Why was I seeing a resident, why wasnt a biopsy done

[K19]

My dog had a limp last year and I wound up taking him to a specialist

well I was seeing a Resident instead of a full time Neurologist, he told me my dog had a tumor but I knew that wasnt true, despite every instinct in me I went ahead and had the amputation

Why was a biopsy not done why was I seeing a resident, was the resident the one to make all the decisions

How the **** could I let this happen

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I am so sorry about this tragedy!  I hope your dog is OK on 3 legs.  Most dog's do get along well.  I am just so sorry that he had to go through an unnecessary surgery.

I am not a lawyer, and I don't know if you have a case, but it seems to me that if this was a mistake it may require legal action.  The neurology resident may say that a biopsy was not possible due to the location of the lesion, or that it would not be diagnostic, and yes it would have been a good idea to get a second opinion, but who knows the second opinion may have concurred with the first.  I really don't know.  But legal advice would certainly not hurt!

If you have a good relationship with your regular vet please discuss this with him/her as to a positive course of action.  Ask your vet, who is familiar with the case, if he/she believes that you should pursue legal action.  Ask the vet to be impartial, if possible.  If your regular vet admits that he/she cannot be impartial, than you may have to seek legal advice on your own.  

You can also contact the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners in your state to ask for advice, and the proper complaint procedure.

Good Luck!  Please let us know what happens!

[K19]

he had a lame front left leg, after a recommendation from a vet I took him to a neurologist who took a diagnostic and said he had a peripheral nerve sheath tumor and his leg needed to be amputated right away, well I had the amputation and sure enough a week later he tells me my dog didnt have a tumor

I dont understand why a resident was the one who I was seeing all along and I wonder if he made the diagnostic himself and did the surgery himself( I paid an INSANE INSANE amount of money)

And I dont understand why a biopsy was never done, isnt that always done to make sure there is a tumor?

This along with the fact I didnt get a 2nd opinion are pretty much things that haunt me

And his final diagnosis was Brachial Plexus Neuritis, and the symptoms of this made sense based on the symptoms I was telling the ******* resident all along and how I KNEW he didnt have a freakin tumor, I just get the feeling he wanted to amputate a leg for his own benefit

I can not describe what this has done to my life, there is no way to describe it

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Could you please fill me in with more details so that I can best answer your questions.

Was your dog's leg amputated and it turned out not to be cancer?  Please give me all the information.  Thanks!