I win one (veterinarian complaint)

You may have read the two threads I posted about the bad treatment given our aged German Shepherd during two weeks at a local vet/boarding kennel last August.

They stonewalled and attempted to blame us when we complained. Totally unresponsive. I decided to file a formal complaint with the Alabama State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (ASBVME). They have been very helpful and supportive.

A couple of weeks ago I got e-mails from the executive director of ASBVME and from the DVM assigned to investigate the complaint. They told me that, as a result of their inquiries, the kennel has instituted improved communications procedures between vets and staff, and generally reassessed and improved their special medical care procedures.

Today I received a letter from the offending vet apologizing and canceling the charges to our credit card.

Yay our side!
Sometimes the good guys (that would be ME ;-)) win.

Thanks for the update.

Sorry this had to happen to your dog.

that if they had mended their ways and sent the letter 4 months ago none of this would have happened.
I think the board came down on them like a ton of bricks.

She is what the vets now call "a geriatric dog". She's 12 1/2, which is pretty ancient for a German Shepherd, and getting more infirm.
She's on meds for arthritis and incontinence.
The kennel neglected to give her the daily arthritis tab for the whole two weeks. She couldn't walk when we picked her up.

After we got home we discovered she had a "bedsore" on her hip, about 3" in diameter. This was the result of her lying on it and not moving (or being gotten up to move around some) for the two weeks. The skin sloughed off and it was the grossest looking open sore I have ever seen. Took a month and a half for it to heal.

Excellent! You sure gave them the what-for! Glad you won out!

or something
:shrug:

I was wondering what happened. I've had credit card disputes drag on for a year before they were reversed. Going to the vet board was obviously a great idea. Good for you and good the improvements which will no doubt benefit many animals.

But what a horrible victory to win. My dog was left twice at the kennel, probably for about four or five days each time, both because we had to travel for funerals. When we got him back the first time, his muzzle had turned white. The second time, he had blown a blood vessel in his eye. I now pay someone to look after the house and the cats and let the dog out. It costs way more, but I won't use the kennel again. That aside, there is no excuse for the kind of care (or lack of care) your dog received at a vet-run facility. Good vibes sent your way for your pup. :)
Also sorry for the rant, but our 13-year-old lab is getting an egg crate bed for Christmas. It cuts down on the sores and aids in circulation of the joints. I am just cutting up a cheap egg-crate foam and sewing a cover for it. My mother's doctor actually recommended it for anyone or anything with arthritis.

After hearing what happened, several friends in the neighborhood have VOLUNTEERED to look after her here at home the next time we have to leave.

Egg crate foam is good idea. We got it for Nasha to help heal the bedsore and now she loves it.

at the vet. But it is too late for me to go into detail. I am happy you won this one.