"Kelly Greene" wrote in message
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"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
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"cybercat" wrote in message
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"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote

Bringing the conversation back down to earth...A suggestion to seek a
second opinion is actually wise advice. We are not suggesting that you
go "vet searching" and seek opinion after opinion. But, just like with
humans, it is good practice to get a second opinion when the first vet
seems to be having difficulty. It is possible that the second vet will
also diagnose inner ear infection, but it is *also* possible that the
second vet will find something that was originally overlooked. This
does not necessarily mean that your current vet did not do a good job.
None of us are perfect, and there are numerous instances when even a
small change in protocol can locate new information. And you are
thinking about the ultimate, final decision--killing your cat. I really
cannot understand doing that without at least seeking a second opinion,
and especially for something that is usually as treatable as inner ear
infection.

I know I react emotionally and in ways some people find, err, offensive,
but there it is. I find it offensive that anyone would consider
euthanizing when there are still paths to pursue and they are not even
that expensive. To me it is common sense and a normal heart to do so.
Anything else ****es me off. Thanks for being a calm voice, MaryL. I am
sure I will not change, so I kill file to try to keep the flames to a
minimum. I actually don't enjoy getting upset at this kind of thing, or
anything, in fact. I have a feeling this cat is a goner, for the very
reason that it has suffered for this long without Kelly taking it to
another vet. That she could just sit there. FFS. Okay, time to wrap it
up.


Yes, I guess it's time to wrap it up simply because I fear that you are
correct. I can't imagine digging my heels in an absolutely refusing to
seek a second opinion simply based on the determination that "it's easy
to diagnose" inner ear infection and therefore supposedly could not be
mistaken.

Have you ever considered a person's financial situation? Not everyone has
the same disposable income as you do. I'm getting the impression the
people on this Group are financially well off to spend freely on stray
cats. Don't judge anyone until you walk in their shoes and I don't say
that in a sarcastic way. :-)

She's doing much better the past 2 days.

Ironically, it would not cost any more for a second opinion.......

See what I mean? :-) The other clinic in our town is so expensive not
one person I know still takes their animals there. Another $100+ for
tests, exam etc may be pocket change for you and your friends. It's a lot
of money to seniors on SS.

that
it costs to continually go back to the original vet (assuming that the OP
picks up a copy of the cat's records to take to a second vet).

MaryL


Actually, I do know how it feels to have very limited resources.
Fortunately, that does not apply to me now, but I have very clear memory of
what it was like. I got my first cat when I was a graduate student and was
living entirely on the money I received as a graduate assistant--and that
was a very tiny sum of money. My cat became seriously ill, so I had to take
him on the bus and transfer a few times (no money for a car or taxis), then
walk several more blocks to get to the vet. He needed surgery, and I had to
make arrangements to pay for his care over an extended period of time. It
took more than two years to pay it off. So, believe me, I'm not trying to
make light of anyone's situation when it comes to finances; but this is a
group where we do tend to concentrate on whatever we can do for our
furbabies.

Thank you very much for the update, and thank you for your other message
where you said that you would go to the other clinic if kitty crashes. I
live in a small town, but I am fortunate because there are several good vet
clinics here; and I was even able to take Duffy to a veterinary teaching
college (about 150 miles).

MaryL