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Post by cathyb on Aug 3, 2014 1:39:50 GMT
We are dog sitting for the next two weeks. One of the dogs (we are watching 2 of them) possibly ate some rat poison from a sealed trap left by our pest control company. My husband had her in the backyard and saw her head by the opening and chewing something. We called the vet because we didn't know if she had eaten the poison (which she shouldn't have been able to get into but her head isn't much bigger than the rats they are supposed to keep out and they recommended we bring her in. They made her vomit and saw something that the vet said could be but wasn't 100 per cent sure. Made contact with the pest control company and got information from them. Opted to have her treated as if she had ingested the poison so she is on vitamin k for 30 days. The vet says she will be fine since we are doing the vitamin k and there isn't anything else we can do. She is acting fine and if she had taken the poison and we didn't know it, she wouldn't be reacting for 3 to 5 days. The owners will be home in 10 days. DH and I are of the mindset to not tell them until they come home because all is good, she should be fine and we have paid the bill. There is absolutely nothing for them to do that we aren't going to do which is give her a vitamin k tablet every night.. Other than that, she is status quo. They would worry and if their three kids overheard them talking, they would be upset. They are about 9 hours away driving. I haven't been in this position before and I don't think I would want to know if there wasn't a reason, like a decision needed to be made regarding whether or not to do medical care or a particular course of treatment that the owners should make. We of course will tell them when they come home. Would you call or not? Thanks, Cathy UPDATE: We called the owners last night and told them what happened. I spoke with the wife and she was appreciative and very glad we had called. I then received a text from the husband about an hour later saying he had heard what happened and to keep us informed. (they are on vacation together). I have sent them two texts with pics showing a happy, crazy dog and I haven't heard anything back from them at all. I guess I can take that to mean they are okay with everything??? At least they are in the loop and all appears good. Thanks for the opinions. Some insight was given that I didn't think of and helped clarify my thoughts on how to proceed. Now off to take that crazy dog for a walk before she chews up the rest of the house!  |
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FurryP
Drama Llama
To pea or not to pea...
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Jun 26, 2014 19:58:26 GMT
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Post by FurryP on Aug 3, 2014 1:50:52 GMT
Well that is a hard one, so I can only go by what I would want if it was my pet. I would want to know.
If I was not convinced that everything was ok, I could always call the vet and make sure. Other than that, if I trusted you enough to leave my pet with you in the first place, then I would trust you that you would continue to properly care for my pet. Dogs getting into things happens to the best of us. Even the pet owners.
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GiantsFan
Prolific Pea
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Jun 27, 2014 14:44:56 GMT
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Post by GiantsFan on Aug 3, 2014 1:54:14 GMT
I would want to know.
ETA: I would also be appreciative that you acted so quickly and got the help needed. I hope all is OK with the dog.
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Post by jeniene on Aug 3, 2014 1:54:54 GMT
I would also want to know. What "if" something does happen a couple of days from now and you hadn't told them.
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Post by pjaye on Aug 3, 2014 1:59:51 GMT
Unless there was a decision made before hand "don't call me if something happens"
Then I think you have to call.
Part of taking responsibility for the pet for that time is taking them to the vet if something happens - but it is also letting the owners know if that was necessary and keeping them updated on the progress.
I would assume that no vet visits or treatments were necessary if I didn't hear from a pet sitter, but if I came and and found out that it was and I wasn't told, then I wouldn't be happy at all.
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Post by 1lear on Aug 3, 2014 2:01:05 GMT
I don't know-I don't think I'd call them. What could they do at this point, but worry? If you told them, they could decide to cut short their vacation, which for many (including me)is a once a year event, for something that can't be changed now. If there's nothing else to do but wait, why burden them?
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Post by pjaye on Aug 3, 2014 2:02:52 GMT
Surely that decision is up to the pet's owner to make?
It's not for anyone else to make on their behalf.
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paget
Drama Llama
Posts: 7,039
Jun 25, 2014 21:16:39 GMT
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Post by paget on Aug 3, 2014 2:05:00 GMT
I get that you are trying to think of them and thats really nice and thoughtful but really, I think you need to tell. I would want to know. I don't think they would be upset for telling them but the likelihood is high that they will be upset that you didn't tell them. I don't think it's up to you to make decisions beyond emergency ones for their pet. You did what had to be done and now they should be told in case they want to do something different. I get that there really probably isn't anything, but they should get to decide that. Good job on getting fast care for the dog!  |
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marianne
Pearl Clutcher
Not my circus, not my monkeys. . . My monkeys fly!
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Location: right smack dab in the middle of SC
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Jun 25, 2014 21:08:26 GMT
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Post by marianne on Aug 3, 2014 2:05:43 GMT
Well, that's a tough one. I think, though, I would call. I understand your wanting to save them from worry, but I think you need to let them make the decision as to how they want to handle the situation. Your quick action is commendable and I'm sure they'll appreciate that as well. If it were my pet, I would want to know.
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Post by shevy on Aug 3, 2014 2:09:55 GMT
Please call them and inform them and let them know that the dog is fine. And that they should enjoy the vacation and you'll call again if there are other issues. I'd be upset if I came home and was told this after the fact.
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Post by Scarlet Ohana on Aug 3, 2014 2:13:48 GMT
Back when I was about 18 I was house/pet sitting for my boss. She went to Europe for a couple weeks and one of her outdoor cats got run over by a car and died..that was the worse to have to tell her before she got home.
I'm glad the dog is ok, I would let them know what happened but not to worry and that the dog is doing well. You're taking extra good care of it.
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Aug 3, 2014 3:35:22 GMT
I am glad you took her to the vet and they are treating her. I would call and tell the pet parents. If they are anything like me about my dogs I would be Pi$$ed if someone that was watching my dogs didn't call me and tell me. I know it would make me feel better knowing that you care enough about my dog to take care of them and get them to the vet and care enough about me to call me and let me know what happened. Let me make the choice to come home early or stay on vacation.
My dogs are like my children.
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Post by petenthusiast on Aug 3, 2014 3:45:40 GMT
I would not be able to comprehend someone keeping something like this from me and would not get over it. If there was any chance a pet could decline because symptoms don't show up right away, and I'd have had a chance to make the decision to come back & didn't get a chance to? I would lose my $h*t.
In our case, I keep pretty up on vet related stuff, and there may be avenues I would have the vets pursue that are beyond what was done. People should have the IMMEDIATE opportunity to take part in their pet's medical care. I don't see how it can be rationalized otherwise. I don't care what the vacation is, the living being I love means more.
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Post by sisterbdsq on Aug 3, 2014 3:50:59 GMT
I would be beyond pissed if someone kept news of my dog from me. I can't imagine this being a dilemma. You call and you tell, no other option should be considered.
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craftchickapowpow
Full Member
My Circus My Monkeys
Posts: 206
Jun 26, 2014 16:12:18 GMT
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Post by craftchickapowpow on Aug 3, 2014 3:52:59 GMT
I agree that you should call. I know I would want to know.
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tracylynn
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,899
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Post by tracylynn on Aug 3, 2014 5:07:21 GMT
I agree - I would want to know as well!
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Post by Zee on Aug 3, 2014 5:07:41 GMT
I'd be very upset if you didn't tell me. Definitely let them know what's being done and let them talk to the vet about it too, for reassurance. I think that's the responsibile thing to do. Glad all is OK!
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Post by smokeynspike on Aug 3, 2014 5:24:12 GMT
We treat our pets like a member of the family, so if you chose not to tell me, I would be VERY upset. Give them the choice to make their own decisions about their vacation based on the whole picture of what happened.
Melissa
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Post by sacteach on Aug 3, 2014 5:26:39 GMT
Another one that would very upset to not know this. And actually a very similar situation happened to me, but my dog was with my mom when I was in Michigan. He got into rat poison in her garage and she immediately took him to the vet. She let me know as soon as she was there.
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Post by miominmio on Aug 3, 2014 5:28:20 GMT
As a pet owner, I would want to know.
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Post by spitfiregirl on Aug 3, 2014 6:14:38 GMT
I think you you have to tell them and you have to tell them to call the vet to get his opinion. That's the only way they'll know if they need to come home.
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anniebygaslight
Drama Llama
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Jun 28, 2014 14:08:19 GMT
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Post by anniebygaslight on Aug 3, 2014 6:26:29 GMT
I would let them know. You can then give them a daily bulletin via text. If they decide to come home, it is their choice. They could a,ways give the vet a call.
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sophiepea
Shy Member
Posts: 27
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Post by sophiepea on Aug 3, 2014 6:54:35 GMT
I would let them know, particularly because the dog is going to be fine, so it wouldn't ruin their vacation. Last year the kennels called us whilst we were away abroad. We have two dogs and one had ripped the other's ear whilst playing. They took him to the vets and got him stitched up. I was grateful that they'd let us know, and I was ok about it, because I knew he was going to be fine. I think they'd appreciate it if you let them know, and they'd also be grateful for all that you'd done to take care of the dog. Please let us know what you decide to do!
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Post by pmk on Aug 3, 2014 7:16:27 GMT
I would let them know. You can then give them a daily bulletin via text. If they decide to come home, it is their choice. They could a,ways give the vet a call. I agree with this - I would want to know if it was my dog and while I would probably not come home since the dog is responding to treatment I would feel happier with updates. Personally I would appreciate your honesty and be grateful you'd taken the dog to the vet so quickly. |
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Post by BuckeyeSandy on Aug 3, 2014 15:43:02 GMT
I would want to know. ETA: I would also be appreciative that you acted so quickly and got the help needed. I hope all is OK with the dog. ANY trip to the vet for any reason I would notify my friends and let them know what was going on. Sooner is better than later, and the later the news, the worse it seems. BUT if you all were doing all you could and that step was down on the list, I'd do it ASAP after getting the pet seen. It is similar to watching someone's kids and they get injured or sick and need to be seen by a physician or ER. I would also post progress reports. |
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