Bloody vets...

tjt6768

Just thought I would have a moan.. Had to take the cat to the vets yesterday as he had a bit of a funny do, now we know he has aleaky heart valve and does have epileptic type fits, but this was different, he really seemed in pain with his stomach.. Took him to the vets, after having to use a cardboard box 'cos the bloodt cat boxes are way way way at the back of the cupbaord under a concrete shelf that's only 3ft high so no chance of getting to them, and I was in the house alone, so had a real struggle with it all... Anyway, finally got hm into the box, no mean feat when you consider he is the size of a large Jack Russel, got him to the vets, all stressed an in pain by then, only for her to say, "oh, it'll be his heart", "That'll be thirty quid, thanks for letting me legally rob you blind"
Actually she dint say the last part, but I am sure she was thinking it!!!
She also offered to get a quote for us to take him to the cardiac specialist.... £75 just for a consultation!! I think not.. She then said that they would be able to do scans, and blood tests and allsorts of wonderful things.. I thought I bet you bloody could at that kind of price!

Don't get me wrong, the cats are our babies, we've had them 14+yrs now and they were both strays, we've kept them as house cats and they've had a brilliant and spoilt life, but we just cannot afford for stuff like this.
I am afraid that what will be will be and whilever he seems ok and we can minimise the funny do's by keeping him de-stressed than that'l have to do..

Oh, and wouldn't you know it, he was right as rain when we got there!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway. That's my little rant over with..


Tony :shock:

tjt6768

Thanks Tink.. They certainly do take the mick.. Thing is, I can't work due to you know who.. (old git Arthur) but because SWMBO works we can't take them to the PDSA or anything.. I thkn we have done a great job looking after them as well as we have so far though. And if we keep an eye on him I think he'll be ok for a while yet. We do have to accept that fact that they're getting old, oh, and he's overweight too.. lol.. Gotta put the fatty on a bit of a diet

dreamdaisy

Well, being a fat cat won't help his heart. I suppose vets are expensive but you are paying for knowledge and expertise. I guess that they are essentially private doctors for animals. All things medical and private cost. DD

joanlawson

Hi Tony

Sorry to hear about your cat. I always say that it costs £10 just to walk through the door at the vets. My cat needs his teeth cleaning, and we've been quoted £200 approx. He would have to be anaesthetised, have blood test etc. so it is expensive. I think he will have to wait until after Christmas now.

dreamdaisy

This is slightly off topic but related to joan's post: I have a friend who has two greyhounds and she cleans their teeth every night - each has their own toothbrush and she buys doggy toothpaste. I am bemused by this - don't animals usually deal with such matters themselves? I would appreciate some enlightenment from similarly enthusiastic animal owners: my friend is very defensive/touchy about how soppy she is over the dogs and does not provide an answer.

annebr

I also brush Mischa, my cat, teeth. We have feline toothpaste and a child's toothbrush. Not quite the same as brushing human teeth but we have worked out a way where she is happy to sort of chew the brush with the toothpaste on it.

Joan, you can buy special cat dental biscuits they are a a bit pricey but a bag lasts for ages. These prevent the build up of plaque. If you want I can PM you the details.

anne

dreamdaisy

That would make sense collywobble - these greyhounds, however, eat like royalty: fresh meat, lots of gravy, and special greyhound stuff too. I think my friend just overdoes it! DD

mirabella

I am a huge dog lover,they are just the best friends ever,but mine get treated for what they are,dogs! as for greyhounds they are hunters! a few fresh rabbits would sort there teeth out.I can't even imagine trying to brush my dogs teeth!!! Mirabella

dreamdaisy

W's greyhounds are the laziest dogs I have ever met. Neither is keen on walks, they detest gong out in the rain and they sleep for the majority of the day! They are very gentle, quite placid and like nothing better than resting a muzzle in your hand and staring at you. They do have the occasional mad five minutes, when I have seen them run round the house (the garden surrounds it) but that never lasts long! I love 'em. DD

mirabella

I agree they are georgous dogs and make lovely pets if you have the room and energy to excersise them.I had one brought to me years ago,I used to work for a dog rescue,he had been dumped on the motorway,had Irish stamp in his ear.Was very gentle and no trouble.Was rehomed on a farm,and lived his days quite happily.Mirabella.

skezier

Hi Tony,

As long as he is ok though?

Insurance there's the real reason vets can and do charge so much, that and the fat they can only get meds from 4 places and they don't have a cheap market for drugs like humans do. Sometimes though if its a human drug its cheaper to get a private prescription and go to an ordinary chemist for it.

Its true what Lynn said though they train longer and need a far better understanding of more stuff than any gp as well as having to run and pay for their practices. They have huge over heads not least their own insurance as they also get sued.

Some of my mates are vets and they are not earning the kind of money their fee;'s might suggest...... especially the large animal ones but then they don't charge as much as large animals are often not insured for vets bills so they can't.

I have to say mind I would swap with most people re their vets bills...... Cris x

tjt6768

Hi Cris.. Yeah, you're right, the main thing is that he is ok at the minute, guess I was just having a moan..

I hope he's gonna be ok this next week while we're away, my OH's brother is cat sitting..

Tony

angel1

When I had my lovely Amber, I didn`t care what vets charged as long as they made her better, and treated her well.

However, on one occasion, she was about to have her booster jab, and kept planting little "kisses" on the vets hand. He shoved her roughly away, and she almost fell off the table. He was about to charge me £50 for this privilege. I picked her up, telling him that his personality transplant hadn`t worked, and marched out of there pronto.

I recently took a friend to the PDSA, and watched her get the most amazing treatment for her very sick little cat. Sadly, despite all their efforts, she had to be put to sleep. The vet hugged my friend, and cried with her. Other than donations, it cost nothing.........Ange.x.

joanlawson

I think that the PDSA do a wonderful job, but they are only there for people who couldn't afford vets' bills otherwise, I believe.

http://www.pdsa.org.uk/pdsa-vet-care/eligibility

tjt6768

The PDSA do a fantastic job, and they really do care eh? I have taken a friend down there in the past too, they did a marvelous job with his cat when it was really ill, no expense was spared.. Tony