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Original poster

My vet won't come to my house to put down my cat - is this standard practice or is it worth trying another vet?

27 replies

constancereader · 21/10/2008 20:22

I really don't want to put my cat through another visit to the vet and would prefer her to live her last moments in an environment she feels comfortable in. My vet says it is their company policy not to go to houses to do this as the animal might escape.

My poor cat is so ill she is unlikely to run off. Is it worth trying elsewhere, or am I out of touch with what vets do nowadays?

OP posts:
FlameThrowersKillZombies · 21/10/2008 20:24

I have never heard of a home putting down.

for your cat though. My dad's went to the vet last night and didn't come back.

PestoFangsLookGoodOnMeMonster · 21/10/2008 20:24

Not sure, but when my last cat was on her last legs we did have to take her to the vets' surgery.

Hassled · 21/10/2008 20:25

I'm very sorry, and I know from painful experience what an awful thing this is to go through, but I think you might be out of touch. In my case I was able to hold my cat and give him a cuddle at the crucial moment - and he was past caring where he actually was. I think you need to just go to the vets.

pamplemousse · 21/10/2008 20:26

Our vet came round to put our dog down. Hope you are able to sort it,

ShinyPinkShoes · 21/10/2008 20:26

Try another few vets- I have heard of it being done before but you will probably need to try a small private practice.

Sorry for your forthcoming loss

Original poster
constancereader · 21/10/2008 20:28

OK, I thought I might be asking for the impossible - it's just that the vet that looked after our cats when we were growing up did this. I expect that it was just that particular vet.

Thank you for responding.

OP posts:
PortAndDemon · 21/10/2008 20:31

MIL's dog was put down at home this Easter, so it's something that some vets do do, but clearly not all of them.

Original poster
constancereader · 21/10/2008 20:32

x post - perhaps it is worth asking around then.

Thanks again everyone

OP posts:
peggotty · 21/10/2008 20:33

I worked at a vets which would do home call outs. I thought most small animal practices did - try another vets. You should be able to find one that will.

GrabShellDude · 21/10/2008 20:35

My vet does this. Worth asking round as it's not uncommon. Sorry for you though.

RubyRioja · 21/10/2008 20:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

eekamoose · 21/10/2008 20:42

Awwwww this is very sad. Hope you find a vet who can come to you so you don't have to put your poor cat through the trauma of a journey to the vets.

Can you post a little bit about your cat? I am now thinking of you all and would love to know a little bit about her.

Does that sound daft?

exasperatedmummy · 21/10/2008 21:02

My bet is they don't do home visits because they can't be arsed - the animal might escape?? Um, if an animal is so poorly it needs putting to sleep, i doubt its going to make a run for it .

OP, i used to work in a vets and we often went out to peoples houses to put animals to sleep. The only problem we ever had was giving an exact time, due to emergencies cropping up, surgeries running over time but usually things were not a problem. I have to say that a few times i had to say no to people because the fecking vet didn't want to do it after surgery and i thought that was bloody well out of order. It is far better for the animal to be able to go to sleep in their own home.

If i were you, i would ring around and you will get someone to come i am sure. Do be prepared to pay quite a bit more for this though.

IAteDavinaForDinner · 21/10/2008 21:15

This is a difficult one. In days gone by I think house visits were the norm but these days much less so. In general that is because, especially out-of-hours, there are issues of health and safety and lone working to consider. Therefore many practices feel they may be risking their employee's personal safety by sending them to home visits.

Having said that if you are known to the practice and aren't a known bad-debtor then I can't see any reason for refusal.

I am surprised about your vet's "company policy".

I would telephone them again, explaining that you are considering changing practice. If they will not visit I would try another practice.

Original poster
constancereader · 21/10/2008 21:37

Thank you all for your kind comments.

She is a fab cat. She was born on our bed 11 years ago (we still have her mother and sister). Her speciality was bringing in live mice as presents for me , one of which I once found in my hair in the night! We are very sad about losing her, I hoped my ds would be able to remember all our cats but he is too little. I will try to find another vet, she is so traumatised by car journeys that I can't bear to inflict another one on her.

OP posts:
Lovesdogsandcats · 21/10/2008 22:46

I am so sorry about your cat, and I think you should keep trying to find a vet that will do a home visit. My vet does, and I know that several in this are do too, so no you are not out of touch. I find it odd that some vets don't.

I think for an animal who hates the vets or car journey it is a last thing you can do for them, it is really important so stick with it.

I know how you feel, thoughts with you at this time

Original poster
constancereader · 22/10/2008 18:38

I did find a vet who did home visits - he came this afternoon. I was so glad I didn't have to put her through the trauma of a car journey, it was all nice and peaceful at the end. DH came home and we buried her in the orchard.

Thanks again

OP posts:
BloodAndMutts · 22/10/2008 18:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CharCharBaGOOOOOOORE · 22/10/2008 18:45

Sorry about your cat, cr. It's good that you found a vet that did home visits though and that she is at peace now.

exasperatedmummy · 22/10/2008 23:11

im glad things worked out for you all and that you have somewhere lovely to keep her. You did the right thing.

eekamoose · 23/10/2008 20:22

Oh it sounds lovely that she's going to be in an orchard.

So glad you persisted and found a vet who could spare her that final car journey.

Very sorry she's gone. I'm sure you'll all miss her ever such a lot.

but also that she could be at home at the end.

pamplemousse · 23/10/2008 21:42

Well done, you did the right thing for her. Hope you're OK. x

Original poster
constancereader · 23/10/2008 21:49

Oh you are all so kind.

It is nice that she is in the orchard. We have only just moved to a house we own so I am relieved we could do this. It is very strange without her though, I have been out twice to feed her already today .

OP posts:
ClaireDeLoon · 23/10/2008 22:26

Coonstance I'm so sorry but glad you found a vet to come out. You have done the right thing and she was happy.

I lost my youngest cat 6 weeks ago (road accident) and know how you feel about still doing things for her, I was the same and still find it hard to think I won't hear her purry little chirrup when I walk towards her. I hope you're OK. You've found a lovely resting place for her.

NotAnOtter · 23/10/2008 22:28

odd

my dp would always prefer to do a put to sleep at home it is nicer for the animal

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