| 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.
|
| 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
|
| 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
|
| 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
|