In the last FML, Angie George wrote:
 
>I amcurious if anyone knows who I would have to talk to about getting a
>vet to release or at least let me see my ferret's bloodwork.  So far the
>prosecuting attorney's office and the Better Business Bureau claim that
>this is not their jurisdiction."
 
Angie,
 
I am a prosecutor in Florida.  Both your prosecutor's office and the
better business bureau are correct.  The prosecutor does only what he
says he does: prosecute crimes.  While you might feel as if your vet has
done something criminal by not releasing your ferret's records, either
there is no law against it or the prosecuting authority feels it's a
matter best left in the hands of civil attorneys (no that's not an
oxymoron).
 
As for the Better Business Bureau, they are good for little more than
collecting complaints about a business.  They have no authority to do
anything; they simply serve as a central repository to collect information
so one can go to them and see if people have complained about a particular
business in the past.
 
So what do you do?  Well, it depends on where you live.  In most places,
human patients/clients are entitled to their records.  Does the same apply
to animals?  Maybe, maybe not.  In any case, if you *really* want that
bloodwork (I assume you mean the reports and not the actual blood - ewww),
your best recourse is to ask for it again, politely.  After they refuse,
inform them that if they don't give it to you, you'll be forced to have
your attorney subpoena the records and you'll charge the vet for
attorney's fees.  If they still refuse, hire an attorney.
 
Hope this helps,
 
Erik
[Posted in FML issue 3743]