Ok well, the verdict is in and neither Moki or I care for the new vet who has taken over Moki's old vet's practice. He did not want to listen to what momma bean had to say, could care less about Moki's latest symptoms and was more concerned about Moki's muscle tightness, which we already know is a result of Moki's orthopedic and neurological problems. The vet instead of being honest and saying well I really don't know what to tell you (which, would have been fine with us, it's not like we haven't heard it before...) instead tried to pull off the old bait and switch. He redirected the appointment to make it more about kinesiology, and less about what we where there to seek answers/advice for. Further he tried to push a number of tests off on us, which Moki didn't need, including another urinalysis, even after I explained that we already knew what was causing the blood which used to be in Moki's urine. In addition, he was VERY rough with Moki, grabbing him by the nap of his neck and caring him around (which is fine with a normal cat, but is not ok to do to a cat who has the kind of orthopedic and neurological problems Moki has.) He also tried forcing Moki to walk on the tile floor even after I told him that Moki could not, causing Moki to bang both his head and chest against the hard tile, until finally I had to step in and stop him. Ultimately though, my opinion of the doctor doesn't matter as much as Moki's, who expressed a great distrust, unlike anything I have ever seen out of Moki before. When the doctor tried to open Moki's mouth to look inside, Moki started to instantly growl at the doctor. (After everything Moki has been through, the only time he has ever growled prior to this, has been in his sleep.) When the doctor did get Moki's mouth open Moki tried his hardest to bite the doctor repeatedly, until finally I had to hold Moki's mouth open so the doctor could take a look. (The growling and biting stopped the second the doctor pulled his hand away from Moki, who was ok with my opening his mouth.)
In the end, we agreed to run a blood test since Moki hasn't had one done in awhile and thought it might be best to check his levels. (All levels, blood cell count so on and so forth...) of course however even that got screwed up with the tech who has taken Moki's blood countless times before, bringing Moki back with a big bump on his neck from where she took the blood. She did say that the bump should go down in a day or two, but still it scared me. I can only guess that the new doctor has her stressed out hence the error.
In any event, we did not get any answers to the questions we sought, but did learn that Moki's weight is within his normal range, 5 pds 4 ounces, and his temperature was a normal 100.3. Now it's just a matter of waiting for the results of the blood work to come back, which will hopefully be normal. If the blood work results do come back normal, the doctor does wants to prescribe a muscle relaxer for Moki to see if maybe it will help aid in Moki's ability to walk. (Moki's reflexes are intact, but his muscles are very tight.) Hence the new doctor thinks that if we can relax Moki's muscles he might walk better. To be honest I am not thrilled with the idea of doping Moki up with muscle relaxers to improve his walking ability, I much rather prefer that he goes to physical therapy, but I am willing to give the idea a shot for a few days to see what kind of results we get. Maybe they will be positive maybe not, I guess we will have to wait and see. In the mean time, his vet bill today came to $144.00. (As noted in the opening photograph.) I am not sure how much the medication will cost at this point, or if we will even go that route. The one thing I do know for sure though is that this doctor isn't going to work out, so we are going to have to start hunting around for a different doctor and hope and pray that we find one before Moki has any more serious episodes...
P.S. After all Moki went through today he is being spoiled rotten!P.P.S. Thank you to everyone who made a donation and helped Moki get the care he needs. Also thank you to all of those who purred and prayed. Your support means a great deal. Momma and Daddy bean don't say it often enough, but we hope you all know how much your support means to us!
----------UPDATE----------
We'll have an update on Moki posted tomorrow (Thursday) afternoon after momma bean gets out of her morning classes...
20 comments:
Oh, wow! It sounds like this is one of those vets that might prefer woofies. The very first vet I took Praline to was like that. Praline tried to bite and scratch him the first time she every saw him and never liked him the three year I had to take her there. She has done well with all of her other vets, who obviously liked cats.
Good luck!
What a poor excuse for a vet. He doesn't sound like he knows what he is doing.
Poor Moki, how terrible! Please give him lots of hugs!
Sounds like a horrible ordeal for the both of you. Moki will never be spoiled rotten. Spoiled sweet more like it.
((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))
purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs
Miz Mog and Meowza
Poor Moki,what an ordeal. We hope that something,someone leads you to good caring vet for him.
We're sorry that the vet was not up to scratch. I know how hard I found it getting a vet that both Fui & Suey and I were comfortable with, and we don't have anywhere near the number of considerations that you do.
Perhaps your old vet could recommend someone he knows, if you mention you don't think it will work out with the new guy?
The photo of Moki and Orange Boy is precious!:)
Poor Moki! How dare that awful vet treat you so rough! We were almost in tears reading about this awful ordeal you went through. We pray a new vet can be found that is more in tune to your limitations and wants to work with you.
(((HUGS)))
I am so sorry the vet was like that. Some vets just don't handle cats very well or animals for that matter....makes you wonder why they are vets in the first place? I would try to talk to your old vet and maybe get a referral for another vet. I know it is not a good time to be looking for another vet but this one doesn't sound like a good match. Still purring and praying for Moki and your family. We made a donation - wish is could be more.
We've been patient with such a vet once and that was once too many. Our current vet is a big, calm man and both of us relaxes a lot when we're there. It really helps that we get to stay in the bottom halves of our transport units for the most of the time.
It sounds like a terrible ordeal on top of all the other stuff. We hope you find a decent vet asap and we continue to purrr for Moki.
If your old vet is unable/unwilling to recommend a new vet, you might also try contacting UC Davis to see who they might recommend (or who they've worked with and liked in the past).
Unfortunately, the other side effect of a bad vet is that he/she can really ruin a cat's attitude about all vets. This is what happened with my brother, who used to actually purr at the vet's office (can you believe that?!) and now he goes crazy at all vet clinics because of one bad vet's rough treatment of him.
Moki is very lucky to have you (and Orange Boy!) in his life!
that vet's behavior is awful. hang in there moki...
It hurts us to hear how Moki's vet appoitment went with the new vet. Mommy knows how upsetting it is the be ignored by a vet and have him be rough with one of the kitties. We are sorry you both had to go through that! We hope that in your search for a new vet, you find one that is both kind and willing to listen and most of all knowledgeable of Moki's condition.
Purr and hugs from us!
I don't blame you for not wanting to go back to that vet. Trust and a willingness to work with you to solve Moki's illness are so important. I hope you can find a more compassionate and understanding vet soon.
We are so sorry you had such a bad time at the Vet's yesterday.
We only hope some good will come out of this- maybe the muscle relaxers will help his walking without any side effects, and maybe you will eventually end up with a new vet that is even better than the one that is retiring.
we hopes you finds an amenable vettie soon! that guy sure doesn't sound like much help at all. we hates t'think our donation funds his mishandling of precious moki! won't be any surprise to us if they feller wakes up with cat poop on his pillow some day. we're just sayin'.
we're purrin' an' purrayin' that this all works out fur the best fur you all! hugs & snuggles--
ed, nitro, & xing
We are so sorry to hear about sweet Moki's bad experience with the new vet. How stressful for both of you!
Have you thought about trying an Holistic vet for Moki? If you live in the Sacramento-Davis area, there are a number of holistic/alternative practitioners (who are DVM's). My daughter, who lives inSacramento, has saved one of her dogs from surgery by changing vets and getting alternative (acupuncture and herbs) treatment. It's been five years and the dog is doing fine. This is the link to the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association's website: http://www.ahvma.org/ You can search for a holistic vet in your area from their homepage. Whatever you end up deciding to do with Moki's vet situation, we hope he will find a good care soon.
Purrs and chin scritches from 'Kaika and his mom
When my Bossy was on the tabel dieng at the vet i got up and slept him for graping him by the scrof MY sweet lady u are so lucky i was not whit you at this new vet i have words for this vet %#^%@#&#^&&^^*&& i am so mad i can spit SORRY kiss and hug MOKY for me it make me cry thinking of him on the floor
Oh, I've been busy and not checking your blog regularly. I'm so sorry for your ordeal. Poor, little Moki. I would definitely call your old vet, let him know what happened and ask for another referral. Vets are just like people--some good, some bad.
I'll go back to donate a wee bit. I wish it could be more but I had to bring one of my babies, Woody, in on Monday and that bill can to $124.00!!
We were so sorry to hear about Moki's treatment by the V-E-T. It really is horrible when they don't treat us right. We have a V-E-T that Mom absolutely loves because of how he treats us - we think he's okay, but we wouldn't go so far as to say we love him - mol. We also think you should talk to your old V-E-T and explain what happened at the appointment and ask for another recommendation. We also like the sugestion of checking with UC Davis for a referral.
Purrs to all of you.
Tavi, Cody, Camie, Miss Jade and Gracie
PS - that is a great picture of Moki with Orange Boy
in the techs defense- the hematoma (or bump on the neck) isn't caused by error of drawing blood. Sometimes it just happens. When i got blood drawn from me last october- i too had a hematoma. And the girl did nothing wrong there. It happens- sometimes the vein rolls away as you're drawing blood and so forth. And it's basically just a broken blood vessel.
As far as the dr. goes, he seems like real jackass.
I hope you find someone else who will respect poor little moki.
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