WARNING TO FELLOW PET OWNERS – REGARDING BOTH GODDARD AND BEAUMONT VETS
I’m writing this post because I had awful experiences with Goddard and Beaumont vets, on many fronts, and had to put my cat down... Read More
WARNING TO FELLOW PET OWNERS – REGARDING BOTH GODDARD AND BEAUMONT VETS
I’m writing this post because I had awful experiences with Goddard and Beaumont vets, on many fronts, and had to put my cat down (which, had he been properly treated, he may be alive today). There were several breaches of the RCVS Code of Conduct and arguably legal offences committed, as both vets exhibited professional negligence. My cat was misdiagnosed on multiple occasions, by both vets, with a steatitis/fat pad injury (even though he was indoor cat, no obvious trauma, etc.). In fact, he had lymphangiosarcoma (a type of cancer). He was leaking fluid through his stomach skin and nipple. All symptoms pointed to lymphangiosarcoma. My cat had his first surgery in August (under assumption it was fat pad injury, as opposed to testing for cancer). His suture/skin got worse. Goddard insisted it was fat pad injury. I asked multiple times if it was cancer, but was dismissed. Finally, in October, a surgeon at Goddard told me he would test for cancer (which in fact he didn’t, he only tested for bacteria – which my cat ended up having Staph infection because Goddard refused to give him antibiotics). My cat was in pain and his skin rotting. When they realised they lied to/misled me about testing for cancer, they sent the skin from the August surgery in to be tested and sure enough, he had cancer. We did second surgery on him in October and sent that skin in. The cancer was too far gone, no clean margins. I put him down days later. Had we done a biopsy/syringe fluid in August to test for cancer + done aggressive surgery in August = he may be alive today. He was healthy 8 year old cat.
WARNINGS: (1) always insist on a biopsy/syringe of fluid to test for cancer (I pleaded to test for cancer, but was ignored/dismissed); (2) do not let them try create/make you imagine ways in which an injury may have occurred – as opposed to doing proper diagnostic tests; (3) insist on a clear treatment plan, with gating criteria – which when not met, the vets SHOULD (a) refer you to experts e.g. Queen Mother Hospital and (b) “think outside the box” to properly diagnose and prevent pet/owner from pain and suffering; (4) get a print out of the vet notes after EACH visit (you have a right to “prompt” delivery – with both vets they wrote horrendous things in the note that they didn’t tell me about during my visits); (5) get diagnostics lab reports (Beaumont took 4 months to give me scans, after I put my cat down. Goddard dragged heels, I had to call the actual lab. This is violation of RCVS Code, see below); (6) insist on getting antibiotics for your pet even if they say that they don’t want to overdose (my cat got a Staph infection because Goddard refused to give him antibiotics for 6 weeks); (7) if your pet has surgery, insist on getting excised tissue tested for cancer/histopath; (8) if pet spends a night at the vet, the vet has greater level of responsibility, duty and obligation (Goddard didn’t give my cat his pain meds whilst in hospital and he was suffering – despite me packing his pain meds and writing instructions to give to him in a handover note); (9) do NOT use Hibi scrub or sudocrem on irritated skin (Goddard told me to and made it worse!); (10) get a copy of the vet’s Complaint Policy; and (11) make sure pet’s temperature is taken at EACH visit, track it and ensure no infection (I had to ask Goddard multiple times to take his temp!).
IMPORTANT LINKS (need to google because can't post links):
Amazing advice - google: I'm unhappy with my vets, what are my rights? Which? I found this link to be invaluable! Vet care is considered a service under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 (see sections 49-56); and Animal Welfare Act 2006, sections 2-14.
Google solicitors specialising in claims against veterinary surgeries and call them with your case (e.g. professionalnegligence-solicitors.co.uk).
VCMS Mediation: vetmediation.co.uk. Prepare your “issues” and where vet breached the RCVS Code, Consumer Rights Act, Animal Welfare Act and what a “reasonably competent” vet would have done.
RCVS Code of Conduct - google: RCVS code of professional conduct for veterinary surgeons. Click on the sub-links under “Professional Responsibilities”.
Link to file an RCVS Complaint - google: animal owners RCVS concerns.
Small Claims court - google: small claims court and money saving expert and citizens advice. You can make a claim for up to £10,000 for a fee of £410 (less if claim is lower). You don't have to pay for other side's legal expenses and max reimbursement cost for expert witness is £200. Read Less