Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

belindalal · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 8

I just want to share an experience I had with a vet.

Not long ago, I rescued a kitten near my office and it was in such a horrific condition (emaciated & covered with parasites etc) that I immediately brought it to the nearest clinic I knew. The doctor gave it a jab and assured me it would be fine and to return for another jab in 2 weeks. I asked the doctor whether any special care was required but the doctor assured me that I only needed to care for it in the normal manner and the jab would take care of the rest. I felt doubtful, but anyway...

i immediately took leave from work, bought it a cage (to separate it from my cats), litter etc. I padded the cage, left it plenty of food and water.

The next morning I checked in on it (no improvement) then went to work as usual. When I came back from work that day it was dead. I felt extremely upset and scared because I've never handled a dead pet before. I blame myself for my ignorance and not staying home to monitor it, but I also feel part of the blame is with the vet for assuring me with utmost confidence that the kitten would be fine without special care and attention. That was poor judgment and advice on the part of the vet.

I had already spent a big chunk of my pay but would not have minded spending more if I could have helped the poor creature. (May it rest in peace.)

That was a traumatic experience hard to get over.

pang · Joined: 20 Feb 2007 Posts: 3 Location: Kluang

oh so sad to hear that, u r such a kind hearted person. BTW how many cats do u hv?

Dr Dunker · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 464 Location: Puchong,Selangor

Dear Belindalal,

I am so sorry to hear about your mishap with your new pet and vet as well. But before one place the blame on the vet, one should ascertain what was the cause of death. A few things like hypothermia (cold), stress (fright due to new environment, and people ), drug reaction and many others can kill a kitten (how old was the kitten?). On top of it the kitten was not that healthy anyway. Did the vet mention what the injection was for? When one gets involved in stray rescue, one must understand that there are over a hundred disease that the cat may have been incubating. Some of these diseases can kill in 24 hours and some as long as months after point of contact. The tricky part is that if the cat is incubating and not showing outward signs.

So, what is done is done and I know only too well how hard it is to get over what you went through. Just remember that a hundred people may have seen that cat and did nothing, while u took the effort, time and risk. That is more then what most people would have done. And the final hours of the your little friend was spent knowing that someone cares.

Anyway, once again I am deeply sorry for what you had to undergo. I hope this does not discourage you in anyway from trying to save animals in need in the future. Please do post questions in the forum in the future if you need any help from any one here.

belindalal · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 8

pang wrote: oh so sad to hear that, u r such a kind hearted person. BTW how many cats do u hv?

jusy following my conscience...

I have one cat but have been fostering a stray I picked up last year. I'm going to have it (the stray) neutered this weekend (hopefully) and giving it away because I live in a condo unit and can't really take care of too many pets.

belindalal · Joined: 05 Aug 2006 Posts: 8

Dr Dunker wrote: A few things like hypothermia (cold), stress (fright due to new environment, and people ), drug reaction and many others can kill a kitten (how old was the kitten?). On top of it the kitten was not that healthy anyway. Did the vet mention what the injection was for? When one gets involved in stray rescue, one must understand that there are over a hundred disease that the cat may have been incubating. Some of these diseases can kill in 24 hours and some as long as months after point of contact. The tricky part is that if the cat is incubating and not showing outward signs.

Actually, I did ask the vet repeatedly whether the kitten was likely to survive, and I expected the kind of advice like the one you've just given me...some probabilities...rather than giving me false hope. I did not expect the vet to perform a miracle or guarantee a certain outcome, only to tell me what to expect. And yes, the vet did tell me what the jab was for when I asked, but I can't recall now; I think it was for the parasites.

Anyway, as you suggested I suspect the kitten died from reaction to the jab. Stress I think may not be likely because it tended to be clingy and liked to be stroked, tried to eat and drink and slept well in its cage. Hypothermia is not likely because I placed it in my study (no draughts, no fan or air-con; room temp.), also away from direct heat/sunlight.

Dr Dunker · Joined: 02 Jun 2006 Posts: 464 Location: Puchong,Selangor

To all forumers:
I just wish to state that drug reaction was only one of the several possibilities (with low probabilities) that ultimately lead to the cats demise. My suggestions in my previous posts were based purely on assumptions, speculations and personal experience. I am not in in anyway questioning nor do I intend to question the previous vets decision or actions, as he/she was was in a much better position to do just that.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

A lot of people actually tend to think that a certain disease is more severe than it really is. This is especially involved with stray animals having terrible mange or skin conditions. Few pet rescuers I know may give up on an animal with terrible mange, parasite or skin conditions. And many of this condtions may look horrible, but in fact, with a little medication and some TLC, it will become beautiful animals once again.

None of us here can give you any good advice on what has happened, unless we were present with the animal at that time. So, the only person to give you a good explanation will be the vet that you've visited. Have you tried calling him/her up to update on what happened?

But anyway, I just want you to know that I know how you feel. I've picked up a couple of kittens too, and had some of them die on me although they looked alright when I picked them up. Its still good to know that the kitty had one last good day with you.

nekochan · Joined: 18 Jun 2007 Posts: 62

i think the frust of ppl with animals dealing with vets, lies in the communication part.

like belindalal, blaming the vet for reassuring her that the kitten will be alright.

if the vet had explained like Dr Dunker, belinda will be prepared.

so, it is the vet who must learn how to communicate with owners.

yes i know vets are just human, some maybe be introvert, some shy, etc etc
but i think they should learn in vet school that they have to shed these characteristics
in order to be a better vet.
there should be a communication subject in those 5 years.

i once was in UVH with my mutt, went into the room, there was a bunch of
vet students hiding in the next room, only a few came out to greet me, and
check my mutt, even then, they din tell me why they are there,
and i wasn't expecting that, so i was kinda blur.

they should instead say, sir, while you are waiting for the vet officer , we are
trainee? vets,may we examine ur dog? bla bla bla....

anyway, seniors should teach that to juniors, dun let them fend for themselves.
i saw a few poke their heads out of the room, like c***less puppies.....

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Its the policy in UVH that doesn't allow much communication between students and clients. While I think that it is a good way to prevent any miscommunication to the clients, it is a loss for the students as they cannot practice their communication skills.

varanus · Joined: 12 Feb 2006 Posts: 469

For UVH, when there are students around, they are allowed to go into consultation room to attend to the cases but under supervision by either vet or assistant. Sometimes during rush hour, the vet or assistant will introduce the student and left them. They are allowed to communicate, may be ask some question regarding the case, chitchat with the owner but not allow to give opinion. This is to prevent unnecessary "miscommunication". Student also, there are introvert as well as outspoken one. And not all student are allowed into the same case at once. Only a few per consultation. That's why only few greet you, the rest "hiding".

You must also bear in mind that not all client like the idea of student or apprentice touching their dog, that's why some of the student a bit reserved when the vet's not around. UVH-UPM is a teaching institute. You can't prevent the student from touching your pet. That's why you are given a 15% off as teaching allowance.