Animal health care laws? Can the Vet be held responsible?

Question:

A friend of mine brought her kitten into the vet, because someone stepped on him. There didnt seem to be any serious harm done, but he was breathing a little hard. The vet said that he was in shock, and would keep him overnight for observation. He gave him two shots, of darvanx? or something that sounds like that. My friend didn't have the money to pay the vet, at the time (didn't plan for an emergency visit). So the vet kept the cat for a week. Saturday morning she picked up the kitten. His stomach was grossly distended, like he had worms, but the vet said that he wormed him. He didnt comment on what could have caused the cat's stomach to be distended like that. He gave the kitten a clean bill of health. Sunday morning, he had died in his sleep. The vet says that the kitten probably just had a heartattack, and takes absolutely no responsibility in the kittens death. Why would he have released him if there was probelm? What can we do? Can the vet be held responsible?

Answer:
If someone stepped on the cat, he probably had internal damage that is why his stomach looked like it did. The fact that your friend had no money to pay the bill for a couple of shots is likely why the vet did not treat the animal further. I doubt he can be held liable. Truthfully, how far should a vet go to save the life of an animal the owner's can't even afford to keep? I don't mean to sound harsh here, but I am sure I will.If your friend can't pay for the healthcare of her animals, she shouldn't be keeping animals. And it does not sound like she was very careful with the kitten, either. Sorry it died, though. That is sad.

You always have the option of bringing a mal-practise suit against the vet. Without going into a lot of detail, I don't think you stand much of a chance of winning. Given that there are an abundance of kitten available for adoption at the humane society, why not just adopt another one? Take Care!

It depends on whether your friend signed a waiver at the time the cat was admitted for treatment. When Vets usually take in animals overnight or perform surgical procedures or heartworm treatments, usually a waiver is signed that states the Vet is not responsible if the animal dies.
But since the Vet released the kitten with a clean bill of health, I would ask for a copy of the medical records, including all papers signed by your friend, then go see an attorney.

Animal health care laws? Can the Vet be held responsible?

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