10/25/19 Willow OTJ Trial, AM&PMBG 74 (4.1), and vet rant

Discussion in 'Lantus / Levemir / Biosimilars' started by nslade001, Oct 25, 2019.

  1. nslade001

    nslade001 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2018
    last post

    Hi all, hope you and your kitties are doing great :)

    I didn't post yesterday, her numbers were ambg 74 (4.1) , pmbg 88 (4.9)

    Vet update: I'm switching.

    We went to check to see if urine culture results were in (it's been a week today since cysto, and idexx got the urine that day). Tech said the results were in but vet was busy, might not get a chance to talk to us. We said that we had left a message, there should be a note (haha) that *any* vet could call. (We knew Willow's vet is off till Monday). Insisted someone speak to us, as W is on diabetic trial, very possibly in remission, and we need antibiotics *now* if she has an infection, we've waited this long (with no call from vet or anyone in hospital), etc etc. Tech went back, then returned and asked us to wait, she'd keep trying to get someone to talk to us.

    Another tech came shortly with the results (no infection) and that Dr. would speak with us about the blood in her urine if we wanted to, and next step (ultrasound); otherwise, if we were fine, that was it. (We'd left another message previously that Willow had large amounts of blood in her urine on her pee pad...no one had called about that). This vet is obviously not concerned about Willow's health.

    The clincher? The urine results were available 5 days ago. They got the second fax (the first was blood results with urine culture pending) the day following the first fax. If there was a UTI, it would have been 5 more days untreated. I know accidents happen, and am fine with that. I wouldn't have been happy, but I would have kept it to myself, and understood. My problem is that we went in and called multiple times, were repeatedly told the results were not in, that the vet would call us... and at the end, no one said, "sorry, there was a mixup" or anything. Nothing. And obviously, they knew (at least at the end, because I heard them talking out back saying there "must have been a miscommunication".

    I've had it. I need a referral to the internal med specialist in Ottawa, but that's it. And that's a shame, because it means Willow has to travel further, to a new place, which isn't fair to her. But I don't trust these guys to be honest, and that's important to me.

    Sigh. Sorry for the rant, but I know you guys know where we're coming from.

    Where are the vets that *care* anymore?!?

    With love, Nikki
     
  2. carfurby (GA)

    carfurby (GA) Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    I'm sorry that happened. I hope you can find a good vet. I'm glad there's no infection. I hope you can figure out what is causing the blood. Sending prayers. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:
     
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  3. Margie and Jackson

    Margie and Jackson Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2019
    That’s bad. It could have really hurt Willow’s health.
     
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  4. Sue and Luci

    Sue and Luci Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 3, 2017
    I'm sorry about that poor care that your vet provided :( Very disappointing to hear they do that. I hope the other vet is better - sorry you have to go further...I don't know if you're the type to write - but I'd send them a scathing letter! Talk about poor business practice - much less the health of your beloved pet is at stake! I'd be furious!

    It sounds like you were very diplomatic...perhaps more so that I would have been!

    Hang in there...hope you find the source of the bleeding...:bighug:
     
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  5. AmandaE

    AmandaE Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2019
    Ugh. How frustrating. I wonder how they can justify that situation. An apology would have went a long way in this situation, I say good riddance :)

    in the mean time! Happy day 10 to Willow!!! I can’t believe there are only 4 days left in the trial!!!
     
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  6. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    A couple of thoughts...

    Is there a cat specialty practice anywhere near by? I've been incredibly happy with a cat only practice both in Chicago and in Columbus

    Does the practice your unhappy with have a practice manager? Alternatively, who owns the practice? Talk to someone who has some degree of authority. Even if you never go back, it would be helpful to let a practice manager or owner know about the irresponsible treatment your cat received.
     
  7. nslade001

    nslade001 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2018
    Thank you all, I know I can safely vent here :)

    @Sienne and Gabby (GA) No cat specialist nearby, unfortunately. We'll try another practice the next town over (this one has the monopoly here).

    I may let someone in authority know, but I don't know if they care....they're a very money oriented practice. Charged my parents for having their teensy senior dog's chest rads (the vet wanted them done pre-dentistry) sent to a specialist because "they" suspected something going on with her heart because of a "shadow"...and they were right. It was a shadow.... of the dog's front leg. Bad positioning or reading of the xrays, either way the specialist referral should have been a freebie. Ugh.

    Anyway, she's doing well! Happy and comfy, and that's what counts.

    With love, Nikki
     
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  8. Crista & Ming

    Crista & Ming Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2018
    Oh.... no.......... that’s so embarrassing for them. Even the results sitting there is embarrassing to hear that it took so long for them to get back to you.

    I hope you find a better vet. I know it’s stressful to have to travel further but it will be so much better.
     
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  9. Sienne and Gabby (GA)

    Sienne and Gabby (GA) Senior Member Moderator

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2009
    Nikki --

    The practice you were using charged your folks for sending the rads to a consultant? The only way that is justifiable is if the consultant charged them (ask to see the invoice) or if they were sending actual films vs digital images. (Well, if they had to send a disk vs an email attachment maybe -- usually disks are mailed only if it's imaging but we have imaging, echos, etc. sent as attachments for humans.)

    If they have a site on Yelp, you can always leave a review. I do wonder, though, if this is the vets in the practice or whoever owns the practice or the office manager that has put these practices in place. I would hate to think it's the vets. The other place you can file a complaint is with the state licensing board. However, the complaint would need to be about a specific vet and this seems to be a practice management issue.

    I'm so sorry this happened. It's just irresponsible.
     
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  10. J.J. and Phoebe Squeak

    J.J. and Phoebe Squeak Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2019
    So sorry to hear this! But glad there was no infection. I'll spare you the details, but I had a similar situation where a vet made a mistake that could have actually killed my dear Phoebe Squeak. I left that practice and met several other vets until I found the right place for us. It is farther away too -- like yours will be -- but it's worth it. I share your frustration and wish you all the best in your search.
     
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