« ack! Somehow behind again! Thanksgiving Break! »
Well, it’s Thursday, which has become my “catch up” day.
I’ve started several posts over the last few days, there’s a lot going on.
My cat Medea is apparently having some problems…though she has no symptoms. We just went in to have her teeth cleaned, and suddenly the vet we see wants all sorts of tests (like an EKG every two weeks forever, and human heart medication twice a day forever)
When the vet was telling me all this stuff we’d need to do, I sort of balked at having to go in for the EKGs twice a month…and she said, “Well, if you’re THAT BROKE you can probably come in once a month” I was just imagining carrying an infant seat, my purse, the diaper bag, AND a cat carrier into her office…
Medea’s 15, she’s been SUCH a good friend and I love her. I would do anything for her. The whole “if you’re broke” thing makes me feel like there’s something other than the cat’s best interest at heart with this vet. So…trying to find another good vet who can do some tests and see what’s really going on.
Another thing that’s sort of a pain in the ass is that we were just given a new washer and dryer by my parents…and the house we’re renting apparently isn’t wired for 220 to run the dryer. The listing said it had both washer and dryer hookups…but the line’s been cut. SO we’re trying to get the landlord to come through on that. They don’t like to spend money.
I’ve also been having some bronchial issues. I think it’s because winter is roadwork season here and there’s so much smoke and dust and tar and diesel exhaust in the air…it’s just burning. I had to stay home from school a couple days last week, and that SUCKED. I *hate* falling behind!
I have all next week off, and Tuesday we go to Sioux City. I think I’m about done with my Christmas gifts, at least for this Thanksgiving / early Christmas next week.
I’m feeling more and more like the house is ready for the new baby. After this week, we only have about 7 more weeks!!
8 Responses to “what’s new…”
You might try Dr. Calista, 525-1000. I managed a “mom and pop” pet supply store in Cruces for 6 years, and knew a ton of people who used her as their vet. I never heard a single bad word about her, only praise.
I’m de-lurking to say….What a jerk vet! Not cool at all. Hope you find a new one who is more understanding that while we all love our cats, twice-monthly EKGs are a bit over the top, and you ought to get a second opinion.
Love the site, love your book! I just finished the boatneck bluebell pullover and plan to post it to my blog soon.
awww that’s just awful, some vets REALLY make me mad. i mean, isn’t 15 kinda old for a kitty? If thats so, well of course she is going to have a few problems. That vet should be ashamed of her/his-self trying to shame you like that. I understand COMPLETELY and I feel just awful for you. I think you should find a new vet too. We have a 3 year old kitty and she was rescued at 4 or 5 weeks when some college kids put her in CONCRETE and then put the box in the street and were watching to see if he could get out before he was hit…well, because he was a teeny weeny kitty, trying to get out of the heavy concrete was to much for him. He wasn’t even old enough to be away from his mommy…well, he had broke his hip trying to get out…make a long story short, when I stopped and got the box out of the street, the damage was already done and I was heart broke for him so I decided I wanted to keep him and try and help him. I took him to the vet, explained everything, the vet even helped me clean the concrete off his paw pads and then he bandaged them from the cement burns….well, he then told me about his hip and said if it wasn’t fixed asap, we should put him down because he could sever an arty or something or other….well, honestly, I died inside, he wanted $500, I have 2 children, one is handicapped and has severe medical issues, my husband is the only one who works, I stay home with the children $500 is ALOT of money. If it wasn’t for my mom and dad, our kitty would have died, they paid for it for us and wouldn’t let us pay them back. The vet was mean and nasty for not truly caring, we left his practice and found a nice good vet after he fixed Archie (what my son named his new kitty).
I hope you feel better soon, what kind of gifts did you make for people this year? ( I tend to be REALLY nosey LOL)
Wow, I can’t imagine taking my cat in that often…my Grandma’s dog was on a steroid for something like 15 years - he was allergic to FLEAS. My Grandpa used to comment that they could have put my Mom & her brother through college for what they spent on that dog. lol Seriously though, I hope everything works out for you.
Have fun these last few weeks; get lots of rest!!
Something is actually fishy about that vet. I know you love your cat but you have to think about the wisdom of heroic measures for her. And, if I understand you, you went in for a dental cleaning and got a cardiac workup? Let me ask you, you can start her on heart meds if necessary but what will you do if her bi-weekly EKG’s came up abnormal? Will Medea get a heart stent, or a heart bypass surgery? That is crazy. I would never subject my beloved but aging pet to such aggressive and painful measures. BTW, I work in a human medical office. As much as I hate insurance companies, they do sort of monitor unethical practices like this. They would question suspicious billing practices. Vets do what they want which is a double-edged sword. Cheaper healthcare overall but no oversight.
What did they say was wrong with your cat? Some cats have internittent murmurs or arrhythmias that are relatively innocent. It’s uncommon to need ECGs read so frequently.
I share your annoyance w/ vets and their lack of compassion. I had one vet turn me away because I owed a lousy $90 from the last bill. I hope you search yields a more compassionate vet.
I think that the comment your vet made is tacky. 4 months ago at my old dog’s last vet appointment the vet mentioned doing tests and whatnot on Stella, but agreed with me when I said that tests were unnecessary because of Stella’s age. I figured that Stella would live another year, but probably not. We lost her Nov 3. The vet never pushed for tests or made me feel that I was a sub-standard owner. I think that perhaps your vet doesn’t have Medea’s (or your) best interest in mind. I hope you can find a good vet.
It seems that if the listing for your house said washer and dryer hookups that the landlord would be legally responsible to provide them, otherwise it would be false advertising wouldn’t it?
Happy Thanksgiving!