On the hunt for a vet during COVID

Shamas mom

Shamas mom

Location
Canada
So we're on the hunt for a new vet(or more the point, a back-up vet) due to COVID

As it stands, we are registered with two...Firth, whom we love, but they are running only 8-4, Mon-Thur on a curbside basis. I'm unhappy with this situation, because it means I can't actually TALK to my vet anymore, only drop off the animals and pick them up in an hour to pay. Shamas likes Dr Firth, and he's been my primary caregiver for Shamas. Tomorrow, we have Matt the cat going in for oral surgery. And I've only communicated by email and phone, with secretaries. . I'm terrified.
I need to get Shamas' shots done...and they can't get him in sooner than January....

What happens if he actually NEEDS a vet?

My current back-up vet scares Shamas. Neither of them have a bedside manner, and both have on seperate occasions CORNERED Shamas and grabbed his sore paws when he broke nails. I do everything I can to avoid seeing them but with Firth running such limited hours, last time I had to take him to a vet, I had to take him there. Last time I had to take a cat in, I had to take her into them because Firth was closed, and they were matter of fact, with no compassion for the pain she was in as they grabbed her swollen face. And I TOLD them she's afraid of strangers and potentially aggressive if she feels threatened. SHe only wanted to hide from them.

SO I need a new vet...one who can offer me a 6 days a week open, and a good bedside manner. Who has compassion on fearful animals...because ALL of my animals are rescues, and fearful. Matt is only the first Oral surgery. I have 3 cats, all over 7 now. They are all going to need dentals done. I don't want to have to wait months to book them in.
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Ugh, you have my sympathies. I'm assuming you've already asked nearby family and friends for recommendations, so my only other idea is to hit up Yelp. Maybe someone else will have better ideas.

I've been to SO many vets the way I live. Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, UK, France...I've sampled vets in them all. It is really rare that I both like their bedside manner and the way their office is run, plus have confidence in them as vets. Not to be too much of a downer, but frankly many vet offices I've landed at are a shambles.

One thing that really stood out to me in your post is that you've not actually communicated with the doctor prior to Matt's surgery. This seems VERY out of line. I get that it could be done over phone, Skype, WhatsApp, whatever, but you should be able to talk to the doctor. ☹
 
Shamas mom

Shamas mom

Location
Canada
Emily_Babbelhund said:
Ugh, you have my sympathies. I'm assuming you've already asked nearby family and friends for recommendations, so my only other idea is to hit up Yelp. Maybe someone else will have better ideas.

I've been to SO many vets the way I live. Germany, Italy, Spain, Ireland, UK, France...I've sampled vets in them all. It is really rare that I both like their bedside manner and the way their office is run, plus have confidence in them as vets. Not to be too much of a downer, but frankly many vet offices I've landed at are a shambles.

One thing that really stood out to me in your post is that you've not actually communicated with the doctor prior to Matt's surgery. This seems VERY out of line. I get that it could be done over phone, Skype, WhatsApp, whatever, but you should be able to talk to the doctor. ☹
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Dr Firth now employs "medical advocates" and usually have good communication with them. I got a call going over everything last night. Matt's liver enzymes are high, and his white blood is low...so they want to change the aenesthetic they use for a safer one. And they had me NOT use the loading dose of Metacam, instead start him with the regular dose. Because of his liver.

NOW, I'm not sure if he's even going to GET the surgery because my teenage son took him into his room last night after midnight and his cat had food down, which Matt gobbled up.It takes literal doors and walls to keep this cat away from food. and we've only been talking about this for weeks:wtf:
 
Shamas mom

Shamas mom

Location
Canada
TI's been decided that the risk of Matt having eaten doesn't complicate things overly..so he's in. Firth will keep a close eye on him, because he knows I already lost one cat on the table during a routine dental...and Matt is not routine, with his blood levels off. But he IS in pain and I have no choice but to do this....I wouldn't trust anyone but Firth for this procedure on Matt
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
Shamas mom said:
I got a call going over everything last night.
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That's good to hear. Sorry I was so down on it without understanding. My earlier post also sounded down on vets, which was too harsh. I move around a lot and for many years had to choose a vet that I could get to on foot as I didn't have a car - that really cuts down on options. Plus I usually arrive with a weird problem (like Leish in a country where it doesn't even exist) and am dealing with the second language thing.

Bottom line: there are a lot of good vets out there, hopefully you can find a backup for Dr. Firth that you like.

Shamas mom said:
NOW, I'm not sure if he's even going to GET the surgery because my teenage son took him into his room last night after midnight and his cat had food down, which Matt gobbled up.
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Oh boy. Is Matt actually a Labrador in a cat suit?

Just saw your message and it looks like it's full steam ahead. Have a safe surgery, little Matt, and don't give your mom a heart attack. ❤
 
Shamas mom

Shamas mom

Location
Canada
Emily_Babbelhund said:
That's good to hear. Sorry I was so down on it without understanding. My earlier post also sounded down on vets, which was too harsh. I move around a lot and for many years had to choose a vet that I could get to on foot as I didn't have a car - that really cuts down on options. Plus I usually arrive with a weird problem (like Leish in a country where it doesn't even exist) and am dealing with the second language thing.

Bottom line: there are a lot of good vets out there, hopefully you can find a backup for Dr. Firth that you like.



Oh boy. Is Matt actually a Labrador in a cat suit?

Just saw your message and it looks like it's full steam ahead. Have a safe surgery, little Matt, and don't give your mom a heart attack. ❤
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It's Ok..I'm awfully picky myself, relying on gut sense and how my animals feel about a vet to decide if they make the cut or not. And like it or not, money IS a factor. My husband and I work 6 days a week to support our family and pets, and can't afford unnecessary procedures. SO if a vet seems pushy, or more interested in his pocketbook than my animals' best interests, I'm out.

And regarding Matt..yes, I think he IS in fact a Labrador in a cat's body. He doesn't behave like a cat- to the point that Shamas seems confused as to whether to play with him or chase him. He often tries to get Matt to play ball like another dog. It takes literal doors and walls to keep him from food, and he does not climb, jump or prowl. He saunters, begs, and stares. Like an older, laid back golden Lab. My favorite kind :inlove: Matt is the only cat my cat-hating dad ever liked lol. He's on his 4th generation of retreivers


On the other hand....Midnight chases his own tail, falls off the bed, does tricks for treats, and constantly strives for attention....so perhaps we just encourage Lab-like behavior in our cats?? Midnight is the one I'd definitely say is Lab-like in our house. Like the quintessential dumb adolescent black lab that gets into trouble because he's not smart enough to see it coming LOL. He reminds me of my nan's dog Jodie, who was so easily distracted, she'd chase flashlight beams on the walls. :rofl:
 
Shamas mom

Shamas mom

Location
Canada
Shamas mom said:
TI's been decided that the risk of Matt having eaten doesn't complicate things overly..so he's in. Firth will keep a close eye on him, because he knows I already lost one cat on the table during a routine dental...and Matt is not routine, with his blood levels off. But he IS in pain and I have no choice but to do this....I wouldn't trust anyone but Firth for this procedure on Matt
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Matt is home safe and sound. And here are the reasons I trust Firth unequivocally:

Matt's had Two rounds of bloodwork leading up to his dental.

When the second round identified high liver enzymes, and low white cell count, Dr Firth and his team completely overhauled his medication schedule and dosage so as to put as little stress on him as possible.

When I expressed concerns about his breathing, and possible lung damage from a life-threatening nemonia he had a few years ago, The medical team took me seriously, and also had his lungs xrayed whilst he was under aenesthetic.

Rather than pull 3 teeth, knowing that Matt will be back again for further dental work, they only took the one that was actually physically compromised. The three that could have gone either way, we will treat with enzymatic toothpaste, until it's absolutely necessary to remove. This saved Matt 35minutes of dental surgery and associated stressors yesterday. WE probably have 6m before the other three need to come out, and he'll be seen monthly.

Which brings me to my last point: Matt's weight. One of our medical advocates is going to take us on as a personal case to bring him to a healthy weight. She is planning to consult with other pet nutritionists to determine the best foods to use, and rate of feeding. He will be seem once a month for weigh ins and body condition measurements, etc. After everything I have done to try and bring Matt's weight down, we have an ACTUAL plan in the works. He was sent home with a sensitive stomache I/D to help with his constipation and post-op nausea
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
That's great that Matt came through so well. Way to go, little guy!

You may have already done this, but could you ask Dr. Firth for a recommendation for an emergency vet? It sounds like you really do like and trust him, so the issue is his practice hours and not his level of care. Asking for a backup seems well within bounds.

And if he has already recommended the other vets you DON'T like, you should let him know why you don't want to go back there. He may not stop recommending them - you can't control that - but at least you've voiced your concerns and it might make a difference to the next person who asks him the same question.
 
Shamas mom

Shamas mom

Location
Canada
Emily_Babbelhund said:
That's great that Matt came through so well. Way to go, little guy!

You may have already done this, but could you ask Dr. Firth for a recommendation for an emergency vet? It sounds like you really do like and trust him, so the issue is his practice hours and not his level of care. Asking for a backup seems well within bounds.

And if he has already recommended the other vets you DON'T like, you should let him know why you don't want to go back there. He may not stop recommending them - you can't control that - but at least you've voiced your concerns and it might make a difference to the next person who asks him the same question.
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That's something I never thought about. He knows a couple of my concerns with the other vet, but I don't like to disparage one business owner to another. I somehow doubt a man like Dr Fith would ever recommend such a low-budget shop as the one near me anyway....we only ever used them because they're down the street and only $40/visit. Firth is $80, and you can really tell the difference.
 
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