nightmare clients?

[verbal_kint]

I'm just wondering if anyone liked to share their experiences with nightmare clients and how you and your practice dealt with them.

I've had my fair share of human nurses and human doctors that come into the clinic who "know what my animal needs." They don't listen very well, are very pushy, and seem very stressed out. One coworker told me that it's sometimes best just to leave the client in the exam room alone if they're continually giving you trouble, or else they'll just molest you in there. (not actually molest, but you know).

The most memorable of these experiences was a human doctor who rushed into the door practically demanding us to yield the hospital to her, so she could give her cat lasix. The veterinarian on duty didn't think lasix was a necessary treatment and the arguement pursued. When I went to present the estimate this lady told me things like "I have more degrees than all your nurses combined." "the last clinic I went to was horrible. the veterinarian there was new and a wuss."

This lady ended up leaving WITHOUT paying for the exam, and I had to call her back. She ended the phone call with "what the **** is that going to do?!" and hanging up. MY shift ended shortly after that, and I later learned that she did calm down and come back in later.

Anyone else have similar stories?

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[mammalmama]

I've had to deal with my fair share of nasty clients or at least that's what I was told by other staff memebers. Those so called nasty clients were not nasty to me at all. I just smiled at them and treated them kindly. They treated me kindly back. I don't really have any stories to tell because all of the nasty clients have treated me with kindness and respect. Just smile at them and do whatever they ask and you'll be fine.

 

[verbal_kint]

I've had to deal with my fair share of nasty clients or at least that's what I was told by other staff memebers. Those so called nasty clients were not nasty to me at all. I just smiled at them and treated them kindly. They treated me kindly back. I don't really have any stories to tell because all of the nasty clients have treated me with kindness and respect. Just smile at them and do whatever they ask and you'll be fine.

I dunno... I'm not mean to any of the clients. They're just nasty when they come in. I do work in an ER clinic, so clients tend to me a little more stressed out.

 

[HeartSong]

The worst one for me as a man who brought in his dog for an ultrasound to see if she might be pregnant. The dog was obviously pregnant, due in the next couple of days, had milk ready, and you could see her puppies moving. Yeah, you could see them move cause she was a zero on the fat scale. The vet I was working for was in shock that the puppies and mother were still alive. The vet told the man that the dog needed rest and lots of quality food. The client said he couldn't do that because she was a bird dog and has a trial that weekend and so had to be worked hard and in the best shape for the competition. I couldn't believe his stupidity and felt so bad for the dog and puppies. The ultrasound was run and the client left. I never knew what happened.

 

[verbal_kint]

The worst one for me as a man who brought in his dog for an ultrasound to see if she might be pregnant. The dog was obviously pregnant, due in the next couple of days, had milk ready, and you could see her puppies moving. Yeah, you could see them move cause she was a zero on the fat scale. The vet I was working for was in shock that the puppies and mother were still alive. The vet told the man that the dog needed rest and lots of quality food. The client said he couldn't do that because she was a bird dog and has a trial that weekend and so had to be worked hard and in the best shape for the competition. I couldn't believe his stupidity and felt so bad for the dog and puppies. The ultrasound was run and the client left. I never knew what happened.

I have this possibly idealistic view that when I become a vet I'll be able to be an advocate for animals and help educate clients about proper care, help work through ethical questions with clients, and look after the overall welfare of animals. Do you think this is a realistic view? Doctors have enough trouble getting humans to help themselves, so I don't know how likely it is for pet owners to listen to the veterinarian. What have your experiences been?

 

[HeartSong]

I guess it depends, and depends on a lot of factors. If the client doesn't want to listen they won't. In extreme cases and in areas where there are aspca organizations, you can as a vet at least protect the animal by reporting the abuse to the aspca. At that time, we didn't have an aspca in town. The vet I worked for did report any case of horse abuse or neglect to the police (she cared about horses more than other animals) and the police would seize the horses and find homes for them. But it was also a lot easier to find a home for a horse than for a dog or cat.

I would say that you can at least do the best you can but realize that not everyone is going to listen so you can't let those cases keep you from trying again in the next situation. And at least if you are seeing the animal then at least the client cares enough to bring them into a vet, so that's a start.

 

[VeganSoprano]

Heartsong, just adding to your point - most shelters, rescue groups, and ethical breeders maintain a "do not adopt" list. You could definitely contact them and give the name and basic information for someone you do not believe should have an animal.

Of course, that doesn't stop someone from going to a backyard breeder or a "free puppies" ad, but it's still a start.