Ivy went in for a scan but had hip surgery by mistake. Clinic blames human error, leaving owner in shock.
Instead, Ivy got prepped for hip surgery. Staff wrongly operated on her, Heidi alleges. The clinic said it was due to “gross human error,” a mistake that shocked Heidi.
Heidi expected a call to pick Ivy up after her scan. They called to say Ivy had surgery and she cried, repeatedly asking what happened. She remains in shock.
Ivy went from Balham to Surbiton Voo Vets. The scan was scheduled for the Surbiton location. Heidi says paperwork got lost during transport, and staff confused Ivy with another cat needing hip surgery.
Two cats came at once, according to Heidi. Transport messed up the process, with consent forms in a pile and not with the cats, creating confusion.
Ivy had a femoral head and neck excision. It’s a surgery that changes the hip joint forever. Heidi said a vet noticed the hip looked wrong, but the vet still did the surgery.
Heidi is confused about the vet carrying on and doesn’t know why the error wasn’t caught sooner. Her previously healthy cat now suffers daily.
Ivy can’t run, jump, or climb like she used to. She once easily jumped into Heidi’s arms. Now, she struggles to get on a chair and often moves on three legs when running. Ivy used to enjoy going outside, now she avoids it.
Voo Vets will only pay treatment costs at their clinics. Heidi can’t trust them again after this happened, claiming the problem wasn’t just one error.
Many people could have stopped the issue, yet no one did anything to prevent the surgery. The event made Heidi question vet safety.
Heidi wants stricter safety rules, suggesting microchip scans before procedures. Microchipping became UK law last year for cats. She asks why vets don’t scan for safety.
Voo Vets had an internal review, but it’s unclear. Heidi has high vet bills and the error will affect Ivy’s life forever.
Heidi says she has spent over £2,000 so far on treatment. Ivy was a healthy cat before the surgery, and the situation breaks Heidi’s heart.
Your Local Guardian reached out to Voo Vets for a statement. They are awaiting a response from the animal hospital.