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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
National
Gemma Ryder

Glasgow pup traumatised after being given 'overdose' of sedative at vets

A six-month-old puppy has been left 'traumatised' after accidentally being overdosed while undergoing an operation at a Glasgow vet practice.

Owner Amy Marenghi claims her dog could have died due to the negligence of Vets4Pets at Glasgow Forge.

Pug Phoebe had been taken to Vets4Pets to be spayed on Wednesday morning but Amy received a phone call a short time later to say the pup had reacted to a drug and they couldn't go ahead with the surgery, but she could be taken home that afternoon.

Amy explained: "When I got there she seemed absolutely dazed and I pressed to find out what had happened.

"The nurse then told me that she had accidentally been administered too much of the sedative but it was reversed as soon as they realised.

"I just wanted to get Phoebe home and I could tell that she just wasn't herself, her eyes were really heavy and she was just cuddling into me because she was so traumatised."

Amy received a phone call from the practice later that evening and found out that Phoebe was given two drugs - one she took a reaction to and the other was too high a dose, reports the Daily Record.

The retail worker added: "I had not been told the truth. I believe that if that nurse hadn't told me what had actually happened I would be none the wiser.

"When I asked how did this happen, they just said the nurse had picked up the wrong syringe.

"I asked if things weren't dual controlled but they couldn't really give me an answer."

Amy requested Phoebe's medical notes but there was nothing in the report to say there had been a mix-up with the syringes.

A Vets4Pets spokesperson said: “Pet welfare is always our number one priority and we immediately informed Ms Marenghi of the error that occurred in administering Phoebe with her pre-procedure medication.

"The mistake was quickly addressed and Phoebe received continuous monitoring throughout the day.

"We are pleased that Phoebe has recovered and are very sorry for any upset and distress this situation has caused.

"We would also like to offer reassurances that whilst we already have robust processes in place to guard against such incidents, we will conduct a full process review and implement any appropriate findings.”

A senior vet at the clinic told Amy she would have to make an official complaint to Vets4Home.

Heartbroken Amy continued: "I said to the vet, Phoebe could have died, but his reply was just 'but she didn't'.

"He was rude, and I felt he came across like he didn't care.

"Thankfully Phoebe started to perk up on Thursday but this incident was careless.

"I'm taking a complaint to an independent authority."

Vets4Pets will now carry out a full review and will submit the incident to the Veterinary Defence System.

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