My Veterinary is extorting me and knowingly making my pet suffer.

[NicColt]

My cat has been diagnosed with feline colitis and as long as she takes the medicine every 2-3 days she's fine, but my vet now wants to make a liver test that cost $350+ before she will refill the medicine. This Vet and another emergency Vet told me that the diagnosis of feline colitis is %98 and that she wants to rule out the other %2 by making a liver test.

I refused to take the test and they weren't happy with that and they said that until they get a definite diagnosis they would not know what my cat has and therefore cannot prescribe the proper medicine.

I went to two other emergency vets and they quickly diagnosed my Cat with feline colitis but they somehow knew about my cat's medical history, gave me a non-refillable medicine and referred me to goto my own vet. How the heck did they know ??? It's as if everything is fixed, it's like some sort of mafia or something. My own vet does not want to renew the medicine until I get the liver test.

Now this is MY cat, I will make the decisions, they confirmed that it's a %98 chance of feline colitis and I'll take that chance. Now I told them that this is what I decided and that if they would not give me the medicine they would just make the cat suffer needlessly. They said there's nothing they can do until they get an accurate diagnosis, which is BS.

My OWN Vet is knowingly counting on my cat's suffering to force me to pay a useless expense in order to get medicine that my cat needs.

I calculated that the medicine BTW cost $18,000 / U.S. Gallon which turns out to be about $35 for a cpl of ounces but she only needs 1cc ever three days. They even have a dispensing fee for the damm medicine. What kind of robbery is that.

If these people were Medical they would probably be charged with malpractice, negligence, unprofessional conduct and extortion, but hey if your a Vet then everything is legal. I never though I'd see the day when your very own Vet is extorting you.

 

[777php]

thats terrible...these vets should fall under the same laws as real doctors. Some pets mean as much to their owners as a son or a daughter.

 

[Maggotry]

I bet there's a local animals rights group that would help. They just LOVE a cause. They usually have a list of vets they like. You may want to offer a $10 donation or something if they hook you up with a solution. They LOVE donations too!

 

[DAWeinG]

Sorry to hear that

 

[veryape]

I've had similar situations happen to me and the outcome is always the same, until I do as they wish I don't get what I want. That is the sad truth about the vetranary practice. The only alternative is to go either to your local news bureau or paper and see if they like the story or go to an animal organization and see if they can help, as that is what they live to do, help animals that are suffering.

In many cases vets are doctors who for some reason or other can't make the grade with humans and then decide vetranary medicine is more to their liking because of it's leniancy. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and there are plenty of places you can complain to, and i'd start with PETA or the SPCA just to see if they might be able to help. you never know. That really sucks though, and I hope it turns out well.

I have a managerie of animals, including an iguana and guinea pigs and if this were happening to me I would find a way to get that vet to either help you or get him in some trouble, his choice.

 

[Double Trouble]

Grrrrr.... I don't understand how anyone could make an innocent animal suffer needlessly. I could understand that they might be afraid of liability if they don't make sure they have the correct diagnosis, but they could always make you sign some waiver if that's the case.

I wouldn't be surprised if your vet called some of the other vets in the area to notify them that you might be coming by. Definitely talk to some animal groups in your area, maybe a shelter or two and check what vets they might work with -- you might be able to get a good one that way.

There's also another option, just hop in the car, drive over to the next town/city/whatever, and have the animal taken care of there. If needed, explain the situation to them -- the diagnosis is not certain, but you can't afford to pay a huge amount to be certain, so for the good of the animal you'll have to assume the risk.

Good luck, keep us posted on how it goes!

tagej <- not too fond of most humans, but soft spot for animals.

 

[cavingjan]

This sounds very much like a situation that happens in hospitals. With the exception that they just order several tests at once. Friend of mine was taken to the hospital with pain and what we thought was extreme exhaustion (week long high stress/energy training class - so it made sinse). Turns out there was a 1% chance of appendicitus that they ignored and two weeks later she was in the hospital again and it was foudn that she did have appendicitus. She was lucky.
Effects of long term medicines can be bad, sometimes worse than the disease. If its something else, then this medicine may mask another problem when it could be treated now and not treatable later. 2% chance is still a large percentage when it comes to a possible disease than can only be cured in the early stages.
Be kind to your pet and just get the test done to rule out future problems.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

If the medicine has the same effect on feline colitis as on the liver disease, and the cat needs different treatment if it indeed is a liver disease or may even die if not treated for that, then I understand his point of view.

A friend of mine went to the hospital a few weeks ago with terrible pain, and she got a pain killer to suppress it. They send her home without knowing what it was. The pains got worse, the pain killers didn't do anything anymore, and she even passed out from the pain a few times. It took them _3_ weeks to finally diagnose her with something we had been asking about from the start, it appeared she had arthritis in her heart muscles. (She had arthritis already, but they hadn't bother to investigate that further, eventhough the medicines she had against that eased the pain). Sure they could have given her something strong enough to suppress the pain all that time, but wouldn't you wanna have a 100% certainty about the disease, so they can really give the right treatment?

A doctor wants to rule out other possibilities. If you don't do the test and the cat dies you will blame the vet for maltreatment. Post a question at a site of cat lovers asking whether the test is needed with that diagnose, or that the effects the current medication give, or the symptoms of the disease, rule out liver problems. If they agree it's needed, arrange the test as soon as possible.

 

[iamwiz82]

did you ever see the Seinfeld episode where Elaine's medical chart is discussed? They have the same charts for animals, and all doctors have it.

 

[C'DaleRider]

<< In many cases vets are doctors who for some reason or other can't make the grade with humans... >>



That's just pure BS.......almost without exception, vet school washouts end up in human medical school.

In fact veryape, veterenarian schools are MUCH TOUGHER to get into as compared to human medical schools. Human physicians only need to know one system, the human one. Vets, on the other hand, have to know a multitude of systems, the various animals, reptile, avian.......each quite different from the other.

As for the vet problem you're having NicColt, try finding a vet who's amiable to your requests. But remember, if it was a human family member, you'd probably insist on every test to absolutely rule out everything and make sure that the initial diagnosis is truly the problem that's being properly treated.

 

[wepopfresh]

In most cases, vets are people that want to be vets, that never had any want for being a human doctor. Veryape, your statement is soo wrong. It's much harder to get into vet school then it is to get into medical school, due to the low number of veterinary schools, and the high number of people trying to get into the field.

Maybe you should get another vet?

I wouldn't advise going and seeing emergency vets on a normal basis. Emergency vets are usually vets that can't or are not able to get their own practice.

You have to realize that like human doctors, vet doctors have to make decisions based off of medical tests, medical knowledge, and common sense.

You keep saying 98% sure its feline colitis. Was it your vet that originally diagnosed this? If she hadn't, maybe she doesn't want to be sued by you if the animal has something else and she misdiagnosed. There is a thing called malpractice, and if you'd gripe about having to pay to diagnose your animal, you're most likely the kind of turd that would sue if this were the case.
If, on the other hand she was the one that originally diagnosed, why don't you just get a new vet and get the records transfered to another vet.
Some vets, especially older ones, don't really practice medicine in any modern sense of the word, and some newer vets really aren't that well qualifed. But unlike other posters, a lot of vets are highly qualified, and very good at what they do. Veterinary medicine is a very diverse field, so you just need to look around.

Human medicine is easier in some ways. You learn humans have one anatomy. Ever try working on ferrets, cats, dogs, turtles, snakes, birds, and other animals? if you think it's easy, you're kidding yourself.

I admire a good vet, most are underpaid and overworked. I should know, my wife owns her own clinic...

 

[Double Trouble]

Yes, I think everyone would agree that it would be good to have the test done to rule out problems and avoid mistakes. However, NicColt indicated that he could not currently afford to pay such an amount for that test. Only he can decide if he can afford to pay for that test or not, but if he can't, given the options, I'd say you have to go with the odds and provide treatment that is most likely to help/alleviate/cure the problem.

 

[myputer]

Wow, my vet is nothing like that. My dog got parvo when he was a puppy, he kept him for 3 days and only charged me 150.00. When my dog had a spine problem and couldn't walk (Girlfriday and I had to carry the 165 pound Rot to the car, that was interesting) the vet told me there was only one thing he could try, and that if it didn't work he would suggest having him put to sleep. He pumped him full of steriods, kept him for 4 days and only charged me 175.00.

You need to find another vet.........

 

[wepopfresh]

If you can't afford to take care of an animal, maybe you should not have an animal. There is a thing called responsibility. It is a living creature.

 

[myputer]

<< If you can't afford to take care of an animal, maybe you should not have an animal. There is a thing called responsibility. It is a living creature. >>



Good thing you pointed out that was a living creature, he might not be aware of that

Obviously he is taking care of it, he has been to the vet. He is pissed off because he feels like they are screwing him.

 

[wepopfresh]

Like i said previously, and i agree myputer, find another vet.


But there is no reason to put down the veterinary business as a whole. There are a lot of hard working, good quality vets out there.

And...once again, to get the point across, if the original diagnosis was made by an emergency clinic, I wouldn't weigh it as 98%. Through my personal experience and my wifes personal experience, emergency clinics always overcharge, and often misdiagnose. I have lots of horror stories about bad diagnosis that my wife has had to correct. If it was the emergency vet that said it was 98% feline colitis, it looks like your vet may be making sure. Did you ask if the offer a payment plan?

 

[GasX]

Sorry to hear about your dilemma. FYI - a people doctor would do the same thing if that 2% indicated a condition that would contraindicate the medication for the condition. Ask your vet what the treatment would be if your cat does not have colitis. If it is the same then obviously he is effing with you. You could always explain that if $250 is the only waty to get the medicine then you will have to put the cat down. That might loosen his position slightly.

<< In many cases vets are doctors who for some reason or other can't make the grade with humans and then decide vetranary medicine is more to their liking because of it's leniancy. Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease and there are plenty of places you can complain to, and i'd start with PETA or the SPCA just to see if they might be able to help. you never know. That really sucks though, and I hope it turns out well. >>

It is harder to get into Vet school than medical school. Vet school is NOT a fall back. Please don't go to PETA. Those sh!teaters don't need anyone acknowledging their existance.

 

[BDawg]

<< My OWN Vet is knowingly counting on my cat's suffering to force me to pay a useless expense in order to get medicine that my cat needs. >>



They also know that if they're wrong with the diagnosis and your cat has something from the other 2% of possibility, you will sue their ass off. They have to be able to cover their own butts too. Taking care of an animal is NOT cheap. If it were a human, the test would be a couple thousand dollars.

I have yet to find a vet who does not love all animals, and would do anything to keep them from suffering.

 

[Hammer]

Call a reporter and see if you can get a story about it in you local newspaper/news. Once they guy gets a few calls from a reporter and sees the heat, he might change his mind.

 

[wepopfresh]

Why do some of you think the vet is wrong for requesting this.. Just go find a vet that doesn't give a damn and i'm sure they'll help.

 

[NicColt]

Today I went to another Vet Hospital with a stool sample, located about 25 miles away and I went with my sister who lives near by and she gave her own address and we gave the Cat a new name (as to not track it back). As soon as I had told every symptom, and after they had analyzed the sample, the vet there who has 20+ years experience said that it was obviously Feline Colitus. I asked how many times did she see this in cats and she said that she sees this at least once a month and more often in cats than dogs. I played dumb and she went on to explain what Feline Colitus and treatmeant was and it's exactly what I knew about it. She gave me the exact same re-fillable medicine and to give it to the cat whenever she needs it.

BTW Feline Colitus in some cats is not curable and will probably need the medicine for the rest of her life.

>But remember, if it was a human family member, you'd probably insist on every test

Doctors treat humans with Medical Ethics enacted by Federal Governments overseen by Medical Boards of Ethics. Vets treat annimals only if you have ca$h to pay them and some have no moral ethics at all.

There's a big difference in ethics.

>If you can't afford to take care of an animal, maybe you should not have an animal

Money is no object I have lots of that. But being taken for a fool and being robbed by something that is so obvious is something I don't accept.

>Obviously he is taking care of it, he has been to the vet.

I have two cats and money is not a problem my other Cat once had Feline Cystitis and cost more than $400 by the time everyting was paid. I even took the extra step and requested special xrays to make sure it wasn't stones, she didn't need it but I had it done, I had no problem with that.

Edit: BTW both cats came from the SPCA about 8 years ago where their time was numbered. Both Cats are now fine and are living a life of finiky royalty. But one of them now has a new Vet.