Has anyone heard of this ? We went away for a couple of weeks over the holidays and came back to find that our dog had a surgery (due to tumor). We didn't see any signs of this and the dog is fine now (stitches have been removed). I guess I am wondering if there is any chance that this was a scam. They showed me pictures of the tumor that they took out (but I guess it's possible it was a different dog). They knew that I didn't speak the language and that we were going to be away. What are your thoughts on this ? Our dog has stayed there once before.
I should add that the bill will be over 2,000.

That seems totally underhanded and shady. Did you leave an emergency contact number? Did they try to call it?

Jesus!!! And you left no address/phone number where they could have reached you to tell about it in advance IF there was really something serious? Who recommended the place to you?

Yes. They had our number, but this happened on the day that we were flying. We had 4 missed calls from the vet (just from that day).

So did you talk to the vet or just the people from the kennel?

A friend recommended this place (and her dogs are there now as well). We tried to call the number back, but we must have been dialing something wrong. Since there was no message, we didn't even know who it was from and had no reason to panic.
We asked why the dog was brought in and the vet said that he was very lethargic.

Well if it was urgent, then you should be thankful the kennel took care of it.

Hard to talk to the kennel because they don't speak English and I don't speak German. We can only communicate by email (which they didn't answer to when I told them that we needed to extend THIS trip). They were the ones who told me there was a problem and I spoke to the vet there.

Don't you know somebody who speaks German who could talk to them?

Thank you. Good idea. I'll have someone call them.
I am thankful that this was done (as long as it was not a scam). The vet said that he would have died once this tumor burst. I don't think Switzerland is know for these kind of scams, but it just sounded a bit strange (and I would think there would be records of these kind of things happening).

You might want to consider getting pet insurance:

http://www.erv.ch/main.php?chapter=1221

http://www.bonus.ch/Tierversicherung/Haustiere.aspx

http://www.coopzeitung.ch/tierversicherung

http://www.animaliasa.ch/web/animali...enDocument&L=D

Get someone who can translate German to English to you before deciding.

That, as it would be a criminal act, and far too easy to be discovered, it is highly unlikely to be a scam, and you are overly suspicious.

My experience with vets here is that the standard of care is very good; I would bring someone who speaks the language with you to speak to the vet so that you understand exactly what has happened. If you can't do that, ask the vet who cared for your dog to send a report to your vet - and speak to him/her.

If I understand the law correctly, a vet has the duty to intervene and to do what is necessary in his professional judgement if the situation is critical or the dog is suffering.

I would be thankful that the kennel staff intervened in a timely fashion.

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What did you sign when you put your dogs in the kennel? I would imagine that there is usually a standard clause allowing the staff to bring the pet to a vet for treatment when necessary. Think of it this way - they have likely saved your dog's life.


And a note to everyone using a kennel or a professional dog sitter, or a relying favors from neighbors - as well as to all who are offering pet sitting services:

You must discuss how emergencies will be handled well ahead of time.

Set up a contact protocol, and set up an agreement as to what should be done if for some reason you are not contactable. You should also discuss the finances around emergency care. You should notify your own vet if your dog is in the care of a third party, and if it is agreed that the third party would bring the pet to a vet other than yours, before traveling you should take it upon yourself to meet that vet and make sure that he/she has a full medical history for your dog. And - discuss the worst-case scenario with both the vets and the sitter. Unexpected illness, life-threatening emergencies can happen at any time.

You should also leave a summary of your pet's medical history with your sitter or with the kennel.

Additionally, set up a regular contact schedule while you are away. Whether it is daily phone calls, e-mail, skyping with your dog , whatever.

(And when you are hiring a sitter, make sure you ascertain that person is prepared to act in an emergency.)

I've said this a million times, but... caring for pets is not a casual job. Yes, the work is relatively easy - but the responsibility is very great indeed.

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Hope your dog is doing better now. But do make sure that you speak to the vet who did the surgery so that you understand what happened.

You have all been so nice to help me here. My dog is doing great (being that the surgery was done more than 2 weeks ago and the stitches are out). It was just a bit strange to go to pick up your pet and find out about the surgery and a life threatening condition that. I guess I really owe a lot to the kennel.

dont leave it like that though... Find out what exactly happened and tell us. Its great that they saved your dog but its a bit weird. At least they tried and call you but its strange that the vet didnt have an answering machine...

Is there no scar? No hair shaved??

There is a big scar and hair shaved. We have spoken to the kennel more and they said that he was really not doing well, not moving, not eating, not drinking and then had foam come out of his mouth.
We just wanted to make sure it wasn't an unnecessary procedure.

Disconcerting for sure, but strange?

You left your dog in the care of the kennel and the staff used their discretion to send him/her into the vet when they couldnt reach you.

It sounds like they got to the tumour in time too.

If it makes you feel better, give the vet a call and have a proper chat with him as to the procedure. This is also for future reference to update your current vet who should have a full medical history of the dog.

Wow - it sounds like the kennel's prompt intervention alleviated a very serious situation. Kudos to them.

I'm glad you have spoken to the kennel - now you must speak to the vet. It will be important to have this included in your dog's medical records for future reference, for you to understand your dog's health issues going forward.

For instance - was a histology done on the tumor? If so, what were the findings? What is the prognosis? What follow-up care is required?

Most vets speak English; but if you have trouble communicating with the vet ask him/her to write a report in German and send it to your own vet. (I'm assuming that you speak English with your own vet.)

If all else fails, I'd be happy to translate the German report for you. My command of German is far from fluent, but I have a fair bit of practice with 'Vet-Deutsch'.


All the best to your doglet.

ETA: Snap, Summerrain.