Why Do Vets Make Us Feel Guilty?
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
October 23, 2012 7:50pm CST
I am sure this has happened to many of you out there that own cats, dogs, etc..we are all treated the same by vets.
What they do is they prey on the vulnerable and the guilty. Don't get me wrong, I think they do a marvellous job (and I wouldn't fancy putting animals down on a regular basis) but what I cannot stand is their ability to make YOU believe that what THEY are saying is the truth and nothing but the truth, so they can squeeze extra money out of us all.
Let me give you an example.
Flojo the cat has cystitis but she hasn't had a flare-up for 2 years, which isn't bad going.
Earlier on Tuesday I rang the local vets up (there is a branch just round the corner from us) to explain that Flojo has had a slight relapse since she came off her recent medication from our visit to the branch in Dalston about 3 weeks ago. The meds lasted two weeks and helped a lot, but she has 'turns' now and again but isn't as bad as before.
The vet's slant on it was..an examination is USUALLY best as there could be 'something else going on which would mean extra being charged for ultra-sounds and such-like.'
Rightly, or wrongly, I talked him out of it and asked nicely if I could have a repeat prescription of what we had before. Reluctantly, he obliged but when I picked it up some hours later I HAD to say to a lady there that 'we will definitely be back for a consultation if this stuff doesn't work.'
There you see. The GUILT. It kicked in at that point.
Fortunately, Flojo has had a much better day than yesterday but, as the vet said, 'she can be straining to wee even if you see some in the tray from the previous night..you haven't witnessed her using it.'
My brother had to pay over £300 and took days off work in order to take his cat to the vets for eye treatment. Because of his total devotion to his moggy he paid the money.
As I was walking toward the vets a woman came out holding her dog in her arms. It was that old it had to be carried..into a waiting taxi. I couldn't help thinking how much the woman has been paying over the last few months to keep it alive.
Rightly, or wrongly, I talked him out of it and asked nicely if I could have a repeat prescription of what we had before. Reluctantly, he obliged but when I picked it up some hours later I HAD to say to a lady there that 'we will definitely be back for a consultation if this stuff doesn't work.'
There you see. The GUILT. It kicked in at that point.
Fortunately, Flojo has had a much better day than yesterday but, as the vet said, 'she can be straining to wee even if you see some in the tray from the previous night..you haven't witnessed her using it.'
My brother had to pay over £300 and took days off work in order to take his cat to the vets for eye treatment. Because of his total devotion to his moggy he paid the money.
As I was walking toward the vets a woman came out holding her dog in her arms. It was that old it had to be carried..into a waiting taxi. I couldn't help thinking how much the woman has been paying over the last few months to keep it alive.1 person likes this
8 responses
@francesca5 (1344)
•
24 Oct 12
my cat just doesn't get ill, or she hasn't so far!
you raise an interesting issue here, in a way, about how when you pay someone for medical treatment they manage to keep on finding reasons why we need treatment.
but there will be a reason why your cat gets cystitis
http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/how-to-treat-common-cat-diseases5.htm
this link here talks about urine ph, and magnesium, and the impact of pet foods, it might be worth reading, it may not be, as my advice is as far as possible, be your own vet.
@francesca5 (1344)
•
24 Oct 12
that makes sense, that she is stressed by the cat down the road.
i can't remember how, or where, or why, but i remember once i reading something about cat psychology, and i how bad relationships with another cat can stress them out.
sounds quite human in a way, bit like a school bully.
you could make a bid for infamy and get yourself caught on cctv disposing of the cat down the road in a bin, but i am sure you wouldn't dream of doing anything so naughty.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Oct 12
Yes, a woman over here got 'done' for doing just that but she did it for cruelty reasons and wasn't exactly Miss Popular once the footage on CCTV appeared online!
@changjiangzhibin89 (16789)
• China
24 Oct 12
There are malpractices in all walks of life.As information asymmetries and the keepers of pets know precious little about pet diseases,so they believe everything the vets say.As for the vets ,the more the keepers spend , the better.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Oct 12
To be honest, I think I was being a bit heavy-handed in my condemnation of my local vet. He's only trying to help after all. I'm just grateful that I was allowed some more medication I can put into Flojo's food as I know it works.
Plus, I've now got the Feliway diffuser plugged in and she LOVES that.
@changjiangzhibin89 (16789)
• China
25 Oct 12
It is hardly too much to say that you take every care of your Flojo.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
24 Oct 12
We were very very fortunate where we used to live, it was a village vet and we had four cats and two rabbits which regularly needed check ups, injections etc, we didn't realize the rabbits had to have a myxamatosis jab but he pointed this out without making us feel guilty that the jab was well overdue. He got to know us well and called us by our first names, the vet prices were expensive however, but when it's your pet money isn't an object to ensure their wellbeing is checked and they are happy and healthy. He did keep recommending to buy special pet food for the animals again an added expense, and we did feel a little guilty by saying no.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Oct 12
I suppose they are programmed to go on about new products all the time but at least another vet we saw was right about the Feliway diffuser being beneficial to SOME cats regarding anxiety. It certainly works with our cat and I don't really know why we didn't get another refill until now, although it wasn't bought to deal with issues relating to her cystitis - but we realise it does now as anxiety is linked to it.
@Cutie18f (9546)
• Philippines
24 Oct 12
I know the feeling of nursing a sick pet. I know how it is to see it in pain and suffer and the worst feeling of losing it even after spending all your money on the vet who still wasn't able to cure the beloved pet. Nowadays I am not so keen about bringing my pets to the vet the moment I see them feeling sick. I try to give them vitamin c first, then when they still don't eat, I directly buy antibiotics and thank god that they get well after that. I see to it that they get clean food and water 3x a day in order to keep them healthy.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Oct 12
That sounds like a responsible pet owner to me, my friend.
There are a few vets online too, dishing out good advice that we don't always get in the real world, ironically, although ALL vets I've had dealings with are compassionate. They wouldn't be in the job, otherwise.
There are a few vets online too, dishing out good advice that we don't always get in the real world, ironically, although ALL vets I've had dealings with are compassionate. They wouldn't be in the job, otherwise.
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
24 Oct 12
Sometimes I think doctors are the same way. Seems like when you go see them. its your fault that you are sick. They should be thankful they get our business. Have a great day there. See you here soon.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Oct 12
Oh yes, doctors are DEFINITELY worse than vets. At least vets take their time with their patients, unlike doctors, who usher us out the door just as soon as we walk in!
@pantenesunshine12 (11)
• United States
24 Oct 12
Not all vets do this, maybe just yours. Some may shame in order to get you to not put them down and pay for whatever treatment they need.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
24 Oct 12
I'm not saying the vet is like this all the time and in actual fact it may NOT have been the vet I was talking to, as it was just a guy on the telephone. He could've been one of the nurses, who knows? My guess he was the vet though, judging by his sales pitch lol.
@GardenGerty (160978)
• United States
24 Oct 12
Not going to comment on the vet, as I do not know the one you use. I had a cat that had this issue about twenty five years ago and we put the cat on a "low ash prescription" canned food and I gave her a daily urine acidifier pill. What actually cured her was that I quit doing childcare in my home. Have you tried any "indoor formula" foods? It may help.
@urbandekay (18278)
•
26 Oct 12
They don't make me feel guilty it is just a service I buy
all the best, urban
