Cruel Vet

"S S" wrote in message
...

Last week Monday I took my cat to the Vet because his stomach was
bloated (before I had thought it was weight gain). It was a 10:00am
appointment, and we got there 9:55am. There was no one in the waiting
room, and it seemed there was no patients there except us.

11:20am the Vet finally came in, he checked his ears, his mouth, and
eyes... wrote some stuff down and then left the room for 30-minutes.

He came back to take an X-Ray of my cat (which cost $65 plus $35 for the
visit), then I had to wait 55-minutes for the results. When he came back
with the results he said "Whiskas" has fluid in his abdomen and it looks
serious. He said the cost of this will be $250 to drain the fluid, and
$325 to run tests and a Ultrasound.

Well, I didn't have the money in hand for him to drain the fluid. So,
since I didn't have the money right away I had to take Whiskas home but
was planning to bring him back on Friday when I had the money. The next
2 days Whiskas started to have trouble walking because of the amount of
fluid.

Then on Thursday morning around 9:00am Whiskas started shaking and
gotten very weak then went unconscious but with his eyes open and
breathing hard. I rushed him to the Vet and told the lady at the desk of
the emergency. Se gave my a form to fill out and then went in the back
all the while my cat is in the kennel unconscious. After filling out the
form I tapped the bell bell on the desk, she came back and took the
form. I went and sat down and waited for 5-minutes until she called me
in. Even when I went in with Whiskas "still unconscious" the Vet still
hasn't showed up and it's been about 10-minutes. When he finally came he
said "Whiskas really looks pretty bad". He checked his heart, his eyes,
and his ears... looked at me and said "Whiskas is on the verge on dying"
but said his heart was fine. Then suggested me to have him put to sleep.
He left the room and I am so confused, angry, and sad all at the same
time at how my cat was treated. It took me about 10-minutes to make the
decision to have him put down and the Vet did. As soon as he did put him
down he immediately said "You have to pay the cost of the visit plus the
cost of putting him down."

My question is why wasn't my cat immediately taken in and "worked on" to
revive him, etc?

They call themselves a "Hospital" but yet they didn't act like one. The
place seemed "empty" like he didn't have many patients go to him.

I watch "Emergency Vets" on the "Animal Planet" channel and they acted
like a real hospital. The owners didn't have to pay upfront when they
brought in their sick pet, so why was I my cat treated like this? Even
when I brought him in last Monday, the doctor shouldn't refuse him
treatment just because I didn't have the money on hand. Since it was an
emergency they could of drained the fluid, and then ran tests, the give
me the bill. They way they acted was like my cat was a "thing" such as a
car that nees "repair" but I have to have the money upfront in order to
get work done.

Are they that money hungry and cruel? He certainly didn't ask for money
upfront to have him put down though. I just don't understand.

He did NOTHING to see what was wrong with my cat, all he did was checked
his ears, and his chest then tells me he is dying when his heart was
beating fine. I am very ****ed off. My cat was 11-years old, and could
have lived if only the Vet took care of him last Monday.

Well, to be honest, I don't think we know if Whiskas could've lived or not.
It is often very difficult to discern, via a news group. His condition
reminds me somewhat of what one of my sister's dogs just went through.
Bloat, no torsion, but the x-ray indicated small perforation; peritonitis
had set in, & nothing could be done to save him.

It is normal to be charged for euthanasia, but it's usually handled very
tactfully - & from how you related it, this vet wasn't considerate & tactful
about it. In fact, the last time one of my cats was euthanized, the vet
went out to the front desk for me & arranged to have me billed later,
through the mail. As I was reading your recounting of your experience, I
was wondering if you could've put the first set of bills on a credit card?

All in all, by how you've related this at any rate, it sounds to me like we
can not in reality tell if anything could've been done to save Whiskas, or
if it really could've. However, it does sound as if you weren't given much
info to go on - that the vet-client communication should've been much
better, & that the handling of the situation, client-vet wise, was on the
crass/cold side.

Cathy

"Mary" wrote in message
...
My question is why wasn't my cat immediately taken in and "worked on" to
revive him, etc?

I think the vet thought that he would probably treat your cat, not get
paid,
then your cat would die anyway because of the underlying cause of fluid
buildup
and he'd never be paid. I think he should have been more upfront with you,
your
cats condition and his chance for survival. I'm sorry you had to
experience
this besides the loss of your cat. I definitely understand why you're
upset. I
would be also.

I'm in Los Angeles, California and I've never been asked to pay ahead of
time
for services.

I went to a veterinary conference in Atlantic City a few years ago with my
vet. After the lectures, we overheard a few young vets at the bar (who had
a little too much to drink) actually talking about how they "judge" clients'
ability to pay! My vet almost had to muzzle me and drag me away. I was
enraged.

The bottom of their discussion: If your cat's life is at stake and you're a
little short of cash, keep a counterfeit Rolex near the carrier and wear
your best clothes to the emergency vet...

Phil

"Mary" wrote in message
...
My question is why wasn't my cat immediately taken in and "worked on" to
revive him, etc?

I think the vet thought that he would probably treat your cat, not get
paid,
then your cat would die anyway because of the underlying cause of fluid
buildup
and he'd never be paid. I think he should have been more upfront with you,
your
cats condition and his chance for survival. I'm sorry you had to
experience
this besides the loss of your cat. I definitely understand why you're
upset. I
would be also.

I'm in Los Angeles, California and I've never been asked to pay ahead of
time
for services.

I went to a veterinary conference in Atlantic City a few years ago with my
vet. After the lectures, we overheard a few young vets at the bar (who had
a little too much to drink) actually talking about how they "judge" clients'
ability to pay! My vet almost had to muzzle me and drag me away. I was
enraged.

The bottom of their discussion: If your cat's life is at stake and you're a
little short of cash, keep a counterfeit Rolex near the carrier and wear
your best clothes to the emergency vet...

Phil

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
...
What an incredibly cruel thing to happen. This vet may even have
contributed to Whiskas' death. At the very least, he caused unnecessary
suffering. No vet has ever charged me for the cost of euthanasia.


Some vets "charge by the pound". They base their fee on the weight of the
animal. This also applies to cremation or "disposal".

Phil

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
...
What an incredibly cruel thing to happen. This vet may even have
contributed to Whiskas' death. At the very least, he caused unnecessary
suffering. No vet has ever charged me for the cost of euthanasia.


Some vets "charge by the pound". They base their fee on the weight of the
animal. This also applies to cremation or "disposal".

Phil

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
...

"S S" wrote in message
...

When he finally came he
said "Whiskas really looks pretty bad". He checked his heart, his eyes,
and his ears... looked at me and said "Whiskas is on the verge on dying"
but said his heart was fine. Then suggested me to have him put to sleep.
He left the room and I am so confused, angry, and sad all at the same
time at how my cat was treated. It took me about 10-minutes to make the
decision to have him put down and the Vet did. As soon as he did put him
down he immediately said "You have to pay the cost of the visit plus the
cost of putting him down."


What an incredibly cruel thing to happen. This vet may even have
contributed to Whiskas' death. At the very least, he caused unnecessary
suffering. No vet has ever charged me for the cost of euthanasia. All
considered this to be a contribution to ease suffering.

Whereas I have been charged both times for my cats' euthanasia procedures.
A minor charge (approx. $25, IIRC), but.. it *is* a veterinary service -
with the vet spending a good 30 minutes of her time (once, as an emergency,
on Easter Sunday), so why wouldn't they charge for it?

Cathy

More important,
there is absolutely no excuse for having you wait as you described because
that caused still more pain for Whiskas (and for you). Does this vet own
the clinic, or is he part of a practice? If the latter, I would send a
strong letter to other partners outlining the facts as you described them
here. I would also contact groups such as your local Humane Society.
They
might have suggestions concerning any action that can be taken against
this
unethical vet.

MaryL

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
...

"S S" wrote in message
...

When he finally came he
said "Whiskas really looks pretty bad". He checked his heart, his eyes,
and his ears... looked at me and said "Whiskas is on the verge on dying"
but said his heart was fine. Then suggested me to have him put to sleep.
He left the room and I am so confused, angry, and sad all at the same
time at how my cat was treated. It took me about 10-minutes to make the
decision to have him put down and the Vet did. As soon as he did put him
down he immediately said "You have to pay the cost of the visit plus the
cost of putting him down."


What an incredibly cruel thing to happen. This vet may even have
contributed to Whiskas' death. At the very least, he caused unnecessary
suffering. No vet has ever charged me for the cost of euthanasia. All
considered this to be a contribution to ease suffering.

Whereas I have been charged both times for my cats' euthanasia procedures.
A minor charge (approx. $25, IIRC), but.. it *is* a veterinary service -
with the vet spending a good 30 minutes of her time (once, as an emergency,
on Easter Sunday), so why wouldn't they charge for it?

Cathy

More important,
there is absolutely no excuse for having you wait as you described because
that caused still more pain for Whiskas (and for you). Does this vet own
the clinic, or is he part of a practice? If the latter, I would send a
strong letter to other partners outlining the facts as you described them
here. I would also contact groups such as your local Humane Society.
They
might have suggestions concerning any action that can be taken against
this
unethical vet.

MaryL

I'm very sorry about Whiskas. The vet sounds like a real a$$hole (and I stress
the $$ part). I know vets do get stiffed sometimes but I'm surprised he didn't
offer to work out a payment plan with you the first time you took him in
considering that it was quite serious. In my experience, the vets I have gone
to do not advertise that they will take a payment plan but if you're in a
pinch, then they will. It helps to have some sort of a relationship
established with a vet so that he/she will give you the benefit of the doubt
should you ever need it.

I'm sure your kitty had a good 11 years prior to this awful ending. It's very
sad for you and, although it won't help Whiskas any, I would do what others
have suggested and report the jerk-vet to the vet board, the humane society,
the BBB, whoever...

He's happy and whole again now and you will meet again someday.

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human." (Loren Eisely)

I'm very sorry about Whiskas. The vet sounds like a real a$$hole (and I stress
the $$ part). I know vets do get stiffed sometimes but I'm surprised he didn't
offer to work out a payment plan with you the first time you took him in
considering that it was quite serious. In my experience, the vets I have gone
to do not advertise that they will take a payment plan but if you're in a
pinch, then they will. It helps to have some sort of a relationship
established with a vet so that he/she will give you the benefit of the doubt
should you ever need it.

I'm sure your kitty had a good 11 years prior to this awful ending. It's very
sad for you and, although it won't help Whiskas any, I would do what others
have suggested and report the jerk-vet to the vet board, the humane society,
the BBB, whoever...

He's happy and whole again now and you will meet again someday.

Candace
(take the litter out before replying by e-mail)

See my cats:
http://photos.yahoo.com/maccandace

"One does not meet oneself until one catches the reflection from an eye other
than human." (Loren Eisely)

"S S" wrote in message
...

Last week Monday I took my cat to the Vet because his stomach was
bloated (before I had thought it was weight gain). It was a 10:00am
appointment, and we got there 9:55am. There was no one in the waiting
room, and it seemed there was no patients there except us.

11:20am the Vet finally came in, he checked his ears, his mouth, and
eyes... wrote some stuff down and then left the room for 30-minutes.

He came back to take an X-Ray of my cat (which cost $65 plus $35 for the
visit), then I had to wait 55-minutes for the results. When he came back
with the results he said "Whiskas" has fluid in his abdomen and it looks
serious. He said the cost of this will be $250 to drain the fluid, and
$325 to run tests and a Ultrasound.

Well, I didn't have the money in hand for him to drain the fluid. So,
since I didn't have the money right away I had to take Whiskas home but
was planning to bring him back on Friday when I had the money. The next
2 days Whiskas started to have trouble walking because of the amount of
fluid.

Then on Thursday morning around 9:00am Whiskas started shaking and
gotten very weak then went unconscious but with his eyes open and
breathing hard. I rushed him to the Vet and told the lady at the desk of
the emergency. Se gave my a form to fill out and then went in the back
all the while my cat is in the kennel unconscious. After filling out the
form I tapped the bell bell on the desk, she came back and took the
form. I went and sat down and waited for 5-minutes until she called me
in. Even when I went in with Whiskas "still unconscious" the Vet still
hasn't showed up and it's been about 10-minutes. When he finally came he
said "Whiskas really looks pretty bad". He checked his heart, his eyes,
and his ears... looked at me and said "Whiskas is on the verge on dying"
but said his heart was fine. Then suggested me to have him put to sleep.
He left the room and I am so confused, angry, and sad all at the same
time at how my cat was treated. It took me about 10-minutes to make the
decision to have him put down and the Vet did. As soon as he did put him
down he immediately said "You have to pay the cost of the visit plus the
cost of putting him down."

My question is why wasn't my cat immediately taken in and "worked on" to
revive him, etc?

They call themselves a "Hospital" but yet they didn't act like one. The
place seemed "empty" like he didn't have many patients go to him.

I watch "Emergency Vets" on the "Animal Planet" channel and they acted
like a real hospital. The owners didn't have to pay upfront when they
brought in their sick pet, so why was I my cat treated like this? Even
when I brought him in last Monday, the doctor shouldn't refuse him
treatment just because I didn't have the money on hand. Since it was an
emergency they could of drained the fluid, and then ran tests, the give
me the bill. They way they acted was like my cat was a "thing" such as a
car that nees "repair" but I have to have the money upfront in order to
get work done.

Are they that money hungry and cruel? He certainly didn't ask for money
upfront to have him put down though. I just don't understand.

He did NOTHING to see what was wrong with my cat, all he did was checked
his ears, and his chest then tells me he is dying when his heart was
beating fine. I am very ****ed off. My cat was 11-years old, and could
have lived if only the Vet took care of him last Monday.


It sounds as though the vet diagnosed your cat with FIP, which is usually
fatal. Knowing this, he offered to treat the animal (remove the fluid) in
order to make it more comfortable. Did you ask that a payment plan be
worked out so that the vet could treat your animal? Or did you just say
"not right now" and take your cat home? When your cat inevitibly got worse,
you brought it back in. You had already told the clinic that you couldn't
pay for the fluid removal, so they were more aggressive in attempting to be
paid for their services that you received. No, they weren't very sensitive
about it, and no I don't agree that a grieving pet owner should be bulldozed
then and there about the costs. But, veterinary care isn't free. It isn't
even cheap anymore, what with all of the newfangled gadgets a vet is
expected to have on hand in order to give the most up to date care to their
patients. It's not unreasonable that a vet expects to be paid for their
services, including euthanasia. And, it's not unreasonable that you would
ask to speak to the clinic owner about how you were treated.