So Upset - cat abscess

[takingachance]

My cat (Leo) developed an abscess on his cheek yesterday, so I took him to the vets today. The (very young?!) vet said it needs opening up to relieve the pressure. Fine... Then he got out a scalpel and I asked him was he not going to give Leo any pain relief??!! He said no it was better just to do the procedure. Well not surprisingly, Leo was climbing the walls and my gorgeous placid cat was in such pain. Even so, after about 5 stabs at his cheek he hadn't managed to open it so he stuck a needle in it about 3 times which made a minute hole in it and a tiny bit of pus came out.

The vet then told me Leo was not very co-operative(!!) and he would need to come back and be sedated to have the procedure done. Why did he not sedate him in the first place? Is it normal that such pain would be caused - I thought any animal should be sedated or even GA to have such a thing done.

Sorry for the rant, I'm just so upset that such hurt was caused to no avail and needed to vent..

Oh my, I'd be fucking furious too

There's no way you should just dive in with a scalpel. Poor cat.

Change the vets practice, find another one.

Oh my God! That's inhumane - how could he??

Your poor poor puss

I'd be livid and making a complaint to the surgery manager

Poor little Leo that was completely out of order. Yes, I'd def complain and change vets. I hope he's having some lovely treats and mummy cuddles.
Bloody butcher!!!

Thank you for your sympathy for Leo! I wish I could change vets - unfortunately, we live on an island 5 hours from any other vets practice so we are reliant on using them but I think I will complain about this treatment. I'm just annoyed at myself for not stopping them...

You'll know for next time, what bastards though.

Poor Leo. I'd be so upset if that happened to my cat. Don't be annoyed with yourself, we rely on vets to do what's best for our pets and trust that they know what's best. A for you and some cat-crack Dreamies for Leo.

Poor Leo-cat - and poor you, too, it must have been incredibly distressing for you. Definitely put in a complaint - is it a large enough surgery that you can request you not see that vet again?

It's a tiny practice, but most of the vets are locums, so hopefully he won't be there next time we go.

Leo is much happier now, the abscess burst of it's own accord and he is having painkillers and antibiotics. So I don't think he will need to return for surgery, thank goodness

I wondered whether it might be a locum - one of the troubles of this time of year. Is there a regular vet you normally use?

Yes, the main vet (owner) is great with the small animals, you just can't guarantee to get him - think he might be on holiday at the moment...

Poor Leo. Hope he got loads of cuddles and treats, and hope you had a treat too x

Speak to the vet privately when he gets back - just to ensure that he doesn't use that locum again.

Glad to hear Leo's doing better & hope that the abscess does heal up without needing surgical intervention.

I second the suggestion of speaking to the practice owner about your experience. If he's away you could try writing?