We brought in our little cat with a respiratory problem. They took her and put her in an oxygen tent, which was expected. A rather stoic rep told us it would cost us $975.00 to "stabilize her," and left us a long time in a room, without our cat, to think about it while they processed "options." They came back in the room with the options, and fanned them out all over the exam table. It looked like a mess of pages spread in all directions. We sat there and stared. The range went from over $600.00 for euthanasia, to over $3,000.00 for testing and a "plan" with no guarantee that our kitty would survive. We felt like we were being held emotionally and financially hostage, and were really confused on what would be the right thing for our cat. Another option would be to sign our cat over to the hospital and never know what they did with her. That, to me, is not an option.
Since our cat was having a very bad episode, and already had x-rays and tests from her vet, which these people could not access at night, and we felt she would not make it to Monday to go elsewhere, and would die at home of asphyxiation, we opted for the euthanasia. I went in a sparse room with old furniture, and the vet brought my cat in, lying in a silly bed with a silly blanket. She had already had a needle in her arm to "calm her down" which was NOT authorized. While the vet was euthanizing her, THEN the vet said "You're doing the right thing." I guess the 3k+ tests were not necessary.
We had checked "cremation" and checked "no" for the footprint. When we got her ashes back, there was both a footprint and a nose print in the package. Someone pressed my dead cat's nose in ink, then on paper. What am I to do with this, recycle? Throw it away? These people are so aloof. They do not pay attention. We could afford to take care of her, but the whole way the situation was treated was just awful. Could you possibly imagine bringing a loved one to an emergency room and a nurse coming out and stating "It will cost you X amount of dollars to stabilize your child?" Now I keep second guessing myself and feel we may have not done the right thing. Should we have gambled her suffocating?
We are not against business, but this was just an awful experience. We will never go there again, and cannot recommend it to anyone. read more