weight on my shoulders

[squirrelfi17]

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So about a month and a half ago we had a dog come in for castration. I checked him in. At this time I didn't know that this was breed standard but I asked the owner about the life style of her dog. She told me he was a goat herd protector, so i mentioned to her about removing get he rear dewclaws (total 4), if not, observe the pet the insure injury does succumb to the claws. The neuter and dewclaw removal surgery went smoothly. The dog came back for a recheck and of course he was fighting us and the incision on one paw was healing slowly and bleeding (it later healed fine). But the owner later told a tech that he was an indoor lap dog and she had no goats. I felt like and idiot who lied to the vets though I know she told me that he was a goat protector. Well any way I didn't even know that it is breed standard to have the dewclaws. I assumed that any dog with them we should offer/consider removing them leveling if the owner declines they know that we can do it if they want. Well I feel guilty and incompetent b/c of this causing me to be depressed when I see him or any dog of this breed. I know it's over and done with and can't be reversed but how can I get over this feeling like I failed as a tech

 

[cowgirla]

I guess I'm confused as to why you are beating yourself up... You offered a service and the owner accepted it. If she was concerned about breed standard, she could have declined. The dog is neutered so not going to be a show or breeding animal. Yes it is breed standard for Pyrenees and Icelandics and a few other purpose bred breeds, but again, this lady obviously wasn't too concerned about that if she agreed to the procedure. The dog likely isn't any worse off and now you know for next time. Just because it's breed standard doesn't mean you won't have people who want them removed anyway- most people don't buy the dog just because it has extra toes, and many people do believe that the toes are likely to get caught on something (I've had a double dew dog for 8 years now, never even come close to getting one torn off).

There is some new thought process about the dews actually having a function in some dogs so that might eventually change everyone's plan for these dews.

 

[squirrelfi17]

I guess I'm confused as to why you are beating yourself up... You offered a service and the owner accepted it. If she was concerned about breed standard, she could have declined. The dog is neutered so not going to be a show or breeding animal. Yes it is breed standard for Pyrenees and Icelandics and a few other purpose bred breeds, but again, this lady obviously wasn't too concerned about that if she agreed to the procedure. The dog likely isn't any worse off and now you know for next time. Just because it's breed standard doesn't mean you won't have people who want them removed anyway- most people don't buy the dog just because it has extra toes, and many people do believe that the toes are likely to get caught on something (I've had a double dew dog for 8 years now, never even come close to getting one torn off).

There is some new thought process about the dews actually having a function in some dogs so that might eventually change everyone's plan for these dews.

Well the reason is because at the time the owner told me her pet was a goat dog but then turned around and said it wasn't and the doctor that did the neuter and some of the other techs (one tech has a few outdoor pyrenees) flipped out saying that it is breed standard and you shouldn't remove the dewclaw. Like, I know I'm not the best RVT in the world knowing and remembering everything but when I sternly told them that, the doctor that did the surgery said, " well I should have gone in the room and talked with the owner instead" in a very condensing tone like I didn't know how to check in a surgery patient, making me feel like crap. There was another doctor that had the same mind set as me thinking why shouldn't you remove them and even he didn't know it was breed standard. But, idk if I'm always over thinking situations like this, making them seem worse than what they really but if it was any other dog and I DIDN'T suggest to the owner to have the dewies removed the docotr would react the same way as in this situation, have me call the owner, making me feel like I did my job half-assed .

 

[katryn]

I wouldn't beat yourself up over this. Yes there will be purists who think breed standards should be upheld no matter what. But honestly, unless it's a show dog, who gives a flying f*** about breed standards (and dew claws of all things?!). Owners will changes stories over the randomist things, so that's not your fault either.

 

[dyachei]

Well the reason is because at the time the owner told me her pet was a goat dog but then turned around and said it wasn't and the doctor that did the neuter and some of the other techs (one tech has a few outdoor pyrenees) flipped out saying that it is breed standard and you shouldn't remove the dewclaw. Like, I know I'm not the best RVT in the world knowing and remembering everything but when I sternly told them that, the doctor that did the surgery said, " well I should have gone in the room and talked with the owner instead" in a very condensing tone like I didn't know how to check in a surgery patient, making me feel like crap. There was another doctor that had the same mind set as me thinking why shouldn't you remove them and even he didn't know it was breed standard. But, idk if I'm always over thinking situations like this, making them seem worse than what they really but if it was any other dog and I DIDN'T suggest to the owner to have the dewies removed the docotr would react the same way as in this situation, have me call the owner, making me feel like I did my job half-assed .

Sounds like they aren't a very supportive group. You have nothing to beat yourself up over.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I mean... The mean doctor IS right in that s/he should have discussed the procedure and its pros/cons with the owner. If **** goes wrong, it's that vet who will be in trouble for not getting informed consent.

Not your prob. If anything, leave those types of recommendations you're not authorized to give (or really any recommendations that might bite you in the ass) out of your conversations.

If you felt very loosely hanging double dews on this dog, then mention it to the vet and have them have the conversation with the owners.

 

[Megrim]

My thought is that it's the vet's responsibility, not yours. They're the one who did the procedure and were responsible for assessing the situation before going through with it. I could see myself being in a situation where "dewclaw removal" was written in the chart and I went ahead on the basis of assumptions, but I'd be thinking "my bad" in that situation, not blaming the tech. You didn't make the decision. And no matter what you recommend, the vet is the one who makes the final call and takes action. Not your fault at all, and I agree it sounds like your coworkers aren't being very understanding or supportive.