Conference misery::feline_v1

    Sorry to hear about your agony...
    
    Suggestion - Could you start a new note on Emergency Vets - 
    recomended ones that is, and where they are located etc.
    I think my vet recommends the Acton Emergency (something)
    on 119/1A.  (It is near a shopping mall across from a Bay
    Banks... I would have to look a few things up to describe it
    to someone else!)  Wonder if it is the same vet your regular
    vet recommends?
    
    A note with the correct title might be easier than continuing 
    it under this note.
    
    Thanks - Sally

    Re. );
    
    1) I've used the emergency service on Route 2A in Acton.  Good,
    competent folk.
    
    2) the "emergency" vet you went to should, if you have papers
    documenting his diagnosis and fees, be at least sued in small claims
    court.  Not for revenge, but to make him aware that there are
    consequences for careless action (I'd personally consider a malpractice
    case, but those co$t).  
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.
    

    I sympathize with your loss, Scott.  I just lost one of my kitties
    to a painful illness, and I know how difficult the situation is
    for everyone.  We got very good emergency care at Angell Memorial
    Hospital in Jamaica Plain.  If you call ahead they are prepared
    for you when you come in, and they have an excellent intensive care
    unit there.              
    
    We also received very sensitive and helpful emergency care from Dr. Medley
    at Fresh Pond Animal Hospital and Dr. Reisner and Porter Square
    Animal Hospital.
    
    I'm so sorry you had to run into such a quack.
    
    Laura
    
    

    I sympathize with your loss, as well, Scott. I know that if we
    lost one of our "ladies" that I'd be heartbroken. The reason
    I'm responding here,though, is that I really took offense at
    your wording: 'the inevitable happened - our cat was hit by a car'.
    
    For a cat to be hit by a car is only inevitable in Arlington,
    if you first let it out of the house unleashed. I live on a somewhat
    busy street too, and the cats are let out only if leashed, or
    if they are escorted AND trained to GET IN THE HOUSE when told.
    I know that there are other topics where training is discussed,
    and where letting cats run free is debated; my point is just
    to remind you and other readers that the cats (and you) will
    live happier (and hopefully longer) lives if they aren't allowed
    to play in the traffic.
    

    Here in southern New Hampshire, most of the local vets belong to
    an association. There is always a vet 'on call' for emergencies.
    If you call your regular vet after hours, the answering service
    will forward your call to the vet who is 'on call.'
    
    It sure is comforting to know that someone is always there.
                                                         
    -nn

    Sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident.  If you are at all
    interested in investigating what legal action you might take against
    the Arlington Heights Animal Clinic, why not try calling "Call for
    Action" on WBZ Radio between 11AM and 1PM Mon-Fri.  Tel. # is
    617-787-2300.  I know it won't bring your cat back but it might
    help if enough complaints are made against that (I use the term
    loosely) Vet.
    
    Good luck.
    Pat
    

    I too am sorry to hear about your lose.  If you do pursue any legal
    action (and it sounds like you should), please let us know how it
    turns out.
    
    On the topic of legal action:
    
    I have a friend whose daughter, a college student at a midwestern
    college, removed a cat from the art department at her college. 
    The cat was found undernourished and eating paint and the daughter
    had been told of its mistreatment by the people who supposedly were
    taking care of this cat.  The owner tried to get the cat back and
    the daughter was threatened (2 weeks away from graduation) with
    being expelled.  This is a long drawn out story involving interstate
    transportation of a stolen feline and I'll spare you, but the parents,
    who were running between their western home and the midwest contacted
    legal council to see what could be done.  They were told nothing
    could be done because a cat is property of its owner and as property
    is entitled to no rights.
    
    Something has to be done about the laws governing animals!
    
    Denise
    

    RE .4 My intent was to help people avoid using the services of an
    unqualified vet, not to invoke what I perceived as a lecture on
    the merits of confining cats indoors. The word 'inevitable' was
    inappropriate as .4 pointed out, but .4 also conveyed a tone of 
    superiority (i.e. taking offense) that left me with a feeling of
    irritation.
    
    As for the others, thanks for your sympathy and support.
    
    						Scott 

    Hi Scott--
    
    I was sorry to hear about your cat.  You've done the right thing,
    tho, by alerting others to this kind of situation.  
    
    I know you must feel bad about the "needless agony", but you acted
    as any of us would--we tend to trust vets in general.  And your
    cat at least had the very real comfort of "family" for that week,
    and that counts for a great deal.
    
    re: .7, what happened to the poor cat in question?  Anyone who would
    neglect an animal to the point where it has to eat paint to survive
    ought to be shot.  No, better yet, left to starve.
    
    Jane

    Re .7:
    
    I don't think you got very good advice about that cat.  My memory's
    _very_ sketchy, but I believe one of the Adalai Stevensons (the
    one who ran against Ike, I think) was able to make some legal
    judgements or proclamations about feline rights in Illinis, at least.
    
    Wherever there's an SPCA, and where there are animal protection
    laws, which is true in many states, animals have something approximat-
    ing rights.
    
    Also, the person who reportedly mistreated the cat was "taking care"
    of it?  That implies the person wasn't the cat's "owner"; but rather,
    a designated agent for the "owner," which might be the school.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    Always ask your own vet what to do in an emergency situation.  Many
    vets have emergency numbers or refer customers to a vet s/he knows
    that do.  
    
    Always protect yourself and your pet by asking a lot of questions.
     If your vet becomes short with your questions, find another vet.
    
    Also, the Better Business Bureau can take your complaints after
    the fact, or tell you before the fact if the vet you are considering
    has had other complaints.
    
    Another avenue is to call the local ASPCA or Humane Society or Animal
    Rights Activists.  Beware the local pound since the vets they use
    sometimes are the very cheapest, or the least busy, or are only
    used by them for euthanasia services.  Vets who service pounds are
    also exposed to every type of disease, some of which are communicable.
    
    I am a volunteer for the Humane Society in my area, and believe
    me, we know who is good and who isn't.
    
    Roberta
    

    
    I used to live in Acton and I HIGHLY recommend Great Road Vet's
    on Route 2A. They were very, very good to my cat (female Maine Coon).
    
    - Peter
    

    This is the first time I have read this note file and was disturbed
    to see that someone else also had a bad experience with the same
    Arlington heights Animal Clinic. We adopted a kitten from the Boston
    Animal Rescue league and were quite pleased with the medical attention
    they provided. In january, howver, "Bud" started to become lethargic
    and his abdomen began to swell. On a saturday night, he appeared
    to be in great pain and could not go to the rescue league so we
    brought him to the clinic the next sunday. As mentioned, the vet
    was very rough with the kitten and I found the environment to be
    very disconcerting. The vet gave Bud a very cursory examination
    and then proclaimed that he would have to run a series of test
    and x-rays, grand total 185$. At this point, I decided to wait a
    day and bring Bud  to the Rescue league on monday. I had to pay
    25$ for some very limited services and vow never to return to that
    clinic for pet care. As it turned out, Bud had leukemia which for
    a kitten his age is a good indication of FIP. We put Bud to sleep,
    but I still don't understand why the vet could not have provided
    a better diagnosis and possible alternatives for Bud rather than
    try to incur excessive unfounded expenses.
    
    andy
    

    The Great Road Vet, Rt. 2A Acton,
    Dr. Mark Bennett Smith
    Has pulled through on numberous occasions in an
    emergency situation-
    we have had 2 experiences there in the last month
    during off-hour times, emergency situation, one with
    a year old maine coon, another with a 9-week old baby
    In both cases we received only the best of care...

    
    I hope someone can put this $@&*%?!# out of business (Arlington
    vet).  How can someone like that ever get his license in the first
    place.  I hope that you, Scott, or someone else who, unfortunately,
    had a nightmarish experience because of this schmuck does something
    about it.  I know it won't bring your friend back, but it may/will
    stop anything like this from happening again.  Plus, I think it
    will give you some satisfaction and avenge the poor cat's death.