Veterinarians can get very close with clients, but sometimes pet owners get a little too comfortable. Here are 5 absurdly illegal things veterinary clients have asked vets to do, as shared on the @DrAndyRoark Instagram.
1. Treat the main species vets DON’T handle
@ancutamariar: “Someone called and asked if we can treat humans… because she knows we are more compassionate and our pills are stronger.”
2. Casually break some international laws
@wendypacey: “(A client asked me to) falsify travel documents….”
3. Just commit a little basic insurance fraud
@decardenas_dvm: “(I) had a client ask me to write her dogs script in her name so her insurance would cover it…”
4. Prescribe… whatever pet owners want
@ahappyvet: “Prescribe the wrong dose of medication on purpose.”
5. Prescribe… whatever pet owners likely want for themselves
@wilbur_the_baconator: “(A) client asked us to refill her dogs Tramadol… (r)ight after we euthanized her dog.”
(Disclaimer: Obviously these are just whacky requests – not anything veterinary professionals are admitting to complying with! Some of these requests, especially surrounding prescription drugs, should not be taken lightly. If you suspect a veterinary client is abusing prescription drugs or feel they are making other inappropriate requests, take appropriate action).
Has a client ever asked you to do something illegal or unethical?
Tell us about it in the comments, or follow @DrAndyRoark on Instagram for a chance to be featured in a future blog.
Danielle is a veterinary practice manager and the founder of SnoutSchool.com, a website dedicated to teaching veterinary hospitals to use social media effectively. You can get her 5 favorite social media tools here, or follow her on social media to see excessive photos of her Brussels Griffon. She’s @DanielleSnout on Snapchat, Instagram & Twitter.
