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

I think this is a wind up thread, nobody in their right mind would declutter a wardrobe instead of taking a very ill young kitten to the vet!

Exactly. I am reporting it now.

You look for one who lets you see both the parents and shows you paperwork that they are healthy and are up to date with treatments. That isn't just something pedigree breeders do. It's what a responsible breeder does. You should be asking those questions yourself and insisting to see them in their home before buying. It's called doing your research.

You can also easily weigh a kitten in a bowl on your kitchen scales.

If it's a Moggy someone is after, there are cat rescues who would have interviewed @sharplettuce , they would have wormed the cat, she would come with a free spaying voucher most likely as part of the adoption fee, and have had four week's free insurance.

Kittens are always looking for good homes via good rescues.

I’d definitely take the kitten to see the vet. It’s normal for cats/kittens/puppies to get worms, but the symptoms you describe aren’t normal. Either the kitten has a very extreme case of worms which needs further treatment or there’s another underlying health problem causing the symptoms you’re seeing.
Forget the worm issue, call the vet and tell them you want the kitten to have a health check as you have concerns, if it is worms then a standard worming tablet for the older cat should be fine.

Hi OP, glad you've got your appointment tomorrow for your kitten I'd only take your poorly cat if the other one is fine. I'm with Medivet who charge through the nose so can understand your reluctance to take in both. Your vets might have a plan you can subscribe too that covers twice yearly check ups and flea/worm treatments which should help in the future. Please let us know how your little one gets on. It's always distressing to see an animal sick.

Thanks that's the kind of information I was looking for. I think I will take her in though, just because she is quite off

I researched the conditions that can happen with my breed then sifted through dozens of breeders and spoke to them all on the phone before drawing up a shortlist of ones that had all of their history as breeders available to research going back 5 generations, then called those ones again with a list of questions. I developed a relationship with the ones who were happy to answer my questions and could provide evidence of all the health testing they had done, then chose which one to go on a waiting list with. Good breeders have a waiting list because it's also a test for them of how serious you are if you are prepared to wait. They also interviewed me to make sure I was suitable for one of their puppies. We met several times through the process and stayed in regular contact through the pregnancy from the birth until bringing the puppy home. We are still in contact 12 years after the first puppy. I've gone to the same breeder more than once over the years. The problem comes when people want an instant pet and are not prepared to do any of the above to get it. On that note I'm done because I'm getting really upset now.

Yes I was just wondering if it was standard for the vet to see them for worms/ fleas. I can understand wanting to see the little one as she isn't well

If you've recently given the Johnsons wormer, please don't give another worming treatment without seeking a vets advice. It could be very easy to overdose such a small animal. It could be the kitten has something else like dehydration occurring alongside the parasites which is causing them to be lethargic.

It's definitely worth looking around to find a decent vet though. Ours is a very decent small practice and one of the head nurses will often let us book and pay for one appointment and see both our dogs for small procedures. We recently had one dog who needed a routine blood pressure check and our other needed her anal glands expressing.

Hope your kitty is feeling better soon.

I'm a cat mum.

Please take your kitten in. She's lethargic and she can only go so long without eating and drinking. Kittens are basically babies.

It's really irresponsible of you writing it on mumsnet rather than taking the kitten in

My girl was really sick when i brought her home. She had a virus. Cost me extra 500 in vets/treatments. I hadn't even had Time to sort out insurance (she came with a month free.)

Took it on the chin and she's thriving now.

Yes I was just wondering if it was standard for the vet to see them for worms/ fleas. I can understand wanting to see the little one as she isn't well

You've been told multiple times that it is.

Are you not treating your older cat already? If not, why not?

I was giving him Baephar syrup, but it's been out of stock everywhere the last few weeks

This is really dangerous advice for a lethargic 10 week old kitten who has already had an unknown dose of random wormer.

Kittens die when they don't receive prompt veterinary care. Please don't recommend shortcuts like this, it could have fatal consequences.

vets need to see them to dispense anything including flea and wormer in order to be classed as under their care so they can legally dispense. Normally once seen they can get flea and worm treatment for a year without having to go back as long as you provide up to date weights while they’re growing (if they are), but this is ultimately at vet discretion. How vets charge for it will differ.

For example a standard consultation at mine is £50 for a 15min appointment and it’s meant to be 1 appointment per pet (which would explain the £100 for a double appointment mentioned on the phone). If clients are just wanting flea/wormer we offer a more basic health check with a vet at a reduced cost to cover what we need to in order to generate the prescription. But as I said, every vet will be charging differently and doing things differently. It would be worth double checking

Why is he not seeing a vet and receiving proper treatment?

I just wouldn't usually take to the vet over something like this. The only reason i called them is the younger one seems acting funny since I got her

OP never, never give your animals treatments that you have not got from the vet. It is possible that you have made this kitten unwell. Vets now.

@sharplettuce your cat should be seeing a vet so he can receive proper prescription strength treatment for both worms and fleas, and your kitten most definitely should.

Giving a 10 week old kitten a random dose of medication from a shop could kill it. Even adult cats can become very unwell because of treatments like that.

i agree 100%. Do not give anything and get to a vet.

I think that pet shops should be banned from selling this stuff. 🙁

Same @Scavernick it's so dangerous and the consequences can be fatal within hours.

I'm actually a bit worried because I was told they might need something stronger, and I'm worried about them receiving another dose. I suppose I just need to trust the vet, but I don't know him very well

And yet you trust random medication from a shop?