Vets Are Expensive (Franklin: credit card, house, school)

[JenSkim]

Hello:

Is it me or are all the vets in Nashville ready to charge exorbitant fees while offering no real solution for your pet? I'm sorry to vent, but this has been my experience for the past two months. I have visited (unnamed) vet office in the 5 Points area, and have seen only young vets. Young meaning they look like they just graduated. They perform expensive exams, but then appear to have a mystery before them. Eventually I'm shepherded off to Nashville Vet Specialists to have the issue looked at. This is where I see more vet school recent graduates, again, vets with not much apparent skill in diagnosing a given issue.

There is no problem running expensive tests in both offices. Instead of doing this, why can't be a little more creative and look at the IMMEDIATE problem? I have gotten no satisfactory feedback in either case, yet I've spent close to $1000. I guess that serves me right for loving my cat so much!

Can anyone recommend a decent cat vet with experience... lots of experience, especially with senior cats?

[CountryGirl2b=]

I have a friend who studied to be a vet. It's almost like going to med school. In fact, she eventually quit her practice to write for medical journals (people medicine, not pet medicine).

My cat is around 14 and diabetic. I take him here:

Little House Animal Hospital - Veterinarian In Franklin, TN USA :: Home

I'm not saying they are cheap but they are very caring and seem to have a network of vet friends that they call when THEY don't know the answer. And I have called on a couple of occasions and they have suggested things over the phone to try before bringing him in . . sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't but at least they try.

When they suggest tests (for my cat's diabetes) I pretty much ask what is the most reasonably priced test that will give you the most information for the buck . . and they WILL work with me on that. As a doctor I'm sure they would love having as much info as possible, BUT my cat does not make a lot of money so they have to work with that.

I have also found a lot of information online . . just google things like "cat won't eat" or "old cat with upset tummy" and there are lots of cat lover forums where people will make suggestions or have a cat with similar symptoms.

Best of luck!

[JenSkim]

CountryGirl2b=,

Thank you for your post. I search online first as well... and though I'm ready to put the bill on my credit card, I almost feel paranoid about even using it. I appreciate your feedback.

[CountryGirl2b=]

It's tough . . . I think you have to consider the quality of life even though it's hard. The sad fact is that unless we adopt a tortoise, we're going to outlive our pets. I have always felt comfortable with the folks at Little House to ask . . . maybe we've done enough? I believe they are compassionate (and ethical) enough to tell you their honest answer. How old is your cat? Mine was a rescue so the 14 is a guesstimate. He doesn't LOOK a day over 7 though!

[JenSkim]

My girl is 16... Just lost my other kitty two months ago... I hope this is not something like that.

I had a cat live to be 21 once, but that was probably too long.

[CountryGirl2b=]

Ahhh, I'm sorry. I don't blame you for being extra worried about this one.

I hear you on the 'too long' though. I keep reading about how if I eat 6 apples a day I'll live 5 years longer than if I didn't eat the apples. Well, seriously, do I WANT to live from 90 to 95? Maybe not (although my Mom turns 90 in February).

My niece volunteers at the animal shelter and has asked me to go with her. But I know myself well enough to know if I did, I would bring a dozen home and be a certified "cat lady'!

(My guy is an only cat . . and I think he LIKES it that way . . . )

[alleycat]

Dr. Haber in the Sylvan Park area has a good reputation. I took my first cat to him, but I wanted a vet closer to where I live so I take my current cat to the Belle Forest Animal Hospital (there are several vets there).

My first cat started developing tumors and had to have several surgeries over a two-year period. The cost each time was about $400 (this was ten years ago).

$1000 just for tests seems out of line to me, although I don't keep up with the costs of this stuff. I too would be looking for another vet.

[JenSkim]

Alleycat, the cost is for x-rays, blood panels, and ultrasound... still I have not gotten any straight answer. Still venting... sorry.

[CountryGirl2b=]

Could your cat be grieving? I have two cat owner friends. One cat was upset at the 'man of the house' being away (like a couple of months) and stopped grooming herself. Once he came back, she cleaned up her act right away!

The other cat lost his sister cat, and my ex-vet friend said he went through a personality change and got very verbal. He recently started falling over . . turns out it was an inner ear infection and not a brain tumor . . .

Be sure to demand copies of all the test already done on your girl, in case you want to go to another vet. Then they won't have to run them again.

[alleycat]

It's really hard when you have a sick cat or dog. Best wishes to you.

I recently lost my mother. The only thing that comes close to being as painful within the past few years is losing my cat in 2003.