Vet pushing for euthanasia

The story goes, I have an almost 19 year old kitty, we took her to the vet suspecting worms (she didnt) but after giving her a physical exam the vet started seriously pushing putting her to sleep saying she has bad teeth, which she does but they aren't rotting or anything, claims kidney damage by touch. The thing is she did NO tests what so ever, no xray no blood work, nothing, just an exam. She got anti biotics and is acting perfectly fine, running jumping purring eating she spent 20 minutes playing with a bottle cap yesterday, yet the vet claims she is suffering and is selfish not to put her down. I feel like nobody knows my cat better than me, but she is calling every week. What would you do? Can a vet force me to put her down?

Jessica00 said:

 What would you do? Can a vet force me to put her down?

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I would find another vet! But not before calling this one back and tearing a strip off her hide. Make sure she knows why you're leaving her practice, and warn everyone you know not to go there. I'd even consider lodging a complaint with your local veterinary board. 

No, a vet can't force you to put a cat down. Not even if they WERE sick, which clearly your dear old lady is not.

OH! MY! GOD!!!!!! I am so angry about this vet of yours I could scream. No way no earth can he just say your cat has "terminal kidney disease" by touch. Listen, a vet of mine tried to do the same thing about 10 years ago. I was so mad it wasn't even funny. I went to another vet and they did the proper bloodwork. Turned out in my Patches' case, she did have end stage kidney failure and was in her last 2 weeks of life. But that's the exception, lots of kitties can have sub q fluids, B12 injections, all sorts of easy treatments at home, diet changes, etc. and live a good happy life for years longer. I agree, tear this vet a new one and get on the phone to another vet. Your pet deserves respect. 

I'm sorry to hear about your cat but aside from that your replies made me feel much better because I thought the exact same thing! I believe that she honestly believes my cat is suffering but at the same time it was a quick exam and that's all she saw, she also said she gave her one month to live at most, this was on April second. Not only is she still alive she is full of energy. The next time she calls I will absolutely tell her what I'm thinking.

Why did the vet put your cat on antibiotics? Did she have a high temperature? Was she showing signs of a URI? What test did your vet do in order to rule out worms (since it sounds like she didn't do any tests at all)? Why did you suspect worms? Has she lost weight?

Many of us here have, or have had, cats with renal failure and have kept them going with a high quality life for years.

Also, age and signs of renal failure do not rule out dental surgery. My Sam just went through two hours of extensive dental surgery (gas anesthetic only) and has come through it really well and with an increased quality of life. She's been in renal failure for almost three years and one kidney is now so small the vet can barely feel it. If you cat needs dental surgery it's something you should consider - though with the help of a much better vet!
 

I FIRMLY AGREE with everyone else's posts! That "Vet" is crazy!My oldest cat is 21 yrs OLD! His fur is a little shaggy, he sees, but isn't as sharp of eye as when a young cat, his nose doesn't sniff as well (my impression), and he has thinned in the back.BUT, he moves pretty good (has a little inflammation, but doesn't seem to slow him down much as he still jumps up on my bed), he has a good appetite, he is peeing and pooping fine. He is just an old man. My Vet DID do tests and said years ago he has kidney issues, even prescribed a "special diet" food only she sells (*rolls eyes*) and which my cat refused to eat, period. So, my friend Socks gets what he likes to eat (best I can find) and he is willing to eat (hence my trying ground raw soon). I'm expecting some raw diet food in the mail, as I want to get his weight up some.And I've been given "opinion" after "opinion" by family members this last Christmas about how I need to put my best friend down. I say "Bull-HOCKEY!" They do not know him like I do! They do not see him day-to-day and hour-to-hour. ONLY you and your cat can decide when it is time. For me personally, that will be when I feel he is hurting or he is ready to go, and NOT A MINUTE BEFORE! The "Vet" you speak of, and I use the term loosely, should know better than giving a diagnosis before any testing, would you settle for the same medical treatment? I don't think so. I highly recommend that you find another "Vet", because the one you spoke of doesn't seem to know much of anything about being humane or caring.Good Luck! And I hope you and your companion/friend, both have a long and happy life together!!!

Just wanted to post an UNBELIEVABLE update of what just happened...

This wack job of a vet called the SPCA on me! after a month of phone calls, assuring her my cat was doing much better, even gaining weight, I get a knock on the door today. Thankfully, the officer knew what he was doing, saw my cat and determined she was indeed NOT in distress and he said there is no way he would order to have her put down. I am SO angry. I wish there was something i could do. I appreciate that she cares enough about the well being of animals to do so, but as i said in my first post, she hadn't done tests or anything to make her that concerned. UGH! Atleast my cat is still with me.

Jessica00 said:

Just wanted to post an UNBELIEVABLE update of what just happened...

This wack job of a vet called the SPCA on me! after a month of phone calls, assuring her my cat was doing much better, even gaining weight, I get a knock on the door today. Thankfully, the officer knew what he was doing, saw my cat and determined she was indeed NOT in distress and he said there is no way he would order to have her put down. I am SO angry. I wish there was something i could do. I appreciate that she cares enough about the well being of animals to do so, but as i said in my first post, she hadn't done tests or anything to make her that concerned. UGH! Atleast my cat is still with me.

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This has gone way too far. I would contact the police and let them know that she is harassing you. You may be able to get a TRO as well, although the requirements generally vary by city, if you want to go that far. 

You need to report her to the Canadian version of the AVMA. In your position, I'd be so enraged I would want her to be formally reprimanded.
 

At the very least you should post about this vet on yelp.com and any other sites where you can provide public feedback.

It sounds like she saw something that made her very concerned, a 19 year old cat with a dental infection, maybe thin(?) not eating due to bad teeth(?) 

But these are the kinds of things that get worked out with communication. It sounds like this vet has control issues. A lot of old people look really bad too and have trouble eating but that doesn't mean we kill them. 

What a terrible vet! I would definitely report her. I would totally call that crazy lady up and give her a piece of my mind. There is no way she can force euthanasia based on a physical exam. Switch vets, and make sure you tell everyone you know to avoid this clinic. Don't worry, because as long as your kitty is happy and healthy there is no reason to put her down.

Definitely get a second opinion, and give your kitty lots of love.

AMEN to what everyone said! Jeez I would FREAK if a vet did that to me!!! I would so lose it she would be getting an ear ache from all the yelling I'd be doing.

It took A LOT for me not to run right over there and let her know what I thought, but I didn't think that could help my situation any. I am going to look into reporting her if i can, and thanks for the suggestion to post about this on some review sites, and I'll warn anyone here if you are in Alberta, canada, do NOT go to the dog and cat hospital in red deer. Thanks guys, its nice to know I'm not crazy for feeling as angry as i am right now, I think i'll give her a call...
 

Jessica00 said:

Just wanted to post an UNBELIEVABLE update of what just happened...

This wack job of a vet called the SPCA on me! after a month of phone calls, assuring her my cat was doing much better, even gaining weight, I get a knock on the door today. Thankfully, the officer knew what he was doing, saw my cat and determined she was indeed NOT in distress and he said there is no way he would order to have her put down. I am SO angry. I wish there was something i could do. I appreciate that she cares enough about the well being of animals to do so, but as i said in my first post, she hadn't done tests or anything to make her that concerned. UGH! Atleast my cat is still with me.

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WOW! Flipping unbelievable!!! I was spitting mad as I read your posts, and this one took the prize and put me over the top. I agree with what everyone else said--and would report her to the veterinary board in Canada. Oh man...I am steaming! I have never heard of such incompetence and total disregard for a kitty that clearly is not at death's door.

I'm sure you probably know who to contact, but just in case here is a link with info for calling by area: http://www.vetabusenetwork.com/filecomplaint.htm <==You'll need to keep scrolling down until you get to listings, more than halfway down the page, for Canada (US ones by state are listed first--with US procedures; not sure if they apply to any other country), and find where you are located for phone numbers, etc.

You enjoy your sweet senior kitty (I have one that will be 16 in few months, and he's a spry, active, at times grumpy boy). Bless you so much for loving and watching out for her welfare in the face of such opposition. from me and my three beautiful bubbies!

Here's the CVMA website and contact info. Hopefully something is done. 

http://canadianveterinarians.net/contact-directory.aspx

thank you guys SO much for the links, I will be reporting her. I also filed a complaint with the BBB at the very least i want an apology for the harassment as well as my $90 back for the "exam" I posted a review under the sites google search results, and I will continue to push until this is resolved, there is no way i can just sweep this under the rug. It would break my heart to see innocent animals killed after a 20 minute exam... all i can do now is get the word out.

I appreciate the help and support i've been receiving here
 

I'm just glad that guy realized your cat was not dying or in distress!!! Thank goodness for that! 

Your story is too upsetting for me to comment. All I can say is that if this happened to my baby......... I'll let you use your imagination. I'm very sorry this happened to you and your Kitty. If your seeking moral support from fellow cat lovers, I doubt many other sites could compete with those who unselfishly given of themselves for my Kitty's needs in the past.

She sounds like a nut job. I'd change my number or if possible, block her. Find another vet as well as reporting her. She has gone too far. Who calls someone constantly to have their pet put down? That's awful and ridiculous. I would be furious! She needs her license revoked.

Good for you reporting her to the BBB and leaving a review.

I wonder if this woman is a member of PETA.  You know the president of that organization exults over the joy of "releasing animals from their servitude to man" by killing them.