Vet venting and finding a new one

noisette · Nov 28, 2010

Sorry guys, this is probably going to be a little bit of a venting session. I am SOO ticked!!

I know that some of you already know about the situation with my two new babies Monty and Meeko. I'm not going to get into it much other than to mention that in the now two weeks since they have been home I have had to take them to the vet now 6 times.....

The first time I took them in it was there checkup for me bringing them home. I asked that they be thoroughly checked over because they were both older and might have problems because they had been in the shelter for a few years.

They looked them both over and said they were fine. I took them to the vet 5 times after that and said each time, please look them over I suspect this or that... the second visit I specifically mentioned that I think Meeks has ear mites.... "Oh, no. That's just dirt. Clean his ears.."

Yea, so they charged me almost $100 for each visit. Prescribe meds that they really aren't necessary and if I question them about the meds they guilt me like hell and then question if I care about MY cats

My response was something to the effect of "do you?" and to top it all off they keep missing big stuff that is very evident to me and I'm not even a vet.

It's been a really bad first go and now not only are they terrified of their carriers, but I know it's effecting their adjustment to their new home as well. They haven't been here 3 weeks yet and they are on a medication regiment that would compare to a 90 year old mans.

I cut some of the meds myself when the vet screwed up and prescribed a med that reacted with one of Monty's other meds. I gave Monty a liquid stool hardener that made him seize and foam at the mouth.... Mommy (me) threw a very bad temper tantrum at the vets office the next day.

And just now Meeko came up to me crying with his little ear flat against his head... I got him and didn't even have to pull his ear all the way back to see the ear mites........

I feel sooo sorry for my boys. I'm getting them a new vet and filing a HUGE complaint tomorrow. This is beyond stupid. It's next to cruelty.... No wonder they aren't getting along. They are stressed beyond reason and I can't let them chill. It's off to the vet again tomorrow. We can't afford it, but I'm not going to let them suffer either. If you believe in God please say a little prayer for my little family. We need it.(and if you don't [believe] please don't be offended by my request.)

luvmyparker · Nov 28, 2010

Its sad there are vets out there who just do not care and ONLY want your money. However, there are doctors, dentists and other people out there who do the same thing.

Sounds like a new vet is definitely in order! Cats are so sensitive and at their age, they should be able to just relax and live out their last days in a peaceful loving environment, not be shipped back to some jerk vet.
I'm sorry your going through this. I am sure you will find a great vet! I will say a little prayer for you guys.

herekittykitty8 · Nov 28, 2010

Hi Noisette,
If I were you, I'd find a new vet and explain the situation to them.
Have the new vet write up a detailed report of all the findings that were overlooked by the original vet.
I'd then take the reprt, march it right back to the old vet and demand my money back for all the times I had to constantly bring my pets in to be looked at, because their illnesses were constantly overlooked.
I would then tell the vet I am reporting them to the state licensising board.

I found this link - hope this helps.

http://www.vetabusenetwork.com/filecomplaint.htm

carolina · Nov 28, 2010

Noi, yes, if you are not happy with the vet, by all means, change it. The best way to do this is by word of mouth... Do you have neighbors or friends who live in the area who own animals? Ask them where they take their babies, and details about their vets...
I just dropped one of my vets - He kept pushing a diet for bugsy even though he was allergic to chicken, never caught Hope's heart murmur, and was just not through enough on anything - just kept giving the same medications without concerns for side effects long term. He also did something very unprofessional that I am not going into here, but it was my last straw.
Since my preferred vet was closed, I asked my landlord where she took her babies, and she referred me to a fantastic vet, where I am taking them now.
I now have 2 clinics to work with, both fabulous.
One thing to keep in mind: You don't necessarily need to go in every time something happens... Say you took them last week, and something is going on that you think is related to the medicine prescribed it; you take the phone and you call the doctor instead. He will call you back, and will cost you nothing. Even if the medication is not working and he needs to switch prescriptions... You can still do that - you will go in only to pick up the new prescription. Your conversation will not be billed; you will pay only for the meds. I do this quite often with Bugsy too, as he has some issues that takes time to treat and we are trying some medications to try to fix it... Even though I have insurance (which I highly recommend you getting it before they get diagnosed with something chronic), I would be broke if I went in all the time. And yes, I do this even with the new vet; I keep him posted on how Bugsy is doing on the medication, and we already switched a prescription over the phone when the first didn't work. The plan is for me to take him in only if this second one doesn't work.

Something else to consider: Revolution, a flea medication, will get rid of ear mites as well. you can ask them to clean their ears, and then, if you haven't treated them for fleas yet, you can keep them on Revolution - it will also take care of most parasites.

Make sure to give the old vet's information to the new vet, so they can pull all the record from them, this way you don't need to start from ground 0.

What were all the problems they were treated for?

noisette · Nov 29, 2010

Thanks all of you for your input.

Herekittykitty8: I will definitely look into that site and see what I can do with it.

Carolina: I have tried calling several times and they tell me that they cannot prescribe or make a diagnosis over the phone. They insist that I bring the boys in for everything. Trust me if I could have done an over the phone I would have, but they wouldn't work w/me.
As for the Revolution stuff, I already gave him frontline+. Does that take care of mites as well?
Wow, all of the things that have been wrong. Not including the first check up they (as in one or both) have been diagnosed with upper respiratory infection(and feline herpes which goes with it), Round worm, Tape worm, various bowel disorders (one has chronic diarrhea, the other can hardly make a poop), A dental infection, a possible hernia, and now mites... I know I'm missing something, but I'm not near their records.....

I'm going to talk to the lady next door tomorrow. She and I have talked before about her cat and I can't remember where she goes. There's a nice small family clinic right down the road that I might consider as well. I think that a part of the problem is that the vet I'm going to has too many clients and can't keep up. I always feel rushed and well, look at all they missed. Granted there are a few things (like the bowel disorders) that I can see them missing. They after all can't see the litter box, but I did bring poo samples and explained their patterns to the vet and she said that they were normal for the stress they were under.... which made sense at the time, sort of. Between that and the screwing up the meds I'm simply done. I just think that they don't take all cases seriously. That or they have too full of a plate. I'm trying not to be too critical, but it's very hard when we have to go back all the time. As was mentioned earlier, they should be enjoying life, not trucking to the vets all the time.

carolina · Nov 29, 2010

Originally Posted by Noisette

Thanks all of you for your input.

Herekittykitty8: I will definitely look into that site and see what I can do with it.

Carolina: I have tried calling several times and they tell me that they cannot prescribe or make a diagnosis over the phone. They insist that I bring the boys in for everything. Trust me if I could have done an over the phone I would have, but they wouldn't work w/me. Time to change vets, this one clearly only wants your $$$, a good vet will work with you over the phone for a follow up on the meds you are using, after the first visit.
As for the Revolution stuff, I already gave him frontline+. Does that take care of mites as well? No, Frontline will only take care of fleas and ticks - Revolution and Advantage MULTI will get rid of mites, roundworms and parasites.Tapeworms can easily be treated with drontal, a cheap pill that costs around $13. Right now you can treat it with Tresaderm (get it from your vet), and when you can apply topical flea medicine again, request Revolution.
Wow, all of the things that have been wrong. Not including the first check up they (as in one or both) have been diagnosed with upper respiratory infection(and feline herpes which goes with it), Round worm, Tape worm, various bowel disorders (one has chronic diarrhea, the other can hardly make a poop), A dental infection, a possible hernia, and now mites... I know I'm missing something, but I'm not near their records..... Unless he diagnosed him with Colitis, he could not diagnosed him with IBS or IBD, only with a biopsy, or if not with a biopsy, with a trial diagnosis with much much more history which he doesn't have at this point. This would include putting him on an elimination diet to rule out possibly allergy to protein or grains, etc.... It would take at least 6-8 weeks...

I'm going to talk to the lady next door tomorrow. She and I have talked before about her cat and I can't remember where she goes. There's a nice small family clinic right down the road that I might consider as well. I think that a part of the problem is that the vet I'm going to has too many clients and can't keep up. I always feel rushed and well, look at all they missed. Granted there are a few things (like the bowel disorders) that I can see them missing. They after all can't see the litter box, but I did bring poo samples and explained their patterns to the vet and she said that they were normal for the stress they were under.... which made sense at the time, sort of. Between that and the screwing up the meds I'm simply done. I just think that they don't take all cases seriously. That or they have too full of a plate. I'm trying not to be too critical, but it's very hard when we have to go back all the time. As was mentioned earlier, they should be enjoying life, not trucking to the vets all the time.

I like smaller clinics... One of my vets now is a larger hospital, which is good as they have ultrasound and such, and the other is a smaller, more personable one. Once Bugsy got a bad reaction to the vaccine, and I was about to hop in a plane for a business trip, the vet came to my house to administer an injection on him - did not charge me anything... I was freaking out, and he just wanted to help Bugsy... I know that I can call either of them on the phone if my cats have an issue, and they will tell me if it is necessary to bring them in. If it is the case to change meds, we just change the meds.

You really need a vet who you can trust; this is key... once you have that, I promise you, things will get better...

What are you feeding your babies now?

noisette · Nov 29, 2010

I have a preference for science diet. It's always done really well for my kitties in the past and it has made an improvement with their stools as well. I had to do the food mixing to get them off the crap the shelter had them on. So I didnt switch them straight from one to another....

also, are you a vet? your so well informed that I think you either have to be super cat mom or a vet!

my4llma · Nov 29, 2010

Get to another vet, don't wait while questioning this vet. Don't make the same mistake I made. I stayed way to long with my original vet. It sounds like your going to the same type of vet, that only cares about money, and doesn't care 1 bit about the animals in his care. Now we go to a VCA Animal Hospital. I've looked them up, they appear to be in every state, just some states have more locations than others. Maybe if you looked them up in your area, you'll find 1 close by. So far the vet we go to now is good, she did try everything. And she had planned to test further to find out what actually caused Lynxx's sickness in the first place.

As for the ear mites, you need a vet prescription to use, but it's worth it called: Advantage is what we use. We were able to get Advantage Kitten for Midnight and it cleared up his ear mites.

carolina · Nov 29, 2010

Originally Posted by Noisette

I have a preference for science diet. It's always done really well for my kitties in the past and it has made an improvement with their stools as well. I had to do the food mixing to get them off the crap the shelter had them on. So I didnt switch them straight from one to another....

also, are you a vet? your so well informed that I think you either have to be super cat mom or a vet!

LOL, no, not a vet

, just Bugsy's cat mom, and since he has a lot of issues, I guess I could qualify as super cat mom...

Discuss with your vet an elimination diet... If you like Hills, you can perhaps try their prescription Z/D for a while to see if it cleans the diarrhea - this way you can see if it is food intolerance related

bellaandme · Nov 29, 2010

This is my view on the vet situation: If Emmy were my human baby, and her pediatrician wasn't providing care that was up to standard I wouldn't hesitant finding another one.

bastetservant · Nov 29, 2010

I find the whole vet situation contemptible.

But I also find it shocking that the shelter let two cats be adopted with all those issues. I volunteer at a shelter and the medical care there is as good, no probably better, than what most pampered pets get. All the animals are regularly examined and treated for all the problems you named, and the cats would not have been eligible for adoption until all those problems were cleared up. Including finding the best diet that managed the digestive problems. I pity all the animals left in that "shelter."

It's horrifying.

I so hope you find a good vet very soon and get your boys taken care of.

Bless you for taking them in, loving them, and taking such good care of them. They are lucky cats and once all this turmoil is over, they will never let you forget how grateful they are that you did all this for them.

Robin

mnjulz · Nov 29, 2010

In your original post you said they were put on a bunch of meds. (sorry I don't know how to do quotes.)

They probably have upset stomachs from all the meds. Alot of those meds kill the good bacteria in the stomach and give them diarrhea. Revolution will take care of your mites, worms and parasite problem and will not give them diarrhea. Pick one food and stick with it for a while. Give their stomachs time to settle down. Good luck. Nothing is worse than sick cats and a bad vet!

noisette · Nov 29, 2010

lol, thanks guys. I got a hold of the former vet today and they were snooty as always and told me that my cat's had to many problems to transfer "safely" at the moment. (they aren't staying at the vets, we are just there all the freaking time) I politely told her where to shove it and reminded her of all the things they missed.... Honestly, I'm not normally this pissy, but they have endangered and not properly cared for my furry family and i can't tolerate that. Her final comment about my leaving them was a bit of a last straw and i snapped.

On a happier note the new vet rocks! a full checkup free of charge and a med look over too! they are also giving me the shelters rates for cat meds for a few months so I can safely get my boys taken care of without breaking the bank.

happy day

carolina · Nov 29, 2010

LOL! Great thing you found a new vet! Is that the clinic your neighbor goes to? The neighborhood clinic? Awesome!
For the future, know that you don't need the aggravation of telling them you are moving on; you leave that to the new vet

They will call the old clinic and request the records... that's all that's to it...
Make sure they do that by the way, that they transfer all the records over...
Good luck, and keep us updated with what they find out with your babies.... when are you going in?

stephanietx · Nov 29, 2010

Originally Posted by Noisette

have been diagnosed with upper respiratory infection(and feline herpes which goes with it)...

Just because your kitties have been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection does NOT mean your kitties have feline herpes. There is a separate test for FHV and it can't be diagnosed just by looking at a kitty.

For the diarrhea and runny poop, the stool needs to be tested for TF. http://www.animalrescue.net/C-10-419R

stephanietx · Nov 29, 2010

One other thing. Since they have been on so many meds, ask the vet about a probiotic to help rebuild the good bacteria in their guts. That might help with the poop problem. I just give my kitties 1/2 an acidophilus tablet when they're on meds. You can buy them at Wal-Mart or the like in the supplements section. We keep them on hand for the humans when tummy issues arise.

taryn · Nov 30, 2010

In the future let your new vet get the records and save yourself the grief. I love(note sarcasm) that they claimed your cats had too many problems for them to transfer safely. What a load of you know what. I took Attitude to a vet for a second opinion when she was so sick the new vet told me to put her down(I didn't, I wasn't ready and neither was she.) I didn't like the vet we saw(I like my vet but Paul wanted a second opinion and chose the vet) but an animal is never 'too sick' to change vets. The vet we went to for the second opinion from contacted my vet and got Attitude's records faxed over.

Talk to the vet about probiotics, they might help with any tummy issues.

Taryn

noisette · Nov 30, 2010

Sorry, I know that I'm going to mix up who I'm replying to so I will reply as much as I can remember. Monty was diagnosed with herpes at the same time he was diagnosed with the respiratory infection. although that and everything else was double checked today. He has herpes ans the other vet got most everything with the kitties diagnosis right. She also was doing a lot very wrong. Monty has been so sick in part because she had him on a med that he was allergic to and If she would have listened to my reports on his reactions she would have known that.... Monty had to stay the night at the vets because the med he was allergic to also put a strain on his heart. He's not in any danger at all. It would have taken a lot longer for it to have come to that. The vet just wanted him on some good fluids and is also medicating him a little to relieve his stress. He needs it. Poor baby is on his last nerve.

She's very concerned about meeko as well. he's staying with her tonight as well. He may have some serious stomach damage due to the long case of worms he had. he's puking blood and she is worried that it might be intestines or leukemia. I can't get to into this right now because I'm trying not to get upset. I'm hoping it's just a treatable intestine issue and it is nothing more. We find out first thing tomorrow morning.

carolina · Nov 30, 2010

Oh my Goodness Noi, sounds like you found this new vet in the nick of time. Wow. Take care of your babies now, concentrate on this... But IMHO you have to communicate all this to the upper management/owner of the other vet clinic/hospital you went to in regards to all the harm they did to your cats. They could have killed them...
Hopefully Meeko will not have Leukemia and will get better.
I don't remember all your posts - did you get them from a shelter? If you did, they should not have Leukemia; they should've come to you already tested negative - check you paperwork from the adoption, it should be there. Did you ever get them tested before? Usually on the first vet visit...
That's right, you got them from Petco, right? So they are probably from a Rescue - I will bet he is Leukemia negative - rescues test their cats, and never ever ever mix positive cats in with healthy cats... This cat would not be at Petco either had he had Leukemia. As I said, pull out your paperwork...
Good luck honey, Please please update us tomorrow :vi bes:

stephanietx · Nov 30, 2010

So glad you took them for a second opinion. Praying everything comes out fine for Meeko.

Vet venting and finding a new one

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