I went to a local vet about a year ago (11/05) when Twinkie was having a bout of lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, lack of grooming and was hiding under the bed. I was really concerned and the vet (an older guy, probably 60ish) said it was a hairball. He told me to give Twinks cat lax and be on my way.
Twinkie got worse. I took him back and then the vet said that he COULD do bloodwork but since it was a hairball probably wouldn't help. I said please do bloodwork and whatever you can for him, he is dying. The vet kind of brushed me off and I got the impression he just thought I was a neurotic pet owner. He made a couple comments like "oh he looks fine now" and that's because he was in the vet's office!! They perk up due to adrenaline.
They did a barium study with xrays, kept him overnight, did a blood panel and this totaled 600 some dollars. Still no answers and was sent him with him and told that I should give him cat lax twice a week to prevent this in the future. No real answers, just a bunch of expensive diagnostics.
Fast forward to this year, he was diagnosed with feline leukemia and that was a simple 50 dollar test that takes 8 minutes. Easy. Had that been done I could have treated the symptoms and at least had him a bit longer. Or at least I wouldn't have been brushed off and made to feel like I'm worrying too much about my very sick cat.
Twinkie died last week of feline leukemia and I am mourning my baby but also am upset at the vet's negligence.
Do you think this would be a reasonable thing to do? Or am I going overboard and possibly ruining some poor vet's practice? I just feel justified because of all the expensive tests and lack of an answer. And the possibility of prolonging his life and decreasing his suffering. thoughts? should I call the vet first or just go to the board or do nothing?
Twinkie got worse. I took him back and then the vet said that he COULD do bloodwork but since it was a hairball probably wouldn't help. I said please do bloodwork and whatever you can for him, he is dying. The vet kind of brushed me off and I got the impression he just thought I was a neurotic pet owner. He made a couple comments like "oh he looks fine now" and that's because he was in the vet's office!! They perk up due to adrenaline.
They did a barium study with xrays, kept him overnight, did a blood panel and this totaled 600 some dollars. Still no answers and was sent him with him and told that I should give him cat lax twice a week to prevent this in the future. No real answers, just a bunch of expensive diagnostics.
Fast forward to this year, he was diagnosed with feline leukemia and that was a simple 50 dollar test that takes 8 minutes. Easy. Had that been done I could have treated the symptoms and at least had him a bit longer. Or at least I wouldn't have been brushed off and made to feel like I'm worrying too much about my very sick cat.
Twinkie died last week of feline leukemia and I am mourning my baby but also am upset at the vet's negligence.
Do you think this would be a reasonable thing to do? Or am I going overboard and possibly ruining some poor vet's practice? I just feel justified because of all the expensive tests and lack of an answer. And the possibility of prolonging his life and decreasing his suffering. thoughts? should I call the vet first or just go to the board or do nothing?