, in human cases, there is a procedure for consumer court, as well as civil court(criminal negligence). I could not find any law references about vets.

[aargee]

IMO, nothing much can be done; atleast if you think of terminating the Doc's practice, I don't think it can be done due to weak justice & weakest justice for animals in this country.

Anyway, you may want to take an opinion from Blue cross who might understand your situation & come forward to help.

[tsk1979]

I think consumer courts are fast track courts. Just want to know whether they will admit such a case?

[aargee]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I think consumer courts are fast track courts. Just want to know whether they will admit such a case?

I'm not sure if I understood what is "fast track courts"; if you mean that the cases are closed within 90 days (as per law), then, I'm sorry my friend, things are not as glossy as they seem. It takes atleast 20 months for a normal case to close, atleast, here in Chennai. I expect nothing less than this in North.

If I've misunderstood, pls explain. Tks.

[tsk1979]

I meant 20-30 months only. Its okay if case drags on, atleast the doctor should not go scot free and keep abusing animals.
Few years back, 4 year old dog of our neighbor was killed due to overdose of anasthesia(cattle dosage was given by a silly doctor, who did not check the label on the medicine).
We have decided, unless a few such doctors pay for their mistakes, vets will continue these shoddy practices.

[NFS]

Sorry to note the negligence by the Vet. Hope the Dog is fine now.

SPCA - Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is the group you may need to approach (at least that is the group in Kerala, so you might need to identify the similar state government establishment for your state). They might have some provisions to handle this.

Now as far as Consumer Court complaints are concerned, in my knowledge, one may approach this court for any matter, be it a service / product / whatever, if the buyer / consumer feels cheated by the seller / service provider. Someone challenged a doctor for the first time and there was a counter argument saying Doctors' service cannot be challenged by a consumer court. For this I think supreme court made a directive saying they can also be challenged under this provision. So IMO Vets are NOT out of this.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

I meant 20-30 months only.

Ok, good luck then, but, do not forget to work along with Blue cross. When you've them on your side, your case will be stronger. IMHO, approach Blue Cross first & approach the court based on their advice.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Its okay if case drags on, atleast the doctor should not go scot free and keep abusing animals.

Well, I doubt on "free"

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Few years back, 4 year old dog of our neighbor was killed due to overdose of anasthesia(cattle dosage was given by a silly doctor, who did not check the label on the medicine).

Try to tag him along with you to strengthen the case.

Originally Posted by tsk1979

We have decided, unless a few such doctors pay for their mistakes, vets will continue these shoddy practices.

Sad state that these animals are born here; they should be in US

[rkg]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

Few years back, 4 year old dog of our neighbor was killed due to overdose of anasthesia(cattle dosage was given by a silly doctor, who did not check the label on the medicine).

Anesthesia can also cause death if it is not given properly and it also depends upon the drug ( anesthetic, especially if it is a barbiturate derivative). It need not alone be due to cattle dose.
that is why anesthesiology is a specialization in human practice.

You should have gone for single dose s/c injection instead of tablets.

I think as per law Vets also fall under consumer courts.

[Wolfheart]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

As most of you know, in case of medical negligence, you can drag the hospital to a consumer court.
I wanted to know, is this valid for vetenary doctors too?
Our dog back home was almost killed by a silly doctor who prescribed 10mg Ivermectin tablets to be given for a period of 10 days(Total 100mg dose)

We spoke to a few senior doctors in the same dept, and they were shocked. 100mg dose for a dog weighing 12kg is too much, and can cause death.

Thankfully, after 4 days of dosage(40mg total), my BIL noticed that she was disoriented and would keep stumbling.

We stopped the dosage and rushed her into emergency care. With electrolyte treatment, she is getting normal, but it can take a few days.

We do not want to let the doctor who did this unpunished. without thinking, she prescribed such a large cattle dosage to a small dog!

Anyone have any idea about what the law says? Are veterinarians also bound by the same consumer court and other laws as normal doctors?

Most medical professionals have to be registered with the government.(not sure if vets hve to be registered) Based on the laws such negligence may form the basis of revocation of the vet's registration. If it's revoked or suspended she cannot practice for that particular period of time.

Consumer court is another option. There may even be a provision under the law for punitive action.

Originally Posted by Samurai

You are talking about animals, one specialist doctor (MD) did something similar to my grandmother. Upon taking second opinion, we found that he was giving a very strong dosage, fit for 20+ year old to a 88 year old woman. She went into a semi-vegetable for the next 3 years and eventually passed away.

That is shocking! That doctor should be in jail!

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Wolfheart

That is shocking! That doctor should be in jail!

Yes, in an ideal world, he should be in Jail. But this imbecile happens to be the son of the long standing family doctor, who is very good doctor and gentleman. Therefore, everybody decided to look the other way. Therefore, he still practices his medicinal butchery oblivious to the harm and anguish he caused.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

We spoke to a few senior doctors in the same dept, and they were shocked. 100mg dose for a dog weighing 12kg is too much, and can cause death.

How many of these senior doctors would be willing to admit this in front of the court? IMO they would try to defend their colleague rather than stand for the truth. Sad but true