Can You Refuse to Pay a Veterinarian Who Recommended Treatment Over Euthenasia

[ReneeforNoni]

My question involves a consumer law issue in the State of: Arizona
I had an appointment to take my cat in to be put to sleep because he was ill.I felt he was really sick and needed to be put out of his misery.I made the appointment for euthanasia but wanted an exam first to see if he was as bad off as I thought. The vet I met with said he was dehydrated and weak and she'd put together a treatment plan for him.I asked her three times what her professional opinion was as far as him needing to be put down.She said,"No. We will give him fluids ,take blood and take it from there.But, No I don't think he needs to be put down at this point." I was shocked but thought she'd know..she's the Dr.I paid some in check $150.00 and $120.00 on creditcard. I took my cat home and he immediately collapsed and could not walk. His health declined by 90 percent almost immediately. We fed and gave him water via an oral syringe but he seemed to continue to decline.Monday I called the vet's office and said I didn't care about bloodwork I need something to help with the pain while he passes away at home.i told that vet they should've put him down saturday as I thought/asked.That vet on duty called in a pain med not usually given to cats because it damages the liver.We agreed he would be passing and it was only for comfort.My family and I were in a horrid mental state watching him suffer.I had to take him in tuesday to a new vet just to put him down and out of his misery.
I then stopped payment on the check written. I just yesterday received a notice from Maricopa Cty Atty that I am to pay the amount to them plus $125.00 fee for writing a "bad check".I stopped payment.It was not a bad check.I even called the office ahead and explained my frustration and how dissatisfied I was with what had gone on.They did present the check to my bank but it was refused.. So today i disputed the credit card charge but now don't know what I can do if anything about the check and letter i received.

[lawaholic]

I don't think you can legally refuse to pay someone simply because you are dissatisfied with the work they performed. They still performed the work and they're still due payment for it. The vet obviously make a mistake, but everyone makes mistakes. How would you feel if your employer refused to pay you any time you made a mistake?

[jk]

. The vet obviously make a mistake, but everyone makes mistakes.

we don't know if the vet made a mistake.

A doctor cannot guarantee anything concerning if and when the patient might die. Sometimes things progress more quickly than anticipated. If in the doctors opinion the cat was still eligible for treatment, unless OP has contrary opinions of the cat, at the time of the visit, there is no reason to blame the doctor for what happened.


pay the doctor.

[distressedmom]

First of all, sorry for your loss.

But pay the doctor. This doctor was trying to save your pet and not intentionally try to end its life before its time.

You can always file an inquiry with the state vet board.

[LawResearcherMissy]

I am so sorry for the loss of your kitty. I have had pets my whole life, and it's devastating to lose them.

I have to agree with distressedmom here. Your vet was erring on the side of caution - vets HATE to put animals down, and will try to save the animal first, considering euthanasia as a last resort.

Ultimately, though, the decision lies with you. If you were convinced that the animal was too ill to be saved, you had a responsibility to decline treatment and insist on euthanasia. No one knows your pet as well as you do. I had to make the same decision for a 20 year-old cat some years ago - he had intestinal lymphoma, and his vet proposed a treatment plan that included extensive surgery. I opted for palliative care, and later, when it was obvious that he was not interested in living any more, euthanasia.

Pay the vet. Stopping a check is considered the same as writing a hot one, and continued refusal to pay could lead to prosecution.

[Dogmatique]

Agreed. Though it's incredibly painful to lose a "furbaby", you did indeed do something wrong here and you could end up being prosecuted.