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Conference misery::feline_v1

Title:Meower Power is Valuing Differences
Notice:FELINE_V1 is moving 1/11/94 5pm PST to MISERY
Moderator:MISERY::VANZUYLEN_RO
Created:Sun Feb 09 1986
Last Modified:Tue Jan 11 1994
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5089
Total number of notes:60366

3091.0. "Heart wretching experience.." by ACESMK::CONNERY () Tue Nov 28 1989 19:13

T.RTitleUserPersonal
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3091.1CIRCUS::KOLLINGKaren/Sweetie/Holly/Little Bit Ca.Tue Nov 28 1989 19:249
    I'm so glad that Autumn seems to be getting better.  I
    know that cost is a concern now, but I am wondering if it would be
    a good idea to have your regular trusted vet check her over just to
    be sure the treatment she was given is adequate.   It's awful to fall
    into the hands of an unscrupulous professional of any sort;  thanks
    goodness at least the damage is monetary and not apparently
    to Autumn.  I would also consider filing a complaint yourself, to
    help someone else in the future.
    
3091.2WR2FOR::CORDESBRO_JOset home/cat_max=infinityTue Nov 28 1989 19:2515
    That is an awful experience for you to go through.  Unfortunately,
    not all vets are created equal.  I once removed my critically ill Jesse
    James from the care of a vet (who he had been taken to in an emergency)
    that had started his treatment and transfered him and his x-rays
    to another vet that I felt more comfortable with.  The first vet
    kept insisting that if Jesse died, it would be my fault for moving
    him at that point in time.  What a peach!  Well, he didn't die,
    and I was much more comfortable with the treatments that the second
    vet did. 
    
    There is not a whole lot you can do now except maybe call the
    Veterinary board in your state and file a complaint about him not
    letting you know that the bill was approaching $300.
    
    Jo 
3091.3Notice of moderator actionVAXWRK::LEVINETue Nov 28 1989 19:435
Since the base note violates the policy in note 1.18, this note 
is set hidden until I can resolve this with the base note author.

Pam
3091.4Ditto to .2SANFAN::FOSSATJUTue Nov 28 1989 19:5132
    I too had to remove my very first cat, Ting, who was also critical
    from a vet.  He was given the wrong medication via IV and it caused
    2/3 of his skin to sluff off as in a burn.  I found this wonderful
    vet, (turned out to be the chairman of the board of ethics in No.
    California at the time) who took Ting-Ling in his arms and his heart
    for 3 months.  He was so apalled at what this monster did to him
    that he asked me what I could afford (this was 20 years ago) and
    charged me $5 a day for boarding and medication.  It was a long
    procedure, only the 3rd that that he had performed of this type
    - Ting-Ling made it - and lived for 18 years (he was only 6 mos.
    old when this happend) and the two scars - one on each side - gave
    him a lot of characte. 
    
    Found out that not only were the first vet's prices out of line but other 
    complaints had been filed.  A year later this person was no longer 
    in practice. I was going to go for a malpractice suit myself but
    Dr. Northrup indicated that I should leave it alone as things would
    be taken care of and they were.  Cant remember when I felt so much
    satisfaction.
    
    Sorry I've gone on about this but Ting was my first baby and when
    this happend I didn't know what to do - all I knew was that I had
    to get him well - even if the odds were against us.  I used to go
    visit him once a week for three months and cried myself to sleep
    almost every night.  Thank god there are more good vets out there
    than not so good and I was so fortunate to find one who took such
    a special interest.
    
    Thanks guys,
    
    Giudi in SF
    
3091.5Bad Vet vs Good Vet LYMPH::SWANTCan't get away from basicsTue Nov 28 1989 20:2828
    I too denied the advice of one Vet because I thought he was wrong
    and took my cat to another.

    In 1984, Tasha (male, lilac point Siamese) started sneezing.  I
    assumed it was like a little summer cold -- but I never take
    chances on my kitties.  I had been going to Angell Memorial which
    was an hour away in Boston, so I took him to a local vet (name
    unmentioned!).  Tasha was diagnosed as having feline leukemia and I
    was told to leave him for treatment.  Without IV's he would die! 

    Well, my gut feeling told me that Tasha was not this sick.  But,
    on the off chance that he was, I told the vet that I would then
    take Tasha to Angell Memorial, to Dr. Dana MacNamme, his regular
    doctor.  As you can well imagine, the vet was not pleased.  I was
    told that it was dangerous to move Tasha. 

    So that night at Angell Memorial, Dr. MacNamme examined Tasha,
    new x-rays, new feline leukemia test.  All negative.  Tasha was
    diagnosed as having a short term sniffle, put on antibiotic and
    was fine a day or two later. 

    Dr. Dana MacNamme, a wonderful doctor, is back in private
    practice after doing a year's residency at Angell Memorial to
    "learn the newest techniques."  Unfortunately, I don't know where
    he is now located.  I miss him; but now use Hudson Animal
    Hospital, Hudson, NH. 

    			    -- Julie