[Newt]

[Rant on]
What is it with Vets and their meds? My cat has been on no less than 4 antibiotics, two versions of an antihistamine, eye drops, nasal sprays, and an appetite stimulant. All of which have done nothing. Twice I have asked for a prescription, to help with costs, and I get, "Sigh...you won't save that much.".

I'm sorry, but after spending $600 in one month and seeing a result of NOTHING, NADA, ZIP, ZILCH...who is the one who needs consoling? Me who has a sick cat who is losing weight or the vet who doesn't get a few more pennies for selling her stock (or overstock).

I asked today what she thought we should do, since my cat is still ill and she wants to TRY a steroid...thinking maybe it will help. I am so pissed right now. TRY, TRY? After a month you would think she would have a better decision. After a month and two vets, why am I the only one who has any slight idea on what's going on? How many vets do you have to go through until you find one that is interested in helping your pet?
[RANT OFF]

Am I out of line here? We go to the vet expecting some sort of tests to be done to zero in on the problem. Our vet looks at the cat, tests temp, checks wait, writes it in the chart and says, "Lets try this antibiotic.". Three days later, same routine but, "Lets try this more expensive one.". Three days later we switch vets, new vet reviews the charts and tries a third antibiotic that has "no conclusive results" but worked well for other cats. My Dad, a pharmacist, says that the drug she prescribed is not normally taken orally and he was not sure it had any healing power taken that way. We pursue on and today she says, "Lets try prednisone." I told her no. The only positive sign that has come from the cat, was from giving him the appetite stimulant. He was becoming more vocal, eating and drinking more, and beginning to show signs of recovery. We only had 4 pills and ran out...now he is back down again. Sorry for the rant, but were getting pretty sick of this treatment.

People take your money, don't offer any type of discount after spending several hundred dollars with them, then give you grief when you want to get your meds elsewhere.

 

[AngelZoo]

There is another idea, that people have had great success with, in place where all other meds could not help. Even some vets feel that this product works, but most others are just unaware it could even be used as a treatment in animals.

The product is called Colloid Silver. You can find it at any good health store, but you might need to do a little searching, and online.
I do not personally recommend taking this for a prolonged period of time (years or life long). But occasionally, or for a few weeks at a time is perfectly fine.
The product has many uses, but for cats and dogs it's been said to help cure such things as what is ailing your cat right now.
You can get it in liquid form and just add a little to their wet food or water bowl. It has worked for people I personally know... so...

Just a thought.

 

[Jeanie]

Newt, I've had some wonderful vets for my animals, but I'd be every bit as disgusted as you are. Don't ASK for a prescription; INSIST on one. Then take it to KMart's pharmacy, and you can compare. Of course, some antibiotics are very expensive, but I'd want to be sure I was getting the best price after spending as much as you have.

I'd ask around, get some opinions, and try a third vet. I'd hate to see something happen to Newt. I guess you know one of our members lost her cat yesterday. (I'm still upset. ) Remember, you are hiring the vet, not vice versa. If you don't like the way he or she treats you, go elsewhere. Not all vets are compatible with every pet owner. Their first duty is to help the animal, but I think they should treat the person with the checkbook with the utmost respect.

 

[Newt]

Thanks guys! It's causing a lot of strain right now. The pill is bitter and makes him drool excessively once he tastes it (just like the anihistimine did), then he fights so it really frustrates me that I cannot give him this pill by myself. I have tried for up to an hour with several methods (in food, in liquid, pill gun, fingers, etc). We go to the vet once a day to have the vet give him the pill then get the usual, "oh, you can't pill the cat?". So I have to get to work late while trying to give him medicine and get him to eat, then leave work early to get him to the vet. We don't live near a pharmacy, so more trips away from work to get prescriptions filled. I'm really getting to my breaking point. Wish I could just say, "Well, eat when you want." but I know that is not possible. The bum advice just infuriates me, lets try this and lets try that with what seems like no background into THIS cats problem at all...just hindsight on other cats. Then you add in all the food we are throwing away because it just sits out and rots.

How do you deal with this? How do you handle doing everything you can only to realize it isn't helping anything? The money is no big deal....if it helped but I cannot flush $600 a month down the drain for this cat who is also my best friend.

The only thing that has worked has been the appetite stimulant, he eats, he drinks and he is almost 100% (just skinny). How can you find a good vet? How can you tell when they're any good? If I do go for a third opinion, how do I get the all the lab tests that were done from my other vet?

 

[AngelZoo]

Newt:

Is your cat on any type of suppliments or vitamins right now, to compensate for the weight/nutrition loss?

I think you should see another vet, call around and talk to the vets about your situation, make sure you like all the people there the vets, techs, receptionist, etc. If you can find one that is like minded, you could have a much easier time with this process, and finding one that cares about your real concerns as well.

As for getting the lab tests, you can ask them to give you copies of all the days your cat has been in for something (which most people have to do when they move and change vets anyway). Or some places will even mail or fax over the info to your new vet.

 

[Newt]

Were going in tomorrow to get the vet to give him his pill. What type of questions should I ask the vet (or the new vet)?

I already asked if she could do a culture and was told she did not think that would be a good idea just yet because he would have to be anesthetized for the procedure. Other than blood tests, what type of tests should I expect for the vet to track down this problem?

 

[Jeanie]

I can imagine that if they needed a sputum test that would present a real difficulty. I don't have the experience to even guess what tests should be done or would be done. I would lay everything on the line to the new vet. Take the test results with you. You paid to have them done. You have the right to ask for all of the records.

And tell him exactly what you have told us, including the fact that this is a real financial hardship and what you want done. Surely they can learn something by swabbing Newt's nose and mouth, if they need a sputum test. If there was pneumonia, it would show up on a cat scan (no pun intended), if the x-rays weren't evidence enough. But if the new vet says there's nothing left except a procedure requiring anesthetic, ask what she/he would do if it were her own cat. You're desperate. Let the vet know that.

I wish I could be more help, but I've never worked with a vet. I just think you've paid a lot of money for next to no results, and you deserve better than the treatment you described! Make sure before you go that the new vet is one you can talk to.

 

[kittygirl04]

I had the same type of problem with a vet that I was taking Kittygirl to. It seems like a reputable place, and the people that work there are nice, but they seem more concerned about money than animals. Kittygirl had a tapeworm (we didn't know this at the time) after I adopted her and this vet wanted to do hundreds of dollars of testing. At first, I only let her get a urine sample from Kittygirl--which you know has to be painful because they have to get it with a needle. Well, I just had a feeling that they didn't really care about her, so I took her to the vet that my aunt has used for years. They figured out the problem immediately and gave her medicine and fluids (because she was dehydrated). It was hard to watch her lose weight and become lethargic--then have a vet want to take you for all the money they can get out of you.

I hope you can find a good vet for your kitty. I feel so bad for both of you. I feel fortunate now that I look back on it--at least I found a second vet that was good and got Kittygirl feeling better again quickly. I think I may have posted this story before, but I wanted to make sure that you read it, Newt. It just goes to show that some people care more about bringing in the cash than helping an innocent animal get well. I wish you both luck.

 

[Newt]

I'll ask about this today. So far he has had:

FELV/FIV bloodwork = negative
Pre-Surgical bloodwork = slight anemia/increased protein in blood
autoimmune panel = negative
multichem = not sure what this is

I've been taking him in the shower with me since last Tuesday because his nose was so stuffed he was breathing out of his mouth all the time. There was a smell of BO coming from his mouth. Today he is breathing out of his nose almost 90% of the time. We have been giving him every known cat food from grocery store brands through pet store through whats found at the vet (Hills A/D and Purina Pro Plan Ocean). The cat was always finicky but did eat his dry most of the time with very little wet. Now, his throat hurts so he does not touch the dry. We are giving him 2mg of cyproheptadine once a day to stimulate his appetite. This seems to work but leaves him a little wired for a few hours after taking it. So far, this is the only positive we have seen while he hase been sick. I also started giving him the clavamox once a day to fight any infection that may still be present.

 

[AngelZoo]

Newt: Whatever next vet you find, make sure you talk about all possibilities with them as to what tests they could run on this cat to help and what it requires, if any of them require your pet to be put under, it's good to know ahead of time every one that they could possibly test for her condition and do it all at ONE time, instead of one test, put her under 1 week, and 2 weeks later put her under again for another, etc etc.

A big key, to telling if a new vet might be the one for you... are the receptionist happy, egar, are they smiling and helpful? (believe me I have met PLUNTY that aren't) When you talk to the vet and vet tech, do you feel rushed? Are you cut off with simple quick answers to complex questions?
Stay away from vets like that, or you will only have more problems.

Good luck!

 

[Richo]

Jeanie,

I was not aware that one of our friends just lost a cat. I did not see a post about it on the forum. Very saddened to hear about it.

Was there a post somewhere that I missed?

 

[Jeanie]

Richo, she was a new member, desperate because the vet didn't seem to take the situation seriously.

http://www.catforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=1297

 

[Lori]

Jeanie,

I was not aware that one of our friends just lost a cat. I did not see a post about it on the forum. Very saddened to hear about it.

Was there a post somewhere that I missed?

http://www.catforum.com/viewtopic.php?t ... highlight=
Richo, I believe this is the thread Jeanie is referring to.

 

[Lori]

Sorry, Jeanie, I think we posted at the same time. :roll:

 

[Jeanie]

Don't be embarrassed, Lori! You aren't expected to read minds.

 

[Newt]

Newt is at his third vet today, an animal hospital for all sorts of pets. The hospital is recommended by the AAHA and has a vetrinarian that served as VP for the area Vetrinary Association. Hopefully they know what they are doing.

The vet I met with said he seems to have something wrong with his abdomen area. Newt was very frisky and vocal when she was feeling his stomach. They are taking X-rays now and are going to call when he is ready. She also disagreed with the abundant use of anti-biotics but did say the L-Lysine was a good idea to help his immune system kick in. I told her I wanted to have them look at his former blood tests and run an x-ray on him. They are also going to do an FIP test and some other test that he has not had yet.

Please say a prayer for him. She sounded like she thought he may have FIP. She said that this can lie dormant and come about due to stress or sickness. This is what the other vet had mentioned, however he does not have all the signs of FIP (fluid leaking/buildup, ulcers, etc). The symptoms are:

Gastrointestinal and eye ulcers
Jaundice
Mild anemia
Neurological abnormalities
Severe conjunctivitis

I believe they gave him an FIPV test, but am not sure. Please say a prayer for him...we will know shortly.

 

[Newt]

Don't know whether to put a smiley or a frowny on this one. Newt is very close to meeting all the requirements for FPI (wet). He now has slight jaundice from not eating. The only positive thing that came from today was that there is no fluid in his abdomen. The vet even used a needle to try and draw fluid but there was none there.

With his breathing getting rough at times (sounds like he coughs after meowing) I was certain the x-ray would show fluid and that would be that. He is now 5.5 pds (was 8 pds) and is still not eating or drinking. They have sent out bloodwork to test of FPI which my vet is pretty certain he has. In the meantime, were going to give it one last shot this week. Here is my plan:

1/2 can of Hills I/D
1 TBSP Energel (Like Nutri-Cal)
250 mg L-Lysine (amino acids to kick start immune system) (this was also recommended by the new vet)

This concoction is mixed up in a blender and given to him in 6ml increments by syringe every hour until all of it is gone. I have beleived since this began, that if he could put some weight on he could fight this, he has always been really healthy. The tests for FPI are not very accurate, as my vet told me, so we are going to try and do the best we can for as long as we can. I will not put him through misery nor my wife, but I will try and save this little guy...he is my best friend. Please keep us in your prayers, they do work. I am keeping a journal of his health, weight, food intake, water intake and will report my findings back to the board as we progress. Thanks again.

 

[Jeanie]

Newt, I'm praying for the little guy. I so hope he doesn't have anything that serious. I think he is getting the attention he should from this vet. It sounds as if these people are taking his condition seriously. God bless both of you and heal your little friend!

 

[Bastetgoddess]

So sorry

I'm so sorry to hear that your baby is having to go through all this!!

Has he been checked for Fatty Liver Disease? That is sometimes confused with FIP!

I've found that Transfer Factor Complete for cats really helps the immune system. It kept my Wyld Chyld alive for several months when he was dying from kidney failure and it helps with a lot of the autoimmune diseases, too.

 

[AngelZoo]

I am surprised that all your former vets never did an FIP test, it's typically a question all vets ask when a new cat (client) is brought in.

I know some people who have a household of only FIP and similar cats, adn it is very tough for them, and there is a high need for people who will take those types of cats into their home, because a lot of people are not willing or able to care for such a problem.

I commend you sooooo much for sticking with this so long. You are doing your best to keep the furry one happy for however long he will be around, that is the most important part of this.

Defeintly keep us updated! And keeping records of his eating/behavoir habits is a good idea, that shows real dedication.