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alkarif
Gold Member
 United Kingdom
800 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 12:24:09 PM
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A young friend of ours has a part-bred welsh gelding, who has been suffering for months with laminitis and he has developed serious complications associated with this. Although under excellent veterinary care throughout, and even though the pony is only six years old, sadly the time has come to make that terrible decision to put him to sleep, veterinary opinion of their own vet and secondary advice from another vet.
Unfortunately, the insurance company has other ideas and wants to continue the 'pain relief,' even though it is proving to be virtually ineffective. The pony is in agony, and drugged up to the eyeballs! The owners are devastated and sickened. The girl who owns him is only fifteen and is so stressed seeing her pony suffering in this way. I must add here that the pony was bought with the condition but drugged to disguise the fact.
The vet is doing everything she can to convince this insurance company to honour their idemnity. Perhaps this could be a case for bringing a case of prolonged un-neccesary suffering against the insurers under the new Animal Welfare Act.
Brenda M _ Al Karif Arabians
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Brenda M - Al Karif Arabians
“God made the horse from the breath
of the wind, the beauty of the earth,
and the soul of the angel.....
May they forever run with our hearts....."
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Roseanne
Moderator
United Kingdom
6708 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 12:26:49 PM
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Could they not get an opinion from the RSPCA or one of the animal welfare charities (Laminitis trust?) to give expert advice on the basis of cruelty? After all continuation of treatment will also be costly to the insurance company.
So sorry for the poor family. What an ordeal. |
Roseanne |
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CINDERS
Gold Member
England
750 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 12:51:17 PM
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Tyr aksing the insurers for arbitration- they must appoint a vet to give an opinion on their behalf. If their and the owners vet do not agree then a third vet agreed upon by both parties is called upon to give a decision. Obviously this needs to resolved quickly but this is the correct procedure to follow and should in the long run be the fastest way forward. The costs are normally split between the two parties if a third vet has to be called in.
Alternatively just tell the insurer that you are getting a second opinion and that if this is the same as your own vet you will be charging them for this opinion.
This aside I think unless a large sum of money is involved I'd go ahead as this would be best for the pony
Yvonne |
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nikki
Platinum Member
Wales
4384 Posts |
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polly
Platinum Member
2183 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 1:40:34 PM
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| You can tell the insurance company that the Vet considers it inhumane to continue and will state this to the Insurance Ombidsman ( spelling?) and that he takes a very dim view of an insurance company over ruling his professional opinion of what is needed to help the health of this pony, after all that is what he is paid for. Sorry to hear of such a sad case, the veterinary world knows so little about this horrid disease, why would an insurance company possibly know more ??? You could also try contacting the Laminitis Trust , they are excellent and may be able to give you more advice. good luck Polly |
   
Photos1and2EricGJones
pollywells@.live.co.uk |
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Nut
Platinum Member
United Kingdom
2838 Posts |
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NatH
Platinum Member
England
2695 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 1:58:56 PM
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I too would report the Insurance Company to the Insurance Ombudsman.
I would not 'let it rest' until the little chap is finally out of pain, even if that is being PTS. |
Natalie
Chapel Lane Arabians
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Kazzy
Platinum Member
England
3335 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 2:46:56 PM
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Thats absolutely awful
They need to be told NOW about the pain and suffering the pony is in.
They obviously not very good equine insurers or they would know.
Janet |
     
Sunny Cheshire |
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alkarif
Gold Member
United Kingdom
800 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 6:32:02 PM
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Hiya Janet and friends, the insurers are a 'BIG' company...advertising in all horsey mags! It is horrendous to witness all this suffering, some excellent suggestions on here. Thanks so much.
Brenda M |
Brenda M - Al Karif Arabians
“God made the horse from the breath
of the wind, the beauty of the earth,
and the soul of the angel.....
May they forever run with our hearts....."
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donna72_uk
Gold Member
England
1123 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 6:36:55 PM
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Im so sorry to hear this
I think the insurance company should be reported as well |
Donna
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Annie Oakley
Bronze Member
United Kingdom
175 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 6:44:04 PM
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Hi Brenda,
I think I can guess which insurers you are talking about! Would you care to share this info with us.
In my opinion, any insurers that that will let any animal suffer by prolonging their agony is totally dispicable to say the least.
We lost our darling Kitty last year due to a very rare form of lammi. She was taken to Leahurst at the first sign and it rampaged through all four feet in less than a week.
The little love was in sheer agony and was on morphine for the pain The vets at Leahurst called it a day as she was suffering so much, without any hope of any recovery.
My heart goes out to your young friend to see her pony in such distress. How cruel of the insurers to put this lass through this, no doubt having psyched herself up for the inevitable.
NAME AND SHAME THESE CRUEL INSURERS!!!!
Cheers
Annx |
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Grey Girl
Platinum Member
England
1554 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 6:48:31 PM
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If it's the insurers I think it is too then, to be honest, I would have the pony put to sleep and chase them up afterwards via the RSPCA etc etc etc. Your friends wille be arguing forever otherwise. Get a million vets' reports etc and photos/film evidence.
Grey Girl |
 Said the little eohippus, "I´m going to be a HORSE"  |
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rosyw
Platinum Member
England
3756 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 7:33:44 PM
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I'm pretty sure who the insurers are as well, if it is who I think they have a dreadful reputation for not paying out etc., and i feel so sorry for your young friend.
Surely the kindest thing would be to have the pony PTS as soon as possible and so end the misery for all concerned, and fight it out with the insurers afterwards.
Rosie |
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Judith S
Platinum Member
Wales
15686 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 7:35:56 PM
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| This is why I don't insure my horses - but I make sure I have funds to cover any thing Vet wise etc & also am BHS Gold. |
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Sue J
Gold Member
Wales
914 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2007 : 8:04:00 PM
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| Although I don't insure my older horses anymore, I still have younger ones and one on loan insured. I have always used SEIB who have been brilliant and no I'm not on commission. I have probably used them for 25yrs + and really can't criticise them at all. I have heard some terrible reports about other companies (one in particular) which is probably the one being referred to, I cannot understand why anyone still uses them but advertising is very persuasive. Sue |
Welshpool
Welsh/Shrops border
   
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