What would you do?

[PoodleMommy]

My cat was having loose stool with blood in it, so I called my vet and they said unless I paid emergency fees she could not be seen until next Thursday... ok my first mistake was not paying the emergency fee but I was kind of annoyed...

so I called a local vet (we travel almost an hour to get to our vet) to see if she could just come in for a visit. I figured it wasnt that big a deal for someone to do a fecal test, see her and then give her some meds... I knew it was nothing serious and this way we wouldnt have to travel so far and pay extra.

Well, we do not vaccinate our cats at all that means NO rabies either. It is not money but the fact that my one cat has already had injection site sarcoma and we dont feel the need for all the injections anymore... they never ever leave the house.
We had discusssed this with our vet and they were fine with it.

Well at the vet today, they forced us to vaccinate her... we told them everything and that we refuse and they said it was the law and that we couldnt refuse and they vaccinated her.

Obviously, i will not be returning there... it will be back to the other vet.... I know this was my fault to begin with by getting mad at the vet to begin with.

But what would you have done in the same situation?

Im just sooo mad right now and want to know what other people would have done.

 

[sparks19]

Honestly? I don't know if it is law or not for Cats... but if they insisted it HAD to be done... I would have refused to pay for it. I would have walked out without paying if they went ahead and did it... although I think I might have walked out when they told me it was nessecary.

BUT... you kitty was sick so I guess walking out (before the shot) wasn't really in yours or your kittys best interest.

so I would have refused to pay. They can send me to colections and I would dispute the charge.

 

[Buddy'sParents]

I am not familiar if it is actually law or not, but given that I had made my wishes KNOWN, I would be one pissed off owner right now.

 

[Renee750il]

I'd probably have done the same thing you did.

Your regular vet putting you off until Thursday unless you paid emergency fees is just unconsciounable. I've never dealt with a vet that didn't get me in the same day or, if it was something over the weekend, first thing Monday.

 

[PoodleMommy]

Thanks both of you for reading my post and responding... I actually didnt post all day because I was worried everyone would say I was a bad pet owner for not giving rabies shots.

My dogs all get rabies because they go outside and come into contact with other animals, etc... but my cats dont and too many cats get injection site sarcoma... it is ridiculous. I dont think it is necessary and its not like I license my cats either so I dont see the difference. I dont feel I am putting anyones life (cats or humans) at risk.

Sparks... honestly, I could have grabbed her and started running, lol... but she was sick and needed meds... I was already there. Obviously I am not returning and now I just have to hope one shot doesnt bother her much since she wont be getting it again.

 

[PoodleMommy]

I'd probably have done the same thing you did.

Your regular vet putting you off until Thursday unless you paid emergency fees is just unconsciounable. I've never dealt with a vet that didn't get me in the same day or, if it was something over the weekend, first thing Monday.

the reason it hit such a nerve is because this has happened the last two or three times I called and each other time I just paid the fee and went anyway. The problem is they are the best area vets with the most high tech equipment, etc. And the only vets who dont bother you if you want to do all natural food, reduced vaccinations, etc. So I am kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

 

[sparks19]

Oh I don't blame you one bit for staying... she was sick. It is terrible that they took advantage of your situation like that

 

[Babyblue5290]

the reason it hit such a nerve is because this has happened the last two or three times I called and each other time I just paid the fee and went anyway. The problem is they are the best area vets with the most high tech equipment, etc. And the only vets who dont bother you if you want to do all natural food, reduced vaccinations, etc. So I am kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Is there possibly a way to search for other vet's that may take you on short notice, so the next time this happens you can have a backup and don't have to pay the e-vet fee?

I know the people I house-sit for do this. They have two vet's, one is their main vet, and the other is a second vet just in case they can't go to the first in time.

I know those Evet fee's gotta be a lot! :yikes: At least here they are!

 

[PoodleMommy]

Is there possibly a way to search for other vet's that may take you on short notice, so the next time this happens you can have a backup and don't have to pay the e-vet fee?

I know the people I house-sit for do this. They have two vet's, one is their main vet, and the other is a second vet just in case they can't go to the first in time.

I know those Evet fee's gotta be a lot! :yikes: At least here they are!

Well it is not the evet: they charge 100 dollars to walk in the door.

It is my regular vet but they charge an "emergency fee" if you want an appt on short notice... the fee is not that much really... it was just the fact that they have done it now the last couple of times my pets were sick and it was starting to annoy me.

I thought this would be a "second vet" basically but now I see they cant be because I cant vaccinate my pets for them and another thing that makes me mad... is that they vaccinated a SICK pet... I would never give an animal a vaccine while they are ill.

 

[mjb]

I guess it depends on what they have because I've needed to take in one of my animals at times when sick, and it would be time for the shots, too. When I would ask over the phone if they could do the shots while I was there, the technician will say probably not.

I think one time, the vet did decide it was all right to do the shots then.

 

[elegy]

first, i agree that it's absurd that your regular vet would make you wait that long with a sick pet. i'd be finding a different vet.

second, i'd keep your cat vaccinated for rabies, but that's just my opinion. even though your cat doesn't go outside, there are situations where she could get outside (fire comes to mind), and there are situations in which she could bite somebody and you could end up having to have her put down and have her rabies tested. vaccine associated sarcomas are very scary, but they're really very uncommon these days, and mostly related to the feline leukemia vaccine.

third, the cat shouldn't have been vaccinated while sick! that's a huge no no!

fourth, there's always the option, if they're all worried about liability, for you to sign a piece of paper saying that you're aware that you're breaking the law and that you've been so advised, and that you cannot hold the veterinary clinic liable if something were to happen with your unvaccinated cat. we have some clients who opt to do that.

fifth, i hope your kitty is feeling better!

is there a third veterinary option in your area? one that's going to see a sick pet in a reasonable time frame and not blatantly disregard your wishes as to your pet's care?

 

[Dekka]

third, the cat shouldn't have been vaccinated while sick! that's a huge no no!

I was just going to post this, but you beat me to it!

I can't believe they gave a shot to an already sick cat. This to me, more than anything, would have pissed me off!!

 

[ACooper]

^I agree! I would question where that Vet was coming from doing this!

 

[misticaleclipse]

fourth, there's always the option, if they're all worried about liability, for you to sign a piece of paper saying that you're aware that you're breaking the law and that you've been so advised, and that you cannot hold the veterinary clinic liable if something were to happen with your unvaccinated cat. we have some clients who opt to do that.

That would not be possible, if its illegal, its illegal, regardless if you agree with this law or not. I am not saying that makes the OP a bad owner in any way, but if you own a pet you should know the laws where you live and what you are required to do/not do.

Rabies is an extremely serious thing, I believe most vets would report you if
you refused to let them issue a rabies shot. Its illegal for a reason.