Vet practice neglect

[VenusStarr]

Hi, wasn't sure what to title this. But my nearly 15 year old cat has a thyroid condition and she has Felimazole on repeat prescription and has done since December 2021, been thriving on it.

I order her prescription via an automated system which says to allow 48 hours. So I ordered 4 days in advance of her running out. They called me just before closing on Friday to say that she needed a blood test before they'd issue. But offered me Friday 8th March ( I ran out last night, which I explained last week that it was Wednesday I'd run out). I was told don't worry, the vet will issue some extra pills on Monday.

I've been chasing and they keep saying there's no vet in to do this. Had another conversation yesterday and apparently there's 1 vet covering 5 practices. I also go on holiday on Monday for 10 days, which seemed to cause more concern as apparently they were just going to issue a couple of days worth.

I sent an email last night to both the clinic and copied in their complaints team (usually they say wait 7 days if not resolved but I'm really stressed and unhappy with this now).

I've said they need resolve it by end of day today and I'm expecting a phone call (if I've heard nothing by 4pm today, I think I'll just head there after work).

Does anyone have any advice please? Do you think this is neglect? I'm worried she's going to get sick very quickly. Plus the stress of going on a much needed break and worrying that she might become unwell or die while I'm away.

I wonder if the issue is the new law that came into practise recently. Vets now have to have seen your pet in person at some point over the last year before they can continue to prescribe medication.

When was the last time your cat was at the vets for anything?

I do think they've handled it badly though and I would absolutely complain in your shoes!

My dog takes thyroid meds and I tend to order about 7-10 days in advance of running out just in case they need him in for a check up as I know they might ask every now and again. So it might be worth ordering them more than 48hrs before you run out, no matter what they say.

That said, I'd be pretty unimpressed if I had to wait more than a day or two for an appointment and especially unimpressed if they couldn't get me some tide over meds within a couple of days of me asking for them.

Thank you. It's been resolved now. I sent a complaint in, detailing every contact I'd had and that I was unhappy with the lack of care.

She was last seen at the end of January for her boosters.

They gave me the prescription for free as a goodwill gesture, which was nice. Apparently there is a national shortage of vets but they recognised that they messed up.

She's having her bloods next month instead and I asked them to tell me then when she'll next be due so I can make a note... Apparently their system doesn't have a function to add a text reminder.

But all is well and she only missed 1 dose.