Feeling guilty for getting second opinion

[BeccaCat]

A few months ago we adopted two Tonkinese girls that had been abandoned. Unbeknownst to us they came with a lot of health issues, but we have been doing our best. Freya, who is just 2, is incredibly gassy. She is in such discomfort and will often not want to eat. She also vomits a lot. They both had upper respiratory infections, and Freya's turned into pneumonia. I like the vet we have ben seeing, and she did help Freya get over the pneumonia. However, that gas is still a major problem. I kind of had to insist on a stool sample test, which was negative, and I asked about bloodwork - but the vet says she doesn't think that's necessary yet. She thinks all of the gas is from Freya swallowing air from having pneumonia. But she always gets worse after she eats. Then she doesn't want to eat. Then she's kind of lethargic - I think because she's not getting enough calories. They gave me prescription food, but that seemed to make her tummy worse. And she is TERRIFIED of dogs, so she always has legitimate panic attacks when we go to the vet.

Anyhow, I was able to find a cat only vet about 30 minutes from here, but I'm willing to drive if it helps my kitty. So I made an appointment for a second opinion. However, my current vet is a super nice woman and I think she does like my cats, so now I feel SUPER GUILTY. But my current vet just gives us medicine after medicine after medicine, and Freya is still struggling. And vomiting. And I've spent close to $1000. Which I'm not complaining, but I wasn't planning on quite so much spending when I adopted these girls.

So I guess I'm looking for reassurance that the second opinion is a good idea and that I'm not a bad client for trying another vet. Thanks!

 

[betsygee]

It's a good idea!! Some vets get stuck in a certain mindset and can't look at other options that might help. I took my kitties to one vet for years but --well, it's a long story. Let's just say I decided to get a second opinion for one of my kitties and I'm glad I did. X-rays by the new vet show she has an enlarged kidney and will need to be on a special diet (after she fully recovers from her pneumonia) and the first vet would have never known that. She never thought anything was serious enough to do x-rays.

 

[FeebysOwner]

Hi. I think a second opinion is a good idea too! There is no reason to feel guilty about it. You can always carry on with your current vet if you decide you like her best. Besides, she should have no issues with you getting a second opinion if she is a reasonable vet/person.

You don't really even need to tell her if you don't want to. Most owners don't do it, but you really should always get copies of all of your cats' records for your own safe keeping - which enables you to share them with another vet very easily. If this second opinion helps to resolve Freya's issues, and you still like your current vet better, you can always share with her what happened with the second opinion vet.

 

[BeccaCat]

It's a good idea!! Some vets get stuck in a certain mindset and can't look at other options that might help. I took my kitties to one vet for years but --well, it's a long story. Let's just say I decided to get a second opinion for one of my kitties and I'm glad I did. X-rays by the new vet show she has an enlarged kidney and will need to be on a special diet (after she fully recovers from her pneumonia) and the first vet would have never known that. She never thought anything was serious enough to do x-rays.

Thank you, that does make me feel better, and I’m glad your kitty got the X-rays she needed!

 

[BeccaCat]

Hi. I think a second opinion is a good idea too! There is no reason to feel guilty about it. You can always carry on with your current vet if you decide you like her best. Besides, she should have no issues with you getting a second opinion if she is a reasonable vet/person.

You don't really even need to tell her if you don't want to. Most owners don't do it, but you really should always get copies of all of your cats' records for your own safe keeping - which enables you to share them with another vet very easily. If this second opinion helps to resolve Freya's issues, and you still like your current vet better, you can always share with her what happened with the second opinion vet.

Thank you, those are all good ideas

 

[fionasmom]

I have, on numerous occasions, taken my dog and cats to other vets for various reasons. This includes outright asking for referrals to specialized clinics and doctors....so not even hiding the fact that I want to go elsewhere. None of the vets ever expressed the least amount of animosity about it. Second opinions are not really a big deal in medicine today. If absolutely nothing else, you have paid $1000 for a problem that is not resolved.

 

[neely]

And she is TERRIFIED of dogs, so she always has legitimate panic attacks when we go to the vet.

That alone was a wise and thoughtful reason to get a second opinion from a feline only vet. It not only will give you peace of mind but be a less stressful atmosphere for your cat.

When we took our cats and dogs to the same vet at one time he was unsure about a symptom our dog was having so he did a biopsy and told us pending the results he wanted us to consult with a veterinary specialist. I personally think that's a sign of an honest and reputable vet. Since he retired we now take our cat to a feline only vet who is very knowledgeable and there's no barking or loud noise in the office.

 

[BeccaCat]

I have, on numerous occasions, taken my dog and cats to other vets for various reasons. This includes outright asking for referrals to specialized clinics and doctors....so not even hiding the fact that I want to go elsewhere. None of the vets ever expressed the least amount of animosity about it. Second opinions are not really a big deal in medicine today. If absolutely nothing else, you have paid $1000 for a problem that is not resolved.

Yes, exactly. And it’s not so much the money as the fact that the poor cat is still so uncomfortable. I can’t believe there’s no remedies for kitty cat gas other than the pill they gave her (Metoclopramide). I’d rather find the underlying cause and stop the gas rather than just try to constantly medicate her, which can be a battle. And constantly worrying if she won’t eat. Like today. She’s probably had 25 calories all day? She can’t go on like this. Last night she FINALLY ate a small meal around 10:30 pm. Thankfully she drinks. But she’s so little and she really needs to feel better and gain weight. I hope this new vet can help her. She goes Wednesday night, it was the soonest I could get. I’ll keep you posted.

 

[BeccaCat]

That alone was a wise and thoughtful reason to get a second opinion from a feline only vet. It not only will give you peace of mind but be a less stressful atmosphere for your cat.

When we took our cats and dogs to the same vet at one time he was unsure about a symptom our dog was having so he did a biopsy and told us pending the results he wanted us to consult with a veterinary specialist. I personally think that's a sign of an honest and reputable vet. Since he retired we now take our cat to a feline only vet who is very knowledgeable and there's no barking or loud noise in the office.

Thank you. You all are making me feel so much better. Thank you for taking the time to reply