When I first received Niko from the shelter, they highly recommended the vet that they used, so when it was time for him to get neutered, I went there. It turned out to be the same place my ex and I took his pups, so I was quite comfy with 'em.
Strike One: The shelter (and this site) educated me quite well on what he needed to have done for his neutering, how much it would cost (they were paying for it), aftercare, and all that kinda stuff. So I went in for my very first vet appointment, feeling well informed, and to drop him off for his li'l snip-snip. The tech I spoke to about the procedure told me about how he needed to have pre-op blood work done and how it was IMPERATIVE that he have pain medication for afterwards. When I said that I had done my homework and I didn't feel he needed pain meds, she told me I was: "cruel and don't know what you're talking about, it's surgery- he NEEDS pain management." So, feeling like I was being a mean mommy, I opted in for the extras. Lo' and behold, I speak to the shelter that evening and he already HAD his pre-op blood work (at the same place!), and I was told NOT to give him the pain meds 'cause he most likely wouldn't need it and since he was so little, it'd make him dopey. The vet charged me $200+ for everything, after all was said and done, when I wasn't supposed to pay ANYTHING for him to get neutered. I was told the shelter was only covering the actual operation, not the extras. Fine.. money down the drain, but that's okay. Whatever.
Strike Two: He's a VERY well behaved kitty, I haven't seen any aggression in him whatsoever (unless he's in play mode, of course), so when I brought him in, I told the tech (same one as above) that he prolly won't struggle with her too much and that he's quite gentle. Without hesitation, she roughly plopped his carrier on the table, reached in and /yanked/ him out by his scruff. No trying to calm him down, no soft words, nada. She then simply walked away, without any warning or letting me say goodbye. He was looking at me over her shoulder, both his arms reached out towards me, trying to scramble back into my arms.. crying. I just about lost it right there, the tears were welling up. He was gonna be there for two days, is it so wrong to let me snuggle him goodbye?! I made a comment to the receptionist and she had the tech bring him back in for a quick snug, the tech just rolled her eyes at me.
Strike Three: When I picked him up from getting neutered, the actual vet was very nice, but seemed in a hurry. We spoke briefly about diet, and of course, he suggested I put him BACK on the Science Diet he was eating while in the shelter. Right, whatever. He then quickly told me how to administer the pain meds and scooted me out the door. When we get home, I realize that one of his claws (one that didn't always fully retract) was crooked, bent to the side. I'm guessing he was fighting against the Evil Tech and got it caught on something. You'd think they would have frickin' (trying hard NOT to curse, here) noticed that he injured his paw! If they did notice, they didn't mention it to me. I mean, you'd think since I was paying for all this extra BS that they'd look him over a bit better before handing him back to me.
*takes a deep breath*
So... I told the shelter about my experience and they were FURIOUS, esp. since Niko was one of their golden children (I'm still in touch with them and his former fosterer, sending pics and videos all the time).
I changed vets immediately, to one my aunt used when before her cat passed away and they are absolutely wonderful. His initial appointment with them went like a dream. The tech was as sweet as can be, gave him treats, spoke to him softly.. coaxed him out, on his own, from his carrier. The vet, herself, was another wondrous experience. She tried to make friends with him before she even examined him, giving him scritches and loves, even closing the door to the exam room and putting him on the floor so he could get comfortable with his surroundings before she did anything. And yanno what? He purred through his entire exam. He nose-bumped and licked her hands, and even let her clip his back claws (which even /I/ can't do) without incident. I also spoke to her about diet, and told her about the EVO and Cal. Natural I've been feeding him as opposed to the Science Diet. Her response? She picked him up, snuggled him, and said, "You've got such a good mommy!"
I now love my vet, as does Niko.
Sorry for such a long post, this just gets me so riled up. If anyone's in the Central New Jersey area and is interested in what vets I'm speaking of, PM me.
Strike One: The shelter (and this site) educated me quite well on what he needed to have done for his neutering, how much it would cost (they were paying for it), aftercare, and all that kinda stuff. So I went in for my very first vet appointment, feeling well informed, and to drop him off for his li'l snip-snip. The tech I spoke to about the procedure told me about how he needed to have pre-op blood work done and how it was IMPERATIVE that he have pain medication for afterwards. When I said that I had done my homework and I didn't feel he needed pain meds, she told me I was: "cruel and don't know what you're talking about, it's surgery- he NEEDS pain management." So, feeling like I was being a mean mommy, I opted in for the extras. Lo' and behold, I speak to the shelter that evening and he already HAD his pre-op blood work (at the same place!), and I was told NOT to give him the pain meds 'cause he most likely wouldn't need it and since he was so little, it'd make him dopey. The vet charged me $200+ for everything, after all was said and done, when I wasn't supposed to pay ANYTHING for him to get neutered. I was told the shelter was only covering the actual operation, not the extras. Fine.. money down the drain, but that's okay. Whatever.
Strike Two: He's a VERY well behaved kitty, I haven't seen any aggression in him whatsoever (unless he's in play mode, of course), so when I brought him in, I told the tech (same one as above) that he prolly won't struggle with her too much and that he's quite gentle. Without hesitation, she roughly plopped his carrier on the table, reached in and /yanked/ him out by his scruff. No trying to calm him down, no soft words, nada. She then simply walked away, without any warning or letting me say goodbye. He was looking at me over her shoulder, both his arms reached out towards me, trying to scramble back into my arms.. crying. I just about lost it right there, the tears were welling up. He was gonna be there for two days, is it so wrong to let me snuggle him goodbye?! I made a comment to the receptionist and she had the tech bring him back in for a quick snug, the tech just rolled her eyes at me.
Strike Three: When I picked him up from getting neutered, the actual vet was very nice, but seemed in a hurry. We spoke briefly about diet, and of course, he suggested I put him BACK on the Science Diet he was eating while in the shelter. Right, whatever. He then quickly told me how to administer the pain meds and scooted me out the door. When we get home, I realize that one of his claws (one that didn't always fully retract) was crooked, bent to the side. I'm guessing he was fighting against the Evil Tech and got it caught on something. You'd think they would have frickin' (trying hard NOT to curse, here) noticed that he injured his paw! If they did notice, they didn't mention it to me. I mean, you'd think since I was paying for all this extra BS that they'd look him over a bit better before handing him back to me.
*takes a deep breath*
So... I told the shelter about my experience and they were FURIOUS, esp. since Niko was one of their golden children (I'm still in touch with them and his former fosterer, sending pics and videos all the time).
I changed vets immediately, to one my aunt used when before her cat passed away and they are absolutely wonderful. His initial appointment with them went like a dream. The tech was as sweet as can be, gave him treats, spoke to him softly.. coaxed him out, on his own, from his carrier. The vet, herself, was another wondrous experience. She tried to make friends with him before she even examined him, giving him scritches and loves, even closing the door to the exam room and putting him on the floor so he could get comfortable with his surroundings before she did anything. And yanno what? He purred through his entire exam. He nose-bumped and licked her hands, and even let her clip his back claws (which even /I/ can't do) without incident. I also spoke to her about diet, and told her about the EVO and Cal. Natural I've been feeding him as opposed to the Science Diet. Her response? She picked him up, snuggled him, and said, "You've got such a good mommy!"
I now love my vet, as does Niko.
Sorry for such a long post, this just gets me so riled up. If anyone's in the Central New Jersey area and is interested in what vets I'm speaking of, PM me.