Sad bitty news

wrote:



We are in the USA. Our experience has been more like Jo's. What
leaparduswei (do you have an actual name you'd be kind enough to
share)

You don't recognize our own Helen Miles with her alternate
e-mail address?

On 2 Jul, 18:46, Karen wrote:
On 2007-07-02 09:04:14 -0500, said:

From what I can tell, vet care in the D.C. area is expensive and a lot
of it suspect. Vet techs apparenlty do not need to have liscenses and,
well, I've just heard a lot of bad incidents happening in that area////

Well I must admit - the vet in the USA diagnosed HRFL with a severe
heart murmer and did ultrasounds, X-rays, ECG's etc to the cost of
about $900. Then he told me that he had a severe heart murmer 4/6 but
didn't need tablets.... My UK vets had never picked up a heart problem
with him, so I was understandably devestated, if suspicious that he
didn't need tablets. Pandora went for a dental at the same time, and
they gave me some bullcr*p about trying to save her rotten tooth with
some sort of magic gel instead of just removing the d*mn thing and
charging me $530 for the priviledge.

When he got back to the UK, I had HRFL checked out by a feline
specialist I trust. He did X-rays and an ultrasound and shared his
results with me. He even showed me the X-rays and readings - something
the USA vet never did. Oddly enough, HRFL Tiger was 100% healthy and
there was nothing wrong with his heart! Pandora had a dental... and
sure enough, the tooth was removed.

The problem is in this particular area where the vets I was using in
DC are, there are a *LOT* of *VERY* wealthy households. I think this
particular practice was exploiting that with their fancy hospital and
fancy fees. They did have some remarkable vets, but the pricing
structure was quite frankly, obscene.

Helen M

On Jul 2, 9:04 am, wrote:
.... However, there was one who was just a bit rough
when Tiger protested and that was when I clamped down because she
wanted to "Take him out back and deal with him"....

Nobody "deals" with my cats except me! Sure, they're allowed to treat
them with respect and administer medical aid, but no-one "deals" with
them! ;o)

Helen M

Hi Helen,
I missed your sig. Sorry.

You are right that that vet had a terrible attitude. I'm glad that you
made your feelings clear to her. I would have been upset, too.

I'm also relieved that you realize that she is not typical of all vets
here.

Annie, sending cyperskritches to your kitties

"jofirey" wrote in message
...

"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" wrote in message
...


wrote:

When I was in America, I was horrendous. They don't let you hold
your own animals for treatment there and often take them out of the
exam room into the prep area for procedures.

Must depend upon the U.S. vet - unless it involved a complicated
procedure (in which case they usually wanted a stay of a few hours, if
not overnight) those I've used have had no problem with doing it in my
presence. (They also encouraged visits, if the pet had to be held longer
than a day or two.)

Our vets do most everything in front of us. Exceptions would be
installing microchips

My vet put in Boyfie's microchip while I held him. I'd heard from others
that they don't seem to notice it - which I could hardly believe - but it
was true, he didn't turn a hair. So I don't know why an owner would be
excluded from this procedure.


and usually drawing blood. Those I'd guess are to prevent the owner from
passing out on the floor.

As far as holding your animal for treatment, I'd agree the vet should be
allowed to use their own judgment. As to the ability of the owner as well
as the disposition of the patient.

I have always held my own pets for treatment including having skin stitched
on my dogs. It worked well for all of us. If it comes to KFC, I say "you
may need a nurse as she will lash out" and I step back, while still being at
the side of her for comfort. I'm not stupid!
Luckily Boyfie has only had to attend for snipping and microchipping on
separate occasions, and despite wailing his heart out in the car on the way
there and back he has been a perfect gentleman when he was actually handled
at the vet's.
As if he would be anything else ;-)

Tweed

"EvelynVogtGamble(Divamanque)" wrote in message
...


Christina Websell wrote:



The more I think about it, the more I don't like it. Even if the owner
was upset and crying it is still better for them to be held by their
owner who they love rather than being left alone - and it *is* alone if
everyone in the room is a stranger.
I would be suspicious. I would want to see the "£100 box" that is
apparently essential too. What is it, an oak coffin or something?

A friend of mine (who owned her own home) had to have a couple of pets
PTS, and took them home for burial - an empty shoe box worked very well!
(Both were buried under her rose bushes.)

There is no reason whatsover why this cat could not have been brought home
for burial here in the UK. There is no rule that prevents it.
When I knew PTS was the only option, all mine went there with their own
blankies, came home in them, and were buried in them.
Even if you do not have your own garden to bury them in, there are pet
cemeteries here where you can.
It was totally out of order. And as for the hundred pound box!! A pure
money-making scheme IMO to take advantage of a grieving owner.

Tweed

Lesley wrote:

I caught up with the lady who had the bitty with dragging legs who
seemed to be getting better

A few days after her report that bitty was moving her back legs she
woke up to find she Rosie (the bitty) was dragging her legs again and
this time, she wasn't eating and had wet herself

So she did what had to be done and Rosie is now running round the
other side of the Bridge
snip
Still she reckoned she was up at the moment with resident 13..she has
managed to get the feral tom she thinks is responsible for most
kittens in the neighbourhood into her shed and he's going to the vet
on Tuesday to be parted with his bits and then she'll take him in

People like that deserve medals

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs

I'm so sorry to hear about Rosie. The lady deserves the very best to
happen to her and her kitties.
Best wishes,
Polonca and Soncek

...

Nobody "deals" with my cats except me! Sure, they're allowed to treat
them with respect and administer medical aid, but no-one "deals" with
them! ;o)


Our vet has let us be in the room with our cats for every procedure
except their spays.

--Fil

Oh, I forgot Nocturne's hernia surgery. We weren't in there for that
either....(clearly as it's surgery)

--Fil