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#1
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Why I think Scottie died
I don't think Scottie's esophageal stricture was caused by cancer.
This is what I think happened and how I inadvertently had a hand in sealing my poor cat's fate. As you may recall, Scottie was hospitalized for a week with a fever of unknown origin, lethargy, and inappetance. He was on IV and oral antibiotics but his fever did not respond. After a few days, the vet wanted to put him on baytril. I had read about the possibility of baytril causing blindness in cats and expressed my concerns so the vet, instead, put him on oral doxycycline. Now, after the fact, I have read that oral doxycycline can be a caustic agent in cats which can lead to esophagitis and that, in turn, can lead to a stricture (narrowing). I have several cites to this effect. It should either be administered in liquid form or followed by a water chaser. I was there once when he received his oral meds. No chaser was given and it was not in liquid form. When we took him home, still with a fever, a week later, I was given oral doxycycline to give him. Almost immediately upon getting home, however, he began his regurgitating so I never gave him any. A couple of days later we began the steroid treatments which really didn't help much either. He began exhibiting his odd difficulty in swallowing and regurgitating, symptoms he never had prior to his hospitalization. I initially thought he might have gotten a throat/esophagus irritation from the feeding tube he had in while hospitalized but that was before I read about the doxycycline. Now, admittedly, he had something before he was hospitalized because of the fever and the fever never responded to antibiotics. That can be an indication of cancer but I first noticed him gulping a little while he was hospitalized. It got progressively worse upon his discharge. I told the vet to not bother sending the sample he took out to the pathologist so I will never know for sure if it was cancer. I feel awful about this. These vets have been in practice for 30 years, they have a good reputation, they are very kind, and I hate the thought that their negligence might have contributed to his condition and ultimate death and also that it was me who did not want him on baytril, thereby causing him to be on doxycycline. Yet they did apparently give him doxycycline without a chaser so he could very well have developed esophagitis from this. How could they not know this could happen? I never heard this about doxy before but I'm not a vet. It seems a little coincidental that he was given this drug and then developed a condition that can be caused by it. Nothing can bring Scottie back. I don't know whether to bring it up to them. I consider that these guys were instrumental in Abbey's recovery 9-10 months ago. But should they not have known this? I also have a huge vet bill now and no cat. Maybe he would have fully recovered if I had never taken him there and/or if I had let him be on baytril all along. I feel that I set a chain of events in motion that caused Scottie to die and to experience some suffering prior to his death. I know it's normal to start second-guessing after something like this but there are veterinary references to this all over the internet when you look for them. Candace (crossposted to vet board) |
#2
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Why I think Scottie died
"Candace" wrote in message oups.com... I don't think Scottie's esophageal stricture was caused by cancer. This is what I think happened and how I inadvertently had a hand in sealing my poor cat's fate. [...] Candace, it all makes sense from the point of view of someone who knows nothing at all about veterinary medicine--but honestly, do you have this little faith in your vet? I am not saying that you may not be right. But please, make an appointment and go in and talk with him. I would not do it on the phone, I would do it face to face. I think you could tell better from his reaction what really went on. You could bring the material from the web that you found. I know it seems odd to make an appointment and just go and talk, but I really would. I don't know if you are right or wrong, but I do think a phone call is not the way to go. If what you suspect is right, then this vet has got to be set straight before he hurts another cat. If it is wrong, you need to know. Hang in there, kid. |
#3
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Why I think Scottie died
"cybercat" wrote in message ... "Candace" wrote in message oups.com... I don't think Scottie's esophageal stricture was caused by cancer. This is what I think happened and how I inadvertently had a hand in sealing my poor cat's fate. [...] Candace, it all makes sense from the point of view of someone who knows nothing at all about veterinary medicine--but honestly, do you have this little faith in your vet? I am not saying that you may not be right. But please, make an appointment and go in and talk with him. I would not do it on the phone, I would do it face to face. I think you could tell better from his reaction what really went on. You could bring the material from the web that you found. I know it seems odd to make an appointment and just go and talk, but I really would. I don't know if you are right or wrong, but I do think a phone call is not the way to go. If what you suspect is right, then this vet has got to be set straight before he hurts another cat. If it is wrong, you need to know. Hang in there, kid. I agree. You need to get more information to set your mind at rest. If the medication was given incorrectly, your vet needs to know about his so that someone else doesn't suffer the same consequences. And if there is a reasonable explanation (such as a different formulation), then you need to give your vet the opportunity to clear the air. Above all, please don't beat yourself up over this. I know that's much easier advice to give than to follow through, but you loved Scottie and did everything you could for him. Even with love and the best of care, sometimes it just isn't enough. But the important thing is that you did your very best. MaryL |
#4
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Why I think Scottie died
Candace wrote: I don't think Scottie's esophageal stricture was caused by cancer. This is what I think happened and how I inadvertently had a hand in sealing my poor cat's fate. that's got to add to your hurt even more... If you don't mind me saying it...you appear to be very grounded...just an observation. don't pay them anything, tellem it's the least they can do for what they have done if they take you to court, then counter sue..as well as... seek punitive damages... im sorry...i don't mean to talk insensitive... |
#5
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Why I think Scottie died
Candace wrote: I don't think Scottie's esophageal stricture was caused by cancer. This is what I think happened and how I inadvertently had a hand in sealing my poor cat's fate. snip I think you have a case for veterinary malpractice. I would gather together your evidence and write him a letter. Ask him to respond to your concerns and make it very clear you think he was negligent. You can't bring Scottie back, but you can possibly recover part of your vet bill (or have it cleared). If you do not get resolution, file a complaint with the state licensing board. I have never used doxycyline in felines and had no idea this was a problem. Thanks for posting this - you may have saved another cat by doing so. -L. |
#6
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Why I think Scottie died
Candace,
I am so sorry to hear about this complication. This sucks. Please talk to the vet about it. If this really was the problem, you could be saving the next cat that the vet treats. This was in no way your fault. This is the vet's responsibility and something they are trained to catch no matter what conversation happened before using that drug. Rhonda Candace wrote: Now, after the fact, I have read that oral doxycycline can be a caustic agent in cats which can lead to esophagitis and that, in turn, can lead to a stricture (narrowing). I have several cites to this effect. |
#7
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Why I think Scottie died
Systemrecovery wrote: If you don't mind me saying it...you appear to be very grounded... Hope you have a nice day...just wanted to clarify my thoughts... i just mean you seem very strong... |
#8
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Why I think Scottie died
Candace, I'm sorry too to hear about this. I completely agree with the
others about it not being your fault. The vet should have known that this could be a complication from the medication. Pet owners should not be expected to know this information. We depend upon the veterinarian to be well-educated about any possible side effects when they prescribe a medication. Hugs, Lauren |
#9
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Why I think Scottie died
On 1 Mar 2006 19:34:52 -0800, "Candace" wrote:
I don't think Scottie's esophageal stricture was caused by cancer. This is what I think happened and how I inadvertently had a hand in sealing my poor cat's fate. As you may recall, Scottie was hospitalized for a week with a fever of unknown origin, lethargy, and inappetance. He was on IV and oral antibiotics but his fever did not respond. After a few days, the vet wanted to put him on baytril. I had read about the possibility of baytril causing blindness in cats and expressed my concerns so the vet, instead, put him on oral doxycycline. Now, after the fact, I have read that oral doxycycline can be a caustic agent in cats which can lead to esophagitis and that, in turn, can lead to a stricture (narrowing). I have several cites to this effect. It should either be administered in liquid form or followed by a water chaser. I was there once when he received his oral meds. No chaser was given and it was not in liquid form. When we took him home, still with a fever, a week later, I was given oral doxycycline to give him. Almost immediately upon getting home, however, he began his regurgitating so I never gave him any. A couple of days later we began the steroid treatments which really didn't help much either. He began exhibiting his odd difficulty in swallowing and regurgitating, symptoms he never had prior to his hospitalization. I initially thought he might have gotten a throat/esophagus irritation from the feeding tube he had in while hospitalized but that was before I read about the doxycycline. Now, admittedly, he had something before he was hospitalized because of the fever and the fever never responded to antibiotics. That can be an indication of cancer but I first noticed him gulping a little while he was hospitalized. It got progressively worse upon his discharge. I told the vet to not bother sending the sample he took out to the pathologist so I will never know for sure if it was cancer. I feel awful about this. These vets have been in practice for 30 years, they have a good reputation, they are very kind, and I hate the thought that their negligence might have contributed to his condition and ultimate death and also that it was me who did not want him on baytril, thereby causing him to be on doxycycline. Yet they did apparently give him doxycycline without a chaser so he could very well have developed esophagitis from this. How could they not know this could happen? I never heard this about doxy before but I'm not a vet. It seems a little coincidental that he was given this drug and then developed a condition that can be caused by it. Nothing can bring Scottie back. I don't know whether to bring it up to them. I consider that these guys were instrumental in Abbey's recovery 9-10 months ago. But should they not have known this? I also have a huge vet bill now and no cat. Maybe he would have fully recovered if I had never taken him there and/or if I had let him be on baytril all along. I feel that I set a chain of events in motion that caused Scottie to die and to experience some suffering prior to his death. I know it's normal to start second-guessing after something like this but there are veterinary references to this all over the internet when you look for them. Candace (crossposted to vet board) {{{{Candace}}}} All I can say is I am so sorry. Please try not to blame yourself. You aren't a vet, and there is just no way we can know every possible outcome of medications, tests, or whatever when we are not the experts. You did the best you could, and trusted a vet who sounds like they may have missed something important in terms of how to give the medication properly. My condolences are with you. Ginger-lyn Home Pages: http://www.moonsummer.com http://www.angelfire.com/folk/glsummer (homepage & cats) http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb....mmer/index.htm (genealogy) http://www.movieanimals.bravehost.com/ (The Violence Against Animals in Movies Website) |
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