This is both a bit of a venting exercise and a word to the wise.

A few weeks ago, we had both dogs (together) for their annual checkup, and we dropped off a fecal sample for each dog. The vet normally calls with the results, positive or negative.

I did not get a call, and I was about to call them back when I got Jack's completed TDI paperwork in the mail. He needs a vet sign-off every year to stay active, and one of the things the vet signs off on is that the dog has had a recent negative fecal sample. Since the section for fecal was checked off as "negative" and signed, and since Jack and Maddie pretty much are in all the same places all the time, I figured all was well and did not bother to call.

This morning, my husband dropped off Maddie's vet form for her TDI application (she just passed the test after her vet appointment, which is why we did not leave the form with the vet then).

I get home from work and have a message that they can't sign it because it requires a negative fecal, and hers was positive and that we could drop off another fecal.

I was very annoyed and unfortunately the office is closed til tomorrow, so I have to wait. I am annoyed with myself for not calling back, and also annoyed with the vet for not letting me know her fecal was positive. While i realize they may have called a wrong number and left a message, put the callback form in the wrong pile, or actually left a message and my machine ate it, I would have thought that if they left a "positive" message and I never called for treatment they would have made a second phone call.

Since she's on Interceptor all year, I can only guess that the "positive" was for tapeworm. If so, I may need to retest all the critters when she gets treated. I will know more tomorrow when the office is open.

So now I have learned the hard way, and maybe at least one other person can learn from my mistake: If the office does not call with test results, don't assume all is well! Call yourself, get the results.