Was My Cat Killed By the Vet’s Lack of Communication?
Last week was a difficult week in my life. I had to put down a two years old cat, Niku. Euthanasia is always an agonizing decision to make, but even worse when the pet is very young. Unlike previous times when I had to put down beloved elderly pets eventually due to advanced cancer, this time I had to make the decision on the spot after waking up. Finding out afterwards that a breakdown of communication had led to the worsening of Niku’s condition made her untimely demise devastating.
I was unable to go to the ER animal hospital, so a trusted friend took her for me. This person, whom I will not identify out of respect for her privacy, lives here with me and knows the cat very well. I have no reason to suspect something may go amiss as I’ve had gone to the ER hospital quite a few times with other pets during the off hours and had consistently received excellent services.
Unknown to me, the ER vet didn’t quiz my friend extensively after she gave a summary that morning. Customarily a vet would pose follow-up questions to obtain more information from a client. The first time I realized something wasn’t right was later that evening when a different vet asked me a set of questions in an e mail. I thought to myself, shouldn’t they have the information already that morning? They didn’t even ask me anything when I called the ER hospital several times earlier to inquire regarding the current condition of Niku. After reading my answers, the vet got a clue regarding the problem, something they hadn’t thought of earlier. By the time they ran the barium test during the wee hours, it was too late as the intentines had already ruptured. They didn’t catch her obstruction in time.
When I woke up, I was contacted and given the grim diagnosis. Niku could have surgery, but the outcome was expected to be poor. Even worse, the cat was uncomfortable, even though she was on pain meds. I told them to PTS her asap so she won’t suffer, even though that meant I couldn’t see her alive to kiss her goodbye.
After few hours in shock and grief, questions began to form in my mind. Something didn’t make sense so I asked my friend for detailed information what transpired that morning and was stunned when I found out the vet didn’t question her after the summary. She has a normal voice, but she cannot lipread at all. Was that a factor, I wondered to myself
The next day I asked that day vet a set of questions which she answered in an e mail. To the second round of questions, she made the mistake of patronizing me instead of answering them. She replied that she understands that I am grieving and attempting to find some closure, but some things are meant to happen. For some unknown reason, the cat had an obstruction that they weren’t able to diagnose in time. Apparently she doesn’t have a clue that not only was I a biologist, but that I also have an extensive knowledge as a pet owner, being deeply involved in various pet rescues for many years, including taking care of a feral cat colony outside my residence. To double check whether I’ve interpreted her comment correctly or not, I passed the exchange of e mails to my close hearing friends who made the same interpretation, too. I told the vet I don’t appreciate her patronizing attitude and that I deserved answers. Her attitude immediately changed and she responded to all my questions with one glaring exception: why didn’t she read the records from the animal hospital about two symptoms that are significant clues to the possibility of an obstruction? I was put off by the fact she actually implied earlier that my friend was at fault for not mentioning these symptoms. Well, what did she think the follow up questions are for? What about the animal hospital records? Does she think I am an idiot or what? I merely thanked her for answering my questions and decided to do some further digging.
After I spoke with the vet at my regular animal hospital in depth, I obtained the records from both the animal hospital and the ER hospital. After reading them, it was obvious the ER vet didn’t read the animal hospital records carefully. She didn’t ask my friend about any other symptoms the cat may have. Was it because she couldn’t be bothered writing the questions down on paper?
I do plan to discuss this with the ER animal hospital and get some answers. I will after I get Niku’s ashes this Sat.
I feel very sick over this. The vet never gave Niku a chance.
Niku died needlessly because the vet treated my friend differently since she couldn’t lipread?
What went wrong?
Run freely, Niku
Last week was a difficult week in my life. I had to put down a two years old cat, Niku. Euthanasia is always an agonizing decision to make, but even worse when the pet is very young. Unlike previous times when I had to put down beloved elderly pets eventually due to advanced cancer, this time I had to make the decision on the spot after waking up. Finding out afterwards that a breakdown of communication had led to the worsening of Niku’s condition made her untimely demise devastating.
I was unable to go to the ER animal hospital, so a trusted friend took her for me. This person, whom I will not identify out of respect for her privacy, lives here with me and knows the cat very well. I have no reason to suspect something may go amiss as I’ve had gone to the ER hospital quite a few times with other pets during the off hours and had consistently received excellent services.
Unknown to me, the ER vet didn’t quiz my friend extensively after she gave a summary that morning. Customarily a vet would pose follow-up questions to obtain more information from a client. The first time I realized something wasn’t right was later that evening when a different vet asked me a set of questions in an e mail. I thought to myself, shouldn’t they have the information already that morning? They didn’t even ask me anything when I called the ER hospital several times earlier to inquire regarding the current condition of Niku. After reading my answers, the vet got a clue regarding the problem, something they hadn’t thought of earlier. By the time they ran the barium test during the wee hours, it was too late as the intentines had already ruptured. They didn’t catch her obstruction in time.
When I woke up, I was contacted and given the grim diagnosis. Niku could have surgery, but the outcome was expected to be poor. Even worse, the cat was uncomfortable, even though she was on pain meds. I told them to PTS her asap so she won’t suffer, even though that meant I couldn’t see her alive to kiss her goodbye.
After few hours in shock and grief, questions began to form in my mind. Something didn’t make sense so I asked my friend for detailed information what transpired that morning and was stunned when I found out the vet didn’t question her after the summary. She has a normal voice, but she cannot lipread at all. Was that a factor, I wondered to myself
The next day I asked that day vet a set of questions which she answered in an e mail. To the second round of questions, she made the mistake of patronizing me instead of answering them. She replied that she understands that I am grieving and attempting to find some closure, but some things are meant to happen. For some unknown reason, the cat had an obstruction that they weren’t able to diagnose in time. Apparently she doesn’t have a clue that not only was I a biologist, but that I also have an extensive knowledge as a pet owner, being deeply involved in various pet rescues for many years, including taking care of a feral cat colony outside my residence. To double check whether I’ve interpreted her comment correctly or not, I passed the exchange of e mails to my close hearing friends who made the same interpretation, too. I told the vet I don’t appreciate her patronizing attitude and that I deserved answers. Her attitude immediately changed and she responded to all my questions with one glaring exception: why didn’t she read the records from the animal hospital about two symptoms that are significant clues to the possibility of an obstruction? I was put off by the fact she actually implied earlier that my friend was at fault for not mentioning these symptoms. Well, what did she think the follow up questions are for? What about the animal hospital records? Does she think I am an idiot or what? I merely thanked her for answering my questions and decided to do some further digging.
After I spoke with the vet at my regular animal hospital in depth, I obtained the records from both the animal hospital and the ER hospital. After reading them, it was obvious the ER vet didn’t read the animal hospital records carefully. She didn’t ask my friend about any other symptoms the cat may have. Was it because she couldn’t be bothered writing the questions down on paper?
I do plan to discuss this with the ER animal hospital and get some answers. I will after I get Niku’s ashes this Sat.
I feel very sick over this. The vet never gave Niku a chance.
Niku died needlessly because the vet treated my friend differently since she couldn’t lipread?
What went wrong?
Run freely, Niku
October 1st, 2008 at 3:31 pm
I am sorry about all this. Yeah, a vet sensitive to animals’ suffering to diagnose properly and sensitive to ALL pets’ human companions’ ways of communication is a MUST. Hope this teaches that vet something and helps others realize. As you know, being an animal lover, too, I sure dread those kind of situations.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Yea … I feel for you. The veterinarian must follow up carefully with you … no matter what — either you are deaf or hearing (even with disabilities). Miscommunication is the biggest issue for all of us everyday in our lives. I have been there just now. Similiar to my situation but it is a person who is Deaf and Down Syndrome. The 30 years old African American woman is now in the ICU at the nearest hospital due to the pneumonia. She is not doing well. Many staffs thought she does it for attention. They are aware she has a very long history of serious heart condition. If she seeks attention — they still have to take her anyway. Based on my opinion, they had neglected her for nearly two weeks until I was told to take her to ER last Saturday night. I recently got hired as a relief staff a month ago. Now I am a bit angry because I have an additional disability too (I won’t disclose here) Not only Hearing but Deaf staffs tend to neglect Deaf with Disabilities too. I had been neglected by someone too and I am deeply hurts.
Niku is such a beautiful name. Jump freely, Niku I am very sorry for the great loss of your beloved cat who doesn’t deserve to die young.
….. and my prayer goes out to the young woman.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:37 pm
I’m so sorry this happened. I love cats. It makes me sick too. Of course you should pursue this. Hugs,Kim
October 1st, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Sorry to hear that you have very difficult grievence of Niku’s death is unexpected.
Somewhat I love that names and I think Niku is so beautiful names. Of course I recently lost our 18 year old cat, Corky is really special to our family. He have a great life of 18 years. Four month ago,he died was impacted on me and my husband,too.
Due to I.V.D.D. I am also understood the expereinced you go through differently of incident. I have not 100 recovery to heal with Corky yet.
I agree all of Kim & Ella’s comment
October 1st, 2008 at 4:28 pm
I am very sorry about your beloved cat. Some vets forget a motto, “Do no harm,” and do something very hastily; some vets lack sensitivtiy. I am a lover of dogs, so I can perfectly well understand how you feel about the loss.
October 1st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I am sorry about your cat, MZ.
As for me…when I go to the vet..I harass them with my own questions and make sure they do everything possible…I even have records of past visits and make notes and ask for copies of everything that they write down..I refuse to lip read.
I am sorry you were unable to go to the Vet, but yes the vet should have looked through everything..it’s their job.
October 1st, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Sorry about Niku’s passing.
The vet should have done his/her job. Am sure they took an oath!!
October 1st, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I’m sorry about your cat. I’m a cat lover.
We have been looking for a new vet who would understand our 4 years old yellow lab’s illness with an autoimmune disease.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:02 pm
As an avid animal lover; and an owner to a few pets; I know how difficult to lose a part of your family. My thoughts go out to you and your family during this difficult time.
I wonder, was the vet able to UNDERSTAND your friends speach? sometimes, the hearing people will act as though they understand the deaf talk when in reality they can’t truely understand the deaf persons speech.
Regardless of the answer; your vet was wrong; they should of research throughly.. I would jot down a letter and send a formal complaint..
October 1st, 2008 at 7:44 pm
Readers, thank you for your kind words. Yes, I definitely plan to pursue this next week after Niku’s ashes are picked up and I kick this nasty bug.
Human, this friend has a normal voice, not a deaf voice as she was hearing for some time. I can vouch how well hearing people understand her speech.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Oh, no, how painful. Could it be that the vet was simply incompetent and it had nothing to do with your friend’s communication skills or even the vet’s failure to take the extra effort to communicate?
Obstruction is common with animals and this would show up fairly obviously with typical symptoms. It should be one of the first things a vet would investigate. Not recognizing this and therefore not asking the right questions means the vet has no business in the profession.
Conscientious veterinarians need to be especially careful with deaf people who may rely on their animals more than most customers and take extra effort with communication. I feel that you are right to ask very specific and embarrassing questions.
I lost two cats when a vet in Maryland exposed them to sick animals after routine neutering. At the time there was no accountability and the vet brushed me off, saying “it happens”. Today there are standards they must uphold, fortunately.
October 2nd, 2008 at 10:10 am
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your cat. What your vet did was irresponsible and she should own it. Educate your vets to read the charts and the medical history! That goes for you readers. I have a cat here and our vet is very attentive to his needs and always have time for us for our questioning.
Again my condolences… like you said…run free Niki!!!
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Gee, I am so sorry to hear of this loss by this vet who are not doing their job.
please do pursue this and see if neglect do occur, file complaint with Board of Vet who licenses Vets, BBB and customer affairs
This way, Vets must take notice: They must respect pet owners’ feelings and concerns regardless of their disability or not becuase we are all HUMAN and we do have feelings!
I had wonderful Vet in Great Falls, VA that I go there for many many years for my two cats until he passed away and new Vet took over. The new vet knew me because the former vet mentioned to the new vet about me and treated me with diginity when one of my cat had to put to sleep in my own home. I feel so comfortable doing this at home. Other cat died naturally and this vet came to my home to pick this cat up. I was so impressed with Great Falls Animal hosptial in VA.
Please do keep us posted after you pursue this.
Hugs
Deb
October 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 am
Mishka:
This is a very sad loss. Especially for you. Animals are very much intune with deaf people. Your vet should have asked you for questions as to care for your pet very much.
When I hear of a case of a pet that mis-treated due to vet finding out that the owner is deaf, it should be cause for an investigation by the SPCA. Animal Planet should be able to help as well.
Niku’s passing is certainly heartbreaking. Yes, she’ll run free. She knows you did your best to help her. She loves you, Mishka. She understands you, not the vet. But for this vet? I’d sue to have the vet’s license taken away forever.
it’s just plain abuse.
October 8th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
My condolences on the loss of your friend (since Niku is more than just a pet). I’m not clear on how the ER vet would have seen the animal hospital’s records - had your friend taken those records along? Or did you have the animal hospital send the records to the ER vet?
Your story made me grateful that our vet is really great about communicating with us, following up through e-mail/pager, and even calling us via VP.
October 8th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
My friend had the records from the animal hospital which she gave to the attending vet at the ER animal hospital.
You see, Kyle, I never had any problems with the ER animal hospital before. In the previous visits, they treated my pets well and I’ve been more than satisfied with their services. That’s why I was completely blindsided by this unfortunate incident. Why was this visit so different from the others?