Do I have a bad vet

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T

Teddy's mom

Member Since 2012
I don't know if I'm posting on the right forum, so please forgive me if I'm not.

I lost my civie girl this weekend. I took her to the vet on Friday for breathing problems and coughing. Her breathing was labored and shallow. The vet said she didn't hear a murmur and took xrays. Said she had a mass in her chest the size of a quarter. Said she could drain the fluid, but it would just come back. I asked if there was anything we could do for her, she said she could give a steroid shot to make her more comfortable. It was depot Medrol. I know steroids aren't good because they can cause diabetes, but I wanted my cat to be able to breathe, so I said ok.

Within a few hours, she was gone. Her breathing got worse, of course the vet wasn't in to call. The emergency vet is over an hour away from me. I should have gone, I let my girl down....I'm going crazy over this.

I have been researching on the internet as to why this happened, and the only thing I could find that makes any sense is that she had congestive heart failure that wasn't diagnosed. Why couldn't the vet have known that? Why do we have to be better at being doctors than they are? I have 5 other cats and I don't know if I trust her any more. Should she have known? I don't even know if there really was a mass in her chest. I'm at a loss.
Carol
 
Carol, I don't even know what to say. Its so heart wrenching this has happened and I'm so sorry for your loss of your little girl. You didn't fail her, you were trying to help and no one knows when we're getting called home. But she does know you love her and were trying to get her help. Prayers and hugs to you:bighug::bighug::rb_icon::bighug::bighug:
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Teddy's Mom

I am so very sorry that you lost your precious furbaby. Sometimes things can happen quickly and cannot be diagnosed right away. She may have had heart failure or she may have had cancer or it may have been something else serious. I lost a heart kitty many years ago and that ended up having cancer, but it was not diagnosed right away. I treated him for 2 weeks according to the vet's instructions then pushed to see a specialist and found out that it was cancer. She was the best in the city and there was nothing that she could do for him. He suffered so much during the last week and once I had the final diagnosis I released him from his frail little body.

You did not let your girl down...you did what you could. Please don't beat yourself up over this terrible loss. It was not from lack of love or caring that she crossed the Bridge. :bighug::bighug::bighug::bighug:

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I had a cat pass from congestive heart failure. It happen rather sudden and quickly. When I woke up one morning I could tell she didn't feel well. Her abdomen was bigger. She actually looked like she was pregnant. She also had some breathing issues and wasn't eating. The vet gave me some antibiotics and a tube of paste food. I ended up bringing her back to vet in about 3 days I believe. They X-rayed her abdomen to if something was going on. When they took that film the had captured part of her chest. Then the took a film of her chest and noticed fluid around her heart. They drained it and she was able to breath much better. Unfortunately, late that night she passed away in my arms. The following day was Thanksgiving day. I called the vet and he met me at the clinic be cause he wanted to do a necropsy (free of charge) to see what happened. He concluded it was congestive heart failure.
I don't think you have a bad vet. They are people too and not all ailments are as clear as night and day. And, things like heart failure can come on quick. However, go with your gut. You know your vet best.
 
Thank you all for your comforting words. I know I can't bring her back, but am having a hard time with the feeling that I made her suffer. She was such a sweetheart it hurts to know she did.
 
You did all you could do. She knows how much you loved her. And she's not suffering anymore. I know that is cliche, but it's true. Big hugs to you and cherish all the memories that you have of her.
 
Sorry for your loss

Teddy's mom said:
I have been researching on the internet as to why this happened, and the only thing I could find that makes any sense is that she had congestive heart failure that wasn't diagnosed. Why couldn't the vet have known that? Why do we have to be better at being doctors than they are? I have 5 other cats and I don't know if I trust her any more. Should she have known? I don't even know if there really was a mass in her chest. I'm at a loss.
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Yes your vet could have made an incorrect diagnosis. However, I suspect that you vet has more experience and training than you based on your internet search. Usually, when x-rays show a mass a mass is present. The converse is not true, that is an x-ray can not show a mass when a mass is not present and that is why an ultrasound is better at finding masses.

Did the ER doctor provide any information about your vet's diagnosis?
Did the ER vet look at the x-rays? Today most vets use digital x-rays and will provide you with a CD of the x-ray images. I always get the CD from my vets in case I ha e to go to the ER.
 
Larry and Kitties said:
Sorry for your loss


Yes your vet could have made an incorrect diagnosis. However, I suspect that you vet has more experience and training than you based on your internet search. Usually, when x-rays show a mass a mass is present. The converse is not true, that is an x-ray can not show a mass when a mass is not present and that is why an ultrasound is better at finding masses.

Did the ER doctor provide any information about your vet's diagnosis?
Did the ER vet look at the x-rays? Today most vets use digital x-rays and will provide you with a CD of the x-ray images. I always get the CD from my vets in case I ha e to go to the ER.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply and condolences. I'm afraid we didn't make it to the ER before she passed.
 
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