Bad situation, please help.

[donutte]

If you do take in another soul, I definitely would look for a more sympathetic vet. My vet felt horrible when my Lucky had to be put to sleep because there was really nothing more he could do for him. Even though that TRULY was not his fault, he still felt remorse over it. And the day of, he had to go out in the cold rain and wind without a coat to compose himself!

I just can't imagine this kind of guy. I'm so sorry you had to deal with him and get that kind of response this morning. Your baby deserved so much better than that.

 

[Kat0121]

I'm so very sorry for your loss. This was a horrible thing that happened but unfortunately, these things do happen. The most important thing that you need to know now is that this was NOT your fault. 

You did everything right. You cared for this cat when no one else would and gave her a loving home and unconditional friendship. She looked so content in those pictures. She clearly loved you too and she always will. 

I would not bring another animal to that vet. For him to immediately become defensive and then make a joke about a young cat dying suddenly is so unprofessional and incredibly insensitive.

@Donutte  is correct. That vet should have been horrified that a patient of his died that way. $400.00 for a routine spay is too expensive. I'd avoid him like the plague from now on. 

RIP little girl. You were loved while you were here and you will be loved always and never forgotten. 

 

[kittens mom]

I talked to the vet that spayed her.
He said it was not his fault and the best he can do is when i get my next cat he will do the first shot for free......
Definitely unfortunate i lost someone i was getting so close to and its disregarded as if its not a big deal.

If that was all he said ask for the chart notes. For 400 dollars you should have had some blood work. S/N is not a novel surgery. If you have real questions contact your State Veterinary Board. NOT MY FAULT is not an answer. Vets are not dummies. They are highly educated and to not even offer some possibilities for why this could have happened rather heartless.

As to the free shot. It's not worth it to take another pet there.

 

[ginny]

He said it couldve been a heart problem that was unknown to anyone and even made the joke that next time i should get an xray.
I did not know young cats could die so sudden because of heart conditions. I figured i wouldve been told that by the vet on my first 2 visits.

He has a point it could have been a heart problem and not his fault. But at the same time since its not known he should realise theres a chance it was his fault.
I was actually feeling better this morning about losing my friend until i talked to the vet.

Wait....he "even made the joke that next time I should get an X-ray.."??????  What a class A JERK!  That's the best thing I can call that idiot here.  We need to make a list of BAD vets like this one so the rest of us can avoid them like the plague.  God that makes me angry what he said to you!!!

 

[kittens mom]

 
If that was all he said ask for the chart notes. For 400 dollars you should have had some blood work. S/N is not a novel surgery. If you have real questions contact your State Veterinary Board. NOT MY FAULT is not an answer. Vets are not dummies. They are highly educated and to not even offer some possibilities for why this could have happened rather heartless.

As to the free shot. It's not worth it to take another pet there.

I think you need to ask for the chart notes and on your bill for 400 dollars see if there was blood work. This is not rocket science surgery. You also need to find out who actually operated.

 

[catpack]

I too want to say how sorry I am for your loss. We never expect young cats to die. Heart conditions (typically Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy...or HCM) are the most common cause for sudden death in kittens and young cats. Many of these furbabies show no symptoms prior to death, but a heart murmur can sometimes be detected.

I too would be curious to know what the $400 covered. I know that, without a spay certificate, a spay at our vet costs between $400 and $500. That includes pre-op blood work ($120) , a Cerenia injection ($50-ish), a dose of Buprenex ($50-ish), IV and SubQ fluids, Catheter, as well as state of the art monitoring equipment and surgery by a vet I trust.

My questions to the vet would be:
What anesthetic was used (injectable and gas)
What pre-op medications are given and in what order
Were any fluids given

How large was your cat's spay incision?

I think the vet should have at least offered to do a necropsy (autopsy) on her.

I've lost a few cats due to anesthesia and post-op complications. In their cases, the cause was HCM and other heart related defects that were non-symptomatic. We have since decided to use a feline Pro BNP blood panel prior to sedation which detects a protein when there is heart damage.

I think the hardest thing in your case is the not knowing. Not knowing if the vet made a mistake and not knowing if something more could have been done. But, we do know that YOU did everything you possible could for this sweet girl and I hope you are able to eventually find some comfort in that.

 

[fyllis]

I am so sorry for your loss! 

There is always the wild card of underlying genetic problems that cannot be foreseen. If there was a full exam prior to surgery, a heart murmur or other defect should have been detectable. However, if there were kidney issues, there could have been problems as a result of the anesthesia. As some have said, she might have thrown a clot.

 

It's important to know that YOU did nothing wrong. Whether there was some type of negligence or error on the vet's part - you will never know. At this point, I suggest you take a deep breath and let it go. Easier said than done, I know. But you can't worry yourself over what you have no control over. Whatever the reason, there is nothing more that can be done. Please, don't think I am being cold-hearted here. I'm not. 

Here is a link with important information regarding anesthesia and your pet (both cats and dogs) that most people are unaware of.

 

http://www.dogcatsurgery.com/four-veterinary-secrets.html

Regarding the cost of the spay - If you read the info in the link above, you know that there are many variables that might affect the cost including, but not limited to, medications and equipment used, location, experience, type of facility (private practice or publicly funded clinic), even the size of the practice enters in - is it a small office with one vet and his wife, or is it a large facility with huge overhead? 

I took the liberty of Googling your area and found that there are several spay/neuter clinics in your area and one offers a cost of $120 for a spay ($80 for neutering). 

When selecting a Vet, you do need to shop around and do your homework. I've been with my current vet for over 30 years; however, when I got my Boys last year, I still interviewed a few others in the area. I moved and now live 30 miles from my vet, so I checked out a few vets and ER Clinics that are closer to home in case I needed someone right NOW!

I was a nurse for over 20 years, so maybe it is just ingrained in me to ask a lot of questions, but I needed/wanted information so I could make an informed decision regading who would care for my cats should the need arise. I wanted to know about the the quality of their facilities, staff, equipment and patient care - among other things. 

This is the basic process of my search:

1. I arranged an appointment (without my cats along) to speak with the vet, get a feel for the facility and staff and to discuss potential costs and procedures.
2. While in the waiting room I observed the environment for smell, cleanliness, appearance, organization, friendliness and interaction of the staff behind the desk. (Listen to how they communicate with other and other clients. Watch their facial expressions, voice tone and body language). This is also a great time to talk with other clients who are waiting. How long have they been going there? Are they satisfied? What are their experiences with this particular vet/clinic?
3. How many Vets were on staff. Did they have more than one location. Did they have walk-in availability and were they available 24/7. (This is important! If something happens on a weekend, you need a vet who will be there!).
4. Is the practice AAHA-accredited (there should be a plaque on the wall if it is).
5. How are overnight patients monitored?
6. What sort of equipment do they use?
7. Do they refer to specialists? Are any of the staff vets specialists and, if so, what are their specialties?
8. How are pets evaluated before anesthesia/surgery?
9. Are the technicians licensed?
10. What is their pain management protocol?
11. Are X-rays, ultrasound, bloodwork, EKG, endoscopy and other diagnostics done in-house or referred to a specialist?
12. What are basic fees - wellness check-ups, office visits, vaccinations, spay/neuter, lab work. Ask for a print-out of basic expected fees. 
13. Do they offer discounts for senior pets and/or multiple pets?
14. Do they have an on-site pharmacy?
15. Who (if anyone) will be seeing your pet if the vet is unavailable (sick, vacation, etc.). 
16. Do they work with any other vets in the area?
17. Do they declaw? If so, do they offer this as a 'package deal' or is it ONLY done for medical purposes? This says a LOT about the vet and how they view your pet. DO NOT DECLAW!!
18. At the time you schedule your interview appointment, request a tour of the facility! Are the exam rooms/tables clean? Is there a surgical area in-site? Observe the 'holding' cages - are they clean? Do the in-house pets look comforable and cared for? Are there separate areas for cats and dogs? 
19. Take notice of how the vet interacts with you. Are they open and take time to answer your questions? Or do you feel uncomfortable and rushed? THIS is how they well treat you and your pet in the future!
20. Do they have a web site? Read reviews! 

Write your questions down and take notes! (you'll never remember everything). 

This might seem unneccesary, but I strongly recommend it! I interviewed 5 vets in my immediate area before selecting one I was OK with if I ever needed to use their services.
There is a vet literally 1 block from me and I wouldn't take a dead dog through their doors because of my observations when I walked in. I had a scheduled appointment but was told I had to wait because the doctor was eating lunch. The place was dark (dim lights and dark grey paint on the walls, concrete floor in the waiting room, 3 chairs - two of which were broken, and the girl at the desk was busy texting on her phone and gave me a dirty look when I informed her I had an appointment and asked her to let the doctor know I was here. Then, I changed my mind and told her I was leaving! 

So, you have now had the experience of having a cat in your life, and you know how quickly and strongly a bond developes! Don't let this one incident keep you from getting another cat. Instead, learn from it and consider giving homage to your little fur baby by adopting a cat. Pets from rescues or shelters are usually already spayed/neutered and have recieved their first series (if not all) of their vaccinations. Be prepared and you are always welcome to come here to The Cat Site for answers to your questions - Before, During and After bringing a new cat into your heart.

I hope this has helped some.

Fyllis

Keeker & Kricket

P.S. - I would NOT walk back into this vets office ever again! Just from reading what you said here, he seems to be an uncaring and arrogant jerk! Keep in mind, there ARE vets out there who are 'in it for the money' and not the welfare of the animals (or their owners). 

 

[Mamanyt1953]

~SNIP~
This is the basic process of my search:

1. I arranged an appointment (without my cats along) to speak with the vet, get a feel for the facility and staff and to discuss potential costs and procedures.
2. While in the waiting room I observed the environment for smell, cleanliness, appearance, organization, friendliness and interaction of the staff behind the desk. (Listen to how they communicate with other and other clients. Watch their facial expressions, voice tone and body language). This is also a great time to talk with other clients who are waiting. How long have they been going there? Are they satisfied? What are their experiences with this particular vet/clinic?
3. How many Vets were on staff. Did they have more than one location. Did they have walk-in availability and were they available 24/7. (This is important! If something happens on a weekend, you need a vet who will be there!).
4. Is the practice AAHA-accredited (there should be a plaque on the wall if it is).
5. How are overnight patients monitored?
6. What sort of equipment do they use?
7. Do they refer to specialists? Are any of the staff vets specialists and, if so, what are their specialties?
8. How are pets evaluated before anesthesia/surgery?
9. Are the technicians licensed?
10. What is their pain management protocol?
11. Are X-rays, ultrasound, bloodwork, EKG, endoscopy and other diagnostics done in-house or referred to a specialist?
12. What are basic fees - wellness check-ups, office visits, vaccinations, spay/neuter, lab work. Ask for a print-out of basic expected fees. 
13. Do they offer discounts for senior pets and/or multiple pets?
14. Do they have an on-site pharmacy?
15. Who (if anyone) will be seeing your pet if the vet is unavailable (sick, vacation, etc.). 
16. Do they work with any other vets in the area?
17. Do they declaw? If so, do they offer this as a 'package deal' or is it ONLY done for medical purposes? This says a LOT about the vet and how they view your pet. DO NOT DECLAW!!
18. At the time you schedule your interview appointment, request a tour of the facility! Are the exam rooms/tables clean? Is there a surgical area in-site? Observe the 'holding' cages - are they clean? Do the in-house pets look comforable and cared for? Are there separate areas for cats and dogs? 
19. Take notice of how the vet interacts with you. Are they open and take time to answer your questions? Or do you feel uncomfortable and rushed? THIS is how they well treat you and your pet in the future!
20. Do they have a web site? Read reviews! 

Write your questions down and take notes! (you'll never remember everything). 
~SNIP~

This should really be typed up into a checklist and stickied for new pet owners, maybe in the health forum?

I am so sorry you lost your cat, especially since you are brand new to loving cats.  Please let this be a beginning for you, not an end.  You have a loving soul, and some other kitty needs to meet you so very much. 

Your little girl was a beauty, and so lucky to have so conscientious a person come into her life.  Not your fault, regardless.  You did just as you should have done.

 

[jenny82]

I'm so sorry for your loss. How terrible. She was very beautiful. RIP pretty girl.

 

[DreamerRose]

I am so sorry this happened and that you had such an uncaring and flippant vet. We all need to remember that 50% of the vets out there graduated in the bottom half of their class.