Canine question

[ATWizJr]

Returned after an 8 day trip to pick up my 10 year old yellow lab at the vet where he has boarded his entire life.  Vet closes at 7:00PM so we rushed home in time to get him shortly before close.

Usually he rushes outside the vet building to poop but this time he tried 5-6 spots with no luck.  Same thing in the backyard upon reaching home.  He just didn't look right, seems stressed and uncomfortable.  Took him on a 15 minute walk to try his favorite spots but no luck.  Stomach seemed distended so took him to the local emergency pet hospital where he was diagnosed with gastric dilatation volvulus (twisted, bloated stomach).

Luckily, we caught this early and he is now 8 days post op and doing well.  My question is:  shouldn't the boarding folks have caught this? How could they let him go home with no notice to us that something seemed wrong?  If we had not rushed to get him before they closed and he had spent the night with this condition I have no doubt that he would have deteriorated substantially and maybe even died. 

When questioned, the owner of the boarding facility said they had no responsibility since this can come on quickly and, hey, something gonna' get them at some point.

Thankfully, my dog did not need to have organs resected or removed but, should I be suing this facility for negligence?  Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

[Spotcheck Billy]

We had a male Doberman that was put down after getting the same thing. Our in-laws were watching while we were also on vacation. My s-I-l has veterinary tech background and it can come on very quickly and end badly very quickly. Our male had several other issues at age 12 so she made the emergency decision to put him down. We have been told its best not to allow them to be very active after eating (think no swimming until an hour after eating when we were kids).

[Sir Lawrence]

Unless the boarding facility did something to cause the condition, your lab was going to need the surgery anyway, so I don't see any claim.  Hope your dog heals well. 

[ATWizJr]

Unless the boarding facility did something to cause the condition, your lab was going to need the surgery anyway, so I don't see any claim.  Hope your dog heals well. 

thanks, he's seems to be doing well.  What about the duty of the facility (whom I paid $40/day) to monitor his well being while he's in their care?

[Tums Festival]

I don't have any legal advice, just wanted to say hope your dog is OK. Can't blame you for being upset.

[keefe]

What I understand is that can present very quickly, especially in older dogs. Hope your dog is doing well, Tom.

[muwarrior69]

Returned after an 8 day trip to pick up my 10 year old yellow lab at the vet where he has boarded his entire life.  Vet closes at 7:00PM so we rushed home in time to get him shortly before close.

Usually he rushes outside the vet building to poop but this time he tried 5-6 spots with no luck.  Same thing in the backyard upon reaching home.  He just didn't look right, seems stressed and uncomfortable.  Took him on a 15 minute walk to try his favorite spots but no luck.  Stomach seemed distended so took him to the local emergency pet hospital where he was diagnosed with gastric dilatation volvulus (twisted, bloated stomach).

Luckily, we caught this early and he is now 8 days post op and doing well.  My question is:  shouldn't the boarding folks have caught this? How could they let him go home with no notice to us that something seemed wrong?  If we had not rushed to get him before they closed and he had spent the night with this condition I have no doubt that he would have deteriorated substantially and maybe even died. 

When questioned, the owner of the boarding facility said they had no responsibility since this can come on quickly and, hey, something gonna' get them at some point.

Thankfully, my dog did not need to have organs resected or removed but, should I be suing this facility for negligence?  Thanks in advance for any advice you can give.

I'd be looking for another vet to take care of my dog.