Date: Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:21:43 -0400
From: nabooko
Subject: Vets and Rabies shots
I for one was not influenced by Elliot Cramer’s stories about Pittsboro Animal Hospital. I have my own stories.
I once had 14 cats registered at Hillcreek. I had spent thousands of dollars there. Seemingly, with each month, they became more complicated, more money oriented. I finally just couln’t take it any more. It was just too stressful going there.
As far as the compassion part from Pittsboro Animal Hospital – I have yet to see it..
My first visit was with an altered male cat with a urinary infection- sometime in Nov.- no questions were asked regarding if he had a rabies shot. Come January, I received a notice from Pittsboro Animal Hospital that the cat was due for a rabies shot in Jan.
The next visit was with a sick 10 year old cat. I was not given the idea at the first visit that it was hopeless- I think the vet knew more than she was saying. After all was said and done, the cat died at home, after 3 visits. I now feel that the last two visits were of no value except to the vet. This cost me nearly $400.00- No suggestion that the cat would be better off dead.
Last Oct. or Nov. I called to make an appointment for a sick cat- the person answering the phone told me that “we only see patients that have had a rabies shot and that I would need to bring in his papers of proof of rabies shot”- I protested and said that he was listed at another vet in town for the rabies shot- couldn’t they call and confirm it.?That seem to confuse the issue and finally I heard someone in the background say “just tell them to bring the cat in”
This cat had something wrong that made the Vet suggest it had Feline herpes. I already had heard that this is incurable, but treatable. I paid $27.00 an ointment that did nothing to help- No suggestions for further treatment from the vet- just “I would like to see him again in 2 weeks”-
I came home and read up on Feline Herpes on the internet and bought my own treatment from a local drug store- and the cat’s condition has improved greatly. I feel that the vet knowingly withheld this simple information, in order to later sell me something much more expensive during additional visits.
Now, back to that compassion- Last year I found a box turtle that apparently had just the back tip of his shell and leg run over by a car. He Could not walk. I tried to help him, feed him to the best of my ability, but I knew it was hopless. Finally after two weeks with no success, I called Pittsboro Animal hospital and told them the situation- the end result, they wanted $45.00 to put the turtle to sleep. Nothing more, nothing less.
As much as I love cats, I resent having to put up with cat’s running around in a vet’s waiting room. My cat is there because it is sick- and in a cage. I don’t appreciate having the vet’s cat approching my cat in that situation. They even let their cats come in the room when one’s cat is being examined.
And by the way- said Vet’s cats are far, far too fat for their own good.
Last, I fully believe that most vet visits and treatment are very carefully organized and drawn out to squeeze every penny possible from the visit.