First, I want to say how incredibly sorry I am for your loss. Loosing a loved one (four legged and two) is never easy, but remember all dogs go to heaven.
So, if I am reading this correctly, you took the dog in before and he received a physical exam, initial diagnosis, and medications. You took him back for a recheck when he seemed worse, and the doctor didn’t do a full physical exam (did the tech get TPR)? When the dog got worse, you took him to e-vet and then they referred you?
As someone who works in the industry, I can tell you that FULL physical exams upon recheck appointments aren’t always done or deemed necessary, especially if vets have seen the dog within DAYS. Generally, it’s more of a talk, talk, talk, diagnose or referral. Fortunately for our clients, we work closely with our veterinary specialist center and referral OFTEN. Unfortunately for our clients, sometimes mistakes happen and misdiagnosis happens. You will get that with ANY vet, any specialist, and any human doctor. It’s just the game we play.
Encephalitis is extremely common with Distemper, in this area (though we don’t see that often, because usually people vaccinate). It generally shows itself differently at first before developing into neuro. So one question, is how sick was your dog before you took it in? If it was already showing neuro (so many things can cause neuro symptoms), he/she could have been sick for a WHILE before. If he wasn’t sick at all before, it’s easy to think OH, he injured himself. Were you offered radiographs?
We recently had a dog in that was very sick (fever, heavy breathing, lethargic, etc). Vet diagnosed him and his playmate with Pneumonia. The playmate thrived after a few days hospitalization. The other dog had a tail wag and seemed better, so they were both discharged with antibiotics and a few other medications. The playmate did great, but the other dog got worse and started having seizures and displaying neuro signs. He came in for a recheck and was put on seizure meds, temp was fine at this point. He then got worse, just totally plummeted and couldn’t even walk. Vet had a light bulb go off and said “Holy crap, is this distemper?”. She sent the tests off to the lab, but before they could get back the dog passed.
Unfortunately, things like this happen. We all were heartbroken when we saw the dog go, and we all were kicking ourselves for not noticing sooner… But we can’t be perfect. We got the test results back and he was positive for Distemper, 100%. We just don’t work with it enough for it to come to our mind. We also found out useful information WAY after the fact that the dog had been picked up and taken to a shelter for weeks that had a DHP outbreak. He had been sick for a month beforehand, etc. We can’t make accurate diagnosis without the help of the owner! I’m not saying you lied or waited a month to bring the dog in, but this is just one of the many things that vets have to work with and around.
Yes, bring this to the board if the vet neglected to do his duties as a DVM for your state/country/province. No, don’t sue because you probably won’t get far. There are BAD vets out there. It just happens. Has this vet ever given you a problem before? I would also agree with others in saying, wait until you have had some time to heal. Please, take the time you need to grieve. The board will be there when you are ready.
Remember, most vets are CYA’ers. We do minute to minute detailed write ups of ALL visits and phone calls. They entail things the owner said, what the declined, what was offered, and our diagnosis/treatment/plan. Unless you are 100% POSITIVE, the vet didn’t do anything in your dogs best interest and died because of it, don’t waste your time or $$$ going after him/her.
