vet gave me expired harrisons samples

[YUMgrinder]

can you believe that I trusted the vet enough to feed my birds expired feed?! YES that says JUNE 2015! I didn't feed them this one but I already fed them two other expired samples. I'm so mad.

 

[SailBoat]

Not surprised. That happens all the time with samples!!!

Commonly, when the new shipment comes in, staff just fills up the 'box' and as a result, what is at the bottom does not get rotated out and sits forever.

Just point that out when you visit next!

 

[YUMgrinder]

I called them and let them know. They said they have samples that aren't expired that I can pick up. Also questioned whether I should be worried I already fed them and she said "no worries"

 

[SailBoat]

I called them and let them know. They said they have samples that aren't expired that I can pick up. Also questioned whether I should be worried I already fed them and she said "no worries"

Will your Parrot be Okay, yes! As this class of products age, they loss their benefit of providing nourishment! So, your Parrot's digestive system got some practice at passing stuff though!

 

[SilverSage]

Sounds like a pretty easy mistake to make. I wouldn't be too upset by it, a female I wouldn't worry about what you have already fed.


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[YUMgrinder]

I believe it makes them look bad as a vet. almost two years without checking expiration dates on nutritional items is not acceptable. I can understand letting one go for a couple months, but a couple years? What else is expired? medication? I shouldn't have to worry about something as simple as expiration dates when I go to the vet. seems irresponsible for a medical practice.

 

[itzjbean]

I believe it makes them look bad as a vet. almost two years without checking expiration dates on nutritional items is not acceptable. I can understand letting one go for a couple months, but a couple years? What else is expired? medication? I shouldn't have to worry about something as simple as expiration dates when I go to the vet. seems irresponsible for a medical practice.

This is exactly what I am thinking too. I would be pissed if I got this from my vet. It would have me second-guessing their medications, too!

 

[SailBoat]

I believe it makes them look bad as a vet. almost two years without checking expiration dates on nutritional items is not acceptable. I can understand letting one go for a couple months, but a couple years? What else is expired? medication? I shouldn't have to worry about something as simple as expiration dates when I go to the vet. seems irresponsible for a medical practice.

Whoa, folks!!! There is a huge difference between who handles the medications, medical supplies, and product available for sale, and the Freebees! The medication and medical supplies have very specific requirements for who handles, and inventory control measures (County, State and National). The Product for Sale is shelve controlled by date and that is why Mrs' Boats always checks date and commonly pulls from the back.

Sadly, Freebees are handle by those of lesser responsibilities and that is where this kind of stuff happens. Should it, NO! But, as a reality it does. I am certain that when you brought this to their attention, changes occurred! Is it fair for the Client to be their Quality Control, NO.

At some point, you will get the great opportunity to Manager 'People' I hope that you will store this moment and let it be a Teaching Moment when this kind of stuff occurs and you get to be creative in addressing a rightfully upset Client and then turning this into a knowledge grow-point for your staff!

I learned long ago to be very upfront with my Staff. If you screw-up, tell me ASAP! We will fix it, learn from it and move-on! However, if you elect to let it pass and I am informed by the Client, another Manager or my Boss; We will fix, learn from it and you will be put on a very short cord!

If nothing changes, that is where concern needs to set in!

 

[SilverSage]

There are laws in place that govern the rotation of prescription medications so I wouldn't think that would happen.

Samples aren't really regulated and they aren't really inventory, so it's likely the systems simply aren't in place and the person who got them out for you likely just didn't think of checking since they are a dry item. So I really don't think it's a big deal. However, if you personally feel you can no longer trust this vet with the care of your bird, you should find a new vet. However I'll warn you; vet offices are chronically understaffed and over worked. Techs and vet assistants have an extremely high rate of burn out and the suicide rates among veterinarians is astronomical due to the emotional strain of the job. It's hard to acquire and keep good staff. I try to give my vet the benefit of the doubt as long as I feel they are both knowledgeable and compassionate.


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[SilverSage]

Sailboat basically said it. Free samples of food that isn't dangerous if expired are the lowest of low priorities. You already brought it to the attention of the staff and they have most likely handled it by now. It was a simple, NOT DANGEROUS mistake likely made by the lowest rung employees in the practice and no harm has been done.

That said, as much as I feel something like this is a non issue, you need to be at a vet you can trust. Basically you either should switch vets (and be prepared for human error in your new clinic as well), or decide that you can understand how this mistake was made and that it doesn't bother you.


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[YUMgrinder]

There are laws in place that govern the rotation of prescription medications so I wouldn't think that would happen.

Samples aren't really regulated and they aren't really inventory, so it's likely the systems simply aren't in place and the person who got them out for you likely just didn't think of checking since they are a dry item. So I really don't think it's a big deal. However, if you personally feel you can no longer trust this vet with the care of your bird, you should find a new vet. However I'll warn you; vet offices are chronically understaffed and over worked. Techs and vet assistants have an extremely high rate of burn out and the suicide rates among veterinarians is astronomical due to the emotional strain of the job. It's hard to acquire and keep good staff. I try to give my vet the benefit of the doubt as long as I feel they are both knowledgeable and compassionate.


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That is worrisome.

 

[SilverSage]

There are laws in place that govern the rotation of prescription medications so I wouldn't think that would happen.

Samples aren't really regulated and they aren't really inventory, so it's likely the systems simply aren't in place and the person who got them out for you likely just didn't think of checking since they are a dry item. So I really don't think it's a big deal. However, if you personally feel you can no longer trust this vet with the care of your bird, you should find a new vet. However I'll warn you; vet offices are chronically understaffed and over worked. Techs and vet assistants have an extremely high rate of burn out and the suicide rates among veterinarians is astronomical due to the emotional strain of the job. It's hard to acquire and keep good staff. I try to give my vet the benefit of the doubt as long as I feel they are both knowledgeable and compassionate.


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That is worrisome.

It is extremely worrisome, especially for the providers who are desperately trying to staff a clinic with competent compassionate staff. Keeping this in mind, I highly suggest you think about how you approach the staff whether you decide to stay or go; listening to the daily horror stories told by vet clinic staff can really reveal what a miserable day many of them may have already had, and a customer getting nasty over samples (in case you are tempted to lose your temper) can only make things worse. In all reality you have already taken all the action needed; you alerted them to the problem, now they can address it.


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[Flboy]

Just a screwup in rotating stock!
When my daughter was working as a vet tech, we always got large bags for free that were just slightly expired!

 

[plumsmum2005]

Not good but not worth getting anyone's knickers in a knot tbh. It proves that the support staff have no shop experience at the least.

I expect the Rep comes in, hands over some samples they get chucked in a drawer or box without thought of the ones already there? I am sure that they have been checked now that you have informed them of their error.

 

[YUMgrinder]

I mean, yea there was no harm in it, but what if there was? You can't justify overlooking expiration dates by 2 years just because "it's dry food and no harm came from it" cause what if harm DID come from it. It's negligence.

oh I didn't scold them for it. I let them know nicely and just politely asked if I could get some that weren't expired.

 

[Skittys_Daddy]

I had ordered something from my vets office a couple years ago that wasn't perishable and because I live long distance they mailed it to me. But the vet forgot the package in her car for a week and she called me personally to apologize.

I'd expect more than a "no worries" from your vet. These are our 'children' and should be seen as such. However, its not something I would raise a stink over. I'd merely alert them to the problem and explain how it upset you (without losing your temper) and see if they reassure you.

That being said, normally, you are supposed to discard "open" packages of Harrisons after 4-6wks. Skittles easily goes through a bag of pellets in 4 weeks, but his Powertreats easily last at least a month and a half if not two. Which is several weeks past the recommended discard date. I told the vet that I don't want to throw away half a bag of Powertreats each time and they told me to smell it and see if its gone rancid. If it has (which spoiled pellets will) then discard it, if it still smells the same it should be okay to use a few weeks more.

For me, if they mistreated my fid or weren't as professional as I'd expect them to be, I'd raise holly hell for sure. But I've seen the way they examine Skittles and he doesn't even give them a hard time, which is quite surprising but they wrap him in a towel and he LOVES being wrapped in fabric!

I like how my vet talks sweet to Skittles and reassures him as they do the exam. They aren't rough or anything. My vet also shows me what they are examining (like she shows me his preen gland and how its supposed to look) and she'll show me the back of his throat and how its supposed to look etc. They clearly know what they are doing and its no less than I'd expect.

 

[Flboy]

Except for a few weeks worth, I freeze everything! Pellets, seed, nuts!

 

[YUMgrinder]

yes, good point. whether it was dry food or something more spoil worthy and dangerous, I still expect a level of service to include checking things as simple as expiration dates. What else do they neglect based on "it's not important enough"

 

[SailBoat]

I mean, yea there was no harm in it, but what if there was? You can't justify overlooking expiration dates by 2 years just because "it's dry food and no harm came from it" cause what if harm DID come from it. It's negligence.

oh I didn't scold them for it. I let them know nicely and just politely asked if I could get some that weren't expired.

Yes, I have pulled it all down! After reading Your Additional Posts, it became very clear that what you're now saying is that this was just you wanting to Vent or something like that! Okay That's fair, everyone needs to Vent now and again! This Forum even has a place for its Members to Vent!

So, the next time you feel that a Vent Session is needed; Go to the Off-Topic Forum and start your Thread with something like: Just Venting: 'And Then What You Want to Vent About'. This way, everyone gets to be on the same page from the very beginning!

Anyone, that had Thanked my Prior Post, please feel free to 'Un-Thank!

Best regards
SailBoat

 

[YUMgrinder]

I have a feeling some of you guys think that I am not responding appropriately over this. It's not like I'm throwing a fit about it lol I am, however, venting my displeasure over it to you guys. Like I said before, I called them about it, told them it was expired and asked if I could get some new samples, and I also made sure they thought my birds were fine because of this mix-up. I understand people make mistakes, but 2 years without looking at product expiration dates they are pushing out to their patients seems excessive.

Whats next? Lets say I take peanut in cause he is sick and has to stay overnight for a week. What if he only gets fed expired food for a whole week while trying to recover, he's not getting the same nutrients as when it was fresh, are you still thinking it is nothing to be concerned about? Can you agree that an ill bird would need a good diet to recover?

It's not fine. But I wont hold it against them as it was not harmful. I will question them more thoroughly if I ever do have to leave one of my birds overnight and might even provide my own food though.