What To Do About My Vet?

From the mom of Cyril Octavious (4/15/91 - 6/22/06)

Cyril was diagnosed by a new vet with Renal Insufficiency in August 2005 (had to change vets due to my job relocation). I began SQ immediately and liked the vet herself very much but I felt that I had to switch vets because of some billing inconsistencies, etc. Since the vet had not been a long-time caretaker, I didn't think that much about it but...

I went on-line and looked up the veterinary credentials etc. of my new vet choice and was satisfied on that score but am wondering now....

The new vet wanted to try some new meds and increase the SQ. I added the new meds and Cyril passed in less than a week. He had seemed to be maintaining OK until that time and I am guilt-ridden about changing vets and not knowing if I should have changed his meds.

I brought Cyrils body to this vet the morning he died after I called them in a panic and the office staff said to bring him in and they would take care of him from there for me. I was so grateful to have somewhere to go that morning.

They told me the Dr. was on-site and would check to ensure that it was really all over but they said that the vet pronounced him but he didn't come out to see me in person. There appeared to be no other patients there at that time (although there could have been someone in an exam room, I can't be sure).

Although the front-desk staff members were very sweet to me, they are all VERY young and inexperienced people (all of the staff members at the front desk at the time had been there less than a year and seemed to be just barely out of high school). I was and am still confused about the vet's apparent attitude. How do I know if he was even there at all? That final month under this new vet had run up a bill of almost $1000, which isn't the issue but... A few words from this DR. would have gone a long way to ease my mind then and now.

I have to go back to collect Cyril's ashes and am now wondering if I should say something, or just find yet another vet for my remaining cat?

Does anyone have a thought for me?

Goodbye Sweet Cyril....

Cyril Octavious (4/15/91 - 6/22/06)

When my boyfriend of the moment suggested that I get a cat because I knew that I wasn't in town often enough to take care of a dog. I went along with the idea as a compromise because I wanted to please the boyfriend. I got you and your brother free from a friend just by casually mentioning that I might want a cat and I took you both because I traveled a lot and thought that one might be lonely.

I brought you both home and we named your brother first because he was so insistant and was the first one I chose. Finally we named you and I still didn't really think that I cared much for animals, especially cats.

But now, over 15 years later, I'm distraught at your passing. I can't imagine my life without you. Your brother is a help, but is sad and confused too. Together we are mustering on. The boyfriend is long gone and was hardly lamented, but you had wormed your way so thoroughly into my heart, that I can hardly breath every time I remember your sweet purr and soft fur.

You were so sick this last year and you hardly complained. But the end was so fast, I was still unprepared. I keep thinking that I could have done more for you and that I should have spent every moment with you this last week, but I didn't know that you would be gone so quickly now. You were my first pet since I never had pets as a child so I couldn't know how close we would become. I thank the old boyfriend for causing me to bring you into my life in the first place. I hope that you knew how much I loved you even as I know that you did know. I want you back but know that you have been delivered from any more pain. Nothing can ever replace my feelings for you, my sweet Cyril. GoodBye