To be really upset about my cat and the PDSA

[Tobythecat]

Please be kind - I have autism and I'm aware I may be overreacting but i'm just really upset.

My lovey cat has had to have his teeth cleaned and possibly some removed, so took him to the PDSA. My cat is my baby and I love him so much. I was hoping the vet would be really nice to put me at ease.

As soon as I walked in and the receptionist took my details - she spoke to me like a piece of shit. When the vet called my cat to take him into the cages - she called me into a little room, put a paper collar on the cat, then took him into the back and brought back his empty carrier. The vet was very abrupt and didnt say anything, completely cold and as I left, said that the procedure was expensive and to please not just give a fiver as they would go under (I was planning on giving £40 or £50).

My poor cat had been sick in the carrier and sprayed all over the house before I left as he was terrified. He looked so afraid as she took him into the back.

Now i'm just really upset and worried about my poor cat. I hope they comfort him and are kind to him. I'm sat here crying because I won't be able to pick him up until 4 or 5pm (they will ring me when he is ready).

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

Some vets are just a lot better with animals than people!

Your lovely cat won’t be being cared for by abrupt vet but by a whole team of people. I’m sure he has settled right down.

[Veterinari]

The PDSA are busy and will be admitting lots of animals for morning procedures do need to get things done quickly. It sounds like you’d already had a previous consultation where the detail procedure was recommended so the admitting vet/VN would have assumed that everything was covered then. The admit consult is usually pretty quick.

Travelling can be stressful for cats and they would have wanted to get him out of the dirty carrier ASAP and into a nice clean kennel. Remember these are all vets and nurses who have chosen to work for a charity that offers veterinary services to low-income clients so they do genuinely care. They care about their patients but are very busy. PDSA are great for patient care and they'll look after your Cat

[Buswankeress]

Animals are often worse when we are there with them, once we leave they calm down and take stock of the surroundings and vets and their teams are often very good at putting animals at their ease. I have an amazing vet - with my animals, with me he's abrupt and could seem rude if you didn't know him. When I had to have old pony pts he sort of patted me on the head like a dog and muttered something about sending the bill. Has always been amazing with the animals though.
I know you will worry but your cat will be so much more comfortable after the procedure.

[listsandbudgets]

Dont worry OP. Or vet always makes me feel like something she stepped in... but our cat cant waot to leap purring into her arms.. ahppily lets her stick needles in and almost opens her mouth for the wprmong tablets.. remind yourself if they wanted to develop a lovely reassuring bedside manner theyd have gone to medical school.

My friend is training to be a vetinary nurse and always says animals communicate wothher far better than humans

[listsandbudgets]

(sprry phome keyboard has a mind of its own)

[Fuzzywig]

As others have said people who work with animals are usually much better with the animals than people.

Regarding a donation pay what you can afford the comment was rude and unnecessary.

[Hoppinggreen]

I know it’s hard but as long as your pet is well looked after thats the main thing
Plus they prohave to deal with some people who really can’t/won’t properly care for their animals and who do only give a very small donation or none at all

[Fuzzywig]

Sorry forgot to say your cat will be fine and when you get him/her home it will settle quickly and be happier.

Please try not to worry x

[Spilledmycoffee]

I've had pets treated by the PDSA before and I've also found some staff to be quite rude. My animals have always been very well looked after though.

They always mention your donation too. Don't take that personally - its automatic for them. I've handed over £70 in the past to be asked 5 minutes later if I want to offer a further donation. I think they get quite disheartened because so many people really do just give a few quid for expensive treatment. They seem to get quite happy when they see your donation on your account when you collect the cat and its more than they're used to.

[5000KallaxHoles]

My cat never did travel well in all the time she was alive (she died of old age) - every single journey would involve her peeing on herself, throwing up and shouting every kind of cat-insult she could come up with for the entire trip. Some cats travel well - mine didn't.

We minimised it as much as we could, had her at a vet around the corner from the house (she'd still have peed and puked when we got there) but it was just part of how she was.

[Laiste]

It will be the nurses doing the main caring for your cat before and after the actual procedure. They are lovely to the animals.

The vets themselves who you see when you pick up/drop off your pet and who do the procedures aren't always the best at human interaction, but will care about your animal of course.

[musicposy]

They have to ask for a decent donation because many people have no idea what these things would cost at a normal vets - a teeth clean can run to as much as £400. So £40 or £70 is a fraction and therefore they ask if you want to give more. I'm not saying you should - it's there for people who can't afford it - but just that it's not personal.

I'm sure your cat will be fine. Yes, they may have been abrupt, but it's often better with animals just to get on with it. Your cat will be back with you sooner than you know.

[19lottie82]

My last cat used to always have a dirty protest in the carrier on the way to or from the vets, but as soon as I got her home she was fine, like it
Never happened!

[Tobythecat]

Thank you all for your messages - I'm feeling a bit better now. Can't wait until I can pick him up and bring him home and give him lots of cuddles.

[Want2beme]

How is he today?

They do sound harsh. The vets that I go to are always very nice to us humans. If I were you, I'd drop a line to the PDSA and just point out the way your were treated. Maybe they'll ask their staff to act more kindly to owners?

[GluteusMaximus00]

Hello TobytheCat,

I hope you are reunited with your cat soon. He may be a little confused after his stay at the vets, but he will soon be back to his normal self.

My son (who also loves cats) had a similar experience with the RSPCA and he wrote a review on their website which gave a few tips about being a bit more polite to (in his case) volunteers.

[Nancy91]

I think that some vets are good with animals but not people! It doesn't matter if he's rude or abrupt as your cat doesn't understand that, what matters is the skill and knowledge he has to carry out the procedure on your cat properly

[Tobythecat]

Thank you all. My cat is back home now and seems really happy. He's had a lot of fuss and cuddles!

[Stirner]

To be honest you're getting free pet care which most people have to pay an arm and a leg for

[DeloresJaneUmbridge]

Stimer the OP is not getting free pet care, she has offered £40 - 50 for the procedure. It’s likely all she can afford. Or should she just leave the cat to suffer?

[charlestonchaplin]

I don't know OP's circumstances but many people just shouldn't have pets, full stop. They can't afford to meet their medical needs which can be onerous, even for people who are comfortable financially. They just hope their pets don't get seriously ill. That's not a person who loves animals.

[YeTalkShiteHen]

To be honest you're getting free pet care which most people have to pay an arm and a leg for

There’s always one and it’s usually you!

[princesstiasmum]

I dont think the OP was complaining about the cost but even free pet care should be good and the cat treated gently ,and no need to be abrupt with people

[YeTalkShiteHen]

I don't know OP's circumstances but many people just shouldn't have pets, full stop. They can't afford to meet their medical needs which can be onerous, even for people who are comfortable financially. They just hope their pets don't get seriously ill. That's not a person who loves animals

Ah so only the rich should have the luxury of pets? Or those with a lump sum in the bank? What about redundancy, divorce, relationship breakdown?

Or should anyone who isn’t independently minted just not be allowed an animal?

[IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere]

Our vet barely makes eye contact with us but knows all of our animals by name. When we had our old dog put down she sang to her the whole time until she was gone. I wouldn't go anywhere else.