We took our cat to the vet today, because he had eaten a 1-inch piece of packing tape three days ago, and hadn’t had a BM since. Because we weren’t sure where the tape was, or what to do, we opted to go to the vet before trying anything ourselves.
He hadn’t eaten since yesterday morning, and started exhibiting signs of stomach-area pain this morning. When we took him into the vet, though, all the vet did was feel around his abdominal area, declare the fecal matter was still “soft”, and that he should be fine, but that we should bring him in tomorrow afternoon if he still hadn’t had a BM.
Because he seemed to be in pain, I asked if we could have a stool softener (she said “no”), or at least a soft tissue scan done (they have a CT scanner in the office, and our pet insurance covers it), just in case the tape was somewhere critical, or in case there was something more serious going on.
Every time she touched his stomach area, he was yowling in pain, but she still continued to insist that the fecal matter, though “very blocked up” was soft and “shouldn’t cause a real problem”. When I asked her if bacterial infection was a possibility, she said “no”.
This took her a grand total of three minutes, and cost us $85 (we live in Manhattan).
After dropping kitty off at our apartment, I went to class, and picked up some Miralax on the way home two hours later. When I got to the apartment, my kitty was dragging his backside across the carpet and yowling. His anal area was swollen and protruding. I called the closest two vets, but their emergency teams weren’t available for another two hours. I syringed 1/8 tsp Miralax powder dissolved in water into kitty’s mouth, put some vaseline around his anal area, and started massaging his lower back. About a half hour later, he finally had a BM. There were three pieces, all of which were completely hard and almost dry, plus the piece of packing tape. Luckily, he wasn’t cut up at all.
I’m so annoyed at the vet, though, because not only was she wrong about everything she said; but- had we waited another 24 hours, as she suggested- I’m not sure what shape he would have been in. I want to go and ask for our money back for the appointment, but don’t want to make a scene (the front desk staff, as opposed to the vet, is really friendly and helpful.) Should I call ahead just to let them know I’m coming down, or try and resolve it over the phone. I doubt the vet will meet with me face to face.
Actually, the vet told us not to do anything- including laxatives- until we saw her again. I think the real issue was that she had an appointment right after us, and wouldn’t have gotten paid for doing the tests/procedures, whereas tomorrow, she would have. Even with laxatives, I still had to help kitty get the BM all the way out (it was that dry). I’ve heard of cats needing surgery to get dried BM’s out, so it really is serious if it gets stuck. I’ll opt not to argue for a refund- but she actually didn’t do me any favors. Had she given him a stool softener earlier in the day, as I requested, it would have saved him a considerable amount of discomfort. So, sorry, for those who hope I “don’t act that way at the vet’s office,” you’ll find someday that being a little stubborn is the only way things get done right with some doctors- whether they specialize in humans or animals. Yes, it makes me a pain in the a**, but it also prevent bacterial infections.
Best reply by scrgrl:
I actually think the vet saved you a lot of money by not doing those tests you were asking for. The cat pooped.
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Can I get a refund from the vet?
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