@Couple_travels_fulltime - Lots of concerned forum members here . Concerned for the pets and for you ( sleep deprived only 5 days into a 39 day sit ) It’s been 4 hours since your OP . Are you able to update the forum on the advice you’ve been given by THS member services and or the vet since your OP ?
There is also the THS vet line you can contact for advice - as shown on your dashboard -
This sounds like an absolute horror sit and I agree with all the others who have recommended giving the HO 24 hours notice of your leaving- enough time for them to sort out your replacement. You have been misled and deceived about the dogs health condition and the HO has basically abandoned their dog at a crucial point in treatment. It sounds like they are prioritizing their own trip over their dogs health and dumping the responsibility on you- the unpaid & (presumably)non- veterinary sitter… that’s absolutely not on…
Honestly… regardless of any THS Ts and Cs about what information needs to be disclosed and when, no home owner should put a sitter in this position. The bottom line is that they are completely taking advantage of a system that should be a fair exchange. I sincerely hope it’s the one and only time they manage to do so.
We completely agree. They haven’t had a sitter since all of this new medical diseases diagnosed and new medication regiment. We even talked yesterday (between my husband and I) that this should really be a paid sit and someone who can/wants to provide round the clock care. Definitely not what we have experienced in our other 40 sits that we have completed in the last 2 years.
Thank you for your clarification. The dog is on pimobendan and vetoryl, along with adernal balance and melatonin & lignons at night (which only let him sleep about 4 hours). Will consult the vet tech once we hear back from her vet.
On the welcome guide, it does have a vet listed and their is an account set up. However, she took the initiative to reach out to the vet yesterday, but we are told she “hasn’t heard back”.
In all honesty, they are really both fine during the day. Minus taking them out every 1.5 hours to pee. It’s just at night, the dog only sleeps about 4 hours and then is up the rest of the night. I am basically just giving him round the clock care right now until we hear back from her vet.
@Silversitters Thank you for your concern. We are still waiting to hear back from the HO. She is contacting the vet. We are hoping that the vet actually addresses the concern for the Cushings and not just go along with her in thinking it is ‘anxiety’. Will update once we know more. At this point, we are putting all our ducks in a row to reach out to THS.
@Newpetlover Thank you for this suggestion. We have sent all screenshots of listing, welcome guide and the document she gave us to THS just to cover all basis in case things go south.
I’m so sorry you have had to go through this. Thank you for sharing your story with us and I hope you get some satisfaction from THS support. Your story helps me learn to be wary of sits where the Welcome Guide is going to be supplemented with “more information” once I arrive. Obviously, it’s best to have all information in the Welcome Guide before arrival, so if a cancellation is necessary, it can be done well in advance.
@Couple_travels_fulltime please evaluate whether or not you have the experience and expertise to provide the level of care needed to ensure the health and safety of the pets. If not there is no shame in withdrawing from this sit. The dogs seem to have seriously illness that require vet level care. Pet parents that have pets this ill should re-think taking a holiday or fork over the money for a paid sitter with veterinary level experience.
100% agree. We will never do a sit again when they tell us “more information upon arrival”
Update: As of now…we are taking the dog to the vet this afternoon. THS vet advice line states that he is showing all signs of dehydration and needs medical attention immediately.
So sorry to hear. What are the rules when it is so misleading? I would probably leave the dogs in their bedroom at night…Maybe she will think she just didn’t clean it up as much as she thought.
Will the vet take him for the rest of the stay?
UPDATE!
We are taking the dog to the vet tomorrow to be checked and get a new medication. We have talked with THS and they advise us that we should leave. We have given the owner until 7/5 to stay with him, take him to the vet, etc and then we are able to leave.
Thank you so much for all the wonderful replies and advice. We are at a loss of words and energy on this matter but as of Friday, hopefully case closed.
And yes, we will be writing an honest review.
Thank you EVERYONE!
@Couple_travels_fulltime thank you for the update .
This is the best result for the dog and for you.
Glad to hear that THS have given you this support and advice ( was this through the Urgent Support phone line ? )
Ask THS to amend the end date so that you can leave a review . If they cancel the sit you won’t be able to leave a review .
You may feel that it’s appropriate to raise a member dispute to prevent future sitters from finding themselves in a similar situation.
I hope you find a peaceful place to catch up on 1 weeks lost sleep!
I totally agree with @Lokstar comments; the dog’s health issues should have been fully disclosed in the listing and not in a word document handed to you on arrival. The pet parents have deceived you in order to facilitate their trip, and are clearly not prioritising their poor dog’s health issues.
This should not be your problem. I’d do as suggested; give 24 hours notice to leave the sit due to misrepresentation. This dog needs nursing care.
@Couple_travels_fulltime In agreeing to take the dog to the vet tomorrow to commence a new medication, you are still exposing yourself to potential escalating problems. Can the dog not remain at the vets until alternative care arrangements can be made? At least then his situation could be professionally monitored, and you absolved of responsibility.
Given the circumstances, I think you’ve been more than generous, in offering to stay until Friday.
@Silversitters Yes, I have reached out via chat, urgent support phone line, vet advice line and the actual pet’s vet. The home owner has told the vet that she believes this is separation anxiety and they are now prescribing him Gabapentin. THS has told me that we need to have the home owner acknowledge in writing that she ‘accepts’ our leaving on the 7th before they can change the end date. As of now the only response I have gotten it from the home owner is as follows: “I am devastated. When I can compose myself I will respond. This morning, Blue Haven Landscaping will be over to spray a few trees and do the monthly maintenance.”
We are absolutely appalled at this situation and her putting this on us by claiming to the vet that he is having “separation anxiety” that is causing these symptoms.