I am so mad I could just spit (oops - better wipe that off) at our vet
I was going to post this in the pets group but I am at maximum outrage so I want more people to share my anger.
I have had issues with my 17 yr old cat being sick, not eating and weight loss all this year. This January our vet (who has seen him for 8 yrs) ran some blood work, diagnosed him with chronic renal failure and put him on a special diet. He responded well at first, then 10 days ago got sick again. My husband called the vet to see if there was something we could do for his appetite - they said no, this is the end and there is nothing they can do. Didn't say bring him in so they could see him, talk about euthanasia or anything - just good luck with your sick starving cat.
Now, during this whole time - even when sick and losing weight - his spirit and energy has been great. That is what worried us so much - he was doing so well and then bam he just hit a wall of feeling bad. So we got a second opinion.
We picked up his old records to bring to the new vet and when I read them I saw that 2 years ago he had blood tested and his liver values were elevated (notes said I denied an ultrasound but no, I would only deny treatment if the ONLY option was a surgery he may not make it through - why put him through that). Last year he at his check up there was no mention on re-checking his blood, instead he got a clean bill of health no concerns whatsoever. Apparently no one read the notes.
New vet says his ALT (liver value thingy) range should be 12-160. His 2 yrs ago was over 300. His blood work taken that day showed it at 682 - apparently they don't even have that on their ranges.
Schedule an ultrasound for today
Today:
No chronic renal failure
He has pancreatitis. Has had pancreatitis for over 2 yrs. The blood test that would have shown that was not given 2 years ago when he had all his blood work done. And wasn't done in January when he back in after weight loss, vomiting etc.
All this is treatable - medications, fluids etc. No surgery needed.
So for 2 YEARS he has had this and it could have been treated. He showed no signs of distress other than occasional vomit but we have 3 pets and it is not rare for someone to have some body fluid spewing every now and then.
New vet explained that this could easily be misdiagnosed, symptoms are all related and the liver, kidney and pancreas all effect each other. Probably could hear over the phone that I was gathering up my pitchfork.
But fuck that... he had blood work done 2x in 2 years and the pancreas test was never done.
This is a single owner vet office (now former vet) - she has occasional extra vets cycle through (none last long)... we just figured it was because her bedside manner stinks. So it's not like my cat's records were lost in a huge vet office.
And what really really pisses me off is the attitude when we called about how he was feeling so sick 10 days ago. Let's say everything she diagnosed was correct etc. What the hell kind of vet just says this is the end, nothing we can do and ends the phone call with nothing else mentioned - no palliative, no talk of scheduling euthanasia - nothing. For a pet she has seen for over 8 yrs and had recently seen a few months ago.
We have 3 pets... they all go in for yearly exams. This past year each of them has had some major medical issue - so we should be known enough to the clinic that some compassion could be shown.
Ok the positive -
His prognosis is fair (17 and so underweight, but no surgery needed and dammit he is a little fighter). This is treatable. We love him so much and that has to count for something in the healing process.
= new reply since forum marked as read
He is some kind of super kitty, I swear. We just got home and he is already hopping around and jumping up on all the furniture and taking command of the house. He is snacking on his new diet and is now in the window sunbathing.
I am glad this is something that he can get over. I am glad to hear your kitty has maintained such a good quality of life for so long (esp since our former vet was so quick to write off our cat).
My kitty had major surgery this week. Bladder thick and blocked with crystals, perineal urethrostomy. Just got the boy out of the vet's today, when he had surgery on Monday which saved his life. His purple butt looks like World War III was fought there, and he's seriously bruised and banged up, but he's alive, eating and peeing. And he's back home with Mommy and Daddy!
