Ear mites - is the vet reasonable?

[Perimenoanti]

Hello,

I have 5 month old kitten who has developed issues with his ears. One was bleeding and he was scratching, so we went straight to the vet.

Vet diagnosed an ear infection in one ear, was given ear drops.

No improvement after one week, so vet took a swab and prescribed a cleaning solution in the meantime.

As we wait for swab results, the other ear starts to bother him. Went to vet again, vet took out some of the gunk and looked under the microscope and diagnosed ear mites.

Cleaned both ears and prescribed different medication.

This cost me a few hundred quid because this happened within the first two weeks of health insurance so they won't cover.

I'm quite annoyed that instead of looking under the microscope the first time they gave me wrong meds and then ordered a swab on the 2nd visit, still not checking under the microscope there and then.

I understand wrong diagnosis happen, but my cat suffered unnecessarily and I paid £300ish more than I would have otherwise.

I think they should have taken some of the gunk and checked under the microscope the first visit, or the second at the very latest.

What do you think?

They will never admit doing wrong or do any refund, so all you can do is vote with your feet. We wracked up thousands in waste treatments when they missed my old boy’s tumor, yet he had all the indications. Hospital vet found it in seconds. Vets would not admit any error or lack of expertise. Caused us and cat added stress . With my new boy, I have gone to a family firm rather than a franchise. Only had jab so far.

I had a similar issue. Was told a few days before adopting Penelope that she may have ear mites. But it turned out that she has an ear Ingram's ulcer in her ears. Also not covered by insurance. I think the reason it took so long clear up was because I wasn't actually getting the drops in her ears canals. She's got tiny ears! The vets wanted to flush her ears out. The rescue refused consent, it was all a bit of a nightmare!