Wow - Talk About a Dedicated Owner

tHeGiNo · 03-13-04, 10:46 AM

Well, I am working at a vet clinic. A lady came in today, whom I had never seen before. I talked to her for a bit, and she informed me that her cat had just undergone surgery. The cat is diabetic, with MANY other problems she listed which I cannot remember, however it included kidney and liver problems. She spent $5000.00 on her surgery, and pays $200.00 a month in medication. The cat is fifteen years of age. When she told me this, all I could say was nothing! I asked her how in the heck she could afford that. She got an EXTRA JOB, just to pay her vet bills. She took out a loan as well. To me, this is someone who REALLY loves there pet.

A few days ago, some arrogant prick called the clinic and informed me that his husky had had babies the night prior, and two of the babies are having 'problems.' So I requested some more information on the pregnancy, and what the problems were, and he informed me that the dog was giving birth for 26 hours straight. Not good. So I told him to bring in the two sick puppies, the mother, and all the other puppies to ensure they are ok. When I suggested this, wow did he ever flip out on me. He became totally irate, began swearing then told me he is ONLY going to bring the two puppies in. At this point, there is really nothing I can do. I said ok, and told him to bring them in right away. He told me at 11:00 PM or so the night prior, the mother was still giving birth, so he went to bed. He also said there was one baby who was not suckling on the mother. He woke up the next morning to see another baby, green, freezing cold and feet away from the mother. The green was from defecating in its sac before the female gave birth to him.

So anyhow, he brought the puppies in and waited in the waiting room for results. Both babies came in freezing cold, so we first warmed them up. Neither baby was suckling on the mother, so they were given straight glucose to try and bring them to life. With time, both puppies looked promising. However, without the mothers milk, the puppies are unable to fight bacteria, and we new its chances were not good. Once they began readily suckling on the glucose syringe, we put them in a warming cage and began feeding them milk. Both readily took them, however one of the babies shortly made a turn for the worse. He began excreting blood from both his genitals and his rectum. He was gasping for air, and was asperating. We called the owners, and told them it was in the puppies best bet to put him down. We told him the cost of euthanasia would be $5.00. At this point, he replied 'well if it going to cost me more money, just let it die.'

Anyhow, the point of all that was to show the extent people will or will not go for their animals. And it is unfortunate how many times I see cases like the guy with the puppies. For example, another thing that really bugs me, is when people are too cheap to choose laser surgery over scalpal. The difference in bleeding is incredible, as is the lack of pain caused with laser surgery. And the difference in cost is like a mere $50.00. Yet people still choose the scalpal. Beats me why.

In the cats case, I couldn't decide whether the lady was being greedy or not. And maybe this is just my opinion, but at fifteen years of age, being diabetic and having severe kidney and liver problems, 'forcing the cat to live' like that, in my opinion, is being greedy. What do you all think?

Siretsap · 03-13-04, 10:54 AM

Well it all depends on the way you look at it. Would you pay for a surgery if it would make your kid or brother or anyone you know live a little longer?

sapphire_moon · 03-13-04, 11:11 AM

exactly. I personally look at my animals as my kids (with the exception of my breeder rats!) And I would pay anything to keep them alive longer. HOWEVER, if I were to belive that if after any surgery, the quality of my pets life would be less than it was before. Then I would not hesitate in having the animal put to sleep.

tHeGiNo · 03-13-04, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Well it all depends on the way you look at it. Would you pay for a surgery if it would make your kid or brother or anyone you know live a little longer?

If they are suffering, I definitely would not. Maybe it is just me, but keeping a pet alive for your own benefit is, as I said, being greedy. The surgery is just going to let them suffer for a little longer.

Siretsap · 03-13-04, 11:24 AM

exactly, but if your cat still does things around the hosue, or still purrs happily when around you, then I would do it.

One day the humans will have to realise that keeping your brother alive longer pined to a bed with injections of medicine and in constant pain isn't a way to live especially when this person is concious and begs to be put asleep... Anyhow, will not get into this discussion since it will fall into religious terms and all.

tHeGiNo · 03-13-04, 11:27 AM

Exactly, and that is exactly whats happening with the cat. It needs $200 in meds monthly.

Siretsap · 03-13-04, 11:37 AM

maybe, but if at home, it does things it likes and seems happy, then it's ok. An animal's attitude in a clinic and at home cannot be compared at all. Most animals will be nervous in a clinic and many cats will urinate and defecate out of stress from the smell in a vet clinic and people it doesn't associate with.

Maybe at home it is happy and does do things a cat would.

As for 200$ medecine a month, some medications are extremely expensive and are for treatments that render your cat normally acting. let's say your cat is diebetic, the medication is expensive and necessary so yes the costs are high but the cat will still act normally when given the medication.

It is possible she is keeping it alive only thinking about herself, if it is the case, then maybe the vet should explain to her that it is better to have it put down and not perform the 5000$ operation. That's what consultations are for.

tHeGiNo · 03-13-04, 01:04 PM

Yep, without a doubt. But she told me the cat doesn't always look 'normal,' and I am sure she made it seem better then it is. Don't get me wrong, I know she loves her pet dearly and wants to spend as much time as she can with her, but you have to take it from the animals perspective as well.

Quote:

An animal's attitude in a clinic and at home cannot be compared at all. Most animals will be nervous in a clinic and many cats will urinate and defecate out of stress from the smell in a vet clinic and people it doesn't associate with.

Oh I definitely know that. I don't think I implied that the cats behaviour in the clinic founded my opinion?

C.m.pyrrhus · 03-13-04, 01:31 PM

I recently worked as a vet tech. The doc recently shut down business due to bancruptcy, so I now work elsewhere. But anyhoo.....this is how it was day in and day out in the hospital. We had a fella with a 17 year old cat, who was getting blood work done and all nessecary follow up work done in order for his old female cat to be feeling better and living better. Her blood work actually came out great, except for some small normal problems for aged cats like this. He spend many a dollor on this loved pet. Not many owners like this at all. Very scarce.

We also had many folks (most had this mentality) who would not spay their animals stating "They just want to have some babies you know." Sorry, they do not want babies..in the long run your giving it better chances at getting ill. But what does a human care, except their own silly needs and greed for their pet. It was said, that about 80% + of all owners we saw had no clue as to what their pet needs were, nor who knew what was going on.

Fact is, most owners do not care to get the facts. They rely on myth and old wifes tales about the life and needs of their pets. Facts are misplaced and replaced with myths and so on for ease of dealing with reality. Not that all are out to do harm, just that many do not seem to accept the fact they are wrong and doing harm to their pets. The get pi$$ed, upset, sit back in denial and generally get defensive when the truth roles out from the docs mouth.

tHeGiNo · 03-13-04, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Fact is, most owners do not care to get the facts. They rely on myth and old wifes tales about the life and needs of their pets. Facts are misplaced and replaced with myths and so on for ease of dealing with reality. Not that all are out to do harm, just that many do not seem to accept the fact they are wrong and doing harm to their pets. The get pi$$ed, upset, sit back in denial and generally get defensive when the truth roles out from the docs mouth.

I have never heard a word so true in my life. That is EXACTLY what I noticed. Maybe breeders or those selling puppies should inform potential buyers on what they are instore for. With pet insurance now, it is DEFINITELY worth the small monthly fee.