Is my vet taking the piss ? TW

[sharplettuce]

I got a new kitten, now both my cats have worms. I treated them both but called the vet the next day because I'm worried about the little one, as she's been kind of exhausted and slow to move around since I brought her home. The receptionist said I should bring them both in, in case they need a stronger treatment. It's £100 just for a double consultation, and I don't know what treatment will cost on top of that. I'm tempted to just keep them home, treat again in 2 weeks and make sure the little one is getting lots of good food to get her strength up. What do you think

You shouldn’t take on pets unless you can afford any expenses that come up.

"rang a couple of vets yesterday, earliest appointment is tomorrow"

I'd ring back first thing tomorrow morning and if that appointment is still available, take it (if you hadn't already booked it). In the meantime, if the kitten is eating well, passing poo OK and walking about then hopefully it'll do till tomorrow, if not then take a deep breath, lift the phone and suck up the Sunday OOH fee for the kitten (adult cat will be OK to wait for consultation during normal hours).

I said they are 'extortionate' - in real terms compared to ten years ago.
There is a lot in the media about this, monopolies Big chains buying up the small, independent practices.

It's significantly dearer now to take an animal to a vet, everyone I know has noticed this, from millionaires to the less well off.
My friend's vet bills came to over £12,000 for treatment her dog had.

https://news.sky.com/story/competition-watchdog-launches-probe-into-2bn-vet-industry-12956298

VeterinaryCareAssistant
I mentioned that- no apparently- only if I’d thought there was an issue. I was just being careful, didn’t trust myself to know it looked ok as there was a small amount of redness. Glad I did but horrendous amount for a few seconds work!!

Sadly these 'breeders' (I'm using the term very loosely) only exist because there's an endless queue of people just like OP who keep buying from them in spite of all the advice not to buy from them. All the traders care about is money and all the buyers want is an instant pet without having to wait. It's utterly depressing.

If shes lethargic and her stomach is sticking out and only 10 weeks she needs to see the vet urgently or there's a really strong chance she won't make it. Id be taking her to the emergency vet today and screw the cost- you made a commitment to this kitten and she needs urgent vet care.

This whole thread is like a how to guide for how not to buy a kitten. Poor little thing.

Cat roundworms aren't transmissible to people.
It's good to be hygienic around cats and litter trays (empty them at least daily) but no need to give over the top scaremongering advice.

Then you ring again and explain that it's an emergency. They will all have an out of hours service or be able to direct you to a practise that does.

I had my cat down the emergency vet yesterday - rang at 1pm and he was seen at 1.40pm.

You need to take the kitten now. Why are you waiting?

You do need to take the kitten to see the vet, as undoubtedly there is a worm burden but there may well be other significant issues that you don't know about. It's quite urgent that your very young and vulnerable animal is seen by a professional who knows what to look for. A kitten carefully bred by a thoughtful breeder is more likely to be a healthy kitten, your seller is clearly not interested in that side of things, only the money.

I'm reading that it's uncommon, but I'm paranoid about it, I've just went through my bedroom cupboard and binned everything the cats can reach and I can't boil wash

I already did make the appointment, they just wanted to know she was eating normally and said Monday would be fine

What I meant was the OP has removed or taken a kitten from a home where it wasn’t given proper care.

But she hasn't, really. She's just lined the pockets of a kitten farmer who will carry on breeding because he knows that there are still people out there foolish enough not to do their research.

She can’t go back and change what happened but can change its future.

But she's not even prepared to do that - the kitten isn't insured and she doesn't want to take it to the vets because it's a rip off 🙄

FFS. Stop washing and binning things, start looking for an OOH vet. If you don’t and your kitten dies, it will be your fault.

If she has worms then she almost certainly has / has had fleas. She’s possibly anaemic, dehydrated, or has a virus or bacterial infection. She’s very young and even the first two could easily kill her without treatment. Even in good health she should be seeing a vet for vaccinations. If you can’t afford veterinary treatment then you should consider contacting shelters to give up her up for treatment and adoption before it’s potentially too late.

She needs to be seen today. Ring the vet and explain that she's listless and lethargic.

If they won't see her then find someone else who will.

Did you tell the vet she is lethargic, moving slowly with a big round tummy and you’re worried she has an infection? Because I very much doubt they would be happy to see her Monday if you had disclosed what you have to us.

I have said that and tried several vets, they don't think it's an emergency

You may need to pay for an emergency vet appointment.

You’re acting like everything is everyone else’s fault. You chose to buy the kittens. You chose to buy from a dodgy ad. You chose to buy them before you were covered with insurance.

Because of your choices these kittens lives are now in your hands. The one with the distended stomach especially needs to be seen urgently.

I would get yourself to pets at home today and get some panacur and some effective flea treatment. Ask for their advice and don't just get the cheapest. Weigh your kitten on your kitchen scales before you go.

As for vets fees yes they are obscene but it is not the fault of individual vets or staff who have no input into fees. You are paying for expertise not only whatever product you walk out with.

Before you need a vet any pet owner should research local vets and ask around, compare prices, opening hours etc, and choose one to register with. Don't wait until your pet is sick at the weekend to start phoning round. Lots of vets do a free check up for a new puppy or kitten - this is the ideal way to make sure they are covered for parasites.

Yes I have said this

Is she eating and drinking?

I think you’re dishonest. No vet, being told on a Saturday that a 10 week old kitten was lethargic with a large tummy would advise you see them on Monday.

Yes