Do you have a good
relationship with your vet? Do you trust them to take good care of your furry
family member? Too many times I’ve heard from people ready to give up because
their vet has prematurely given up on their pet. One person told me that their vet
felt just because her kitty was elderly and had IBD, she should be put to
sleep. Without trying any treatments or proper diagnostics, this vet felt the
cat should be euthanized. Luckily the parent didn’t listen and the kitty is now
getting the proper treatment for her condition. But this didn’t stop her in the meantime from
thinking that it may be the end!
Another person I know
lost her kitty because the vet out and out refused to try a different
medication with her and there were no other vets around for over 100 miles. The
medication is used frequently for cats with IBD and could have potentially
saved her life. Maybe not, but it’s always worth trying if there's still a possible chance of recovery. He wouldn’t even consider it and there was no good explanation
given as to why. This poor woman eventually lost her best friend. There are more stories
like these unfortunately. But thankfully there are plenty of stories of good
and even great vets as well.
I know many people with vets that truly care about them and their pets. Some have more experience
with IBD and certain medications than others. But here’s the kicker; the ones
who don’t…are willing to learn! They take their oaths as healers seriously and
put aside any egos to actually listen to the pet parents and possibly even try
new things. If you have a vet like this, you’ve won half the IBD battle. You
need a vet that will be on the same side of the battle-lines with you and your
sick little baby and do what it takes…together.
If you are unhappy with
your current vet or you need to find another one for whatever reason, here are
some things to look for:
Find a vet that has
experience with IBD (or any other disease that may apply) and is willing to
learn more about it. They can always do consultations with other vets and/or hospitals and consult with you in the process. They can
also take a look at my website and view the case studies to see what’s working
and what isn’t for different kitties. http://www.ibdkitties.net/LivingwithIBD.html.
Make sure your vet
listens to your concerns about medication side effects, long term dosing and
different medication options. Arm yourself with knowledge so you know what
questions to ask.
Keep a diary for
yourself and your vet so they know exactly what’s happening with your pet and
what they’re looking for. Mention any vomiting, soft stools, diarrhea, blood in
stools, inappetance and so on. It’s much easier to remember everything that’s
happening and give the vet what they need to make a diagnosis.
Make sure your vet has
flexible hours and can squeeze you and your pet in if you feel something is not
right. You know your pet better than anyone. If you feel something is very off
or they’re sick, don’t wait to call for an appointment. Otherwise you may end
up taking your kitty to the emergency.
Ask your vet’s office
for a copy of your pet’s records or at the very least, an itemized receipt.
This way you know exactly what they gave your pet, how much, what tests were
done, etc. If you do have to take kitty to the ER for something like an adverse
drug reaction, you’ll know exactly what was given to them.
Just as in your own
medical care or that of your human child, be involved and ask questions. It’s
you’re right as a pet parent. Any good vet won’t have a problem with that as
long as you aren’t bombarding and overwhelming them.
5 comments:
Thank you! Great post. I've loved my vet since 1976. Unfortunately I'm moving, twice this next 9 mos., first to a remote area of ID, then NC., its very stressful the thought of finding a new vet. Tho I'm pretty good of asking questions and stating from my experience what I feel woks best for my cats (12), when I know.
Thanks Marty! Good luck on that move. you have quite an adventure in front of you and the kitties. Hope you can find a great new vet too.
Excellent information! After leaving the clinic that I worked at for ten years, I've been to three other clinics. I've often felt rushed in appointments. If they are on a lot of medications, it's good to bring a list, especially if it changes often.
I finally found a clinic that is cat friendly - we get put in a room upon arrival. Nothing worse for a scared, sick cat than waiting in a room of barking dogs. My cats have been traumatized by that too many times.
The new technology is great - having blood work and ultrasound results done in your appointment.
oh yes, barking dogs can really send a cat into a tizzy! Glad you found a great clinic Brenda.
I dont know that I believe in "bad vets" as much as I believe medical science itself and how it is taught it deeply flawed.
The problem I keep coming up against is that they tend to just be poor thinkers, in general. They are great MEMORIZERS of what their books say, but they cannot go off the beaten path and think well, critically, and analytically, on their own.
(Im a philosopher, critical and analytical thinking is what I specialize in, so I feel qualified to make that criticism.)
Attentional blindness is when you are so focused on one thing, you miss the gorilla in the room purely because you are not looking for it. And that is what I keep running up against with my vets.
They have focused so intently on possible diagnosis' of IBD (which is a dumping ground of symptoms, and should not be considered a "disease" as there is no cause and effect link described) and Lymphoma, that they missed the fact that my Smith has had pancreatitis. At least twice, and it is possible that chronic pancreatitis has been going on for the last four years.
Now, what is driving the pancreatitis remains to be discovered. I suspect a bacterial cause, as it seem to respond at least partially to antibiotics, although it never resolves.
And diet is somehow linked as well, although that may be because different bacteria thrive with different foods.
I sent you a long email with a link to a round table discussion at Columbia University on feline Pancreatitis. I really hope you read it, as some of the information on your page should probably be updated in light of it.
PAIN CONTROL is job one. Fluids, still, but they no longer recommend withholding food. Controlling my cats pain has done amazing things for his appetite and quality of life while he is suffering from pancreatitis, and, it is buying him precious time while we look for a cure.
I discovered that controlling his pain alone completely resolved his nausea and vomiting and anorexia. Completely. It has not cured the underlying cause, but as you know, keeping the kitty fed helps to prevent the liver failure and wasting associate with the condition.
Buprenorphine is a miracle drug for dealing with the symptoms of pancreatitis in my Smith, and I had to insist on it, not ONE VET ever thought to prescribe pain medication in the whole now five years my poor boy has been suffering and wasting away.
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