Page 2 | No contact from vet after cat died

jellybeanlover2 · 2023-09-28T20:34:55+00:00

My cat died recently, she was 3 year old and had a major operation, she was checked over at the vets 10 days later by a vet nurse and she said that she seemed okay. Then she died two days later, I assume from sepsis or something similar. I emailed the vets to tell them and they sent back a standard email to say how sorry they were for my loss. This was bank holiday weekend. I did think that the vet who did the operation might ring and ask a few questions or try to offer some explanation, however there has been no other contact. Do you think that they should have contacted me or am I being a bit too fussy?

RudsyFarmer · 29/09/2023 07:49

I assume you had to pay a huge bill alongside losing your cat? Yes I would expect someone to contact you personally.

Tambatamba · 29/09/2023 07:49

I'm sorry but no 3 year old cat should die after an operation. That's just not normal at all.

Did your cat just die suddenly? I'm assuming so otherwise you'd have taken them back to the vets before.

Did you opt for them to have the pre-operation blood tests?

margotrose · 29/09/2023 08:20

I'm sorry but no 3 year old cat should die after an operation. That's just not normal at all.

Unfortunately it does happen. Animals do die after routine surgeries - it's rare but it does happen and there isn't always an explanation - it just happens sadly.

LouisiannaMonroeCake · 29/09/2023 08:29

The vet should have called. Sorry for your loss.

Phos · 29/09/2023 08:29

Tambatamba · 29/09/2023 07:47

Wtf?

Show quote history

Yeah that's been my thoughts on most of the responses. The cat didn't die at the vets and had been checked 10 days post op as well. I don't know what OP expects the vet to say. The loss has been acknowledged and that's all I think one should expect.

LouisiannaMonroeCake · 29/09/2023 08:32

Cats been recently operated on, the vet should have rang even just to clarify the symptoms and whether this was linked to the operation even if to confirm that this was unrelated.
I think the vet was cowardly. I know they are busy but they know damn well how precious those pets are and how much fees cost that there will be questions. I think they just feared they'd say something wrong and avoided a difficult conversation.

Tambatamba · 29/09/2023 09:07

@Phos it's depressing how society has descending into some people now expecting the bare minimum from other. Because of the me, me, me mentality.

I would argue that a veterinary practice that you have any kind of relationship with might feel that it's a good idea to at least check that nothing they did wrongly caused a very young cat to just drop dead.

Tambatamba · 29/09/2023 09:08

If this was my cat, I'd be reluctant to let any further cats of mine get operations at this place.

margotrose · 29/09/2023 09:15

LouisiannaMonroeCake · 29/09/2023 08:32

Cats been recently operated on, the vet should have rang even just to clarify the symptoms and whether this was linked to the operation even if to confirm that this was unrelated.
I think the vet was cowardly. I know they are busy but they know damn well how precious those pets are and how much fees cost that there will be questions. I think they just feared they'd say something wrong and avoided a difficult conversation.

The vet probably has no idea. OP
emailed reception - if she wants to inform the vet then she needs to go in to the practise or call and speak to them on the phone.

BluebellsForest · 29/09/2023 10:08

Tambatamba · 29/09/2023 09:07

@Phos it's depressing how society has descending into some people now expecting the bare minimum from other. Because of the me, me, me mentality.

I would argue that a veterinary practice that you have any kind of relationship with might feel that it's a good idea to at least check that nothing they did wrongly caused a very young cat to just drop dead.

Exactly. And we're not on AIBU where the race to the bottom is a given.

MissLucyEyelesbarrow · 29/09/2023 12:59

LouisiannaMonroeCake · 29/09/2023 08:32

Cats been recently operated on, the vet should have rang even just to clarify the symptoms and whether this was linked to the operation even if to confirm that this was unrelated.
I think the vet was cowardly. I know they are busy but they know damn well how precious those pets are and how much fees cost that there will be questions. I think they just feared they'd say something wrong and avoided a difficult conversation.

Vets deal with pet owners losing their beloved animals day in, day out. Every day, they are having difficult conversations about euthanasia and life expectancy. Sit in a vet's waiting room for a couple of hours and watch how often an owner comes out in tears. The idea that a vet can't deal with talking about a pet dying is just daft.

Original poster

jellybeanlover2 · 29/09/2023 13:38

Thank you all for your messages, it is all very helpful and kind, so a bit more information from me. I got this cat and her sister from the local RSPCA two years ago, this spring it became apparent through her behaviour that she had Ovarian Remnant Syndrome, so the original spay operation by the vets used by RSPCA hadn’t been carried out properly. So I took her to my vets and they carried out another operation and removed a sizeable piece of her ovary that had been missed previously. I have used my vets for quite a while and think highly of them. This operation was not covered by the insurance and cost a lot more than a normal spay. I was of the opinion that she was 100% back to normal when I took her for the checkup, and the nurse seemed to think so too. I really thought she was going to be a happy cat from then on, because she was very distressed previously when she had been coming into these “seasons”. She became ill late evening of the next day, and I was planning to take her to the vet in the morning but she didn’t survive the night. I didn’t think she was so ill at the time. I am just assuming sepsis because I know it can happen very fast. I haven’t discussed it with the vet or anyone there because I’m really upset to lose her, I’m not a soppy person but I love having dogs and cats and I feel as if I’m still missing her. As far as the vet not contacting me is concerned I really think that this is something that has just slipped through the net as such, not a deliberate decision or lack of care. However I will try to raise this later when I pop in to get flea treatment.

OP posts:

1984Winston · 29/09/2023 13:42

I'm so sorry for your loss, I used to be a vet nurse and I am surprised the vet hasn't rang you, I completely agree they might not have been told or could be on holiday or something.

nottaotter · 29/09/2023 13:42

Yes 100%. A young previously healthy (?) animal that they operated on and had a follow up appointment 10 days later where all was ok in their opinion, then died?! Err that is odd and I would expect an in person break down where I was asked about symptoms and what exactly had happened. I would then expect them to put forward possible reasons why that happened.

I would also expect them to talk about it privately at the surgery to see if any improvements could be made.

I am very sorry for your loss.

Tambatamba · 29/09/2023 15:06

@jellybeanlover2 I'm so sorry - you must be heartbroken. We all take our animals for operations assuming they will be fine. My cat had to have quite a few of his teeth removed a few months ago. He's only 6. How sad for you - hopefully the vets will be able to give you more support.