To the Veterinary Doctor that told me my Cat was dying from Renal Failure or Cancer,
For over 15-years I have been extensively involved w/ the animal rescue world, during which I worked with &/or participated in the treatment of animals w/ at least 30 Veterinaries/Clinics, if not more.
With that in mind, I would like to thank you for your lack of compassion on the day that I was distressed about a member of my clan. I was genuinely impressed by your professionalism in not even laying a finger on my cat while you reviewed the Vet Tech's notes & barely listened to me. Walking out of the room & having the Vet Tech bring back the Estimate without even discussing any of your concerns made me further comforted in how much I felt you cared & would look after him.
I think I have the most to thank you for your lack of empathy & kindness when you came back into the room to let me know your diagnosis. Your explanation that while his bladder & kidneys felt fine, his uranalysis looked very good, and his bloodwork was a little conflicting, he was most likely dying from renal failure or cancer offered me such relief. I felt even better as you became annoyed with me when I asked how you had come to this extreme diagnosis. You simply stated he was not regenerating blood platelets, & in your opinion, he was dying. When I offered the apparently ridiculous suggestion that these results could also be from other issues, you so gently let me know, "I have seen cats with these normal levels that die soon after." I cannot tell you how much I appreciated the thought you put behind that statement before saying it.
I further cannot relate to you how much it meant to me when you simply stated he should be hospitalized & walked out of the room once again w/ no further contact. The next estimate showed "Hospitalization" was in reality just a catheter & IV fluids for 24-hours for a mere $1,100. No further care provided. Oh, my apologies, I forgot, of course the additional $900 that you included for full abdominal scans, vaccines, a combo test I had already turned down, & medications, which confirmed to me that the IV Fluid treatment was simply that, IV Fluids. Why bother with including any medications to a dying cat, but let's definitely get the full abdominal scans just in case. Maybe you should have thrown in a biopsy of every organ for good measure? That was an opportunity missed. At least by the time my cat died, I'd have close to a full necropsy performed.
I wholeheartedly enjoyed that when I had questions on this estimate & how this "Hospitalization" would be helpful, the Vet Tech had to leave the room 3 times to ask you for clarification while I waited. Apparently, I did not understand that at your Clinic, or at least w/ you, it is beyond the scope of the Exam to expect to have the actual Veterinarian explain these menial items. In the moment, I thought maybe you had another urgent patient that you were attending to at the same time. So while my cat was diagnosed as "dying", he was not in the throes of death, so the other patient took precedence. I can understand that; I come from the animal world. However, the fact that I was the last patient of the day, that I could actually hear you casually talking with two other people in the back room, & that the Vet Tech returned quickly each and every time, end of day casual conversation appears to be more important than a "dying" cat.
Please note that I am typing this with my "death bed" cat lying next to me & doing much better. In just 1-week after your exam, with me only conducting home therapy, further testing with a different Vet & Clinic showed that his platelets are regenerating & blood levels are improving. After 3-weeks, further testing confirmed he is still improving. I am confused, he seems to be doing much better, but what do I know. I understand he is not out of the woods yet. But thankfully I didn't just tie him to a tree & let him die based on your diagnosis.
What I can sincerely say without any sarcasm or annoyance is that the Vet Tech was extremely caring & helpful, & showed a level of Professionalism way beyond your demonstrated capabilities of what I personally experienced. If she moves to another place, I would consider giving it a go. She was that good. You & your Clinic have lost my trust, lost my business, & I would have a difficult time recommending your Practice to someone with a poor animal that was truly in the throes of death. In my opinion, I'd rather hold the animal & give them comfort, than subject them to my horrible experience.
Please note, I commend you for the extreme effort & time you gave to have the honour of obtaining your medical degree. I know it is a challenging & difficult career. In no way do I undermine the work & hardships you put in to achieve it. I just have to wonder if your goal was always to make the corporate money makers proud, without regard for being a life saver? Congratulations if that was your goal; sorry to disappoint. MKB read more